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Atlantis: The Lost Empire

Atlantis: The Lost Empire is a 2001 American animated adventure film produced by Walt Disney Feature Animation and released by Walt Disney Pictures.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Atlantis: The Lost Empire is a 2001 American animated adventure film produced by Walt Disney Feature Animation and released by Walt Disney Pictures. Set in 1914, it follows linguist Milo Thatch and a crew of explorers on an expedition to find the lost city of Atlantis. The film was Disney’s 41st animated feature and is notable for blending adventure, fantasy, and science fiction elements.

Plot

The film follows Milo Thatch as he joins a wealthy patron’s expedition to locate Atlantis. Once the city is found, the story shifts toward protecting Atlantis from outside threats and internal conflict.

Production

Atlantis: The Lost Empire was developed by Walt Disney Feature Animation and directed by Gary Trousdale and Kirk Wise. It was designed as an original adventure story and is remembered for its distinctive visual style and large ensemble cast.

Release and reception

The film premiered in 2001 and received a PG rating in the United States. It did not perform as strongly at the box office as Disney had hoped, which affected plans for related spin-off projects.

Legacy

The film later gained a cult following among some viewers and is often discussed as one of Disney’s more unusual animated features. It also led to the 2003 sequel Atlantis: Milo’s Return.

Key facts

  • The film is set in 1914 and centres on Milo Thatch, a linguist and mapmaker who joins an expedition to Atlantis.
  • It was released in 2001 by Walt Disney Pictures and is Disney’s 41st animated feature.
  • The story follows an expedition crew that uses an ancient manuscript, the Shepherd’s Journal, to locate Atlantis.
  • The film’s voice cast includes Michael J. Fox, James Garner, Cree Summer, and Leonard Nimoy.
  • A direct-to-video sequel, Atlantis: Milo's Return, was released in 2003.
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Canadian context

The film was released in Canadian cinemas in 2001 and has also been available to Canadian audiences through home video and streaming services.

Frequently asked questions

What is Atlantis: The Lost Empire about?
It is about Milo Thatch joining an expedition to find the lost city of Atlantis and becoming involved in events there.
When was Atlantis: The Lost Empire released?
It was released on June 15, 2001.
Who directed Atlantis: The Lost Empire?
The film was directed by Gary Trousdale and Kirk Wise.
Was there a sequel to Atlantis: The Lost Empire?
Yes. A direct-to-video sequel titled Atlantis: Milo's Return was released in 2003.
What genre is Atlantis: The Lost Empire?
It is generally classified as an animated adventure film with science fiction and fantasy elements.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlantis:_The_Lost_Empire
    Supports: Basic film identity, setting, sequel, and plot overview.
  2. Disney+ — https://www.disneyplus.com/browse/entity-998ad7ff-51b8-47ec-b571-85152ba5d2ce
    Supports: Runtime, genre, director, cast, and synopsis.
  3. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/atlantis_the_lost_empire
    Supports: Synopsis, release date, MPAA rating, and genre classifications.
  4. Metacritic — https://www.metacritic.com/movie/atlantis-the-lost-empire/details/
    Supports: Release date, runtime, rating, studio, and genre details.