Walt Disney Animation, All 56 Films Ranked Worst to Best
Over the course of Disney's near 80 year history, they have made countless classics that have stuck with multiple generations. So without further ado, here is my picks for the definite ranking of the Disney animated trope!
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- DirectorGary TrousdaleKirk WiseStarsPaige O'HaraRobby BensonJesse CortiA prince cursed to spend his days as a hideous monster sets out to regain his humanity by earning a young woman's love.You all probably saw this one coming. As the only one of the fifty-four features to receive an Oscar nomination for Best Picture, Beauty and the Beast has become the studio's most beautiful feature to date. I could go on about all the things the creators of this masterpiece got right, but to the bare bones, the most impressive thing about it is how realistically paced the romance is, showing how love cannot be limited to appearances, and how time changes anger and frustration to empathy and selflessness.
- DirectorByron HowardRich MooreJared BushStarsGinnifer GoodwinJason BatemanIdris ElbaIn a city of anthropomorphic animals, a rookie bunny cop and a cynical con artist fox must work together to uncover a conspiracy.The most recent of the animated classics, and the one that's currently picking up momentum as a masterpiece within the Disney family. Zootopia rightfully deserves its mass critical praise, as it does far more than merely create a believable world of animals who walk on two feet, but use it as a relevant social commentary that reminds us that prejudice is still a problem in our world despite all the change we've supposedly seen.
- DirectorRoger AllersRob MinkoffStarsMatthew BroderickJeremy IronsJames Earl JonesLion prince Simba and his father are targeted by his bitter uncle, who wants to ascend the throne himself.Everyone remembers The Lion King as a common favorite among people of all ages, myself included, and for good reason. This is the rare film that brings such a power into a story that is timeless enough to touch anyone no matter what stage of life they are in. The spectacular views of the African savanna, the incredible animation of the characters, the beautiful soundtrack, and the emotional core between father and son all create a picture that can motivate us all to take our place in the great circle of life.
- DirectorJames AlgarSamuel ArmstrongFord Beebe Jr.StarsLeopold StokowskiDeems TaylorThe Philadelphia OrchestraA series of eight famous pieces of classical music, conducted by Leopold Stokowski and interpreted in animation by Walt Disney's team of artists.I'll admit, Fantasia is not for everyone. But if you can appreciate and celebrate it's artistry, good for you! This is definitely animation achievement at it's very best, tuning it all to classical music with such harmony and precision, that you wouldn't believe that it was produced without any computers. Along with the spellbinding artistry, there are also several themes of religion, faith, and our relationship with the world that tunes us back into what art has always done for our world throughout all of history.
- DirectorJames AlgarSamuel ArmstrongDavid HandStarsHardie AlbrightStan AlexanderBobette AudreyThe story of a young deer growing up in the forest.The overly sentimental cuteness of the characters may be a shut-off for some, but Bambi still holds tremendous power in its creation of an environment free of man's destruction. The animators milked a lot of their creative juices into the making of this picture, and the results show. Watching the young fawn's interactions with the forest is absolutely wonderful, and the progress of his growth along with the changing seasons demonstrates the very best of what animation offers in cinematic storytelling.
- DirectorRon ClementsJohn MuskerDon HallStarsAuli'i CravalhoDwayne JohnsonRachel HouseIn ancient Polynesia, when a terrible curse incurred by the demigod Maui reaches Moana's island, she answers the Ocean's call to seek out Maui to set things right.One of the few Disney movies to treat another culture with the respect it deserves, Moana tells a timeless story rich with detail about how one woman goes from a naive villager to an awkward nomad to the savior of the environment. Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson also creates such a lovable egotistical sidekick out of demigod Maui, generating a meaningful bond between the two leads in this musical adventure.
