All 52 Walt Disney Animated Classics: Ranked From Worst To Best
Source: https://whatculture.com/film/52-walt-disney-animated-classics-ranked-worst-best?page=4
39. Tangled (2010)
Here is where things start change a little bit, as we’re now starting to filter out Disney’s lesser known films and are getting into the better known movies. Tangled is a bit of a head scratcher at this spot because it is so massively popular. While it is popular, and I am not one to deny its success, the film still was creatively sluggish and simplistic. The computer-generated graphics were not great by any standard, as they were non-detailed and unimaginative.
The characters were fun, too, but the music was forced, out of place, and contributed nothing to the story as they did for the films in the 90s canon. Some may argue this with me, and though I’m still convinced that Tangled is an entertaining film won’t be forgotten for a while, it obviously needed to go through one or two more drafts in order to create a distinctively unique film that could have better stood the test of time.
38. Treasure Planet (2002)
Here is a bit of an odd movie visually: we have here a space-version of the classic tale Treasure Island. I am not going to disown this film’s entertainment value, but it only barely scrapes by as a better than mediocre effort. I have mentioned many times already the slump that Disney took during the 2000s, but Treasure Planet was able to poke its ahead out just a little bit (I have to emphasise the just a bit part).
On the whole, Treasure Planet is a visually exciting film with characters that really get the ball rolling. It is a unique take from Disney’s usual direction of animation, and that might be what makes this film as enjoyable as it is. It may not be anyone’s favorite animated film, but there are a lot of people who believe it deserves more attention – myself included.
37. Saludos Amigos (1942)
One of the better package films, Saludos Amigos is a joyous time. Most of the package films are for diehard Disney fans only, but most people could probably find something to enjoy with this one: Saludos Amigos is fun enough to warrant a viewing. It introduced some characters, like its sequel, that still hold up today.
And like its sequel, it was a good will message to Latin America that spawned from political causes (Google it for some interesting reading) and Walt’s fascination with the continent. Genuine effort was put into this film and it shows, thus its placement so far up this list.
36. The Sword in the Stone (1963)
The Sword in the Stone strongly holds its special place in Disney lore with the classic tale of King Arthur. The symbol of Excalibur in rock where it can only be retrieved by the true king, a small nobody child that is Arthur, is a timeless image both in and out of Disney. And everyone knows of the powerful, although eccentric in Disney’s version, wizard of Merlin.
With themes of bravery and magic, The Sword in the Stone encompasses multiple pathos that makes up Disney animated storytelling, marking it as timeless. The animation isn’t bad, the characters are funny, and the origin tale is so familiar that many can relate to it. Hard to go wrong with this classic.
35. The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad (1949)
This is as high on the list as you will see any of the package films from the ’40s. It is meant as no offence to the films of the time, but as I mentioned before, these were not exactly Pinocchio or Bambi and very few would argue that they were up to such a standard. But Ichabod and Mr. Toad was arguably the best of the bunch. This is one of those films that I had no idea was so popular until I discovered it, either.
It is made up of two longer segments, an adaptation of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, coupled with The Wind in the Willows. The former is actually rather scary, despite being great for families, and the latter is pretty hilarious. The most famous of the package pieces, purely because it still holds up today, a solid Disney effort.
34. Atlantis: The Lost Empire (2001)
Atlantis is like finding money in your pocket you did not realize you had. Containing some of Disney fan’s forgotten favorites like Princess Kida, Atlantis hits with a few good one-liners and has a strong following with twenty-somethings that were the target audience upon the film’s release. It is almost as if people are afraid to say how good the film actually is.
The action-adventure direction that followed the style of the works of Jules Verne proved itself to be excellent territory for a Disney feature. Not a box-office success, however, mainly due to the competition of the time and the medium’s morphing to digital graphics (this was for the most part hand-drawn), Atlantis: The Lost Empire still has a dedicated fanbase and will be remembered in years to come as a forgotten gem.
33. Lilo & Stitch (2002)
There has not been a more charming, or profitable, Disney film in the first decade of the 2000s, as Lilo & Stitch. The lovable blue alien appeals to the destructive, chaotic side of our mind that always battled with our love for sweet and cute. Stitch humorously gathered the best of both worlds to create an instant hit for Disney that has reached far beyond the movie.
Yet there seems to be a little aggression towards Lilo & Stitch from a high number of Disney fans. I find it hard to explain: Lilo & Stitch was successful financially and the majority of movie-goers loved it, mainly because it was a heart-warming tale which helped to define Disney animation in a more positive light in the mid-2000s. But there are some who would argue that there’s something inherently un-Disney about the storyline which doesn’t quite gel.
