For more than 100 years, Disney has produced our favorite animated films and characters in cinema history. The production company has an extensive list of great old Disney animated masterpieces loved by people all over the world, but we’ve narrowed it down to some of Disney’s most rewatchable classics.
Many of those selected were released during the “Disney Renaissance” period (from 1989 to 1999), films that became commercially successful musical adaptations of popular stories and fairy tales.
Updated on May 25, 2023, by Hannah Saab:
Before queuing to see the live-action Little Mermaid (May 26), fans looking for more Disney favorites can return to the studio’s most rewatchable animated classic.
10 ‘The Lady and the Tramp’ (1995)
Released in 1955, classic musical romance film Women and vagabonds has stood the test of time as one of Disney’s darlings. Jim Dear gifted his wife, Darling, a cocker Spaniel named Lady for Christmas. While Lady lives a comfortable life with Dears, a stray mutt, Tramp, lives alone and eats leftovers from Tony’s Restaurant.
Lady decides to leave her house after being treated coldly by her owner and crosses paths with Tramp. The two spark a romance in an old Disney movie, but they face a struggle when the Lady’s owner tries to keep them apart.
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9 ‘101 Dalmatians’ (1961)
1961 animated adventure film, One Hundred and One Dalmatiansthis movie is based on 1956 Dodi Smith novel One Hundred and One Dalmatians. Roger Radcliffe had a pet Dalmatian named Pongo, who realized that he and his owner wanted a female companion in their life. Pongo observes a woman named Anita and her Dalmatian, Perdita. Soon, Roger and Anita fell in love, and so did Perdita and Pongo. Perdita is pregnant with many puppies, but their lives are threatened when Anita’s old school friend, Cruella de Vil, wants to buy all of the puppies to make fur coats.
The film has become one of Disney’s most popular franchises, with various adaptations being made, including a live-action version, and most recently a version with Emma’s Stone playing the titular character of Cruella.
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8 ‘Lilo & Sew’ (2002)
Even though it was released in 2002, Lilo & Stitch remains one of Disney’s most moving and enjoyable animated classics in years. The story revolves around a young Hawaiian girl, Lilo, who is raised by her older sister Nani after their parents die in a car accident. Lilo then adopts a dog-like extraterrestrial which she names Stitch.
Unbeknownst to Lilo and his family, Stitch was part of an experiment that escaped from another planet and crashed on Earth before being found by them. Through Lilo’s love and concern for Stitch, she teaches him the meaning of family.
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7 ‘Pinocchio’ (1940)
Pinocchio is a tale as old as time. This film is based on an Italian writer Carlo Collodi1883 novels, Pinocchio’s adventures. He Disneysecond animated feature film since 1937’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. The story follows a carpenter, Geppetto, who, after witnessing a shooting star, wishes his carved wooden puppet, Pinocchio, to turn into a real boy. The Blue Fairy grants Geppetto’s wish but on the condition that Pinocchio (with Jiminy Cricket’s conscience) must remain honest to become a real boy. Pinocchio’s honesty is measured by his wooden nose, which grows longer every time he lies.
Because Pinocchio released in 1940, largely compared to Disney’s earlier and first animated feature films, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Over the years, however, the 1940 film has become a beloved and hard-to-beat classic, even though many adaptations of the story have appeared since then.
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6 ‘Beauty and the Beast’ (1991)
A prince, turned into a Beast, must learn how to love in order to free himself from the evil spell he’s been under. The castle’s maids have also been turned into household objects, such as Lumière the candle, Cogsworth the fireplace clock and Mrs. Potts and Chip, mother and son turned into teapots and cups. The film follows Belle, who wants to free her father from the Beast’s castle, but along the way teaches the Beast how to love again.
The beauty and the Beast received nominations and won awards from the Academy Awards, Golden Globe Awards, and Grammy Awards, to name a few. “Be Our Guest” and “Beauty and the Beast” remain some of Disney’s most iconic songs today.
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5 ‘Mulan’ (1998)
Mulan, inspired by the Chinese legend Hua Mulan, made Disney history by featuring the first princess not born into royalty or married to a prince and also the first of Asian descent. The story follows the journey of Mulan, who replaces her father whose condition is dire, in the Chinese military. Though not qualified to serve, she disguises herself as a boy and attends military training alongside her dragon, Mushu.
The film was, among many awards, nominated for and won awards from the Academy Awards, Golden Globe Awards, and Grammy Awards. Mulan it’s just as fun to watch today, and even mature viewers will appreciate its thoughtful balance of humor and shockingly emotional moments.
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4 ‘Fantasia’ (1940)
Despite being released over 80 years ago, Fantasia remains one of Disney’s most daring and beloved animated films. The musical anthology film started as an attempt to increase Mickey Mouse’s popularity, but soon became more.
Around the time of its release, the film gained a lot of traction and received universal acclaim from film critics. This film was and still is considered a landmark in animation and made history as an experimental success. Fans interested in seeing some of the innovative techniques that have influenced today’s best animated films should find it imperative to watch (again and again).
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3 ‘The Little Mermaid’ (1989)
Little Mermaidreleased in 1989, is based on Hans Christian AndersonDanish fairy tale of 1837 of the same name. The story revolves around the life of a teenage mermaid, Ariel, who dreams of becoming a human and falls in love with a human prince, Eric. Ariel makes a deal with the villainess, Ursula, by giving up her voice in exchange for becoming human.
The film won multiple awards for Best Original Song and Best Original Song from the Academy Awards, Golden Globe Awards, and Grammy Awards, among other accolades. Since Little Mermaid is the first animated fairy tale since 1959’s Sleeping Beauty, it became an important film in the history of animation because it reestablished animated feature-length films as a profitable enterprise. It can also be re-watched endlessly, especially now with the live-action version inspiring fans to dive back into the original story.
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2 ‘Aladin’ (1992)
Aladdin based on the Arabic folk tale of the same name One Thousand and One Nights, a collection of Arab folk tales composed during the Islamic Golden Age. With characters as memorable as the titular character himself, Aladdin, Princess Jasmine, Jafar, Abu, and Genie, this film remains one of Disney’s most iconic and beloved films to date.
AladdinThe “A Whole New World” icon won many awards including Academy Awards, Golden Globe Awards, Grammy Awards, and many more. Disney’s childhood-defining animation classic transports audiences to a magical reality where anything is possible, and where, in the end, love conquers all.
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1 ‘The Lion King’ (1994)
Lion King has remained a Disney phenomenon since its release in 1994. The film focuses on the adventures of Simba, King Mufasa, Nala, Timon, Pumba, and the main antagonist, Scar, who overthrows Mufasa as king. Later, a grown Simba tries to reclaim his father’s homeland with the help of his friends.
The film was widely praised for its beautiful animation and richly drawn characters. The film’s spectacular “Circle of Life” scene (and song), along with other hits, “Can You Feel the Love Tonight,” and “Hakuna Matata” make the film irresistible, and leave you wanting to come back for more. to.
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