The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996 film) the film – stemmed from the company's domestic partnership policy and gay and lesbian theme days at Walt Disney World. Gary Trousdale also claimed that Southern Baptists were outraged over the casting of Demi Moore as Esmeralda, as she had just come off of the controversial "Striptease", in which she played an exotic dancer. Disney officials would not comment on the motivation for the religious content displayed in the film beyond comments on the subject included in the film's press kit with Disney vice president John Dreyer commenting, "The film speaks for itself." Nevertheless, there was praise from religious organizations
The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996 film) gross over $100 million surpassing the domestic box office gross, and went on to accumulate $225.2 million, surpassing "Pocahontas" $204.5 million international gross. Worldwide, "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" grossed over $325,338,851, making it the fifth highest-grossing film of 1996. Review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes gave the film a 74% positive rating based on 53 reviews with its consensus stating, "Disney's take on the Victor Hugo classic is dramatically uneven, but its strong visuals, dark themes, and message of tolerance make for a more-sophisticated-than-average children's film." "Chicago Sun-Times" film critic Roger Ebert rewarded the film 4 stars, calling it "the