32. Oliver & Company (1988)
Considered to be an obscure film within the Disney canon despite decent success upon release, it’s Oliver & Company, which probably has a lot to do with the powerhouse success of The Little Mermaid a year later, followed by a decade of Disney animation dominance. Thanks to that, this laid-back adaptation of Oliver Twist was pushed to the wayside. I personally found the humor and music addicting as a child, and I like to think that many others did also.
Oliver & Company’s success did bring in some much needed cash flow to produce the many films we have yet to see on this list. This film takes on a modern New York City in its animation, rather different for a Disney film. This is a feature that perfectly marks the mid-point of the list.
31. The Rescuers (1977)
Why, if I mentioned that some considered The Rescuers Down Under to be an improvement over the original, is The Rescuers much farther up the list, right? Not only was this film just as enjoyable and story-filled as the sequel, the sequel is still unfortunately one of those forgotten pieces and in comparison to its contemporaries, still lacked the impact that The Rescuers did for its time.
The original The Rescuers is considered by some to be the first success during what was a particularly rough time for Disney in the 70s and early 80s, although in retrospect the movies that filled this period are mostly excellent, this picture included. Bianca and Bernard, after all, have some serious character depth for mice, and the story that carries them holds a good deal of thrills and suspense as they hurry to save a kidnapped girl. Filled with humor and lovable characters, this film did not need a home video release to prove its success.
30. Pocahontas (1995)
Historically inaccurate in so many ways, people have since given up expecting accuracy of source material from Disney films. It’s an animated movie – if you want accuracy then you are in the wrong place. But that still doesn’t devalue the love story that is Pocahontas.
There are so many who love it, though its critical response upon release was little more than decent. The music is great and Pocahontas has placed herself among many fans as their favorite Disney “princess” (don’t write in the comments how she is not a princess (we heard you and know this already). Not the most loved Disney film from the 1990s, but it is enjoyed enough and has a large amount of diehard fans.
29. Brother Bear (2003)
Brother Bear is a vastly underappreciated and mostly great film that I feel deserves a higher spot on this list, which is tough given that we’re now moving into the territory where the movies are either good or great. Brother Bear is a sweet film in the with some characters that produce a few good laughs and a story that is well-put together and actually speaks volumes about important subjects like family and relationships.
Brother Bear is also a film with an environment and background that feels sort of random: a man turns into a bear and learns the importance about who he should be without musical numbers, romance, or a castle. It takes place in the Canadian woodlands. It is not going to be considered an epic or a classic, but has a lot of entertainment value with lots of fine elements that come together brilliantly.
28. Hercules (1997)
Hercules gave us a fantastic collection of distinct characters with attitude, spice, and motivation. A classic tale of growth and what it means to sacrifice your wants for the needs of others. From the rock bottom Phil to the wise-cracking Hades (played by the great Danny DeVito and James Woods respectively), Hercules delivers with some of the best characterization this side of DisneyWorld.
I also find Meg’s story to be an excellent example of how to write a great animated character. She is ultimately a good person, but like all of us, has some issues to work through – it takes a while to put others before her, like in real life. No one is a simple presentation of character here, either. Through good musical numbers and polished animation, Hercules gives us a hilarious take on the traditional Greek myth.
27. The Jungle Book (1967)
It is hard not to bounce to the beat of The Jungle Book’s music. Full of life and energy, The Jungle Book remains a cherished hit today for many. It was the first animated feature released after the death of Walt Disney, but that did not mean any of the magic was lost from this success.
While it is not a Snow White or Peter Pan, this film is still referenced with ease when counting the movies inherent to the Disney canon and will never be forgotten. The Jungle Book seems to be a personal favorite for many and does not need a hard argument for why it is considered a “classic.” As mentioned above, the biggest take away from this one is the soundtrack – which is totally fine. It’s great.
26. The Aristocats (1970)
This marks the mid-point of this list, so things are going to start speeding up now. Long gone are the Disney animated features you’ve never heard of – we’re now onto some of Disney’s best ventures. Here we have the last film project fully approved by Walt Disney himself before his death, but The Aristocats was also the first fully produced project to have been completed after his death (though that did not seem to hurt the film at all).
Everything that makes a Disney animated film great is on show here. Great music and animation, lovable characters, and – for a time like now when cats are worshiped as gods on the internet – this movie is exactly what is needed for that cute kitten fix we all seem to crave. The film was a huge success overall and fans still seem to love it today. Try getting “Everybody Wants to Be a Cat” out of your head once you hear it. Seriously.
25. Robin Hood (1973)
Robin Hood will not go down as Disney’s greatest achievement ever, but it’s a sold effort nonetheless. The tale of the fox that steals from the rich and gives to the poor is a fun, animate retelling of the classic legend, and remains entertaining to this day. It does not possess a particularly memorable soundtrack, and it lacks those magical elements which Peter Pan and Cinderella have in droves, but it does contain enough innocent gags and thrilling scenes to warrant multiple viewings.
