Top 14 Best Disney Movies

The Lion King is an American animated film produced by Walt Disney Feature Animation and released by Walt Disney Pictures in 1994. It is the 32nd film in Walt Disney Animated Classics, and also the highest-grossing traditional animated film of all time in North America. The film focuses on a young lion in Africa named Simba, who learns to find his place in the great circle of life and strives to become the king of Pride Rock.

The Lion King is highly praised by critics, commending the film for its music, story, themes, and animation. It gained near-global adoration, quickly becoming a timeless animated classic that seems to grow more popular with each passing year. The Lion King, coupled with Disney's best soundtrack, makes it the most successful film of the studio to date.

The Lion King held the record as the highest-grossing animated film of all time until the release of Finding Nemo (a Disney/Pixar film). The Lion King still holds the record as the highest-grossing traditional animated film in history and is considered part of the Disney Renaissance. The Lion King won two Oscars for achievements in music and a Golden Globe for Best Musical or Comedy. In 2016, the film was selected for preservation by the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress for being 'culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.'

DETAILS:

Year of Production: 1994

Genre: Adventure, Animation

Directors: Roger Allers, Rob Minkoff

IMDb Rating: 8.5

Beauty and the Beast is a globally renowned fantasy romance animated film from the United States in 1991, produced by Walt Disney Feature Animation and released by Walt Disney Pictures. Beauty and the Beast is Disney's 30th animation production and the third film released during Disney's Renaissance, based on the fairy tale of the same name from 1756 by Jeanne-Marie Leprince de Beaumont, while also incorporating ideas from the 1946 French film of the same name directed by Jean Cocteau.

Beauty and the Beast focuses on the relationship between the Beast, a prince enchanted to become a beast, and his servants turned into household objects, and Belle, a young woman held captive in the castle in exchange for her father. To break the curse, the Beast must learn to love Belle and earn her love in return before the last petal falls from the enchanting rose, or he will remain a beast forever.

The film Beauty and the Beast earned $331 million globally at the box office with a budget of $25 million and received widespread acclaim from critics for its romantic story, animation (especially the ballroom dance scene), characters, and musical score. Beauty and the Beast won the Golden Globe Award for Best Musical or Comedy, being the first animated film to win in this category.

Beauty and the Beast also became the first animated film to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture at the 64th Academy Awards, winning Oscars for Best Original Score and Best Original Song for the theme song, and additional nominations for Best Original Song and Best Sound.

DETAILS:

Year of Production: 1991

Genre: Animation, Fantasy, Romance

Directors: Gary Trousdale and Kirk Wise

IMDb Rating: 8.8

The Jungle Book is an animated film released in 1967, hitting theaters on October 18, 1967. This was the final film produced by Walt Disney. The Jungle Book draws inspiration from the stories of the wild child Mowgli in the book of the same name by Rudyard Kipling. Mowgli has become a familiar name to Disney fans, thanks to Rudyard Kipling's storytelling about the wild child. The film remains one of Disney's iconic animated films and features classic songs such as 'The Bare Necessities' and 'I Wanna Be Like You.'

The Jungle Book features the talents of several famous actors from the 1960s. Mowgli is portrayed by Bruce Reitherman, the son of the film's director, Wolfgang Reitherman. The film's backgrounds are hand-drawn, and xerography is used to enhance character design. The film also follows Disney's earlier tradition of reusing some animations from previous films.

With a total revenue of $23.8 million worldwide, The Jungle Book initially became Disney's second-highest-grossing animated film in the United States and Canada, the ninth-highest-grossing film of 1967, and also successful in re-releases. The film also performed well globally, becoming the highest-grossing film of the year in Germany based on the number of viewers. The film left a lasting legacy with some of the most memorable song sequences in all of Disney's animated films.

DETAILS:

Year of Production: 1967

Genre: Children & Family, Adventure, Animation

Director: Wolfgang Reitherman

IMDb Rating: 7.6

Aladdin is a whimsical animated musical fantasy film from the year 1992, produced by Walt Disney Feature Animation and released by Walt Disney Pictures. The 31st animated film from Disney and the fourth produced during the Disney Renaissance, it is based on the Middle Eastern folk tale from One Thousand and One Nights.

The story of Aladdin revolves around the famous character Aladdin, who discovers a magic lamp containing a genie. With the help of the genie, young Aladdin disguises himself as a wealthy prince and attempts to impress the Sultan to marry his spirited daughter, Princess Jasmine, while the evil vizier Jafar schemes to steal the magic lamp for his own nefarious purposes.

