28 Years Later, This Heartfelt Animated Classic Still Defines Family Reunion Drama

There's something about old time animated films that makes you want to watch them over and over again. One of my all-time favorites as a kid was the 1997 movie called Anastasia. Directed by Don Bluth and Gary Goldman, it tells the story of the lost Russian princess, Anastasia Romanov, and her quest to be reunited with her family.

And for me, it remains the most heartwarming family drama ever created in the world of animation.

What Is Anastasia About?

Anastasia centers on the youngest daughter of Tsar Nicholas II, who was saved along with her grandmother when the entire Romanov family perished during the Russian Revolution.

However, despite the help of a young boy named Dimitri, who made sure they escaped the castle, Anastasia and her grandmother, the Dowager Empress Marie, are separated on the train platform, and the girl stays behind while the Empress goes to Paris.

After many years, the Empress announces a prize of one million rubles for whoever finds Anastasia and brings her back to her. At the same time, we meet a young girl, Anya, who leaves her foster home to work in a factory, but is drawn to St. Petersburg by the thought that she will find her long-lost family there. Her only clue to who she is is a pendant with the words "Together in Paris" on it.

Fate brings her together with Dmitri, who at first wants to use the girl's resemblance for money, but later falls in love with her and realizes that she is the real princess after all. The devastating scene where Anastasia finds out that he has been using her is painful to watch as we see her struggle with the romantic feelings towards him and the pain he has caused her by hiding the truth.

Here’s Why Anastasia Remains a Classic Since 1997

The heart of the movie lies in the tension between Anastasia's search for her family and her own self-discovery. And the scene where Anastasia meets the Empress and the poor old woman is finally ready to open up and believe that Anya is the real Anastasia is the most heartfelt moment in the whole movie. Makes me cry every time they both realize they finally found each other after so many years of thinking they had nothing else in this world.

And of course, what gives it an even better ending is the fact that Anastasia doesn't let go of her feelings for Dmitri and moves away with him, but with a happy heart and a deep understanding of who she is. The same goes for the Empress, who doesn't insist on her staying in Paris.

Anastasia is available to stream on Disney+.