Top 10 Animated Disney Movies of All Time
#10: “Frozen” (2013)
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Although Disney Animation had produced a couple recent hits, nothing could’ve prepared the studio for the box office behemoth that would be “Frozen.” While not the first film to bring the Disney fairytale formula into the 21st century, “Frozen” found the perfect balance of timeless themes and contemporary values. Most notably, it explored how the bonds of sisterhood can be as strong, if not stronger, than a romantic relationship. The true love story here is between two siblings who would move entire icebergs for one another. This beautiful message is conveyed through a witty screenplay, and hammered home via a bewitching soundtrack. Not only the highest-grossing animated film of its time, “Frozen” was the first Non-Pixar Disney film to win the Best Animated Feature Oscar.
#9: “Alice in Wonderland” (1951)
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“Alice in Wonderland” was a financial disappointment upon release with animator Ward Kimball saying, “it suffered from too many cooks—directors.” In retrospect, however, “Alice in Wonderland” is arguably one of the few films that actually benefited from having “too many cooks” at the tea party. The film is a bubbling cauldron of creativity that’s always on the verge of popping its lid. Disney’s version of Wonderland is equal parts inviting and threatening - the audience always guessing what surreal sight they’ll stumble upon next. The final product may be unhinged and even unfocused, but that only serves to capture the spirit of Lewis Carroll’s original creation. What keeps the film grounded, however, is its charming, level-headed protagonist, who we’d gladly follow down any rabbit hole.
#8: “Moana” (2016)
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Picking up where “Frozen” left off, “Moana” continued to progress the Disney princess brand by removing any romantic angle and creating an original heroine who audiences everywhere could look up to. The film is essentially a road trip movie without the road, as the titular Moana sets out with demigod Maui on the high seas. The ocean is among the most expressive silent characters Disney has ever brought to life - beaming with personality through the simplest of gestures. The same can be said about the tattoos that inhabit Maui’s skin, a masterpiece of hand-drawn animation supervised by the great Eric Goldberg. While “Moana” is a visual marvel, it’s the mesmerizing music, rich culture, and empowering story about finding your way that keeps us coming back.
#7: “Pinocchio” (1940)
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Fresh off the success of his first animated feature, Walt Disney easily could’ve given the public more princesses and dwarfs. Instead, Disney decided to challenge his animators, his storytellers, and himself by venturing into new territory. From a technical standpoint, “Pinocchio” was a huge step forward in terms of character animation and attention to detail. What really set the film apart, though, was its darker tone, taking children to the places where nightmares are born. Even at its most menacing, “Pinocchio” always brought its audience back into the light with cheerful heroes and uplifting songs. The Oscar-winning “When You Wish Upon a Star” in particular would evolve into an anthem for the entire Walt Disney Company, igniting a beacon of optimism that’ll never go out.
#6: “The Little Mermaid” (1989)
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Following the death of Walt Disney, the animation studio sailed through some increasingly rough waters and on more than one occasion got lost at sea. The company finally found its voice again, however, with “The Little Mermaid.” Often cited as the film that awakened Sleeping Beauty, this loose adaptation of the Hans Christian Andersen fairytale raised the bar for every Disney film that followed. Directors Ron Clements and John Musker ushered in the Disney Renaissance with dazzling animation, a gripping story, and a much more well-defined princess. Of course, the film wouldn’t have been the same without Alan Menken and Howard Ashman, who demonstrated that animation had the power to evolve the musical genre in ways that not even Broadway could.
#5: “The Emperor’s New Groove” (2000)
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Originally, this film was intended to be an epic Disney musical entitled “Kingdom of the Sun.” As the project changed various hands, though, it eventually became a buddy comedy about a peasant and an emperor-turned-llama. While the troubled production seemed to spell disaster, “The Emperor’s New Groove” emerged as one of Disney’s funniest gems. This is perhaps the closest Disney has ever come to making a feature-length Looney Tune, giving the animators a chance to stretch their comedic muscles like never before. The fast-paced slapstick, clever fourth-wall breaks, and hilarious voiceover work offered a refreshing change of pace. While not a huge hit upon release, you can definitely see how the film helped shape the more self-aware humor modern Disney fare has become known for.
#4: “Aladdin” (1992)
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Before “The Emperor’s New Groove” broke the fourth wall, Robin Williams straight-up demolished it in “Aladdin.” Williams’ unparalleled improvisation talents and Eric Goldberg’s character animation made the Genie a certified scene-stealer, marking a significant turning point for voice acting. While the Genie may’ve been the glue who held the picture together, Williams didn’t carry “Aladdin” alone. In the midst of all the pop culture references, the film took time to develop an endearing love story between Aladdin and Jasmine, as well as a sincere friendship between Aladdin and Genie. Every action sequence and musical number springs to life with vibrant colors and energetic animation. By the time the credits roll, it’s the audience who feels like they’ve just been on a magic carpet ride.
#3: “Cinderella” (1950)
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Although princesses are synonymous with the Disney brand, Walt Disney himself only produced three animated princess pictures. “Snow White” laid the groundwork for the princess formula and “Sleeping Beauty” took to the fairytale genre to epic new heights. Yet, Disney singled out Cinderella as his favorite princess. Why? Perhaps it’s because Disney saw much of himself in Cinderella. Following a few box office disappointments and package films, Disney was determined to reinvigorate feature animation, even if it would be a costly gamble. Walt was betting on a dream, but his passion paid off with the studio’s most profitable and delightful film in years. Just as Cinderella’s dress transformed with a flick of her fairy godmother’s wand, Disney had reclaimed its status as an animation giant.
#2: “Beauty and the Beast” (1991)
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Has there ever been a Disney fairytale as emotional, enthralling, or enchanting as “Beauty and the Beast?” This tale as old as time encompassed everything audiences had come to love about Disney while also breaking new grounds. Whereas most animated films at the time stuck to straightforward good vs. evil narratives, “Beauty and the Beast” told a surprisingly fleshed out story about how appearances can be deceiving. Not only was the film immediately hailed as a tour de force of animation, but also a comeback for the movie musical. Alan Menken’s score is intertwined with the story’s DNA and, to paraphrase the film’s bittersweet dedication, the late lyricist Howard Ashman gave the Beast his soul. Its success accumulated to six Oscar nominations, including Best Picture. Before we get to our topic pick, here are a few honorable mentions: “Tangled” (2010) “Hercules” (1997) “Mulan” (1998) “Zootopia” (2016) “Bambi” (1942)
#1: “The Lion King” (1994)
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With the Disney Renaissance in full swing, people weren’t sure how the animation studio could top itself. Ironically, the film that set a new standard was also one that Disney didn’t have much faith in. With everyone convinced that “Pocahontas” would be Disney’s next homerun, only a select few wanted to work on “The Lion King.” Little did they know that this little lion movie would roar to the top of the box office, becoming the highest-grossing animated feature of its time. “The Lion King” combined elements of “Hamlet,” the Bible, and other epic stories to create a modern fable that’s become the stuff of legend. With powerful music, a mature story, and gorgeous animation, the movie is an experience that simply cannot be duplicated.
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