- DirectorChris BuckJennifer LeeStarsKristen BellIdina MenzelJonathan GroffFearless optimist Anna teams up with rugged mountain man Kristoff and his loyal reindeer Sven in an epic journey to find Anna's sister Elsa, whose icy powers have trapped the kingdom of Arendelle in eternal winter.Nope, I will not "let it go." I still absolutely adore this mega hit even after the saturation of its marketing. If you look past all the YouTube renditions of "Love Is an Open Door" and Elsa cosplays, it's easy to see why the world fell in love with Frozen. The relational bond between two sisters is so perfectly laid out with hard-hitting doses of emotion, it appropriately redeems Disney for its mistreatment of love and romance in the past. The incredible animation, art direction, and supporting cast are a tremendous support, too.
- DirectorNorman FergusonT. HeeWilfred JacksonStarsDickie JonesChristian RubMel BlancA living puppet, with the help of a cricket as his conscience, must prove himself worthy to become a real boy.One of the earliest as well as one of the most magical of these films, Pinocchio deserves its reputation as one of the studio's most miraculous of masterpieces. The animation will take your breath away, the emotional highs and lows are not to be forgotten easily, the special effects are still impressive by today's standards, and the journey this little wooden boy takes to do good will inspire generations. How appropriate that the Oscar winning, "When You Wish Upon A Star" ended up the studio's timeless anthem!
- DirectorSamuel ArmstrongNorman FergusonWilfred JacksonStarsSterling HollowayEdward BrophyHerman BingRidiculed because of his enormous ears, a young circus elephant is assisted by a mouse to achieve his full potential.Very few animated features today or long ago can move you to tears in the same way Dumbo does. The relationship this baby elephant shares with his mother is both beautiful and tragic, made all the more powerful with the absence of dialogue from their loving interactions. All the better, it teaches us how the things that supposedly brings us lower than everybody else (such as big ears) can actually be used to help us soar higher than all those who try to bring us down.
- DirectorRon ClementsJohn MuskerStarsScott WeingerRobin WilliamsLinda LarkinA kind-hearted street urchin and a power-hungry Grand Vizier vie for a magic lamp that has the power to make their deepest wishes come true.He is a street rat who wants to gain riches. She is a princess who prefers the free life of a peasant. Together, they are a match only made possible by a magic genie. Aladdin has gained the reputation as one of Disney's most beloved classics for good reason. It's not just because of the wildly funny improvisations by the late Robin Williams, but also because of how the environment, music, and animation all work together to immerse us onto a magic carpet ride only experienced on the screen.
- DirectorNathan GrenoByron HowardStarsMandy MooreZachary LeviDonna MurphyThe magically long-haired Rapunzel has spent her entire life in a tower, but now that a runaway thief has stumbled upon her, she is about to discover the world for the first time, and who she really is.Here is one of those rare princess movies that can entertain little boys as well as little girls. Rapunzel is such a wonderful and motivated lead who takes a journey that anyone can feel engrossed in. Along with her, Flynn Ryder is sly and cocky just like what young boys enjoy seeing in a male role model. As one of the greatest, most finely tuned love stories in Disney's entire history, Tangled is a glorious must see for family movie nights hosted by people of all ages and backgrounds.
- DirectorRich MooreStarsJohn C. ReillyJack McBrayerJane LynchA video game villain wants to be a hero and sets out to fulfill his dream, but his quest brings havoc to the whole arcade where he lives.Who knew that Disney could actually make a movie about a video game villain trying to become a hero and do it so right? I just adore the imagination that went into Wreck-It Ralph, including the detailed world of arcade games that is intervened with old classic characters such as Bowser and Sonic the Hedgehog. The journey Ralph takes in trying to become a hero in another game also teaches such a valuable lesson that is rarely taught: you can be a hero in just the place and time you already are, no upgrades necessary.
- DirectorDon HallChris WilliamsStarsRyan PotterScott AdsitJamie ChungA special bond develops between plus-sized inflatable robot Baymax and prodigy Hiro Hamada, who together team up with a group of friends to form a band of high-tech heroes.Upon a second viewing of the most recent addition to the Disney family, this film actually gets most to everything right. There is such a strong emotional core that lies with Hiro and the passing of his brother, and how he's willing to take the nursing robot he created for revenge purposes. So much heart went into this picture that it's difficult not to praise the makers for pouring their entire selves into the most personal comic book movie ever made.
