With the release of Tangled, the official list of Walt Disney animated features produced by the main studio has hit 50. So this does not include the Pixar movies or the animated movies made by DisneyToon Studios. This is the official canon that started out with Snow White, continued after Walt's death with Aristocats, and recently hit the half-century mark with the Thanksgiving surprise-surprise hit Tangled. Now, because I have no life, I have decided to rank the entire catalog from the worst to the best. Like I said, I am including only the films in the official list, so movies like A Goofy Movie, Mary Poppins, and Who Framed Roger Rabbit (which have animation in them and are made by Disney) will not be included here by any means necessary. Here we go!
Part 1 (#50-#26)
25) Meet the Robinsons
Bottom Line: While it technically didn’t fully save Disney animation, it was definitely a step in the right direction; thanks to the help from Pixar as well as the beautiful themes about family and following your dreams.
24) The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad
Bottom Line: The best of the packaged films of the 1940s, this Disney movie has two classic animated stories each with their own share of great thrills, laughs, and music.
23) Dumbo
Bottom Line: The most successful Disney film of the 1940s, Dumbo was a low-budget movie that became an instant classic because of its inspiring main character, excellent soundtrack, and relentless charm from the first second to the last.
22) Hunchback of Notre Dame
Bottom Line: This movie was far ahead of its time in 1996, as a movie this dark in content and theming would not survive in the 90s unless you gave it some positive Disney imagery. One can only ponder what it would have been if they had tried making this movie today; after accomplished darker Disney animated movies like The Incredibles and Wall-E (think about it---they were quite dark).
21) Robin Hood
Bottom Line: Everything about this movie was low-budget and very low-key, but the charm and music of Robin Hood propelled it past mediocrity and made it something quite special. One can only wonder what it would have been with a better budget for the animation.
20) The Little Mermaid
Bottom Line: The film that saved Disney animation in the late 80s, Little Mermaid was the first Disney movie in over a decade to capture Disney’s charm, as well as add an assortment of great music that won the company a couple Oscars.
19) The Lion King
Bottom Line: A bit on the overrated scale, but it remains one of the few animated films that can be described as “Epic:” from the animation to the themes to the sweeping shots of the African savanna.
18) Mulan
Bottom Line: While a few American characterizations were very unnecessary (Eddie Murphy was a bit much), Mulan is a dazzling film about a woman who defies the Disney Princess stereotypes by being strong, persistent, noble, and yet still very likable. I still wonder how nobody could figure out that she was a girl with those eyes though…
17) Sword in the Stone
Bottom Line: Where is the love for this one? While Sword in the Stone doesn’t really have any major conflict, it’s a very fun ride involving the boy who would be king, and the rather clumsy Merlin.
16) Princess and the Frog
Bottom Line: The movie that jump-started Disney animation all over again after years of disaster, Princess and the Frog is a very delightful movie with all the Disney Renaissance clichés: Great villain, great music, detailed animation, fun sidekicks, and the overall happy ending that kids and adults can enjoy.
15) Tarzan
Bottom Line: For an animated movie that closely approached $200 million in the United States alone, you’d think this movie would get a lot of love in Disney World. But, apparently not. Nonetheless, this movie is a grisly dark Disney film wrapped in bubble gum sweetness and charm, with plenty of fun characters to see and plenty of jungle action.
14) Hercules
Bottom Line: If Americans knew more about Greek mythology (and cared more about it), then this movie would have been a bigger hit—because it really was clever. It was zany, slick, smart, fresh, and featured easily one of the best villains and best voiceover work I’ve ever seen. James Woods needs more animated roles, because he breathes witty life into any production he is in.
13) Fox and the Hound
Bottom Line: Disney was not known for sad endings, but Fox and the Hound was a massive curveball that doesn’t get enough credit. This movie was an excellent allegory of the evils of prejudices and social structures, as our main characters were doomed to become enemies, regardless of their feelings for one another. It is an ugly truth that wasn’t explored enough in filmmaking, and predates the controversial “Do the Right Thing” by over a decade.
12) Lady and the Tramp
Bottom Line: Among the most underrated in the bunch of Disney classics, Lady and the Tramp is a delightful love story full of great characters, hilarious moments, and a nice bit of charm that you don’t see in the talking animal pictures of today. And let’s not forget Peggy Lee’s contribution either.