Aladdin was released in 1992 and received positive reviews from critics. It was a commercial success, becoming the highest-grossing film of 1992 with revenues exceeding $504 million in global box office. Upon its release, it became the first animated film to reach the half-billion-dollar mark and held the record for the highest-grossing animated film of all time until surpassed by The Lion King (1994).

Aladdin won two Academy Awards, as well as other accolades for its soundtrack, including the first and only Grammy Award for Song of the Year for a Disney film. The success of Aladdin led to various spin-offs and additional material inspired by the film, including two sequels, The Return of Jafar (1994) and Aladdin and the King of Thieves (1996).

DETAILS:

Year of Production: 1992

Genre: Fantasy, Music, Adventure

Directors: John Musker and Ron Clements

IMDb Rating: 8.0

Frozen is a 2013 American 3D animated musical fantasy film produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios and released by Walt Disney Pictures. It is Disney's 53rd animated film, inspired by Hans Christian Andersen's 1844 fairy tale, The Snow Queen. It is the fifth film in the Disney Renaissance era.

The storyline of Frozen revolves around Princess Anna, an optimistic and courageous yet naive young woman who embarks on a perilous journey to save her kingdom from a curse cast by her sister, Queen Elsa, who accidentally unleashed her magical powers. Along the way, Princess Anna, with the help of a man, a reindeer, and a snowman, faces various challenges to find the Snow Queen.

Frozen is Disney's finest animated film. It received two Academy Awards at the 86th Oscars and numerous other accolades. During its theatrical run, Frozen was a significant commercial success, grossing $1.28 billion in global box office revenue, surpassing Toy Story 3 to become the highest-grossing animated film of all time until surpassed by The Lion King's 2019 remake.

DETAILS:

Year of Production: 2013

Genre: Fantasy, Humanitarian

Directors: Chris Buck, Jennifer Lee

IMDb Rating: 7.4

Moana is a 2016 American 3D animated musical adventure film produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios and released by Walt Disney Pictures. The 56th Disney animated feature film, directed by John Musker and Ron Clements, co-directed by Chris Williams and Don Hall. Moana tells the story of Moana, the strong-willed daughter of the chief of a Polynesian village, chosen by the ocean to reunite a mysterious relic with the island goddess Te Fiti.

As her island faces destruction, Moana sets sail to find Maui, a legendary demigod, in hopes of restoring the relic to Te Fiti and saving her people. The world and characters of Moana have since been integrated into other films, electronic games, and Disney entertainment parks worldwide. On Metacritic, the film scored 81 out of 100 based on 44 reviews, indicating 'universal acclaim.'

Moana received positive reviews from critics, with particular praise for its animation and music. Animator Eric Goldberg received acclaim for hand-drawing Maui's tattoos. The film grossed over $645 million worldwide. At the 89th Academy Awards, it received two nominations for Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song.

DETAILS:

Year of Production: 2016

Genre: Fairy Tale, Adventure, Family

Directors: John Musker and Ron Clements

IMDb Rating: 7.6

Big Hero 6 is a 2014 American 3D superhero animated film produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios and released by Walt Disney Pictures. Based on the Marvel Comics superhero team of the same name created by Man of Action, this is Disney's 54th animated feature film. Big Hero 6 tells the story of Hiro Hamada, a young robotics prodigy, and Baymax, a healthcare companion robot, as they form a superhero team to combat a masked villain responsible for the death of Hiro's late brother Tadashi.

Big Hero 6 is Disney's first animated film featuring Marvel Comics characters, as the parent company acquired Marvel Entertainment in 2009. Walt Disney Animation Studios developed new software technology to produce the animated imagery for the film. The movie achieved both critical and commercial success, receiving positive reviews for its animation, action sequences, entertainment value, and humanistic themes.

Big Hero 6 grossed over $657.8 million worldwide, becoming the highest-grossing animated film of 2014. It won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature and the Kids' Choice Award for Favorite Animated Movie. The film also received nominations for the Annie Award for Best Animated Feature and the Golden Globe Award for Best Animated Feature Film.

