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The Prince of Egypt

The Prince of Egypt is a 1998 American animated musical drama film directed by Brenda Chapman, Steve Hickner, and Simon Wells.

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

The Prince of Egypt is a 1998 American animated musical drama film directed by Brenda Chapman, Steve Hickner, and Simon Wells. It is DreamWorks Animation’s first traditionally animated feature and adapts the biblical Book of Exodus, focusing on Moses from his life as an Egyptian prince to his role leading the Hebrews out of Egypt.

Plot

The film dramatizes Moses’s journey from Egyptian royalty to Hebrew leader after he learns of his origins. It depicts his conflict with Ramses, the plagues on Egypt, and the escape of the Hebrews through the parting of the Red Sea.

Production

The Prince of Egypt was directed by Brenda Chapman, Steve Hickner, and Simon Wells and written by Philip LaZebnik. It was the first traditionally animated film produced by DreamWorks Animation and was animated entirely in-house at DreamWorks Animation’s Glendale studio.

Music

The film’s songs were written by Stephen Schwartz, and the score was composed by Hans Zimmer. Its music was a major part of its critical and commercial identity.

Cast

The principal voice cast includes Val Kilmer as Moses and Ralph Fiennes as Ramses, with Michelle Pfeiffer, Sandra Bullock, Jeff Goldblum, Danny Glover, Patrick Stewart, Helen Mirren, Steve Martin, and Martin Short in supporting roles.

Key facts

  • The film is an adaptation of the Book of Exodus.
  • It was DreamWorks Animation’s first traditionally animated film.
  • The story follows Moses, Ramses, and the liberation of the Hebrews from slavery in Egypt.
  • The voice cast includes Val Kilmer, Ralph Fiennes, Michelle Pfeiffer, Sandra Bullock, Jeff Goldblum, Danny Glover, Patrick Stewart, Helen Mirren, Steve Martin, and Martin Short.
  • The film features songs by Stephen Schwartz and a score by Hans Zimmer.
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Canadian context

The film was released internationally and remains widely available to Canadian audiences through home entertainment and streaming services; it is also frequently discussed in Canadian classrooms and faith-based cultural contexts as a screen adaptation of the Exodus story.

Frequently asked questions

What is The Prince of Egypt about?
It is an animated retelling of the Book of Exodus, following Moses as he discovers his Hebrew identity and leads his people out of Egypt.
Who directed The Prince of Egypt?
The film was directed by Brenda Chapman, Steve Hickner, and Simon Wells.
When was The Prince of Egypt released?
It was released in the United States on December 18, 1998.
Is The Prince of Egypt a DreamWorks film?
Yes. It was produced by DreamWorks Animation and is widely noted as the studio’s first traditionally animated feature.
Who provided the music?
Stephen Schwartz wrote the songs, and Hans Zimmer composed the score.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Prince_of_Egypt
    Supports: Release year, directors, writer, studio, plot, cast, and musical credits.
  2. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/prince_of_egypt
    Supports: Synopsis, release date, runtime, rating, genre, and plot details.
  3. DreamWorks — https://www.dreamworks.com/movies/the-prince-of-egypt
    Supports: Official studio description of the film and principal cast.
  4. Netflix — https://www.netflix.com/title/18171022
    Supports: Release year, rating, cast, and synopsis.
  5. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120794/
    Supports: Release date and basic film identification.