The 1994 animated film is a musical fantasy directed by former Disney animator Richard Rich . Loosely based on the ballet Swan Lake , the film tells the story of Princess Odette, who is cursed to transform into a swan by the sorcerer Rothbart. Although it was a box-office failure upon release, it found significant success on home video and spawned a long-running franchise. 🎬 Production & Release
Despite its initial failure, The Swan Princess became a cult classic through VHS sales. As of 2026, the franchise includes twelve films, many of which transitioned to 3D CGI animation. It is often cited as one of the most prominent "Disney-esque" non-Disney films of the 1990s. The Swan Princess (1994)
: Richard Rich (known for Disney's The Fox and the Hound ). Studio : Nest Entertainment and Rich Animation Studios. Release Date : November 18, 1994. Voice Cast : Michelle Nicastro as Princess Odette. Howard McGillin as Prince Derek. Jack Palance as Rothbart. John Cleese as Jean-Bob (the frog). The 1994 animated film is a musical fantasy