The Failure of FERNGULLY: Stuck in Disney’s Shadow
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FERNGULLY: The Last Rainforest had the blessing and curse to ride the wave of animation resurgence brought on by the recent success of Disney animated films like The Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast.
With an eye towards increasing environmental awareness, this independent production had high aspirations but fell victim to the same problems other animated films of the time did.
SOURCES:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FernGully:_The_Last_Rainforest
https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2017/04/ferngully-making-of
https://outlawvern.com/2022/05/18/ferngully-the-last-rainforest-and-the-weird-animation-of-summer-92-part-1/
https://www.newspapers.com/image/424031084/?match=1&terms=ferngully&search-id=dfb94db7-a855-4f1c-aa48-19eb75009bb2&search-rank=2
https://www.newspapers.com/image/1237164684/?match=2&terms=ferngully&search-id=4d30a0cf-c0b1-4adb-9800-3dd54440096e&search-rank=2
https://www.newspapers.com/image/439655470/?terms=ferngully%20century%20fox
https://www.newspapers.com/image/439655557/?match=4&terms=ferngully%20century%20fox&search-id=50c82279-d47c-4148-b91b-b35df98b04a5&search-rank=2
https://www.newspapers.com/image/1107060243/?terms=ferngully%20century%20fox
https://www.newspapers.com/image/724864329/?terms=ferngully%20dismal
https://www.newspapers.com/image/427331763/?match=2&terms=ferngully&search-id=be9806e1-0f31-4966-8bc4-b4cd529ad5d4&search-rank=1
https://deadline.com/2026/04/ferngully-live-action-film-amazon-mgm-marielle-heller-directs-1236864500/
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@SecretGalaxyTV
November 8, 2026 at 12:36 am
Taking care of your health just got easier – start here with my sponsor Zocdoc: https://zocdoc.com/SECRETGALAXY
@JettisonSalvage
November 8, 2026 at 12:36 am
I can’t believe you wove Rachel Carson- double nerd alert! Well done.
@hiyazaki09
November 8, 2026 at 12:36 am
I really don't know why alot people hate this movie
i ranted this 1994, 1995 time's where you don't have cellphone no internet just hang out with your friends and classmates play video games and save money to rant vhs 😂👍🏻 i really like this movies this movie help me improve my drawing styles so i loved this film 🤘🏻🤣👍🏻
@jmartindale24
November 8, 2026 at 12:36 am
We had ‘Fern Gully’ on VHS, and I loved watching it with my sisters as a kid. Thanks for this video! It brought back some great memories and highlighted a film that should get more attention—especially these days.
@Looking4HopeAnywhere
November 8, 2026 at 12:36 am
Thank you for that ending.
@slugzilla-b6p
November 8, 2026 at 12:36 am
Saw it on TV then again during a non Disney animated movie marathon couple years ago. Not particularly memorable beyond few songs but I agree the message that we only have one Earth will always be evergreen.
@Dr.ChrisRadioofHorrorShow
November 8, 2026 at 12:36 am
Teaching kids to plant seeds with the fast food tie in is brilliant
@FerintoshFarmsPhotography
November 8, 2026 at 12:36 am
I'm batty for secret galaxy
@suicidesamuraiz
November 8, 2026 at 12:36 am
I wasn't really into Disney as a kid, but loved this one when I watched it. I was probably 13/'93, when I was it on VHS.
Waaaaay better than Avatar.
@KcMcStix
November 8, 2026 at 12:36 am
They tried had to not be preachy but Dan doesn't give a fuuuuuck. lol
@XDeminox
November 8, 2026 at 12:36 am
Also the Earth Rise photo was NOT taken from the Moon. That's what people believe but it's NOT TRUE.
it was taken from a space craft in orbit around the Moon. 😎
@XDeminox
November 8, 2026 at 12:36 am
Better movie than half of what Disney was making at the time
@mekman4
November 8, 2026 at 12:36 am
Great Stuff, as always!
@niccolomanahan7775
November 8, 2026 at 12:36 am
4:35 wow sounds familiar
@philla2693
November 8, 2026 at 12:36 am
Finally, a a YouTuber that can pronounce Cuyahoga!
@LLOST32
November 8, 2026 at 12:36 am
Avatar biting so much from FernGully and making so much $ kind of puts the whole thing into a different context.
@mittensfastpaw
November 8, 2026 at 12:36 am
I remember my family getting this on VHS. It was nice but I haven't watched it in years. And of course Katzen was an ass. His whole career was being a douchebag.
@ShonanArcadeJapan
November 8, 2026 at 12:36 am
Preach "18:01" Great stuff
@b.d.hampton
November 8, 2026 at 12:36 am
I loved this film as a kid and still occasionally watch it today. The message is , unfortunately, still important, if not more so today.
@Neon_Devon
November 8, 2026 at 12:36 am
As always, thank you for your insightful commentary and contextualization. In a sea of nostalgia bait, you and Greg consistently prove that there's an importance and legacy to pop culture that helps shape who we are and what we take with us into the future. Also that Disney has been a bratty predator and bully for at least a lifetime.
@jessehcreative
November 8, 2026 at 12:36 am
Why is the editing of the animation not in sync with what’s being talked about?
@HowDidThisHappenInAmerica2026
November 8, 2026 at 12:36 am
This was not the video the title portrays it to be… Very pleased by the way they told the "failure" of Fern Gully.
@needhamcomics6370
November 8, 2026 at 12:36 am
In college we got animation desks that Disney was selling. Mine had a model sheet from Fern Gully in it. But Fern Gully isn't Disney. So why was it there?
@Nooflear
November 8, 2026 at 12:36 am
Only $2.99 for that pizza pack. Man that's a steal of a deal.
@chrisprescott2273
November 8, 2026 at 12:36 am
It didn't fail to inspire Gen X to not destroy the environment. Along with Captain Planet and most other 80s and 90s kids media. What happened to us? When did we stop caring?