With every movie the famous Disney studios ever animated available on its channel, here’s a list of what’s on offer, from beloved family favourites, to tear jerking classics, plus the ones you may want to avoid
The first ever full-feature Disney animation was premiered almost 90 years ago when the much-loved Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs hit screens. The charming classic based on a Brothers Grimm fairytale is now known as “the one that started it all”.
Since then the famous film studio has delighted audiences with an astounding number of family-friendly animations featuring everything from a wooden puppet who longs to be a real boy, and a head strong girl who hits the high seas on a magical solo mission to a young lion who must try to comprehend the significance of the circle of life.
With all but one of its animated films (Song of the South, which was withheld due to stereotypical depictions of its black characters) available on Disney+, here’s a list of what you could settle down to with some popcorn. There’s the early nostalgic days of Snow White, the glorious visual treat that is Beauty and the Beast, the enchanting and emotionally charged Encanto and many more.
In fact there are 74 films in total but all are fully-animated, were theatrically released and are from the Disney studio only, so no Pixar flicks. The list is ranked from scoring on Rotten Tomatoes which takes into account professional reviews and goes from the number one spot to the least recommended.
1. Pinocchio
The second animated film to come from the Disney studio, Pinocchio is loosely based on a 1883 Italian children’s novel The Adventures of Pinocchio. Released way back in 1940 it follows wooden puppet Pinocchio who is created by woodcarver Gepetto. Brought to life by a fairy, he dreams of becoming a real boy but must prove he is brave, truthful, and unselfish first. A cricket called Jiminy is his guide as he encounters temptation and is led astray.
It scored 100% on Rotten Tomatoes where critics called it “a genuine masterpiece”, “delightful” sometimes “frightening” and a film which “captures the bittersweet madness of parenthood as eloquently as any work of art ever has”
2. Zootopia
Featuring the voices of Ginnifer Goodwin, Jason Bateman, Idris Elba and Shakira among many others, the movie follows a rookie cop rabbit and a cunning con artist fox who try to solve a mysterious case of missing predators. It was released in 2016 and broke box office records. It scores 98% with critics hailing the state of the art animation and labelling it “socially responsible”, “important” with an “abundance of humour and action”
3. 101 Dalmations
Two Dalmatian dogs, Pongo and Perdita, who live in London welcome a litter of 15 puppies. Their pups are kidnapped by one of the most memorable villains ever, the wicked socialite Cruella de Vil, who wants to make their black and white fur into coats. The protective parents’ journey to rescue their precious bundles sees them end up with many more orphans along the way. The animation was released in 1961 to positive reviews and was a box office hit. It received a 98% score with critics calling it “emotionally charged” and one of Disney’s “finest achievements”.
4. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
Based on the 1812 German fairytale Snow White by the Brothers Grimm, it was the first ever animated film produced in the United States. The orphaned princess Snow White lives in the forest with her wicked stepmother, the vain Queen. When the magic mirror hails Snow White as the ‘fairest of them all’, the Queen orders her death so she flees into the forest where she comes across the home of the seven dwarfs. The landmark release in 1938 was named as the greatest American animated film of all time in 2008. It scores 97% and is described as “the one that started it all”, a “timeless gem” and “flawless”.
5. Aladdin
The 1992 musical fantasy features the voices of Scott Weinger as Aladdin, Robin Williams as the genie and Linda Larkin as Princess Jasmine. It is based on an Arabic folktale from One Thousand and One Nights and follows street urchin Aladdin as he finds a magic lamp containing a genie who grants him wishes. It was a critical and financial success on release and became the highest grossing animation of all time until the Lion King surpassed it in 1994. It scores 96% and is hailed as “relentlessly entertaining”, “side splitting” and a “wish come true”.
6. Moana
Set in the beautiful islands of Polynesia, the movie follows the wilful and stubborn daughter of a village chief, Moana, voiced by Auliʻi Cravalho. She is chosen by the ocean to carry out an important mission for the goddess of nature, Te Fiti and is accompanied by shapeshifting demigod Maui, voiced by Dwayne Johnson. It was released in 2016 to critical and commercial success and scores 95%. It was praised for its memorable and original music score and called, “progressive”, “visually stunning” and “empowering”.
7. Beauty and the Beast
Based on the French fairytale, it is set in 18th century France and sees a selfish prince transformed into a monstrous creature as punishment for his actions. When he imprisons a villager, the man’s daughter Belle comes to his castle. The beast must prove he can love and be loved for the spell to be broken.
Released in 1991 with Angela Lansbury voicing Mrs Potts, the castle housekeeper who was turned into a teapot, the film was a massive financial hit and the first animation to win a Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture. It scores 95% and was described as “enchanting”, “sophisticated” and an “instant classic”.
8. Cinderella
Taken from the 1697 fairytale, Cinderella is the story of a young girl whose aristocratic father remarries after her mother dies. Forced to live with her wicked stepmother and cruel stepsisters as their servant, she gets to meet the prince at the royal ball after being granted wishes by her fairy godmother. It was released in 1950 when Disney was in financial trouble but became a commercial and critical success, helping to save the studio after World War II. Scoring 95%, critics hail it as “delightful”, “dazzling” and “unforgettable”.
