“Encanto” was released in theaters on Nov. 24, 2021 and on Disney+ on Dec. 24. Despite the movie coming out at the beginning of the year, the hype around it has yet to quiet down. *Spoilers ahead.*

The movie has taken off since its release, making $237.4 million in the box office and having its soundtrack reach No. 1 on Billboard’s Top 200. Additionally, it has recently been nominated for an Oscar for Best Animated Feature. 

People have had a lot to say about the most recent Disney movie: from Rotten Tomatoes giving it a 90%, to people on TikTok making thousands of videos using the music or talking about the movie.

For those who don’t know, “Encanto” is about a family who was given a miracle at a time they needed it most. This miracle granted those in the family powers when they became of age, such as incredible hearing, shape-shifting, control of the weather and talking to animals. Throughout the movie, the family is forced to mend their broken bonds with each other in order to keep their powers, their house and their miracle. Everyone in the family is a little bit different, whether that be from their powers or what they look like — they all have something that makes them unique and special in their own way. The movie was able to show representation, not only through the character appearances but also through Colombian culture, while having it be set in Columbia as well.

This is one of the first Disney movies that has gone into Colombian and Latina representation. Mauro Castillo, who voices Felix, said in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter that, “I always dreamed to be in the cast of an animated movie, but this is too much for me. It’s about Colombia! It’s a chance to share more about our diversity.” Castillo is not the only cast member who shared this excitement. Jessica Darrow, who voices Luisa, commented that “as a Latina woman, I’ve always grown up obsessed with Disney films and I’ve always wanted to meet a family that felt closer to mine.”

The movie also passes along the idea that it’s not what you do, but who you are that matters. Throughout the movie, Mirabel, who was the only one in her family to not be gifted with a power, feels like she is not as special as the rest of her family because of this. As the movie progresses, she starts to see that it is simply not true. Even without her powers, she is able to save her family and the miracle they were given. If it weren’t for her, the only person without powers, they would have lost everything. It shows that even if you may not feel like it, you are still just as special as everyone else.

While the movie had countless representations and meanings behind it, it also has become extremely popular because of the music. One song in particular, “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” (written by Lin Manuel Miranda), has recently passed Frozen’s “Let It Go,” becoming Disney’s biggest hit tune in decades. In its first week on top of Billboard’s 200, the song had 69.3 million streams (Jan. 28 – Feb. 3). “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” and other songs from the movie have since been used in countless videos on TikTok by creators, who have been memorizing the song word for word.

Students from our own Independence High School also have some things to say about the movie. Peyton Oates (10) said in an interview,“The movie was so much fun, the colors and details used throughout it made it so much more entertaining.” She also thought that “the animation was amazing, and so was the movie itself as a whole. 10/10!”

It is safe to say that “Encanto” is a highly popular movie, reaching millions around the world and being Disney+’s most viewed title in the first two weeks after its release on the streaming service. From the representation and themes, to the lyrics behind it and the creative animation from those who made it, this movie is being looked at for nominations and by those around the world.