11) Alice in Wonderland
Bottom Line: Dozens of movie versions of the crazy novel, and yet for some odd reason the least accurate one remains the best version. The reason is simple: it maintains the bizarre pacing, style, mood, and content of the unique stories. What good is the accuracy of the movie if you can’t translate its insanity? Let’s not forget the great musical score either.
10) Snow White
Bottom Line: The fact that animated movies even exist can be traced to this movie, the originator, the one that started it all. Snow White destroyed every notion about making a very long cartoon, and followed it up with great music, a delightful cast of characters, and a charm that you can’t find in live-action. This is one of the most important films in history, but unlike 2001: A Space Odyssey and Wizard of OZ, its actually entertaining. Yea, I just said that.
9) Pinocchio
Bottom Line: Every single little tiny flaw that was featured on Snow White was erased with Disney’s second production. Pinocchio is a beautifully dark film that showcased Walt Disney’s aspirations for perfection in everything he does, and it pays off here with the timeless music, timeless moments, and beautiful ending.
8) 101 Dalmatians
Bottom Line: America loves dogs. There is no better example than the surprise-surprise smash hit that was 101 Dalmatians, which featured one of the most sinister villains in all of movie history, not just in animation. While the animation lacked the special Disney edge, the other parts of the movie more than make up for it—from the puppies to the humor to the thrills in the latter half of the flick.
7) Aladdin
Bottom Line: In the middle of the Disney Renaissance, we got Robin Williams involved, and it led to one of the biggest success stories of the 90s. While an animated movie set in the Middle East isn’t exactly screaming gold, Disney pulls it off with some great music, a strong Disney princess, an excellent villain, and easily the best sidekick not named Kronk Disney ever produced. But Genie would not be Genie without Robin Williams’ spectacular performance—and it would be years before we hear a better performance for an animated movie (Tony Jay or James Woods anyone?)
6) Sleeping Beauty
Bottom Line: All animation majors should watch this movie at least once. In terms of animation and art style, its easily one of the best you'll ever see. Sleeping Beauty is a beautiful blend of music and images set behind a classic story. This is what Fantasia should have been---a flawless mixing of music and animation with a chunk of storytelling to propel the movie forward. And who can forget the bad-arse villain?
5) The Jungle Book
Bottom Line: The last movie which had Walt Disney's personal touches, remains one of his best works. Jungle Book has spectacular music, wonderful animation, a great cast of characters (and good voice acting), and a delightful display of storytelling. Not only was this a smash hit, but it’s arguably the first animated film to push for a Best Picture Oscar nomination.
4) The Emperor's New Groove
Bottom Line: This is perhaps the funniest animated movie in history, and if its not, its darn-near close. While it totally lacks the Disney personality, the pacing, humor, and insanity of it all makes this one of the more re-watchable films on this list. The visual humor, voice acting, and pure silliness made this film the closest to the early 20th century Warner Brothers cartoons that you’ll ever get in this day and age.
3) Cinderella
Bottom Line: Male critic putting Cinderella on the #3 slot of this list? At first it may seem a bit high but just think about it: this film jump-started the eternal Cinderella story craze (Poor woman with no hope, suddenly rising to the top and getting the man of her dreams with a bit of hard work and luck) that audiences to this day will pay good money to see. Just try to name something wrong with the movie, you honestly can’t. The music, animation, pacing, tension, and humor of Cinderella was Walt Disney at his near-creative peak; and its success led to the eventual theme parks that we see today.
2) Beauty and the Beast
Bottom Line: Disney Renaissance at its absolute best. Not only did it prove that Little Mermaid was not just a fluke, but it introduced the notion that animation can sustain Best Picture-quality storytelling and filmmaking. This movie is superb in every possible way, as its one of the greatest American films of all-time. P.S.: Belle is Disney's best Princess by far.
1) The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
Bottom Line: If there is a movie that perfectly represents the aura, personality, reputation, and sheer quality of Walt Disney animation, this film would be it. Everything about this beautiful production was the company on top of its game: from the music to the light animation to the whimsical storytelling. Winnie the Pooh is the second most popular Disney character in the history of the company, and it can be traced back to this magnificent work of art. The innocence, charm, and beauty of childhood are personified in a way that anyone not named Walt Disney could never duplicate.
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Hope you enjoyed the list. Otherwise, I am open to all criticism. Nonetheless, one thing cannot be denied, the Walt Disney Company has provided a lot of classic moments and classic films, and this cannot be taken from them.
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