- DirectorClyde GeronimiWilfred JacksonHamilton LuskeStarsKathryn BeaumontEd WynnRichard HaydnAlice stumbles into the world of Wonderland. Will she get home? Not if the Queen of Hearts has her way.It's zany, it's trippy, and it's exploding with color and imagination. Way ahead of it's time, Alice in Wonderland was originally hated by critics, fans of Lewis Carroll's novel, and Walt himself. But time has helped people to appreciate all that it gets right: Alice's sweet curiosity, the quirky characters she meets, the organized nonsense, the joyful art direction of Mary Blair, the surprising loyalty it has to the book, the wondrous soundtrack, and some of the craziest animation you'll see in some time.
- DirectorChris BuckKevin LimaStarsTony GoldwynMinnie DriverBrian BlessedA man raised by gorillas must decide where he really belongs when he discovers he is a human.What a fantastic journey Tarzan sends you on! I can see why the studio wanted to adapt this timeless story of a man growing up in the jungle, because their combined mixture of 2-D and 3-D animation make the environment around Tarzan look absolutely unbelievable! Next to that, it also features a moving story about how this man fulfills self-discovery through those who are like, or unlike himself. This seriously needs more credit as one of the great animated masterpieces within the last thirty years.
- DirectorRon ClementsJohn MuskerStarsJodi BensonSamuel E. WrightRene AuberjonoisA mermaid princess makes a Faustian bargain in an attempt to become human and win a prince's love.The Little Mermaid has of course become famous for starting the 90's Disney renaissance, as well as being the first Disney masterpiece made after Walt's death, and rightfully so. I still have complaints about how it portrays a whiny teenager getting rewarded for her poor decision making and learning nothing in the process, but everything else in this film has been done right. The songs are still iconic, the animation is still top-notch, and the message of following your dreams is enough to inspire the poorest of unfortunate souls.
- DirectorClyde GeronimiWilfred JacksonHamilton LuskeStarsBobby DriscollKathryn BeaumontHans ConriedWendy and her brothers are whisked away to the magical world of Neverland with the hero of their stories, Peter Pan.Yes, I am bothered by its unbearable portrayal of Native Americans. Yes, I dislike the way it portrays women as bratty servants to men. But you know what else? Peter Pan is a magical look at growing up that remains loyal to its source material while staying fun for the whole family. Peter may be a stuck-up prick in this movie, but he's a free-flying child who refuses to grow up, what did you expect? This deserves its reputation as one of Disney's most iconic masterpieces.
- DirectorTony BancroftBarry CookStarsMing-Na WenEddie MurphyBD WongTo save her father from death in the army, a young maiden secretly goes in his place and becomes one of China's greatest heroines in the process.What a fantastic story Mulan has to tell! It is such an inspiration to see how one woman goes from getting potentially betrothed to saving all of China, breaking gender stereotypes along the way. Although I do still have problems with its demeaning representation of men, and the complete existence of that Eddie Murphy dragon who added nothing important to the plot. But setting those complaints aside, this gem of the Disney renaissance reminds us all of the righteous hero that lies within all of us!
- DirectorDean DeBloisChris SandersStarsDaveigh ChaseChris SandersTia CarrereA young and parentless girl adopts a 'dog' from the local pound, completely unaware that it's supposedly a dangerous scientific experiment that's taken refuge on Earth and is now hiding from its creator and those who see it as a menace.This may be one of those movies that would be best suitable for the little ones due to its near Saturday morning cartoon feel. But anyone watching Lilo and Stitch can still see how much care really went into the development between a lonely little girl and her alien friend. The situation between Lilo and her older sister being recently orphaned is played surprisingly realistically, and Stitch's inclusion into their little family will most certainly drive you to tears. You'll just have to get past some pathetic alien slapstick on the way.
