From a man named Walt, armed only with his vision for what animation could achieve and a cartoon mouse named Mickey, to one of the biggest cinema conglomerates ever, The Walt Disney Company remains an influential and innovative powerhouse in the entertainment industry. The award-winning studio is known for making global blockbusters, like the recent Zootopia 2, which grossed a record-breaking $556 million during its opening weekend.
No studio is perfect, and Disney, as successful as it is, is no exception. With the recent critical and financial failure of Snow White, and a controversial decision to license out their characters to an AI software, many are wondering what the future holds for the House of Mouse. Whatever direction the studio chooses to pursue in the coming years, there is no denying Disney’s impact on the cinema thus far.
Disney animated films have inspired generations of moviegoers with stunning visuals, incredible music, and captivating stories. Narrowing this list down to 20 was no easy task for the prolific production company. Out of the hundreds of beloved movies, these 20 have made indelible impacts in the hearts and minds of viewers and are simply the best.
20
‘Bambi’ (1942)
An important film for Disney was the 1942 wildlife-centered Bambi. Based on Felix Salten‘s Bambi, a Life in the Woods, it tells the tale of a young deer as he grows up and learns lessons about life and how to live in the forest. Bambi was a forerunner for other Disney films focused on animals. The animators were urged to draw the movements of the characters realistically. Instead of human-like locomotion or stylized and exaggerated gestures, the animals in Bambi moved and behaved like their biological counterparts, setting a precedent for other films like The Lion King.
Despite its lovable characters and childlike wonder of nature, there are several dark themes in this animated classic. Death, animal cruelty, and loss can be a little tough for younger viewers to handle. Bambi was just one of many Disney films that did not shy away from difficult topics, and it must be taken as a whole for all its features and flaws. A live-action remake of the film is reportedly slated for production, so it remains to be seen if this IP will see significant rewrites or retain its gravitas.
19
‘A Goofy Movie’ (1995)
A Goofy Movie is an unassuming masterpiece.What started as a small film with little fanfare upon its debut has grown into a beloved piece of ‘90s nostalgia that encapsulates the zeitgeist perfectly. A Goofy Movie follows one of Disney’s core characters, Goofy (Bill Farmer), as he attempts to bond with his teenage son Max (Jason Marsden), who is pulling away in his adolescence. When Max makes an outrageous promise to a girl he likes, a father-son bonding trip becomes the adventure of a lifetime.
Part buddy travel movie and part coming-of-age comedy, A Goofy Movie is perfect. A recent documentary, Not Just a Goof, delves into the intricacies of this unique and singular film, exploring why it has resonated so deeply with audiences and remains a hit three decades later. A Goofy Movie was featured at a LightBox expo earlier this year and is enjoying some well-deserved praise that it was not afforded at its advent.
18
‘The Emperor’s New Groove’ (2000)
The Emperor’s New Groove is another Disney gem that had an organic life of its own. Originally, the film had a much different plot and a much different title, but through lots of production difficulty and last-minute decisions, the irreverent comedy finally came to life in its final form. The Emperor’s New Groove tells the tale of a spoiled and selfish ruler named Kuzco (David Spade) who is given a unique lesson in karma when he is turned into a llama. Although his arch nemesis, Yzma (Eartha Kitt), intended to kill Kuzco and not transform him, his second chance at life creates a hilarious and harrowing adventure tale.
John Goodman joins the cast as costar Pacha, who helps Kuzco get back to the palace and ultimately back to his human form. Kitt is marvelous as the villain. Her performance is one for the ages, mixing drama with irony and comedic beats in between. She, along with Patrick Warburton, who voices her henchman Kronk, make a straight and funny man combo that is comedy gold. The Emperor’s New Groove, like A Goofy Movie, is a poignant reminder that sometimes the success of a film doesn’t belong to the box office; it belongs to the fans. This singular genius of a movie has created a cult following, and aficionados of the film are as loyal as they are enthusiastic.
17
‘Cinderella’ (1950)
The most reinvented fairy tale of all, Cinderella is told time and time again. The infamous story of a young heroine forced to do the bidding of her wicked stepmother and stepsisters, then magically transformed to win the heart of a prince, got a Disney animation makeover in 1950. Although it is tempting to view Cinderella (Ilene Woods) as a victim, when writing for Collider, William Fischer argued that she is the most proactive of the princesses. Cinderella cares for the animal side characters instead of relying on them and stands up for herself and asserts that she is a member of the family when the invitation to the ball arrives.
Cinderella remains one of Disney’s most iconic princesses. Her ability to have hope and strength amid trials is admirable. The gorgeous animation of the film was beautifully restored in 2023, in time for the movie’s debut on Disney+. Now that this timeless tale is accessible on streaming, a whole new generation of fans is able to discover the charming characters, cold-hearted villains, and fantasy elements as engaging as their predecessors did.
16
‘Toy Story 3’ (2010)
One of the best family films of the last 100 years, Toy Story 3 is a clever collaboration between Disney and Pixar. It is regarded as the best of the Toy Story films and is exceptional, beginning to end. The plotline follows the main toys from the first two movies as they are accidentally donated to a daycare center when their owner, Andy (John Morris), prepares for college.
