Here’s a list of the movies available on offer, from beloved family favorites to tear-jerking classics, plus the ones you might want to avoid. The famous Disney studios have made every animated film available on its channel.
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 broke box office records when it first appeared in 2016. Critics praised the state-of-the-art animation, rated it “important,” and praised it for having “a lot 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. The Seven Dwarfs and Snow White
Based on the 1812 German fairytale Snow White by the Brothers Grimm, it was the first ever animated film produced in the United States. Snow White, the evil princess, shares a forest with her evil stepmother, the vain Queen. The Queen orders Snow White to pass away when the magic mirror proclaims her to be the “fairest of all.” She then flees into the forest where she finds the seven dwarfs’ home. The landmark release in 1938 was named as the greatest American animated film of all time in 2008. It receives a 97% and is referred to as “the one that started it all,” a “timeless gem,” and “flawless.”
5. Aladdin
Scott Weinger portrays Aladdin in the 1992 musical fantasy, Robin Williams portrays the genie, and Linda Larkin portrays 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. On its debut, it received a critical and financial boost, and it rose to the top of all time’s grossing lists before Lion King and the Lion King. It receives a “wish come true” and is praised as “relentlessly entertaining.”
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. The ocean selects her to accompany shape-shifting demigod Maui, voiced by Dwayne Johnson, in carrying out a crucial mission for the goddess of nature, Te Fiti. It received 95% on all of its commercial and critical success in its 2016 release. 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. Belle, the villager’s daughter, visits his castle when he imprisons a villager. For the spell to be broken, the beast must demonstrate that he can love and be loved.
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 received a 95% on the score and was characterized as “enchanting,” “sophisticated,” and “an instant classic.”
8. Cinderella
Cinderella is a young girl’s story of aristocratic father who weds her after her mother passes away, as depicted in the fairytale from 1697. After being granted wishes by her fairy godmother, she is forced to live with her evil stepmother and cruel stepsisters as their servant. 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. Critics adore it because it is “delightful,” “dazzling,” and “unforgettable” and scoring 95%.
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
The film follows warrior princess Raya as she searches for her father and the land of Kumandra from evil spirits known as the Druun, including the voices of Kelly Marie Tran, Awkwafina, Izaac Wang, and Gemma Chan. There is a legend that Raya must find after a dragon sacrificed itself to save humans from the Druun. 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 receives a 93% and is praised for being “exhilarating” and “striking” and for having “gorgeous animation.”
12. The Lion King
This coming-of-age animation features actors from Tanzania who include Matthew Broderick, James Earl Jones, Jeremy Irons, Jonathan Taylor Thomas, Whoopi Goldberg, Rowan Atkinson, and Robert Guillaume. Simba, the young son of the King and Queen of the Lion, was killed by his jealous uncle Mustafa when they were two. 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. Critics called it “brilliant” and “awe-inspiring,” and it received a 92% on the score.
13. The Lady and the Tramp
After her parents give birth to a baby, a spoiled pooch named Lady finds herself in dire straits. 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. Its 1955 box office debut was a 91% success, making it the best overall. It is described as “charming,” “memorable,” and “beautiful” by critics.
14. Encanto
In a rural area known as the Encanto, the Madrigals reside in Columbia’s mountains. All the children and grandchildren are blessed with magical gifts from a miracle, except for Mirabel. She embarks on a journey to discover why when they begin to lose their minds. The award-winning animation received a lot of critical acclaim, and some of its songs, especially We Don’t Talk About Bruno, even received awards. It scored 92% and was described as “enchanting”, “sincere” and “epically emotional”.
15. Mullan
The movie follows Mulan, voiced by Ming-Na Wen, as she impersonates a man who will replace her aging father in the Chinese military, according to the Chinese legend of Hua Mulan. Eddie Murphy portrays Mushu, a shamed dragon and her family’s former spiritual guardian, who tries to save her from a Hun invasion. Released in 1998 to critical and commercial success, it won a Golden Globe and was nominated for numerous others. It received praise for being “stunning,” “sumptuous,” and “grand” and received a 91% overall rating.
The top 74 Disney animations are listed below in order of popularity:
16. The Little Mermaid (1989)
17. Bambi (1942)
18. (2014) The Big Hero 6
19. (8)
20 . Tarzan (1999)
21 . The Pooh’s Wifnnie (1999)
22. The movie Sleeping Beauty (1959)
23 . Frozen (2013)
24 . (2010) Tangled
25. (2018) Ralph Breaks the Internet
26 . The Jungle Book (1967)
27 . Wreck it Ralph (2012)
28. Stitch and Lolo (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 . Heffalump, the movie from Pooh’s (2005)
34. The Notre Dame Hunchback (1996)
35 . Fantasia 2000 (1999)
36 . Peter Pan (1953)
37. 2019’s Frozen II
38 . Disney’s Teacher’s Pet (2004)
39 . Big Movie by Piglet from 2003
40. The Pooh’s Many Adventures (1977)
41 . Ducktales the Movie: Treasure of the Lost Lamp (1990)
42 . The Ichabod and Mr. Toad Adventures (1949)
43. Alice in Wonderland (1951)
44 . The Rescuers (1977)
45 . The Great Mouse Detective, 1986
46. The Hound and the Fox (1981)
47 . Melody Time (1948)
48 . Free of Fun and Fancy (1947)
49. ‘Strange World’ (2022)
50 . Treasure Planet (2002)
51 . The Robinsons (2007) met
52. The Stone’s Sword (1963)
53 . Dinosaur (2000)
54 . A Goofy Movie (1995)
55. The Aristocats (1970)
56 . The Tigger Movie (2000)
57 . (2000) Moana 2 (204)
58. Recess: (2001) School’s Out
59 . Pocahontas (1995)
60 . (1973) Robin Hood
61. Make Mine Music (1946)
62 . The Black Cauldron (1985)
63 . (2003) Oliver & Company
64. (2004) Home on the Range
65 . Atlantis: The Lost Empire (2001)
66 . Wish (2023)
67. Return to Never Land (2002)
68 . Planes: Fire &, Rescue (2014)
69 . Bambi II (2005)
70. (2003) Brother Bear
71 . Chicken Little (2005)
72 . The first film starring Dog (1999)
73 . (2013) Plans