- DirectorGary TrousdaleKirk WiseStarsDemi MooreJason AlexanderMary Kay BergmanA deformed bell-ringer must assert his independence from a vicious government minister in order to help his friend, a gypsy dancer.The Hunchback of Notre Dame as of now has a cult following at best. It's way dumbed down from its source material to accommodate to the family friendly demographic, but you know what else? There are so many other things it gets right. For one, the characters are all multidimensional, expressing feelings of remorse, redemption, and lust, seeking for the church to possibly confront their inner demons. While this is very dark for a family feature anyone older than twelve can still appreciate what Quasimodo goes through.
- DirectorClyde GeronimiWilfred JacksonHamilton LuskeStarsIlene WoodsJames MacDonaldEleanor AudleyWhen Cinderella's cruel stepmother prevents her from attending the Royal Ball, she gets some unexpected help from the lovable mice Gus and Jaq and from her Fairy Godmother.Step aside, Lily James, here's where the real deal is. Cinderella may have received significant backlash for portraying women in a passive light, but I believe that she is not given nearly enough credit. She's not as passive as everyone says she is, she had to work for her stepmother and stepsisters without expecting anything in return, treating them with kindness each step of the way. Then in the end, she was rewarded for her humility. Improvements could still be made, but I say this overall deserves greater reputation.
- DirectorRon ClementsJohn MuskerStarsAnika Noni RoseKeith DavidOprah WinfreyA waitress, desperate to fulfill her dreams as a restaurant owner, is set on a journey to turn a frog prince back into a human being, but she has to face the same problem after she kisses him.Many remember The Princess and the Frog for finally featuring a Black princess for once, and in an animated musical done in traditional hand-drawn animation. Not only is this movie good for nostalgic purposes, but it recreates the world of 1920's New Orleans in such a zesty, inoffensive way that feels all natural to the story. It's just a shame that the atmosphere, characters, and message don't carry as much impression as they had the potential for.
- DirectorClyde GeronimiWilfred JacksonHamilton LuskeStarsBarbara LuddyLarry RobertsPeggy LeeThe romantic tale of a sheltered uptown Cocker Spaniel dog and a streetwise downtown Mutt.This shot right here has become a trademark image for the Disney corporation, and for good reason. Lady and the Tramp may not be the most visually stunning of all the animated features, but it turns out to be a realistically handled romance between a pampered dog of suburban living and a tramp who lives off the street. The love these two dogs share would be enough of a delight to move any human to tears, and it's enough to almost make you forgive it for the culturally offensive moments.
- DirectorRon ClementsJohn MuskerStarsJoseph Gordon-LevittEmma ThompsonMartin ShortJim Hawkins is a teenager who finds the map of a great treasure hidden by a space pirate. Together with some friends, he sets off in a large spaceship, shaped like a caravel, on his quest.Treasure Planet is a movie that should have been a whole lot worse considering the era of Disney's lifespan it came out, but still manages to create an enjoyable ride for the young at heart. Although I personally am not a fan of this film (particularly because of that stupid robot!) I still see the artistic quality it carries. The steam-punk world of Treasure Island that it creates feels as detailed as it does imaginative, something that is told through a steadily touching relationship between the hero and the supposed bad guy.
- DirectorJohn LounsberyWolfgang ReithermanBen SharpsteenStarsSebastian CabotJunius MatthewsBarbara LuddyIn this collection of animated shorts based on the stories and characters by A.A. Milne, Winnie the Pooh, a honey-loving teddy bear, embarks on some eccentric adventures.Everything about Pooh screams the epitome of childhood. This package of Winnie-the-Pooh shorts over the course of a decade tells about the lives of Pooh and his friends in the Hundred Acre Wood in such a delicate and heartwarming approach that matches the nature of the book series The Many Adventures of Winnie-the-Pooh is based on. Every character is special in his/her own unique way, and you don't have to be a child to be overcome by this huggable little patch of fluff!