Disney Animated Features

Here is the official list, numbered and listed in chronological order (originally taken from the FAQ by Tom Tanida). You will find lots of links here. If available, you can click on the title to get to the Movie details from the Internet Movie Database.

In the past years, a number of other animation studios have been popping up. I frequently get questions why I don't list those, and some folks are then surprised to hear that it wasn't a Disney movie after all. The most notable animated movies from other studios are:

There are also some Disney movies not on this list, because they are not of the "animated masterpieces" canon by Disney's own reckoning. This seems to be because they have been produced not by their feature animation division, but by their television animation division. Also not here are their Direct to Video animated movies and their sequels. The most notable movies of this category are: And then there's a third category of movies not listed here. These are partially animated Disney movies, which therefore also fail the "animated masterpieces" standards. These are:

The Animated Features

  1. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (12/21/1937)
    Granted a special Academy Award for screen innovation in 1938: one large and seven small oscars.
    Additional Information: The original fairy tale; The song Lyrics; The Poster (33k JPG); Picture Heigh Ho (120k JPG).

  2. Pinocchio (02/07/1940)
    Won the Oscar for Best Song ("When You Wish Upon a Star"), and Best Original Score.
    Additional Information: The original fairy tale; Poster Style A (90k JPG); Poster Style B (45k JPG).

  3. Fantasia (11/13/1940)
    The Academy granted a special award to Leopold Stokowski for "widening the scope of the motion picture as entertainment and as an art form" in 1941. The music was conducted by Leopold Stokowski, and the narrator was Deems Taylor. Fantasia was re-released in 1982 with an Irwin Kostal conducted soundtrack and narration by Hugh Douglas, but was subsequently restored. Additional Information: The Poster (90k JPG); A Picture (30k grey JPG) from a scene that was censored because of is racism.

  4. Dumbo (10/23/1941)
    Based upon the serial number on the cassette, this was the first of the animated films to have been released on video. It was originally released in 1980 for rental. It won an Oscar for "Scoring of a Musical Picture" in 1941.

  5. Bambi (08/13/1942)
    As a bit of trivia, this is the animated feature with the fewest lines of dialog.

  6. Saludos Amigos (02/06/1943)
    Set in South America, this film was targeted more towards the population in Latin America as the audience in Europe, and revenues from that continent, dwindled in World War II.

  7. The Three Caballeros (02/03/1945)
    This is somewhat of a sequel to Saludos Amigos.

  8. Make Mine Music (08/15/1946)
    Almost like a second Fantasia, but featuring more popular music in 10 shorter sequences, which lack the depth that Fantasia had. The excellent Clair De Lune sequence in this film was originally intended to be included in Fantasia. It also included Casey at the Bat. Parts of this film have been released separately, under the titles Willie, the Operatic Whale and Peter and the Wolf.

  9. Fun and Fancy Free (09/27/1947)
    Contained the two stories Mickey and the Beanstalk and Bongo.

  10. Melody Time (05/27/1948)
    Some miscellaneous stories, including: a story based on Johnny Appleseed; Little Toot (a tugboat); Blame It On the Samba, featuring Donald Duck and Jose Carioca from The Three Caballeros and Bumble-Boogie, a jazz version of Flight of the Bumblebee. This film was somewhat of a sequel to Make Mine Music.

  11. The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad (10/05/1949)
    Available as separate short films, under the titles The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and The Wind in the Willows.
    Additional Information: Washington Irving's The Legend of Sleepy Hollow in plain text from Project Gutenberg.

  12. Cinderella (02/15/1950)
    It has been said that this was Walt Disney's favorite film.
    Additional Information: The original fairy tale.

  13. Alice in Wonderland (07/28/1951)
    Additional Information: Lewis Carrol's Alice in Wonderland from Project Gutenberg; The Poster (36k JPG).

  14. Peter Pan (02/05/1953)
    Additional Information: James M. Barrie's Peter Pan in plain text from Project Gutenberg; The Poster (23k JPG).

  15. Lady and the Tramp (06/22/1955)
    Originally filmed in Cinemascope.
    Additional Information: A CD cover picture (140k JPG).

  16. Sleeping Beauty (01/29/1959)
    Originally filmed in Cinemascope.
    Additional Information: The script; The original fairy tale; The Poster (33k JPG);

  17. 101 Dalmatians (01/25/1961)
    Additional Information: The Poster (50k JPG); A Picture (70k JPG, don't know where it comes from).

  18. The Sword in the Stone (12/25/1963)

  19. The Jungle Book (10/18/1967)
    This was the last film that Walt Disney worked on, as he died prior to its release.
    Additional Information: The Poster (40k JPG).

