Every Walt Disney Animated Movie, Ranked

Yes, this film gave us “The Bear Necessities.” Sure, it gave us Shere Khan, the deliciously camp villain voiced by Oscar-winner George Sanders. It’s one of Disney’s most charming efforts, but underneath that charm is… not a whole lot. Beyond some great scenes and Baloo, The Jungle Book is an undercooked story with retrograde politics that’s far less than the sum of its parts. This was Walt Disney’s final film before his passing in 1966.

There’s plenty of debate about whether The Rescuers belongs to the Bronze Era or the Dark Age, neither of which is a glowing endorsement. The final film involving a majority of Disney’s legendary Nine Old Men — John Lounsbery, Frank Thomas, Ollie Johnston, Woolie Reitherman, Milt Kahl, and Eric Larson — The Rescuers is a surprisingly grim movie about a young orphan desperate for a family of her own. It’s frequently beautiful (the sequence in the cave is a marvel), but too often feels like a less-impressive, darker retread of previous Disney movies, like a greatest hits album without the best songs.

A story of a dog actor Bolt (John Travolta) who believes his on-screen powers are real, Bolt marked the directorial debut of Byron Howard and Chris Williams, both of whom have directed a number of big hits for the studio. The film also features Miley Cyrus as Penny, Bolt’s owner. It’s a film with plenty of heart and an enjoyable cast, and provides a satisfying adventure, even if it’s not particularly memorable. But the charm and the decent CGI animation go a long way.

Credit where it’s due: you can’t fault Disney for trying something new here. Atlantis: The Lost Empire is a science-fiction adventure movie, something Disney had curiously never explored before. Taking inspiration from Jules Verne, there’s a distinct style and energy to Atlantis. There’s fun to be had here, but the film introduces an awful lot of characters in a fairly brief runtime, resulting in more archetypes than believable people. There’s some fantastic animation here, but a boring villain takes the air out of things.

A dark fantasy movie that almost destroyed Disney forever, good luck trying to find any reference to The Black Cauldron anywhere. That’s not to say it’s been scrubbed from existence — it’s available on Disney+ — but the studio never talks about it. This dark, ambitious fantasy was a colossal failure, but there’s actually a lot going for it. It has a distinct style but dim animation, and it’s the first Disney film to have no songs. The characters aren’t very interesting and its villain, The Horned King, is surprisingly inept, despite a frightening design. It’s not a great sign when the production history is more thrilling than the actual film.

The last film made before the beginning of the Renaissance, Oliver & Company takes the familiar story of Oliver Twist to contemporary New York City. Oliver (Joey Lawrence) a stray cat is taken in by Dodger (Billy Joel) a charismatic mutt who shows him the way of the streets. The songs are great, with “Why Should I Worry?” delivering a particularly jaunty joy. There’s some impressive CGI merged with traditional hand-drawn animation, and while it’s not as engaging as other efforts, the film was a rare Eighties box office success for the studio.

The film in the Disney Renaissance that everyone forgets, The Rescuers Down Under is the first official Disney sequel, featuring a new adventure for beloved Rescue Aid Society mice Bernard (Bob Newhart) and Bianca (Eva Gabor). This time, they venture to Australia to save a young boy from a vicious poacher, who’s after his golden eagle. An unheralded film is Disney’s oeuvre, Down Under is an impressive piece of animation, making fantastic use of the expansive Australian outback.

A real treat for gamers like myself, Wreck-It Ralph took Disney into the world of video games: specifically, a video game villain in Wreck-It Ralph (John C. Reilly) who’s spent his whole life destroying things. But everything changes when he breaks into another game for redemption. The stakes don’t go high enough, and the moral of embracing yourself despite your flaws is ham-fisted. Sometimes it feels more like an opportunity to point out video game references than to tell a story, but Wreck-It Ralph is still a good time at the movies and raked in enough dough to warrant a sequel.

The final package film featured just two very different stories, inspired by The Wind in the Willows and The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. For most of its runtime, it’s satisfying entertainment, but it reaches new heights when the animators blow the roof off of things with the final scene: the headless horseman chase. That sequence is an exhilarating experience. Its use of color and shape feels almost avant-garde. It’s actually terrifying and is a hugely welcome burst of creativity in an era low on it.

