Hercules
Bestowed with superhuman strength, a young mortal named Hercules sets out to prove himself a hero in the eyes of his father, the great god Zeus. Along with his friends Pegasus, a flying horse, and Phil, a personal trainer, Hercules is tricked by the hilarious, hotheaded villain Hades, who's plotting to take over Mount Olympus!
Despite a considerable budget of $85.0M, Hercules became a commercial success, earning $252.7M worldwide—a 197% return.
Nominated for 1 Oscar. 9 wins & 16 nominations
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Hercules (1997) showcases precise plot construction, characteristic of Ron Clements's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 33 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.3, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Hercules
Megara
Philoctetes
Hades
Zeus
Hera
Main Cast & Characters
Hercules
Played by Tate Donovan
Son of Zeus who must prove himself a true hero to regain his godhood after being turned mortal as a baby.
Megara
Played by Susan Egan
A sarcastic woman indentured to Hades who becomes Hercules' love interest and his weakness.
Philoctetes
Played by Danny DeVito
A cynical satyr trainer of heroes who reluctantly agrees to train Hercules to become a true hero.
Hades
Played by James Woods
The fast-talking god of the Underworld who plots to overthrow Zeus and rule Olympus.
Zeus
Played by Rip Torn
King of the gods and Hercules' father who guides his son from Olympus.
Hera
Played by Samantha Eggar
Queen of the gods and Hercules' loving mother who supports him from Olympus.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Mount Olympus celebration: Baby Hercules is born to Zeus and Hera, a god among gods, beloved and powerful. The golden, perfect world of the gods is established.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 10 minutes when Teenage Hercules accidentally destroys the marketplace and is rejected by the townspeople. His adoptive parents reveal the truth: he was found with a medallion of the gods. He doesn't belong here.. At 11% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 22 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This indicates the protagonist's commitment to Hercules begins his training montage with Phil, actively choosing to pursue heroism. The song "Zero to Hero" shows his transformation from awkward boy to celebrated champion., moving from reaction to action.
At 46 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 49% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Notably, this crucial beat False victory: After defeating the Hydra in spectacular fashion, Hercules reaches peak fame and glory. He's a celebrity hero with merchandise and adoring fans, but something's still missing. Stakes raise as Hades realizes Hercules is still alive., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 68 minutes (73% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, All is lost: Hades offers a deal - Hercules gives up his strength for 24 hours if Meg is unharmed. Herc agrees. Meg's betrayal is revealed (she worked for Hades). Powerless Hercules watches as the Titans are released and Olympus falls. Meg is crushed by a pillar saving him - "whiff of death."., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 74 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Synthesis/Break into Three: Phil reveals "People always do crazy things when they're in love." Hercules realizes Meg's sacrifice broke Hades' deal - she got hurt, so his strength returns. He understands true heroism is about love and sacrifice, not strength or fame., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Hercules's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping Hercules against these established plot points, we can identify how Ron Clements utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Hercules within the animation genre.
Ron Clements's Structural Approach
Among the 6 Ron Clements films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.2, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Hercules represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Ron Clements filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional animation films include The Bad Guys, Puss in Boots and Violet Evergarden: Eternity and the Auto Memory Doll. For more Ron Clements analyses, see Aladdin, The Princess and the Frog and Moana.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Mount Olympus celebration: Baby Hercules is born to Zeus and Hera, a god among gods, beloved and powerful. The golden, perfect world of the gods is established.
Theme
Hades sarcastically asks "How sentimental" about Zeus's love for his son. The theme: True heroism comes from the strength of one's heart/love, not physical power.
Worldbuilding
Establishment of both worlds: Olympus (divine perfection) and Earth (mortal struggles). Hades' scheme to overthrow Zeus, baby Hercules kidnapped and made mortal but retains god-like strength. Young Herc grows up clumsy and outcast despite his strength.
Disruption
Teenage Hercules accidentally destroys the marketplace and is rejected by the townspeople. His adoptive parents reveal the truth: he was found with a medallion of the gods. He doesn't belong here.
Resistance
Hercules seeks answers at Zeus's temple. Zeus appears, reveals Herc is his son, explains he must become a "true hero" to rejoin the gods. Zeus sends him to find Philoctetes (Phil) the trainer. Phil is reluctant but agrees to train him after seeing his determination.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Hercules begins his training montage with Phil, actively choosing to pursue heroism. The song "Zero to Hero" shows his transformation from awkward boy to celebrated champion.
Mirror World
Hercules meets Megara (Meg) while saving her from the river guardian Nessus. She's cynical about heroes and love, representing everything Herc needs to learn about: vulnerability, sacrifice, and authentic connection vs. fame.
Premise
The "promise of the premise" - Hercules as hero. He defeats monsters, saves people, becomes famous across Greece. Despite his heroic deeds and celebrity status, Zeus reveals he's still not a "true hero." Romance develops with Meg despite her working for Hades.
Midpoint
False victory: After defeating the Hydra in spectacular fashion, Hercules reaches peak fame and glory. He's a celebrity hero with merchandise and adoring fans, but something's still missing. Stakes raise as Hades realizes Hercules is still alive.
Opposition
Hades intensifies attacks. Hercules falls deeply for Meg during their date ("I Won't Say I'm In Love"). Hades discovers Meg is Hercules' weakness. The Fates confirm Hercules will interfere with Hades' plan unless Meg is used against him.
Collapse
All is lost: Hades offers a deal - Hercules gives up his strength for 24 hours if Meg is unharmed. Herc agrees. Meg's betrayal is revealed (she worked for Hades). Powerless Hercules watches as the Titans are released and Olympus falls. Meg is crushed by a pillar saving him - "whiff of death."
Crisis
Dark night: Hercules is broken, powerless, and has lost everything - his strength, his chance at godhood, Meg is dying. Phil tries to encourage him but Herc has given up. His lowest emotional point.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Synthesis/Break into Three: Phil reveals "People always do crazy things when they're in love." Hercules realizes Meg's sacrifice broke Hades' deal - she got hurt, so his strength returns. He understands true heroism is about love and sacrifice, not strength or fame.
Synthesis
Finale: Hercules defeats the Titans and saves Olympus. He dives into the River Styx to save Meg's soul, willing to sacrifice his life for her. This act of selfless love makes him a true hero, restoring his godhood. He chooses to remain mortal to stay with Meg.
Transformation
Final image mirrors opening: Hercules' portrait joins the constellations as a true hero, but instead of being alone on Olympus, he's on Earth with Meg, Phil, and Pegasus. He found where he belongs - not through power, but through love and choosing what matters most.