Was Atlantis: The Lost Empire influenced by Castle in the Sky?

Yes. Atlantis: The Lost Empire directors Gary Trousdale and Kirk Wise publicly acknowledged Miyazaki's films — specifically Castle in the Sky — as a major influence. The shared elements (lost sky civilization, crystal energy, giant guardian automata, steampunk antagonists, airship pursuits) are direct and were noted by critics on release.

Was Atlantis: The Lost Empire influenced by The Castle of Cagliostro?

Yes. Co-director Gary Trousdale acknowledged that the scene at the end of "Atlantis," where the waters recede from the sunken city, was directly inspired by the ending of "The Castle of Cagliostro."

Atlantis: The Lost Empire (2001)

Name: Atlantis: The Lost Empire
Genre: Animation, Family, Adventure, Science Fiction
Released: 2001
Rating: 7.04

Animation Family Adventure Science Fiction Directed by Gary Trousdale Directed by Kirk Wise

← Inspired by 2 films

A young linguist named Milo Thatch joins an intrepid group of explorers to find the mysterious lost continent of Atlantis.

View Full Graph Trace Lineage Trace Influence Path

Films that influenced Atlantis: The Lost Empire

← Inspired By (2)

Castle in the Sky (1986)¹

The Castle of Cagliostro (1979)²

Featured Path

To Catch a Thief → The Castle of Cagliostro → Atlantis: The Lost Empire

To Catch a Thief

→

The Castle of Cagliostro

→

Atlantis: The Lost Empire

Explore Path →

Sources

Influenced By

Castle in the Sky (1986)
"Atlantis: The Lost Empire directors Gary Trousdale and Kirk Wise publicly acknowledged Miyazaki's films — specifically Castle in the Sky — as a major influence. The shared elements (lost sky civilization, crystal energy, giant guardian automata, steampunk antagonists, airship pursuits) are direct and were noted by critics on release." source
The Castle of Cagliostro (1979)
"Co-director Gary Trousdale acknowledged that the scene at the end of "Atlantis," where the waters recede from the sunken city, was directly inspired by the ending of "The Castle of Cagliostro."" The Castle of Cagliostro Wikipedia

Atlantis: The Lost Empire (2001), directed by Gary Trousdale, was inspired by 2 earlier films — including Castle in the Sky and The Castle of Cagliostro. Check out the citations below.