There are many adaptations of the character of Robin Hood and his Merry Men, of course, and Disney’s version still manages to stand out amongst them all.
24. The Fox and the Hound (1981)
This feel-good, buddy story has a natural sense of timelessness to it. Not to mention it really knows how to get you right in the heart strings. The story concerns Todd and Copper, a fox and a hound, who create a friendship but due to expectations and norms are not allowed to be near one another. I’m shedding a tear just thinking about their forced separation (they just want to be friends!) But I digress: this film does have the emotion and story that we know as Disney.
Today, The Fox and The Hound still delights – a timeless story if ever there was one.
23. Fantasia (1940)
This is another film that bounced around the list a few times. However, it finally stopped at number 23, about midway. Fantasia was an ambitious project to say the least. It was a personal goal of Walt Disney to have this created despite those telling him it would never work. Walt wanted to mix the art of classical music with the mainstream presentation of animation and bring these two cultures to the masses.
After Snow White and Pinocchio, this was a very big risk and it seemed those who said it would not work won out. It was not very successful in theatres, possibly because it was a rather different sort of film, even for the animation genre. But the quality is still top notch and it has eventually been considered one of the great works of Disney due to its many memorable characters and sequences that define the Disney company.
22. 101 Dalmatians (1961)
Who doesn’t love-hate Cruella de Vil, who is often considered to be one of the most despicable Disney villains imaginable. She wanted to make a coat out of puppies, after all: that is one sick chick. Still, it’s okay because a pair of the best Disney parents ever are on the hunt to save their litter and more… a whole lot more.
101 Dalmatians is another under the list of certified Disney classics with expressive characters and a proper mixture of thrills and drama that culminates in a surprisingly display of peril coming from a film about dogs. The animation, as many films at this point, is clean and descriptive, which goes without saying. It’s one of the most attractive and enduring stories Disney has ever told, and a bonafide classic of the era.
21. The Emperor’s New Groove (2000)
If there ever was a Disney film to have a massive cult following, it is this one right here. Critics may not consider this film in the likes of The Lion King, but when you have a plot and cast that delivers such hilarious performances that sits with a generation in such an everlasting manner, then it deserves to be this high up on the list.
The story of Kuzco, a spoiled emperor turned into a Llama to learn the errors of his ways, has one of the highest re-watchability levels of any Disney film. While this may not be your grandmother’s favorite, there is a whole generation of twenty-somethings who will defend this film as a fun piece that brings much needed laughs and fun without getting stupid or low-brow. And it has a great moral, too. Not given the respect it deserves, New Groove is certainly one of Disney’s best side-splitters and all-round hilarious movies.
20. The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996)
One of Disney’s darker efforts from the ’90s, that also seems to be the main reason why people like it. The usual Disney formula considered, The Hunchback of Notre Dame feels like a breath of fresh air. It holds nothing back by delivering an evil villain that doesn’t hide in a veil of humor and a story that isn’t afraid to emphasis some incredibly dark themes.
Notre Dame makes us, the judgmental and materialistic audience, the bad guy. Furthermore, our main man, the deformed Quasimodo (who bears society’s worst taunts), doesn’t even get the girl in the end. There is no light-hearted Disney repetition on show here. Instead, we explore the true nature of the human soul and what one must sacrifice in order to live a good life. Certainly, it’s one of Disney’s most mature efforts.
19. Mulan (1998)
Almost every single Disney animated feature clings to a wonderful soundtrack, but now we dive into those films that mash soundtrack and story together seamlessly, creating the “much-beloved” entries I have been mentioning throughout. Everyone knows Mulan by now, of course. With comedic performances by Eddie Murphy, memorable songs, and a fantastic story about equality and breaking boundaries, Mulan has a lot to bring to the table.
This is a well-rounded film with a large following. Male or female, Mulan is a character everyone can relate to as we discover the virtues of strength, courage, and honor, both inside and out (not to mention that “I’ll Make A Man Out Of You” is catchy as heck). Now we’re moving into movies that start speaking beyond an entertainment level and aim to teach the audience something about life, as any good piece of art should.
18. The Princess and the Frog (2009)
The return to hand-drawn animation was welcomed with opened arms, but the true success of this film’s great story and characters was slightly lost (but not much) amongst the box-office success of Tangled the very next year. The Princess and the Frog was a return to form. The tale’s under-appreciated quality brought back the majesty and fantasy to Disney animation and started what is considered The Revival Era.
The villain is one of the most vivid and dynamic bad guys in years. Princess Tiana is the most down to Earth princess ever created by the company, and her dreams are so relatable to us as an audience that it’s hard not to fall in love with her. The musical numbers are so jaunty and well-written that it is a shame that Tiana was overshadowed by the release of the much lesser Tangled.
