Like most Don Bluth films of the 80's An American Tail is sharply animated and doesn't hesitate to add darker elements and scenes into it's family friendly immigrant story. One of the few non-Disney classics of the 20th Century An American Tail is a familiar story that is smartly crafted and doesn't pander to its audience. It even has a memorable song with "Somewhere Out There".

FYI: Upon it's release An American Tail become the highest grossing non-Disney film of all-time (it even outgrossed the Disney film of that year The Great Mouse Detective). Don Bluth's films dominate the 80's and forced Disney studios to invest more money and creativity into their products resulting in the Disney Renaissance era of the 90's.