Does anyone remember Meet the Robinsons? Orphaned Lewis wants nothing more than to understand why he was put up for adoption, but his life changes forever when he’s flung into the future by one Wilbur Robinson. The film is one of the more curious-looking Disney films, opting for a distinct style that almost (but not quite) makes up for some considerably dated CGI., It’s a shame that Disney ruined so much of its goodwill with Home on the Range and Chicken Little because Meet the Robinsons is a surprisingly funny, heartfelt story that deserves more love.

A celebration of 100 years of Disney, Wish struggles with a convoluted plot that feels too much like a collection of references to other, better Disney movies. Thankfully, its new style that blends CGI and hand-drawn elements is a marvel, most of the songs are hugely satisfying. Asha (Ariana DeBose) is a solid addition to the Disney pantheon, and Chris Pine delightfully hams it up as villain King Magnifico. But it’s the sidekicks Valentino (the ever-impressive Alan Tudyk) and Star that steal the show.

A comic-book adaptation that spawned from the acquisition of Marvel, Big Hero 6 takes place in San Fransokyo, a breathtakingly rendered hybrid of San Francisco and Tokyo. The scale is extraordinary, with over 83,000 buildings and over 100,000 vehicles rendered, with new software Denizen assisting in creating a whopping 700 distinct characters that roam the city. Visually enchanting and with great characters to match — Baymax is one of Disney’s best sidekicks — Big Hero 6 is only really let down by an overly predictable plot (save the first 20 minutes) and a hugely disappointing villain.

Disney evidently forgot to market Strange World, because a) it bombed, and b) nobody seems to know it exists. That sucks, because this sci-fi adventure in the vein of classic explorer movies is delightful. It fulfills dreams of legitimate queer representation that audiences have been longing for, and its father-son dynamic at its core is handled well — even if it’s often overshadowed by an overly familiar story (and environmental message) that fails to live up to its interesting cast and vibrant visuals.

The charming Hercules came as a lighthearted effort toward the end of the Renaissance after one of Disney’s darkest in The Hunchback of Notre Dame. The Muses are some of the most delightful characters in Disney’s illustrious history, but they largely disappear in the second half when they’re needed most. Alan Menken and David Zippel’s collaboration yields some excellent songs in “Go the Distance” and “I Won’t Say (I’m In Love),” too. Unfortunately, it’s too lighthearted for its own good, lacking the satisfying payoff of its contemporaries. The characters get swallowed up by a story that careens wildly between slapstick comedy and potent drama, which leads to jarring tonal shifts. Hades (James Woods) is also more of a composite of other, better villains than a great one in his own right.   

One of Disney’s zaniest plots, The Aristocats finds longtime servant Edgar trying to kill off a group of cats that stand between him and a vast fortune. It all could have been easily avoided if Edgar applied literally any common sense, but nevertheless, there’s so much fun to be had in The Aristocats. The opening song, performed by Maurice Chevalier (who came out of retirement for this), and the spectacular psychedelics of “Everybody Wants to Be a Cat” are real highlights. The plot barely sustains itself, but there’s so much fun to be had in this cast of characters, with supporters like Abigail and Amelia the geese and Roquefort the mouse providing pure delight. 

One of the strangest Disney movies to rewatch as an adult, as just about everyone besides the crocodile and Smee are pretty nasty (especially the unbearable Peter Pan), and every female character is treated with varying forms of contempt. That doesn’t stop the whole experience from being joyful: It has a wonderful villain in the vicious Captain Hook, and the “You Can Fly” sequence is still one of the most wonderful moments in Disney history. The music is largely terrific, though the song “What Makes the Red Man Red” has aged horrendously — and frankly, was abhorrent even in 1953.

The biggest box office disaster for the studio since The Black Cauldron, Musker and Clements’ follow-up to Aladdin is undeserving of such a title. Joseph Gordon-Levitt shines as Jim Hawkins, a young man whose life changes forever when he stumbles upon a thought-to-be lost treasure map. The film looks expensive, and it was, using revolutionary new technology to bring CGI and hand-drawn elements together seamlessly, creating an awe-inspiring effect. Why they’d pair it with one of the most obnoxious sidekicks in Disney history, we’ll never know.

