Walt Disney Animation Studios production costs increased from $ 79 million for The Lion King in 1994 to $ 179 million for Hercules December 10 , 1997 .
The declining box office success became doubly concerning inside the studio as wage competition from DreamWorks had significantly increased the studio 's overhead , with production costs increasing from $ 79 million in total costs ( production , marketing , and overhead ) for The Lion King in 1994 to $ 179 million for Hercules December 10 , 1997 three years later .
Walt Disney Animation Studios