DETAILS:

Year of Production: 2013

Genre: Superhero, Humanitarian, Fantasy

Directors: Don Hall and Chris Williams

IMDb Rating: 7.8

Wreck-It Ralph is a 2012 American animated comedy film produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios. Wreck-It Ralph tells the story of the video game villain of the same name who rebels against his role as the 'bad guy' and aspires to become a hero. On this journey, he encounters a military sergeant, a villainous kart racing king, and a glitch with self-awareness named Vanellope von Schweetz. Amidst his adventure, Ralph unintentionally unleashes a dangerous enemy threatening the entire world of video games.

The film Wreck-It Ralph became immensely popular, becoming one of Disney Animation's highest-grossing films at the time. It was both a commercial and critical success, grossing $496 million worldwide against a budget of $165 million, and winning a Golden Globe, an Annie Award, and a Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Animated Feature, as well as an Oscar nomination.

Wreck-It Ralph introduced Disney's two-way reflection distribution features, with more realistic reflections on surfaces and a new virtual Camera Capture system that allows real-time viewing of scenes. Wreck-It Ralph is a colorful, adventure-filled journey built on familiar themes and nostalgic memories of joyful games.

DETAILS:

Year of Production: 2012

Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, Comedy

Director: Rich Moore

IMDb Rating: 7.7

The Little Mermaid is a 1989 American animated musical fantasy film produced by Walt Disney Feature Animation and released by Walt Disney Pictures. It is Disney's 28th animated feature film, based on the Danish fairy tale of the same name by Hans Christian Andersen in 1837. The film tells the story of a mermaid princess named Ariel, who dreams of becoming human and falling in love with a human prince named Eric. Ariel must make a magical deal with the sea witch Ursula to become human and be with the prince.

The Little Mermaid was released in 1989, receiving critical acclaim, with praise for its animation, music, and characters. It was also a commercial success, grossing $84 million in the United States during its initial release and $235 million in total worldwide lifetime revenue. The Little Mermaid also marked the beginning of the era known as the Disney Renaissance. The film won two Oscars for Best Original Score and Best Song.

Various works and materials have drawn inspiration from The Little Mermaid, including a live-action film adaptation, directed by Rob Marshall, scheduled for release in 2023, and a live musical performance of the film in 2019 broadcast on ABC as part of The Wonderful World of Disney. In 2022, the film was selected by the United States National Film Registry for preservation due to its significant cultural, historical, and aesthetic importance.

DETAILS:

Year of Production: 1998

Genre: Fantasy, Family, Romance

Directors: John Musker, Ron Clements

IMDb Rating: 7.6

Mary Poppins is a 1964 American musical fantasy film directed by Robert Stevenson and produced by Walt Disney. The screenplay by Bill Walsh and Don DaGradi is based on the Mary Poppins series of children's books by P.L. Travers. The film combines live-action and animation, starring Julie Andrews in her film debut as Mary Poppins, who visits a dysfunctional family in London and uses her unique magical abilities to improve the family's dynamics.

Mary Poppins received critical acclaim and was a commercial success, becoming the highest-grossing film of 1964 and, at the time of its release, the highest-grossing Disney film to date. The film garnered a total of 13 Oscar nominations, including Best Picture—a record for any film released by Walt Disney Studios—and won five awards: Best Actress for Andrews, Best Film Editing, Best Original Score, Best Visual Effects, and Best Original Song.

A timeless classic for children, Mary Poppins is considered one of the finest works ever produced by Walt Disney. In 2013, the film was selected by the United States National Film Registry for preservation due to its significant cultural, historical, and aesthetic importance to humanity.

DETAILS:

Year of Production: 2007

Genre: Fairy Tale, Fantasy, Musical, Romance

Director: Robert Stevenson

IMDb Rating: 7.8

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is a 1937 American animated musical fantasy film produced by Walt Disney Productions and released by RKO Radio Pictures. Based on the 1812 German fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is Disney's first full-length animated feature film.

The story of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs begins when a vain and wicked queen consults a magical mirror and learns that Snow White is now the fairest in the land. Enraged, the Queen enlists a huntsman to kill Snow White and later poisons her with a toxic apple. The dwarfs mournfully stand guard over Snow White until a handsome prince revives her with a kiss.

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was both a commercial and critical success, grossing over $8 million internationally in its initial release (against a budget of $1.5 million), quickly holding the record for the highest-grossing sound film at the time. The film's popularity led to multiple re-releases, including a successful video release in the 1990s.

