When thinking of classic Disney movies, does A Goofy Movie come to mind? If you were a parent in the 1990’s, you’ll probably say no. But if you were a kid during the 1990’s, chances are good that you’ll say yes. This seemingly silly movie, full of slapstick gags, actually has a lot of heart.
The 1995 film opened in theaters on this day 30 years ago. It celebrates its 30th anniversary today with a new documentary on Disney+. Directed by visual effects artists Eric Kimelton and film editor Christopher Ninness, Not Just a Goof isn’t really a “making of” documentary about the cartoon movie. It’s about the people behind it and the people who love it to this day.
A Goofy Movie Crew and Max and Goofy (CNEK Films and Disney)
Not Just a Goof follows a young team of animators working on their first Disney feature film. Then on how they handled the disappointment they felt when the film didn’t do as well as they had expected, and finally their surprise years later when they discovered that it had a huge following from kids who watched it on VHS.
“Through key interviews and rare footage, it explores the struggles, victories, and studio dynamics that shaped the movie,” say the filmmakers on the documentary’s official website. “More than just a behind-the-scenes look, it highlights why A Goofy Movie remains a beloved gem for the generation that grew up watching it. This captivating retrospective sheds light on Disney Animation’s evolution and the film’s enduring legacy, making it a must-watch for Disney fans and 90s kids alike.”
A Goofy Movie was based on the popular syndicated afternoon tv series, Goof Troop. The TV series centered on Goofy and then grade-schooler, Max. When Disney greenlit A Goofy Movie, the filmmakers decided to “age up” Max to a teenager desperately in love with classmate Roxanne and huge fan of the rock band, Powerline.
Concerned about Max acting out, Goofy plans a road trip to Lake Destiny with a stop at possum-themed amusement park (which pokes fun of Disney’s Country Bears Jamboree attraction). He’s determined to bond with his son whether Max likes it or not. Of course, things don’t go as planned.
It was a storyline that was inspired by then-Walt Disney Studios chairman Jeffrey Katzenberg. Katzenberg had shared with filmmakers how when he was estranged from his teen daughter, the two went on a road and their relationship got a lot better. Lima told The Austin Chronicle, “Instead of just keeping Goofy one-dimensional as he’s been in the past, we wanted to give an emotional side that would add to the emotional arc of the story. We wanted the audience to see his feelings instead of just his antics.” But to be clear, there are plenty of antics.
A Goofy Movie didn’t just make kids laugh. For some, it provided some healing. Ninness and Kimelton say that they grew up with an absence of fathers and they rewatched this long-form Goofy cartoon repeatedly. And then, they found that they weren’t alone.
As adults, Ninness and Kimelton have marveled at how even a silly character like Goofy can make an emotional impact. They hope that this documentary will show how “the transformative force of art transcends boundaries and speaks to the human experience.”
The two wrote the script for Not Just a Goof with co-writer Mason Trueblood. They shared their love for this project with creative producer Scott Seibold and Don Hahn, producer of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King, Who Framed Roger Rabbit and others. They hope that this new documentary is seen as a “spiritual sequel” to Hahn’s Walking Sleeping Beauty.
Not Just a Goof also features some original animation provided by Venturia Animation Studios and an original score by Cameron Chambers.
And if you long to see A Goofy Movie on the big screen one more time, you’re in luck. Disney’s fan club, D23 has announced that Goofy and Max are heading out for another road trip in the coming weeks. They are headed across the country to celebrate the movie’s anniversary with screenings of the animated film in 21 cities. Their movie tour runs from May 3 through August 28, 2025.
Tickets for D23 On the Road: A Goofy Movie include:
- A big-screen presentation of A Goofy Movie (1995) with interactive, fan-powered moments
- An exclusive Activation Kit filled with interactive surprises and themed goodies to make your movie experience extra magical
- A limited-edition Lester’s Possum Park pennant
- A commemorative Powerline concert ticket with lanyard
- A limited-edition A Goofy Movie pin
- Photo opportunities inspired by scenes from the film
- Exclusive content, trivia, and more.
Main Image: CNEK Films
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