Pixar and Disney have equally strong reputations for not pulling emotional punches, and Toy Story 3 is definitive of their combined prowess. Growing up and parting with childhood toys is a rite of passage that everyone must face. Saying goodbye, feeling emotional growing pains, and starting new chapters in life are just the tip of the iceberg for the meaningful themes explored in Toy Story 3. It is one of the best animated sequels ever made and is one of Disney’s most financially successful films, raking in $1.067 billion at the box office.
15
‘The Hunchback of Notre Dame’ (1996)
Based on the book by Victor Hugo, The Hunchback of Notre Dame is one of the last remnants of Disney movies that weren’t afraid to tackle more profound subjects like justice, mercy, forgiveness, and sin. Much like Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, the studio held to Walt’s vision that animation could and should be used to tell important stories. A tale woven with betrayal, cruelty, and murder, The Hunchback of Notre Dame focused on a bellringer named Quasimodo (Tom Hulce) who was emotionally manipulated and exploited by a seemingly righteous figure, Judge Frollo (Tony Jay).
When Quasimodo befriends a young woman named Esmeralda (Demi Moore), he starts to hope that life is more than what he has experienced, and he finds the courage to stand up to his oppressor.
Disney’s version of The Hunchback of Notre Dame matches shot-for-shot some of the best renditions of Hugo’s novel, like the 1923 and 1939 film adaptations. Frollo is one of the most evil and sordid villains ever put to animation and is performed spectacularly by Tony Jay. Everyone involved with the project treated The Hunchback of Notre Dame with respect as a thematic work, and it shows. The enthralling drama and stirring music propel the action, and The Hunchback of Notre Dame is a historical musical unlike any other.
14
‘WALL-E’ (2008)
Like Mike Judge and Ethan Cohen’s Idiocracy, WALL-E is a dystopian feature that seems prophetic and all too close to coming true. In the future, humans have abandoned a trash-filled Earth and now live lazy lives onboard a spaceship where they are given to distraction, gorging themselves on fast food and electronic media. Into this dismal scenario enters the hero. A small trash-compacting robot designated “WALL-E” (Ben Burtt), who has been left alone on the planet’s surface to clean up the mess society has made.
Disney delivers an emotionally touching performance with very little dialogue in this animated masterpiece. WALL-E is both cute and commendable as he navigates challenges and acts bravely in many risky situations. The visuals of the film are stunning, and on par with the high standards both Disney and Pixar are celebrated for. WALL-E is one of Disney’s best sci-fi films and is exemplary of how the studio creates charming and identifiable characters.
13
‘Aladdin’ (1992)
A bright, colorful explosion of charisma that takes audiences on a magic carpet ride, Aladdin is a superb achievement that features quintessential characters, dynamic settings, and phenomenal music. Though all of the actors involved in the project do a fantastic job with their performances, none is more celebrated than the legendary Robin Williams as Genie. His ability to infuse the character with comedic properties during the humor sequences and then deliver dialogue with feeling, depth, and emotionality in the tender and more heartfelt moments is magical. Williams was the perfect person to cast in the role, using his talent for comedy/drama duality to the film’s benefit.
Aladdin follows a young man who acquires a magical lamp through a strange set of circumstances. As he wishes for wealth and status to impress a princess he has fallen for, the movie weaves its important tale to be careful what you wish for, and that appearances can be deceiving. Aladdin got a live-action remake in 2019 under the direction of Guy Ritchie, and though it did not eclipse the original for critical success, it was equally as enjoyable for audiences, a testament to the enduring likability of the story and unforgettable characters. The music of Aladdin is as lively and captivating as the animation, earning the film two Academy Awards for Best Music, Original Song and Best Music, Original Score.
12
‘Encanto’ (2021)
When the soundtrack for a movie is crafted by Tony and Grammy award-winning Lin-Manuel Miranda, you know it is going to be something special. Encanto features a family with superhuman gifts that must face internal struggles if they want to remain unified. One of the best animated movies of the last five years, Encanto is fun, moving, and musical. Miranda was nominated for an Oscar for the song “Dos Oruguitas” and won a Grammy for the super catchy “We Don’t Talk About Bruno.”
Encanto weaves a family story that is complicated and layered, like real families are. The Madrigals aren’t perfect, and they learn from their mistakes and come together all the stronger for it. Encanto took home the Oscar for Best Animated Feature Film, and deservedly so. It is worth the tears you’ll likely have welling up in your eyes as you watch it, and it is certainly a modern classic.
11
‘Inside Out’ (2015)
Much like Toy Story 3, a Pixar and Disney film that takes no prisoners when it comes to being emotionally devastating, Inside Out has definitive moments of sentimentality. The 2015 film centers around a young girl named Riley (Kaitlyn Dias) and the emotions fighting for control within her. Fear (Bill Hader), Anger (Lewis Black), Joy (Amy Poehler), Disgust (Mindy Kaling), and Sadness (Phyllis Smith) all get a chance to reign supreme when Riley’s life is upended as she and her family move to a new town.
Moving can be a traumatic experience for a child; being separated from an established routine and core group of friends is a major adjustment. Inside Out honors the important topic of adolescent mental health and does so in an engaging and amusing way. As Riley grows to maturity, her emotions get more complex, and the story is highly rewarding. Inside Out is considered essential Pixar viewing and is a triumph for Disney as well.