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was nominated for Best Score at the 1938 Academy Awards, and the following year, Walt Disney was presented an honorary Oscar for the film. This award was unique, comprising a full-size statue, along with seven miniature Oscars, which were presented by Shirley Temple to Disney. In 1989, the United States National Film Registry deemed the film culturally, historically, aesthetically significant and selected it as one of the first 25 films for preservation.

DETAILS:

Year of Production: 1937

Genre: Fairy Tale, Fantasy, Humanity

Director: David Hand

IMDb Rating: 7.6

The Enchanting Tale of Bambi is a 1942 American animated drama film directed by David Hand, produced by Walt Disney, and based on the 1923 book Bambi, a Life in the Woods by Austrian author Felix Salten. Released in 1942, Bambi was immediately acclaimed, though it did not turn a profit until its re-release five years later, becoming one of Disney's timeless classics.

Bambi is regarded as a Disney masterpiece, an icon of hand-drawn animation, and a heartwarming tale of humanity. The story chronicles the adventures of Bambi, a young fawn whose father is revered as the Great Prince of the Forest. Other characters include Bambi's parents, Thumper, a pink-nosed rabbit, Flower, a skunk; and childhood friend and future mate Faline. In the original book, Bambi is a roe deer, a European species; however, Disney opted to base the character on a mule deer from Arrowhead, California.

The film Bambi received three Oscar nominations: Best Sound, Best Song, and Original Score. The American Film Institute listed it among the top ten American film classics in 2008. In December 2011, the film was added to the National Film Registry of the Library of Congress for being 'culturally, historically, and aesthetically significant.'

DETAILS:

Year of Production: 1942

Genre: Fairy Tale, Romance

Director: David Hand

IMDb Rating: 7.3

Lilo & Stitch: A Galactic Adventure is a 2001 American animated science fiction comedy film produced by Walt Disney Feature Animation and released by Walt Disney Pictures. The 42nd animated feature from Disney, it was written and directed by Chris Sanders and Dean DeBlois and produced by Clark Spencer. It is also the second of three Disney animated features produced primarily at the Florida animation studio at Disney's Hollywood Studios.

The story of Lilo & Stitch: A Galactic Adventure revolves around two characters: a Hawaiian girl named Lilo Pelekai, raised by her sister Nani after the death of their parents, and an extraterrestrial creature named Experiment 626, whom Lilo adopts as her 'dog' and names Stitch. Stitch is a genetically engineered creature designed for chaos and destruction; initially, Stitch uses Lilo to avoid capture by an intergalactic federation, but they both become fond of each other.

Produced with a budget of $80 million and marketed with a campaign highlighting its quirky points, Lilo & Stitch: A Galactic Adventure was successful at the box office, grossing over $273 million worldwide. It was nominated for Best Animated Feature at the 75th Academy Awards. The film's combined critical and commercial success made it one of Disney Animation's few major successes during their post-Renaissance era in the early 2000s, spawning a franchise including three direct-to-video sequels, starting with Stitch! The Movie, and three television films, including the follow-up series Lilo & Stitch: The Series and spin-off films Stitch! and Stitch & Ai.

DETAILS:

Year of Production: 2001

Genre: Fantasy, Comedy, Adventure

Directors: Chris Sanders, Dean DeBlois

IMDb Rating: 7.3

The Hunchback of Notre Dame is an American animated musical drama film produced by Walt Disney Feature Animation and released by Walt Disney Pictures in 1996. It is Disney's 34th animated feature and the seventh film produced during Disney's Renaissance period, based on Victor Hugo's 1831 novel of the same name. A stage adaptation of the film was produced by Walt Disney Theatrical in 1999.

The film follows Quasimodo, a bell-ringer deformed and confined in Notre Dame Cathedral, longing to explore the outside world and be accepted by society against his desires, while the villainous foster father, the archdeacon Claude Frollo, aims to annihilate the Romani population in Paris.

The Hunchback of Notre Dame is considered one of Disney's darkest animated films due to mature themes such as infanticide, lust, damnation, anti-Semitism, genocide, and sin, despite alterations made from the source material to ensure a G rating from the MPAA. It was a commercial success, grossing over $325 million worldwide and becoming the fifth-highest-grossing film of 1996. The film received Oscar and Golden Globe nominations for its music.

DETAILS:

Year of Production: 1996

Genre: Fantasy, Humanitarian, History

Directors: Gary Trousdale, Kirk Wise

IMDb Rating: 7.0