History YMMV / TheEmperorsNewGroove

* VindicatedByHistory: The film was originally a BoxOfficeBomb, only making 169.6 million worldwide against a 100 million budget. It also got hit rather hard by the ComedyGhetto as well, as many Disney fans and critics looked down upon it for being a lighthearted comedy instead of the grand and epic films that Disney was known for at the time. This only got worse when ''Film/TheSweatbox'' came out and revealed that the film originally ''did'' start out as a grand epic, only for it to get retooled to a screwball BuddyPicture comedy due to ExecutiveMeddling, which spawned a bit of a backlash against the film as a result. However, the film did eventually make its money back through home video sales and over time, the film would eventually begin to develop a following (particularly on the internet due to it being a FountainOfMemes) for its humor, insanely quotable lines and its memorable characters (with Kuzco being considered to be one of the best male Disney protagonists and Yzma being one of the best Disney villains). Nowadays, the film is widely considered to be a timeless animated comedic classic.

* SugarWiki/NoProblemWithLicensedGames: The UsefulNotes/PlayStation, [[UsefulNotes/SegaDreamcast Dreamcast]], and PC game was just as humorous and satirical as the movie is, [[LampshadeHanging hanging lampshades]] on video game clichés long before ''VideoGame/TheSimpsonsGame'' did. However, there are changes to the plot, such as game Kuzco knowing Yzma is trying to kill him right from the start, while in the movie he did not learn that until after the diner scene. We should also note that Yzma's crocodiles are, shall we say, [[NightmareFuel more competent guards]] than they were in the movie.

* FirstInstallmentWins: Compared to the sequel/spin-off and [=TV=] series, the film had a sense of fresh air with enough comedic timing and heart to a Disney film of the early 2000s.

** Birdwell. Her adorable laugh and burgeoning romance with Kronk qualifies her as one.

** Kuzco, though not in the nerdy way, but in the socially-awkward-kinda-woobie-way in his more sincere moments. Throughout his wacky and humbling journey, it's clear that under his {{Jerkass}} bravado is a very much out-of-his-element teenager in need of genuine connection and a serious reality check.

** Kuzco, though not in the nerdy way, but in the socially-awkward-kinda-woobie-way in his more sincere moments. In those moments, it's clear that under his {{Jerkass}} bravado is a very much out-of-his-element teenager in need of genuine connection and a serious reality check.

** Kuzco, though not in the nerdy way, but in the socially-awkward-kinda-woobie-way in his more sincere moments. It becomes clear then that his {{Jerkass}} bravado is barely covering a very much out-of-his-element teenager in need of genuine connection and a serious reality check.

** Kuzco, though not in the nerdy way, but in the socially-awkward-kinda-woobie-way in his more sincere moments. That's when it's apparent that his {{Jerkass}} bravado is barely covering a very much out-of-his-element teenager in need of genuine connection and a serious reality check.

** Kuzco, though not in the nerdy way, but in the socially-awkward-kinda-woobie-way in his more sincere moments. That's when it's apparent that his {{Jerkass}} bravado is barely covering a lonely teenager in need of genuine connection and a serious reality check.

** The [[MemeticMutation now-memetic]] "Happy, Happy Birthday" song was not created for the film. Back when "HappyBirthdayToYou" was still under copyright, it had been a very popular substitute at all kinds of public venues like restaurants and children's amusement centers for years.

* SeinfeldIsUnfunny: Aside from the whole "twisted, snarky fairy tale with an all-star cast" concept being monopolized by the runaway success of ''WesternAnimation/Shrek1'' (which made it to theaters months after ''The Emperor's New Groove'' did), this was also the first Disney film in years that was not [[StrictlyFormula a blockbuster musical romance]] with a "BeYourself" message and had a tone that for the time, was very unique and bold for Disney Animation. Although the humor has aged well enough, anyone who didn't grow up in Disney's renaissance era will probably have a hard time seeing why exactly this film was seen as bold as it was back in 2000. Especially since many Disney films since have been influenced by this film in one way or another.

* AlternateCharacterInterpretation: Was Yzma's insulting of Kronk in the climax a result of her thinning patience with his stupidity, or was she trying to provoke him into killing Kuzco?

* UglyCute: As a llama, Kuzco is a gangly-looking thing prone to making goofy facial expressions, which is endearing in its own way. [[OccularGushers Especially when he cries.]]