9. Fantasia
Eight segments are set to classical music with all but one performed by the Philadelphia Orchestra. Originally planned to reignite interest in Mickey Mouse, it morphed into the various sections each with its own tale to tell set to beautiful scores. It didn’t make a profit on its release in 1940 because World War II meant access to the European markets had been cut off. It has since been reissued multiple times and is one of the highest grossing films of all time in the US. With a 95% score, it is described as “fascinating”, “stirring” and “courageous beyond belief”.
10. Dumbo
When a baby elephant is delivered by a stork late to an expectant circus mother elephant, he is mocked for his oversized ears and given his mean nickname, Dumbo. Along with his only friend, a mouse named Timothy, he must prove his worth in a cruel world. Released in 1941, it is one of the studio’s shortest animations. It won an Academy Award for its musical score and is preserved in the US National Film Registry for its cultural importance. Scoring 95% critics have hailed it as “astounding” and “simple but powerful”.
11. Raya and the Last Dragon 2021
Featuring the voices of Kelly Marie Tran, Awkwafina, Izaac Wang and Gemma Chan, among others, the film sees warrior princess Raya on a quest to save her father and the land of Kumandra from evil spirits known as Druun. Years before dragons sacrificed themselves to save humans from the Druun but there is one said to be left that Raya must find. The movie’s release was delayed due to Covid 19 but when it did come out in 2021 it became the third most streamed film of the year as well as a box office hit. It scores 93% and is praised for its “gorgeous animation” and for being “exhilarating” and “striking”.
12. The Lion King
With a stellar cast of actors voicing the animals including Matthew Broderick, James Earl Jones, Jeremy Irons, Jonathan Taylor Thomas, Whoopi Goldberg, Rowan Atkinson, and Robert Guillaume, this coming of age animation is set in the lands of Tanzania. The King and Queen of the lion’s young son Simba is exiled after his father is murdered by his jealous uncle Mustafa. A massive hit both commercially and critically on its release in 1994 it also features original music written by Elton John and Sir Tim Rice. It scored 92% and critics called it “brilliant” and “awe-inspiring”.
13. The Lady and the Tramp
A pampered pooch called Lady finds herself in dire straits after her owners have a baby. Finding herself out on her ear, a street-wise mutt named Tramp takes care of her and the pair fall in love but have to face the reality of their different backgrounds. It was a box office success on its release in 1955 and scored 91% in the ranking. Critics call it “charming”, “memorable” and “beautiful”.
14. Encanto
The Madrigals live in the mountains of Columbia in a rural community called the Encanto. All the children and grandchildren are blessed with magical gifts from a miracle, except for Mirabel. When they start to lose their powers she sets off on a journey to discover why. The award winning animation was highly lauded critically and its songs even became hits, particularly We Don’t Talk About Bruno. It scored 92% and was described as “enchanting”, “sincere” and “epically emotional”.
15. Mulan
Based on the Chinese legend of Hua Mulan, the film follows Mulan, voiced by Ming-Na Wen, as she impersonates a man to take her aging father’s place in the Chinese military. Eddie Murphy voices Mushu, a shamed dragon and her family’s former spiritual guardian who attempts to redeem himself by protecting her during a Hun invasion. Released in 1998 to critical and commercial success, it won a Golden Globe and was nominated for numerous others. It scored 91% and was praised for being “stunning”, “sumptuous” and “grand”.
Here are the rest of the top 74 Disney animations in ranked order:
16. The Little Mermaid (1989)
17. Bambi (1942)
18. Big Hero 6 (2014)
19. Bolt (2008)
20. Tarzan (1999)
21. Winnie the Pooh (2001)
22. Sleeping Beauty (1959)
23. Frozen (2013)
24. Tangled (2010)
25. Ralph Breaks the Internet (2018)
26. The Jungle Book (1967)
27. Wreck it Ralph (2012)
28. Lilo & Stitch (2002)
29. The Emperor’s New Groove (2000)
30. The Princess and the Frog (2009)
31. The Rescuers Down Under (1990)
32. Hercules (1997)
33. Pooh’s Heffalump Movie (2005)
34. The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996)
35. Fantasia 2000 (1999)
36. Peter Pan (1953)
37. Frozen II (2019)
38. Disney’s Teacher’s Pet (2004)
39. Piglet’s Big Movie (2003)
40. The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (1977)
41. Ducktales the Movie: Treasure of the Lost Lamp (1990)
42. The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad (1949)
43. Alice in Wonderland (1951)
44. The Rescuers (1977)
45. The Great Mouse Detective (1986)
46. The Fox and the Hound (1981)
47. Melody Time (1948)
48. Fun and Fancy Free (1947)
49. Strange World (2022)
50. Treasure Planet (2002)
51. Meet the Robinsons (2007)
52. The Sword in the Stone (1963)
53. Dinosaur (2000)
54. A Goofy Movie (1995)
55. The Aristocats (1970)
56. The Tigger Movie (2000)
57. Moana 2 (2024)
58. Recess: School’s Out )2001)
59. Pocahontas (1995)
60. Robin Hood (1973)
61. Make Mine Music (1946)
62. The Black Cauldron (1985)
63. Oliver & Company (1988)
64. Home on the Range (2004)
65. Atlantis: The Lost Empire (2001)
66. Wish (2023)
67. Return to Never Land (2002)
68. Planes: Fire & Rescue (2014)
69. Bambi II (2006)
70. Brother Bear (2003)
71. Chicken Little (2005)
72. Doug’s 1st Movie (1999)
73. Planes (2013)
74. The Jungle Book 2 (2003)