  20. The Aristocats (12/24/1970)
    Additional Information: The Poster (42k JPG); Picture Cats on Sofa (15k JPG).

  21. Robin Hood (11/08/1973)

  22. The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (03/11/1977)
    This was a compilation of the three stories Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree (1966), Winnie the Pooh and the Blustery Day (1969), and Winnie the Pooh and Tigger Too (1974).
    Additional Information: A Pooh Poster (45k JPG).

  23. The Rescuers (06/22/1977)
    This film was the last that was developed by the original (Walt) generation of Disney lead animators. It was very successful in Europe during it's initial release.
    Additional Information: The Poster (30k JPG).

  24. The Fox and the Hound (07/10/1981)
    At one time the film was stated by Disney publicists to be the 20th, then the 25th animated feature film. The first major effort by the "new generation" of Disney artists.
    Additional Information: The Poster (43k JPG).

  25. The Black Cauldron (07/24/1985)
    This was the first film to be released in 70mm since Sleeping Beauty. Roy E. Disney, Walt's nephew, returned to the studios to contribute to the screenplay. The film suffered from delays and a then record cost of $25 million. It was scheduled to video, and even mastered on tape a couple of years ago, but didn't make it because of the success of The Little Mermaid.
    Additional Information: The Poster (40k JPG).

  26. The Great Mouse Detective (07/02/1986)
    Score by Henry Mancini.
    Additional Information: The Poster (45k JPG).

  27. Oliver and Company (11/18/1988)
    Made $54M in it's initial release, which at the time was the highest box-office gross of any animated film in its first theatrical run. Music by Billy Joel.
    Additional Information: The Poster (48k JPG).

  28. The Little Mermaid (11/17/1989)
    Grossed $89M in its initial US release.
    This movie is generally thought to mark the beginning of the New Era of Disney animation. Many credit this success to the team of Howard Ashman and Alan Menken, who received Academy Awards for Best Original Score and Best Song (Under the Sea).
    In its first home video release, a scarce 8 million video tapes were sold. After the tape was pulled from the shelves according to Disney's "limited availability" policy, and as the interest in the movie soared with the cinematic releases of Beauty and the Beast and The Lion King, the video became a collector's item selling at above US$ 200; more than US$ 600 were common for the Laserdisc. These values were only surpassed by the even rarer Sleeping Beauty videos, and Make Mine Music, which has only seen a limited release in Japan. An active bootleg market existed.
    As a bit of trivia, this movie was the first to spawn a TV series.
    Additional Information: A Review; The song Lyrics; The script; The original fairy tale; Poster Style A (85k JPG, Ariel before a magical moonrise); Poster Style B (280k JPG, The standard poster); Picture Ariel (60k JPG) splashing out of the water; Picture Ariel and Eric (60k JPG) dancing; Picture Ariel (75k JPG) singing Part of your World.

  29. The Rescuers Down Under (11/10/1990)
    Nationally released on 11/23/90. Disney's first official animated sequel. Grossed around $28M in its initial US release. The first feature extensively using the help of computers, which makes it stunning to look at (even from today's view).
    Additional Information: A Review; The script; Picture Bernard (95k JPG); Picture Bianca (100k JPG).

  30. Beauty and the Beast (11/15/1991)
    Was nationally released on 11/23/91. Cost $30 million to produce. Alan Menken and Howard Ashman returned to make what is still widely considered to be the best animated movie ever. It again won Academy Awards for Best Original Score and Best Song (title track), and was the first and so far only animated film to be nominated for Best Picture.
    In the first 42 weeks of its US release, this film grossed $144.725 million, and sold 1 million copies of the video nationwide by the end of its first day of release (10/30/92).
    A "Work in Progress" version was shown at the New York Film Festival prior to its official release. It was only partially completed, many scenes were still in the rough or even storyboard only. It is very educating to see, and helps understand the process of animation. This version was also released on video, but due to a faulty pressing, many copies of the Laserdisc developed laser rot, and few intact copies remain.
    Additional Information: A Review; The song Lyrics; The original fairy tale; The script in plain text; Poster Style A (100k JPG, Silhouettes of B&B dancing); Poster Style B (42k JPG, showing all characters); Picture Singing Belle (220k JPG); Picture Happy End (250k JPG);

  31. Aladdin (11/11/1992)
    Was nationally released on 11/25/92. Howard Ashman and Alan Menken teamed up again for Music and Score, but Howard Ashman died of AIDS before completion. Tim Rice was hired to complete the remaining songs. Ashman wrote the lyrics to Arabian Nights, Friend Like Me, and Prince Ali. Rice wrote the lyrics to One Jump Ahead, A Whole New World, and Prince Ali (reprise). This film reportedly cost $35 million to produce. Aladdin continued the winning streak and won the two Academy Awards for Best Song (A Whole New World) and Best Original Score.
    Aladdin grossed over $215 million in the theaters and currently holds the record as the all-time best selling video cassette ever in North America, exceeding 21 million copies sold.
    Aladdin was the first Disney movie to be followed up with a direct-to-video sequel, Return of Jafar.
    Additional Information: The song Lyrics; The original fairy tale; Poster Style A (53k JPG); Poster Style B (45k JPG); Poster Style C (150k JPG, German); Picture Jasmine (125k JPG) combing her hair; Picture Carpet Ride (130k JPG).

