Chace The Fox is a 1989 action-adventure comedy film that is based on the book Chace The Fox & The Gem (1909) by B&W Pictures, Chace The Fox (1972) by Chace!, and The Puppet (1912) by Zing Corporation. The movie is produced by Chace! Studios and Zing Pictures, and it is distributed by 20th Century Fox. The story revolves around Chace, an anthropomorphic fox who must harness his powers after discovering that he is destined to succeed his father. Additionally, Puppet, an anthropomorphic lizard in the form of a puppet, decides to leave his job upon finding out that his hometown, Zing Town, is under threat from an evil mastermind named Xerox. Xerox, an anthropomorphic white fox resembling a kitsune, is determined to conquer Zing Town.
The production of Chace The Fox commenced in 1982. Chace! and Zing were responsible for producing the film under a distributor. In 1983, MGM made an offer to distribute the film, however, in 1984, MGM withdrew their offer. Eventually, in 1986, three production companies, namely 20th Century Fox, Warner Bros. Pictures, and Paramount Pictures, stepped in and offered to distribute the film. In 1987, 20th Century Fox distributed the film in the United States, while Warner Bros. handled distribution in Canada, and Paramount took charge of distribution in the UK. Originally planned for a 1988 release, the film was postponed to 1989 as Chace! Studios had to rearrange its schedule to prioritize its arcade games.
The film received acclaim from critics for its stunning animation and captivating voice performances. Its memorable soundtrack enhanced the storytelling, contributing to the overall positive reception. The writing was praised for its clever humor and engaging narrative, appealing to audiences of all ages. In 1989, it became the highest-grossing film of the year, a remarkable achievement in the animation genre. It held the record for the highest-grossing film of all time until it was surpassed by Avatar in 2009. The film also distinguished itself as the highest-grossing animated film until Ne Zha 2 took that title in 2025. Despite this, it remains the highest-grossing American animated film to date. The film's monumental success paved the way for a franchise that includes spin-offs and television adaptations. Additionally, it inspired live-action films, video games, and various forms of media. A highly anticipated sequel is set to be released on July 11, 2025, continuing the beloved story.
Plot[]
Flashback of Xerox[]
Chace's Ritual[]
Xerox Takeover[]
Meeting Puppet[]
The Path of The Gem[]
First Battle[]
The Power[]
Final Battle[]
The True Succesor[]
Cast[]
Chace Zing (the former owner of the company) as Chace the Fox, The Puppet, Thunderagers, The Meeks, and the Element Overpowered Team.
Voices for Sonic the Hedgehog characters are unknown.
Production[]
Development & Writing[]
Production of the film "Chace The Fox" commenced under the helm of Chace! Zing Corp. in 1980. Originally proposed to ZiNG Pictures in 1969, the project was unfortunately scrapped due to financial constraints. Chace! Zing Corp. enlisted Don Bluth as the director and Gary Goldman as the screenwriter for the film.
Original production with MGM[]
Chace! Zing Corp. required additional studio assistance for the film production, leading to the involvement of MGM. However, MGM withdrew from the project weeks later, prompting Fox to step in as the replacement studio.
Drawing[]
The studio Chace! Zing Corp. began its writing process in a desolate wasteland with molten lava flowing beneath the surface. However, when the concept of introducing additional characters was brought up, the barren wasteland was transformed into a lush forest, complete with a towering volcano. The intention is for the scene with the lava to eventually transition the forest back into the abandoned idea that was previously mentioned, all due to Xerox's malevolent gem power.
Characters[]
Chace! decided to expand the storyline beyond just the character, Chace The Fox, by introducing Puppet the Lizard and Sonic the Hedgehog. However, Sonic ended up having a minor role in the film due to his previous appearances in minor episodes of Chace The Fox. The studio then began brainstorming ideas for the antagonist's character and appearance. Initially, the plan was for the antagonist to be a Mink who sought to steal the gem in order to gain power and replace Chace The Fox. However, this idea was discarded in favor of Xerox the Wolf, who aims to use the gem to dominate the world.
