Top 10 Greatest Disney Movies

Okay let me start with a disclaimer – you’re bound to disagree with certain choices I made on this list. Maybe you won’t agree with a movie’s exclusion or you might feel a movie is not placed high enough. And that’s okay. After all, there is no exact science in compiling a top 10 list of greatest Disney movies. Between Disney’s first animated feature (1937’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs) and this year’s Cars 3, the company has produced 55 feature films. That means that no matter what, there’ll always be differing opinions. Again, that’s okay – this is just my opinion. Enjoy!

Bonus Entry

Hercules (1997)

For a solid 2 or 3 years, this was my favorite Disney movie ever. I even remember my mom organising a Hercules cake for my 10th birthday. Like most Disney classics, it features an epic soundtrack, colorful characters, and excellent voice over work from Hollywood royalty (James Woods, Danny DeVito). If anything holds Hercules back, it’s the fact that it breezes by so quickly. The plot is compelling, but it just falls a bit short when compared to the very best Disney films.

Ten

The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996)

This might be the most adult movie Disney have ever done. Lust? Check. Genocide? Check. Religious damnation? Double check. Unlike most Disney plots that feature either a coming of age tale or a love story, Hunchback is a tale of tolerance and acceptance. The score was composed by the legendary Alan Menken and perfectly captures the darkness of the movie’s narrative. Like the other movies of the Disney Renaissance period, Hunchback features some of Hollywood’s finest including Demi Moore, Jason Alexander, Tony Jay, Kevin Kline and Tom Hulce.

Nine

The Little Mermaid (1989)

The beginning of the Disney renaissance. If it felt that Disney had lost a little bit of the magic from its golden age, this movie marked a comeback of sorts. At its heart, Little Mermaid was about love and the chances it compels you to take. But more important than the plot, were the characters and the songs. “Part Of Your World”, “Kiss the Girl” and the unforgettable “Under The Sea” are some of the greatest Disney songs ever written. Alan Menken was at the musical helm and he won two Academy awards for his efforts.

Eight

The Jungle Book (1967)

Here’s a random fact about The Jungle Book – the movie mostly spans three days. The movie basically kicks off in the morning of Day 1 and Mowgli is actively resisting Bagheera’s attempts to take him back to the Man-village. By Day 3, Shere Khan has been thwarted, Mowgli gets “twitterpated” by a girl and the movie’s over. But what a three days! Jungle Book has some of the most colorful Disney characters ever and with each new encounter, the viewers get regaled by great song after great song. As such, elements of the movie have been used or recycled by the Walt Disney studios over the years. From the 2003 sequel, to the Tail Spin and Jungle Cubs series, this is easily deserving of its place on any list.

Seven

Cinderella (1950)

After a string of box office disappointments, a lot hinged on the success of Cinderella when it was released. Fortunately for Walt Disney, this animated classic did what others (like Pinocchio, Dumbo and Bambi) couldn’t – it was a box office smash. So if for nothing else, Cinderella deserves its place on any list because it made sure that the Disney studios were able to keep going from strength to strength. But make no mistake, it also deserves its place on merit. The animation was fantastic, the songs were powerful and it basically influenced the entire teen romance genre. Okay, maybe the last part is not so great.

Six

Aladdin (1992)

Hands down the funniest Disney movie ever. This isn’t intended to take anything away from Toy Story, Jungle Book and A Goofy Movie, but this is definitely Disney’s funniest. Between Gilbert Gottfried’s Iago and Jonathan Freeman’s Jafar, there were enough laughs to carry the movie. Despite this, Disney had a masterstroke and cast Robin Williams as the Genie. With his effortless penchant for impersonations and manic energy, Williams’ dominated this movie in a way no voice actor had done before or since. But voice actors aside, Aladdin also had some of the greatest musical numbers ever. “Prince Ali”, “Friend Like Me” and the Oscar winning “A Whole New World” helped make Aladdin one of the greatest Disney films ever.

Five

Bambi (1942)

From the funniest Disney movie to the saddest Disney movie ever. This isn’t to say Lion King, Pinocchio and Dumbo didn’t have their sad moments. But there are few scenes in Hollywood history that sting the eyes more than the scene when Bambi’s mother gets shot. But make no mistake, Bambi isn’t all gloom and doom. It’s also a coming-of-age tale with a beautiful love story attached. It also helps that the animated forest landscape is beautifully done as the viewers get caught up in one of Disney’s finest movies.

Four

Pinocchio (1940)

The movie that introduced the world to “When You Wish upon a Star” – arguably the most iconic song in Disney history. In this Disney classic, we witness the adventures of Pinocchio, a puppet (that came to life) and his cricket conscience, Jiminy. If the key ingredient of all Disney classics is heart, then Pinocchio has it in spades. From Pinocchio’s bravery, to Jiminy’s empathy to Gepetto’s sacrifice, this movie is as powerful today as it was when it was released over 50 years ago.

Three

Beauty and the Beast (1991)

Tale as old as time, song as old as rhyme. This tale of Belle and the Beast is arguably Disney’s greatest love story. While most Disney movies till this point had male protagonists that were flawed (e.g. the Tramp, Robin Hood, O’Malley), they tended to compensate with their roguish charm. However, the titular character was neither handsome nor charming. In fact his insecurity, foul temper and lack of basic manners made him as beastly in manner as he was in appearance. Belle on the other hand was a jewel who deserved better than her circumstances. Watching these two completely different characters fall in love so sincerely and organically made for an enduring love story for the ages. But this movie is more than just a stellar plot. The musical composition of Alan Menken saw him win another Academy Award and the animation pushed the envelope for Disney animation. To sum up, Beauty and the Beast would top most lists of this nature.

Two

Snow White and the Seven Dwarves (1937)

The genesis. The standard. This is where it all started. It is fair to say that the legacy of Disney Studios owes a great deal to this feature film – the first animated Disney movie. Before this, Disney only had little shorts of 5 to 7 minutes. After this, Disney became a major Hollywood player and the rest is history. But Snow White wasn’t just influential because it was the first Disney movie. The themes that helped shape plots of many Disney classics are all here. Good vs Evil? Check. Catchy ditties? Check. Fiercely loyal sidekicks? Check. More than anything else, this is a movie that has an ageless quality about it.

One

The Lion King (1994)

There have been a lot of great Disney movies over the last 80 years. Great love stories, zany capers, and dramatic tales – Disney has done them all. But no movie has combined all the essential elements of great Disney classics as well as The Lion King. From the moment you hear the opening chant of “Circle of Life”, you realise you are about to witness a truly stunning movie. The characters are remarkably well written and brought to life by some of Hollywood’s finest including James Earl Jones, Jeremy Irons, Rowan Atkinson, Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick. It works as a love story, a coming of age tale and an ode to friendship. As far as humor goes, the interplay between Timon and Pumbaa, between Shenzi, Bonzai and Ed, and even between Rafiki and Simba makes this a truly funny watch. It also has a beautiful love story as Simba and Nala literally grow from friends to lovers. Is drama more you speed? If so it’s hard to look past Scar killing his own flesh and blood. What about raw and powerful emotion? Try Simba conversing with Mufasa’s spirit in the sky. I haven’t even talked about the songs! From “I Can’t Wait to Be King” to “Can You Feel The Love Tonight” to “Hakuna Matata”, the Lion King soundtrack is the greatest Disney have ever done. I guess I’m just trying to say I like this movie.

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