17. Tarzan (1999)
The last true film of the Disney Renaissance before the turn of the millennium, Tarzan gave us some emotion, some heartbreak, and some self-discovery. What a fine recipe for a good Disney film? Our title character is thrust in the middle of two worlds, the one he has grown with and the one he biological belongs to, and love is pulling him in both directions. Tarzan is a character that must make the toughest of decisions if he is to remain happy.
But thankfully he gets everything he wants by the end. But that is not after some phenomenal kinetic animation and one of the greatest soundtracks around: Phil Collins -that is all that needs to be said. Tarzan is a tale with some depth and feeling that after a decade and a half still holds strong as any other Disney classic.
16. Lady and the Tramp (1955)
One of Disney’s greatest love stories is presented in the film Lady and the Tramp. The romance of this story rivals that of Beauty and the Beast. The tale of a lost house dog named Lady who meets and falls in love with a stray dog named Tramp also portrays the familiar contrasting tale of “rich versus poor” or “stability and comfort against hardship and adversity”.
The movie is cherished by hordes of film lovers and very few films have aged as well as Lady and the Tramp which attests to its very high placement on this list. And who can forget one of the greatest scenes in romantic movies where the two dogs share spaghetti, eventually leading to a kiss.
15. Dumbo (1941)
How many moms mark Dumbo as their favorite Disney movie? This is the ultimate tale of a mother’s love and how we as children must face the inevitable adversity in life of growing and getting use to who we are. It is a touching story that is made even better by the caliber of talent and effort that went into the very early classics that Dumbo is a part of.
When you really think about how many films in history from 1941 are still a household name, the popularity of Dumbo in 2013 says a lot about of what makes a movie defined as a classic. It is not about box-office profit or how many gimmicks you can cram into a single film that makes it lasts through the decades. It is story and Dumbo shows the power of story like none other.
14. Bambi (1942)
What is there to say to explain what makes Bambi the iconic movie that it is. Like I mentioned in the entry for Dumbo, have you ever questioned what it is that makes a movie simply about a deer has just as much impact 70 years later as it was upon first release? It might be that Bambi is a mixture of so many different kinds of tales: coming of age, love, and pain. It may have lost money at the box-office due to World War II but it is still crowned as an achievement in filmmaking and animation.
Over the course of my research on Bambi, I found that Time magazine actually classified the film as one of the top 25 horror films of all-time. And when you really consider the film’s elements, it starts to make since. The climatic wildfire, ‘man’ as the villain, and the ways of nature is portrayed in a light where the honest essence of the world is displayed in a cold and dark truth.
13. Winnie the Pooh (2011)
What is the dumbest thing a movie studio could ever do, thus ensuring the financial flop of a film? Opening said film against the premiere of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2. Wh, Disney? Well, they do have a history of bad release dates, which is a shame because the 2011 Winnie the Pooh brings back every strain of emotional and story DNA that made The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh such an awesome tale.
This film about the honey loving bear did not lag behind in the decade of the original film’s release but kept the writing, talent, and production fresh and upgraded so that every age today can watch and enjoy. I never thought that I would actually laugh-out-loud at the antics of Pooh and his friends of the Hundred Acre Woods, but I did. And when it came to nostalgia, this film was packing every single moment with as much as possible. And cue the waterworks.
12. Sleeping Beauty (1959)
Very few fairy tales are as widely told as that of Sleeping Beauty. And as with most fairy tale adaptations, Disney has the greatest known version of Aurora and Maleficent. The animation is striking and the story of fantasy is about as magical Disney can get. The climactic battle between Prince Phillip and the dragon Maleficent is as visually epic and action-packed as any live-action film made today, if not better.
This is one those films that when you think Disney, Sleeping Beauty is one of the first movies that springs to mind. Sleeping Beauty has the weird distinction of being more successful in its re-releases rather than its initial release. But no matter when it became a hit, Sleeping Beauty is one of Disney’s greatest pieces of art ever.
11. Alice in Wonderland (1951)
There is something about the twisted, crazy world of Lewis Carroll’s eccentric books that appeals so much to literary and film fans the world over. There are so many versions of Alice falling down the rabbit hole that it is easy to lose count. But as with many Disney versions of great literary classics, Disney either stands out or defines how future adaptations are portrayed.
Alice in Wonderland is a Disney classic if there ever was one: this version indulges every sense of the word ‘imagination’ and creates a colorful and rich world that has such a strong fan base today. The Cheshire Cat’s grin and Queen of Hearts’ demands of rolling heads are lasting tidbits that make this film so memorable.
Published on 2016-08-03 04:00:32
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