Final[]
The film underwent several title changes before settling on the final one, including options like Chace The Fox: The Movie, which were eventually shortened to simply Chace The Fox.
Release[]
The theatrical release of the film took place on July 11, 1989, while its VHS release was aimed at promoting THX certification by Fox Video. Following the release of The Puppet Movie, THX certification was further promoted when Chace The Fox film was released as a Special Edition on DVD. In 2024, a reprint of Chace The Fox was released alongside its spin-offs (The Puppet Movie, The Meeks, Sonic the Hedgehog live action films) and the live action adaptation released in 2023.
Reception[]
The film got a A+ by Cinemascore, and rating of 100%, the film won the Annie awards, and Oscar awards, later on The Puppet Movie won another of the awards.
The story centers on Chace, an anthropomorphic fox brought to life with vibrant animation and a compelling energy that resonates throughout the film. Voiced by a talented cast, Chace’s journey of self-discovery is not just a quest to embrace his powers but also a heartfelt exploration of duty and legacy, particularly as he grapples with the weighty expectation of succeeding his father. This coming-of-age theme adds depth to what could have simply been a light-hearted romp.
Enter Puppet, the charming anthropomorphic lizard, whose own storyline intertwines beautifully with Chace's actions. Puppet’s decision to leave his job upon discovering the threat looming over his hometown, Zing Town, showcases the film’s strong character development and emotional stakes. His alliance with Chace sets the stage for an adventurous and humorous escapade as they join forces to face the nefarious Xerox, an evil anthropomorphic white fox strikingly designed to resemble a kitsune. Xerox's ambition to conquer Zing Town serves as the catalyst for the duo's adventure, and it’s a testament to the film's creativity that the antagonist is as memorable as the protagonists.
The film is not just a visual feast; it’s supported by a fantastic score and a rich tapestry of animation that breathes life into every scene. The seamless blend of humor, action, and heartfelt moments keeps viewers engaged from start to finish. It's no surprise that Chace The Fox received an A+ from CinemaScore and boasts a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, reflecting the overwhelming positivity it garnered from critics and audiences alike.
Moreover, the film's success is underscored by its achievements at the Annie Awards and the Oscars, where it was recognized for its groundbreaking animation and storytelling. Such accolades validate its place as a timeless classic in animated cinema history.
In conclusion, Chace The Fox is a beautifully crafted film that transcends its family-friendly genre to offer universal themes of courage, friendship, and destiny. With a clever script, stunning animation, and unforgettable characters, it’s a superb addition to the repertoire of 20th Century Fox that deserves to be celebrated and cherished. Whether you’re revisiting this gem or watching it for the first time, prepare to be swept away by the magic of Chace and his charming companions in their quest to save Zing Town. Highly recommended!
Legacy & Future[]
After the success of Chace The Fox, a spin-off featuring the character Puppet was released in 1994. A sequel to The Puppet Movie began filming in April 2024. Another spin-off, The Meeks, also debuted in 2024. Thunderagers, linked to Chace The Fox promotions, started production in November 2023, with an expected 2024 release. many spin-off video games and tv shows were released, including Sonic the Hedgehog in 1991, Foodtropical in 1993, Halo in 2000, Bejeweled in 2001, Minecraft in 2009, Darling in the FranXX in 2018, Blue Archive in 2021, To Love A Cat in 2025 and Overpowered, anticipated for 2024 or 2025. A planned live-action film based on the original Chace The Fox was canceled in 2005, but a new live-action version was released in 2023, followed by a sequel in development as of May 2024. A sequel to the 1989 film is set for release in 2025.
Trivia[]
- This is the first film to:
- be released by Chace! Studios
- be distributed by 20th Century Fox
- be Traditionally Animated
- be hand-drawn
- have the 1989 Chace! Studios logo
- have the 1981 TCF logo
- This was the only Chace! film to:
- be Traditionally Animated and Anime
- Until Chace the Fox 2
- be Released in the 1980s.
- Have the long 1982 TCF fanfare.
- be Traditionally Animated and Anime
Gallery[]
Chace The Fox (1989)/Gallery