Walt Disney remains one of the most influential figures in American movies. Animation would not be the same without him. He single-handedly created his studio’s brand with countless iconic films.
Since Walt Disney Pictures continues to use his name, it’s easy to forget which Disney movies were made with his involvement. Let’s do what we can to correct that. Here’s a look at the 10 best films he made.
One Hundred and One Dalmatians Was Made on the Cheap But It Still Looks Great
On a technical level, One Hundred and One Dalmatians is not one of Walt’s more advanced films, as he used a Xerox machine to help animate the dogs on the cheap. However, its stylized look makes it a fascinating watch. While previous Disney films were usually set in fantasy settings inspired by different historical eras, One Hundred and One Dalmatians is set in the present, allowing for some chic ‘60s visuals.
The Dalmatians are fun, but Cruella de Vil steals the show. While many other Disney villains have incredible superpowers or tragic backstories, Cruella became an icon through her sheer force of personality. That’s far more impressive than anything Maleficent did with all the powers of hell at her command. Glenn Close and Emma Stone both brought the character to life again in live action, but neither of them surpassed the original Cruella.
The Jungle Book Is Pure Bliss
The Jungle Book was the final Disney film to be overseen by Walt himself. For that reason, it will always have a place in the studio’s history. While The Jungle Book will forever be associated with Walt’s death, that doesn’t put a damper on it. The film has so much of the joy characteristic of Walt’s best work and would be the final true classic to come out of the studio for 20 years.
The success of The Jungle Book would inspire Disney’s later film Robin Hood, which features similar characters, some of the same voice actors, and even animated sequences recycled from the earlier film. Robin Hood is one of the studio’s most impactful cult classics, considering it helped create the furry fandom as we know it. However, The Jungle Book remains a classic for the ages that appeals to all tastes.
Dumbo Soars
Dumbo is barely over an hour long, and its protagonist never speaks a word. It’s safe to say Dumbo is one of the studio’s simplest films, but simplicity isn’t a bad thing. Often, the best stories meant for children deal with complex and dark emotions in ways that are easy for them to understand. While the storyline of Dumbo is pretty straightforward, it packs more of a punch than many longer films.
The relationship between Dumbo and his mother remains one of the most beautiful aspects of any children’s movie. The sad moments of the story only make its ending so much more satisfying. Dumbo clearly had a huge influence on another animated classic — Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer — as both films are about flying animals who are bullied for their physical abnormality before saving the day. Oddly enough, few Disney fans discuss these similarities.
Pinocchio Introduced One of Disney’s Most Common Tropes
What makes us human, and what makes us deserve to be human? These are questions with no objective answers, but Pinocchio asks them in a compelling way. Walt wasn’t exactly Plato, but you have to give him credit for getting kids to ponder important issues in between all the show tunes and pixie dust. Children can be entertained by practically anything, but the stories that stick with them tend to have a little more depth.
Pinocchio became a template for many later Disney films. So much of the studio’s output revolves around characters who want to be human. We might not have The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, The Emperor’s New Groove, Brother Bear, The Princess and the Frog, or Brave without Pinocchio. While some of these films are better than others, they all remind us of the ways in which simply being human is beautiful.
Peter Pan Expertly Uses Fantasy to Portray the Emotional Truth of Childhood
Each one of us has a romantic side that likes the idea of never growing up. If any movie embodies that feeling, it is Walt’s version of Peter Pan. The film captures the carefree spirit of childhood in a way that no realistic story ever could hope to do. Neverland is not a real place, but it speaks to the idealized vision of youth that many adults have.
Many of Walt’s most memorable characters are women, but Peter Pan is a major exception to the rule. Sometimes movie rascals are annoying, but he is one of the studio’s best protagonists. He captures the good and the bad sides of childhood while remaining entertaining throughout the whole film. Often, Disney heroes are overshadowed by the villains they fight, but Peter has enough personality to outshine Captain Hook.
Cinderella Is Still the Best Version of the Brothers Grimms’ Most Famous Fairy Tale
“Cinderella” is one of those stories that has such broad appeal that it will always inspire artists across the globe. It’s been adapted into countless movies, including musicals, comedies, and horror films. The fact that Walt’s take on the story is often seen as the definitive one amidst so much competition is a testament to its quality.
At its heart, “Cinderella” is one of the all-time great underdog stories. Walt didn’t feel the need to reinvent the wheel — he just gave us a Cinderella we could root for, an evil stepmother we loved to hate, and some beautiful songs in the vein of Frank Sinatra’s music. Whether you love fairy tales, happy endings, or traditional pop, this movie is for you.
Sleeping Beauty Masterfully Combines Tones
Sleeping Beauty received mixed reviews upon its initial release. Some critics felt the film was too derivative of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, as both films are about princesses who fall into a deadly sleep. The two movies indeed share some similar plot points. However, Sleeping Beauty has many charms that are all its own, including unique animated designs inspired by medieval tapestries and an unforgettable antagonist in the form of Maleficent.
Disney films have a reputation for being as light as a feather. However, some Disney films have darker themes, such as The Black Cauldron and The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Sleeping Beauty is fascinating because it goes in both directions. While Princess Aurora and the fairies are adorable, Maleficent remains one of the most menacing villains in the history of animation.
The Influence of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Is Still Being Felt
Everyone thought Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was bound to fail. After all, who would want to watch a feature-length cartoon, much less be moved by one? Ultimately, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was a massive success and became the template for many subsequent family films. Cinema would not be the same without Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.
Sometimes, major achievements seem quaint down the line. That’s not the case here. All these years later, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs still has some of the studio’s best songs and animation, as well as one of their most appealing princesses. Very few movies are timeless, but Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is one of them.
Fantasia Is One of Animation’s Most Fascinating Experiments
More than any other studio, Walt Disney Pictures has a reputation for producing quality children’s entertainment. That doesn’t mean it couldn’t get a little more adult from time to time. For example, Fantasia is a film that focuses on topics like classical music, the origin of life, and the Greek myths. This more mature approach paid off handsomely.
While Fantasia doesn’t have a single narrative, it doesn’t need one. This group of animated segments set to the work of great composers remains breathtakingly beautiful nearly 90 years after its release. While Fantasia doesn’t have the broad, intergenerational appeal of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs or Cinderella, it remains one of animation’s crowning achievements.
Alice in Wonderland Lives Up to Its Classic Source Material
Adapting Lewis Caroll’s classic children’s books, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass, is always going to be a challenge. Many filmmakers have tried it, but few have succeeded. Walt rose to the occasion and made a film that served as his masterpiece while staying true to Carroll’s vision. Disney’s Alice in Wonderland is a remarkable combination of Victorian whimsy and American vaudeville.
The tricky thing about Alice is that adaptations have to capture the bizarre nature of Wonderland while still being visually appealing. Some have erred in making Wonderland too grotesque, while others have erred in making it too bland. Walt found a perfect balance, designing a world that is both chaotic and fascinating to look at. Beyond that, the film is hilarious.