  32. The Lion King (6/15/94)
    Nationally released 6/24/94. On that weekend, The Lion King earned $40.9 million, a record for an animated film and, while not a box office revenue record for an opening weekend, it probably represents the most tickets sold in a weekend given the high number of discounted tickets sold for children. Tim Rice and Elton John worked on the soundtrack for this film.
    Additional Information: The song Lyrics; The complete script; A Review; A Report of the European Charity Premiere; some paper's reviews; The Poster (85k JPG); Picture Ceremony (130k JPG); Picture Stampede (105k JPG);

  33. Pocahontas (6/23/95)
    This was the first film since The Rescuers Down Under not being done by the usual lead animators. It features the voice talent of Mel Gibson.
    After the successful The Lion King, this film marks the peak of public interest in Disney's animated movies. Around the globe, premiere parties were held with tens of thousands of participants each. Tickets were given away by lottery.
    Additional Information: A Review; The Poster (160k JPG); A Disney Press Release about Pocahontas; A first Picture of the film; Comments by the Powhatan Renape Nation; The Lyrics.

  34. The Hunchback of Notre Dame (06/21/1996)
    Set in medieval Paris, this movie re-tells Victor Hugo's classic novel from the Disney point of view. Targeting at a more adult audience, the movie has had difficulties with its G rating. Despite their efforts of political correctness, the many religious references have provoked the usual protests from certain groups. Being directed by Kirk Wise and Gary Trousdale, the directors of Beauty and the Beast and featuring the voices of Tom Hulce and Demi Moore.
    Additional Information: The script in plain text; A Review; The Lyrics.

  35. Hercules (06/27/1997)
    Directed by Ron Clements and John Musker, who also directed Aladdin. Like Aladdin, the story is loosely based on the greek myth, and shows a very modern Hercules. The son of the God Zeus is raised on earth and must become a hero before he can return to his place among the gods. With voices by Danny de Vito, Susan Egan and Tate Donovan. Music by Alan Menken.
    Additional Information: The Lyrics.

  36. Mulan (06/06/1998)
    Based on a Chinese tale of a girl who joins the army disguised as a man. She is joined in her task by a disgraced, redemption-hungry dragon. Directed by Tony Bancroft and Barry Cook.
    Additional Information: The Lyrics; the Script; A Review.

  37. Tarzan (06/18/1999)
    Disney has bought the rights to Edgar R. Burrough's Tarzan. Music was done by Phil Collins. As a first in Disney movies, the characters do not sing themselves, but the singing is done in the background. Directed by Chris Buck and Kevin Lima; the latter had first excelled directing A Goofy Movie.
    Additional Information: The Lyrics; A Review.

  38. Fantasia 2000 (1999/31/12)
    (working title: Fantasia Continued).
    The original Fantasia from 1940 was a movie consisting of several segments, and Walt Disney intended Fantasia to run continuously, with a constant change as some segments are replaced. Now the only segment that remains from the original is the Sorcerer's Apprentice featuring Mickey Mouse.
    Featuring the voices of Steve Martin and James Earl Jones.
    In an interesting twist, this movie is released in IMAX theaters only.
    Additional Information: A Review.

  39. The Emperor's New Groove (12/15/2000)
    A selfish emperor in turned into a Llama and escapes from his opponents. He then teams up with a peasant on a quest to turn him human again and to restore him to the throne.
    It seems as if Disney is finally overcoming their musical formula that has worked so well starting with The Little Mermaid, but which has then become tiresome and repetitive. Also, the usual comic sidekicks that have recently become more and more annoying (for example in Mulan) are missing. Instead, this is more like a road movie.
    Additional Information: A Review.

  40. Atlantis: The Lost Empire (06/15/2001)
    A story about an expedition to Atlantis that starts out as an exploration until the captain's true interests come forward.
    This one follows the style set by The Emperor's New Groove with its absence of songs and sidekicks.
    Featuring the voices of Michael J. Fox and Leonard Nimoy.
    A Review.

If you are interested in books with more information, one choice is "The Disney Films" by Leonhard Maltin. It contains a very detailed section for every Disney movie (animated and live action) up to 1967. The movies afterwards (the third edition covers all movies up to Pocahontas) are covered in a little less details.

Another good choice is "The Art of Walt Disney" by Christopher Finch.

Frank Pilhofer <fp -AT- fpx.de> Back to the Homepage
Last modified: Wed Jan 16 11:09:12 2002