We choose the top Disney animated films of all time, a practically difficult task for y’all. Let’s find out!
Walt Disney Animation Studios has been creating innovative animated films for many years. The famed animation company has produced 58 feature-length films over the previous eight decades, ranging from its fairy tale roots before World War II to the highly acclaimed “Disney Renaissance” films of the 1990s to the cultural juggernauts of Frozen and Moana in the 2010s. These are the top best animated Disney movies of all time, ordered in order, to help you narrow down your viewing options.
1. The Sword in the Stone (1963)
The Sword in the Stone, based on T.H. White’s novel, relates the narrative of King Arthur’s boyhood as a young squire named Wart being trained by the wizard Merlin. While it lacks the renowned tunes of previous Disney musicals, the film transforms the British folklore into a joyful and colorful narrative for children.
2. Sleeping Beauty (1959)
Sleeping Beauty was a box office flop, earning only $5 million of its $6 million budget when it was released in 1959. However, the flaws that reviewers discovered at the time—its linear animation technique was too contemporary, and its villain Maleficent was too frightening—are what made it one of the finest Disney movies of all time. The romance may seem a little antiquated now, but the fairy godmothers Flora, Fauna, and Merryweather are as charming as ever, whether they’re creating random cakes or arguing about the color of Princess Aurora’s 16th birthday attire.
3. Robin Hood (1973)
You’re not alone if the anthropomorphized fox Robin Hood was one of your earliest childhood crushes. It’s difficult to ignore the brave fox’s appeal as he steals from the affluent and gives to the needy. Prince John is one of the silliest villains ever (he sucks his thumb, for God’s sake). It may not tug at your emotions in the same way that other Disney films do, but it is still amusing and engaging.
4. The Princess and the Frog (2009)
The Princess and the Frog was the first Disney picture to depict an African American princess, while being one of the final Walt Disney Animation Studio films to be hand drawn in 2D animation. The film follows Tiana, who dreams of owning her own restaurant in 1920s New Orleans over a jazz music soundtrack. She gets converted into an amphibian after kissing a prince who was turned into a frog by a voodoo sorcerer. Before she may achieve her life objective, she and Prince Naveen must break the magic and revert to human form before time runs out.
5. 101 Dalmatians (1961)
Cruella de Vil is without a doubt one of the most terrible Disney villains of all time—after all, she wants to construct a coat out of dog fur. Pongo and Perdita, Dalmatian parents, must find their litter before it’s too late after she kidnaps enough puppies to satisfy her cruel fashion ambition.
6. Emperor’s New Groove (2000)
The only thing this Disney film has in common with the original Hans Christian Andersen story is that both include an arrogant ruler. Otherwise, the Disney version is diametrically opposed. Set in Peru, the adolescent Emperor Kuzco (David Spade) is converted into a llama after he fires his adviser Yzma (Earth Kitt). He is able to reclaim his throne with the assistance of Pacha (John Goodman) and learns numerous lessons in generosity and humanity along the way. Yzma isn’t the most terrible of Disney villains, but she and her sidekick Kronk are two of the funniest.
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7. Cinderella (1950)
Cinderella, Disney’s second princess film after Snow White, discovers true love with the assistance of her fairy godmother and animal companions, despite the malicious schemes of her stepmother and stepsisters. “Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo,” which featured numerous famous tunes, was also nominated for an Academy Award for best original song in 1951.
8. Tangled (2010)
It took Walt Disney Animation Studios 50 films to bring the Grimms’ fairy tale Rapunzel to life. While this 2010 version is likewise about a little girl with beautifully long golden hair who is held hostage in a tower by an evil witch, it differs significantly from the original 19th century narrative. For one thing, instead of being a peasant girl rescued by a prince, this spunkier Rapunzel (voiced by Mandy Moore) is a princess who falls in love with the robber Flynn Rider. In this version, Rapunzel’s hair possesses mystical healing qualities, but the most enchanting element of the film is the stunning animation in the lantern scene.
9. Bambi (1942)
You should watch this with a box of Kleenex handy. There was Bambi before Pixar pictures like Up and Toy Story made you sob openly in cinema theaters. After his mother is killed by a hunter, the titular fawn must forge his own path through the woods, making friends along the way.
10. Mulan (1998)
Although we all enjoyed the live-action version, the 1998 animated version remains one of Disney’s greatest. To save her father from impending death in the army, Fa Mulan disguises herself as a man and fights against the invading Hun army. Mushu, the little dragon voiced by Eddie Murphy, provides comic relief.
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11. Frozen (2013)
Frozen must be included on this list for the benefit of all children born in the 2010s. Based on Hans Christian Andersen’s fable The Snow Queen, Frozen follows Princess Anna as she attempts to escape her country from the icy hold of her sister, Queen Elsa. It was the highest-grossing animated film of all time, making $1.28 billion globally, until its 2019 sequel, Frozen 2, surpassed it with $1.32 billion in global sales. You may argue that the sequel is just as wonderful, but no one can disagree that the film that gave us the song “Let It Go” deserves a place among Disney’s finest.
12.Hercules (1997)
When you think of Disney music from the 1990s, you probably think of Pocahontas, The Lion King, and Aladdin. However, Hercules is vastly underappreciated, particularly in terms of music. The tale is based on Greek mythology, but the soundtrack is contemporary, with a gospel choir as the muses.
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13. Alice in Wonderland (1951)
Disney’s adaptation of Lewis Carroll’s 19th-century classic is one of its most imaginative and strange films of all time. After following the White Rabbit down a rabbit hole into Wonderland, little Alice encounters some of Disney’s most colorful characters, including the Mad Hatter, the Cheshire Cat, and the malevolent Queen of Hearts.
14. Aladdin (1992)
After the sultan’s wicked advisor Jafar tricks Aladdin into entering the Cave of Wonders, he escapes with the help of the Genie (Robin Williams) he releases from a magic lamp. Aladdin wins Princess Jasmine’s love and defeats Jafar after using one of his three wishes to change into Prince Ali. It’s difficult to select a favorite song, but Williams’ “Friend Like Me” is a standout on this relentless hit parade.
15. Moana (2016)
Moana, the most current non-sequel Walt Disney Animation Studios film, is about the daring teenage daughter of a Polynesian village chief. To aid in the rescue of her town, she must sail across the ocean in search of the demigod Maui (voiced by Dwayne Johnson) and deliver an ancient stone to the goddess Te Fiti. With music by Lin-Manuel Miranda, this film is one of the most entertaining and unique stories that Disney has presented in years.
16. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)
This rendition of the original Grimms’ fairytale is where it all began. It was not only Walt Disney Studios’ first full-length animated picture, but also the first animated movie created in Technicolor. While many questioned whether an audience would be interested in a nearly 90-minute animation, it grossed $8 million in foreign sales, making it the highest-grossing film of all time at the time.
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17. The Lion King (1994)
The Lion King, partially based on Shakespeare’s Hamlet, tells the narrative of Simba, a young cub who goes into exile when his wicked uncle Scar convinces him that he is guilty for his father Mufasa’s murder. Simba reclaims Pride Rock from Scar and his hyena gang with the assistance of his childhood friend Nala and new friends Timon, the meerkat, and Pumba, the warthog. Three of Elton John and Tim Rice’s songs garnered Academy Award nominations for best original song, with “Can You Feel The Love Tonight” eventually winning.
18. Beauty and the Beast (1991)
This rendition of an 18th century French fable features stunning animation and lovely music, making it Walt Disney Studios’ finest animated picture of all time. It was also the first animated feature ever to receive an Academy Award nomination for Best Picture.
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