The seventh and final film co-directed by Disney legends John Musker and Ron Clements, Moana follows spirited and determined princess Moana (a fantastic Auli’i Cravalho), who wants nothing more than to explore beyond the confines of her village. Moana is really a two-hander between the titular Moana and demigod Maui (Dwayne Johnson), though the film is too happy to rely on the visuals to do the heavy lifting. Great songs courtesy of Lin-Manuel Miranda and the best animated water you’ve ever seen come together for an enjoyable, crowd-pleasing affair.

The Disney film with the most songs — a whopping 14, though over 30 were written for the film — Alice in Wonderland is a tonally faithful adaptation of Lewis Carroll’s unpredictable novel. Disney artist Mary Blair was responsible for influencing the art direction of Alice in Wonderland, and her whimsical designs and thoughtful surrealistic touches make the film one of Disney’s most beautiful works. The characters, from the tremendously sassy flowers to the Cheshire Cat, are hugely memorable, and there’s nothing else quite like it in Disney’s 100 years — for better or worse.

Released during the pandemic, there was no stopping Encanto — especially the songs, one of which hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 (“We Don’t Talk About Bruno”), the first Disney film to pull off that feat since Aladdin. Incredibly, a whopping seven songs from the film placed in the Top 100. That’s every single song in the movie, by the way. Lin-Manuel Miranda’s excellent songs start the film at such a livewire pace that Encanto can’t keep up and comes puttering to a stop rather than a triumphant finish. But Mirabel (Stephanie Beatriz) is a fantastic lead, and it’s one of the most thrillingly colorful Disney efforts.

Nearly 60 years after the first Fantasia came its spiritual successor Fantasia 2000, which brought several new segments linked to classical music. The film was released in dazzling IMAX. Some of the best things Disney has ever produced — namely “Rhapsody in Blue” and “The Firebird Suite” — are here, but so is “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice,” airlifted from the original and placed here again. Great as it is, it feels especially disappointing in a film that’s only 75 minutes long.

Speaking of obnoxious sidekicks, the worst thing to come from the Disney Renaissance are the three gargoyles in the otherwise masterful The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Disney’s darkest film since Pinocchio, the film gave us fantastic music, stunning visuals, and unforgettable characters — especially the single most menacing villain, Follow. But the gargoyles aren’t just a thorn in the side. They capsize the entire film for comic relief that nobody asked for and isn’t remotely amusing.

Though it’s now a warm slice of unabashed nostalgia, Lady and the Tramp was a considerably more contemporary film than Disney’s typical offerings. It’s best remembered for the glorious and often imitated scene where Lady and the Tramp kiss while sharing spaghetti, but the whole movie is a compelling story about the fear of becoming obsolete and finding family in unexpected places. The widescreen compositions are some of Disney’s very best.

Disney’s most successful franchise began with Frozen, a story of a sisterly bond between Anna (Kristen Bell) and Elsa (Idina Menzel). With the exception of the momentum-stopping “Fixer-Upper,” which needed to be left on the cutting room floor, the songs are brilliant. Every parent may be sick of hearing “Let It Go,” but it’s practically defined a generation. The story is slight, but the emotions are anything but cold.

The rare sequel that surpasses the original, Ralph Breaks the Internet is Disney’s most modern animation by a long shot: it’s all about the internet. It’s frequently over the top, with things in the background constantly vying for your attention — a clever metaphor for being online. Its surprising meta twist of bringing every Disney princess together manages to not feel gimmicky and sets up the best Disney song of the last decade, the satirical masterstroke “A Place Called Slaughter Race.” The film also has an unexpected and wickedly funny mid-credits scene. This is a film that intimately understands the attention economy and anxiety in the social media age. While so much animation looks at friends getting together, Ralph Breaks the Internet explores how being apart is OK, too.

Another surprising change of pace for Disney, Zootopia is a delightful, fast-paced buddy comedy meets procedural with an all-animal cast. Bunny Judy Hopps (Gwendoline Christie) dreamed of being a cop her whole life, and she’s finally got her shot — but being a rabbit in the enormous city of Zootopia is far more than she bargained for. Her relationship with fox Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman) is thoughtfully developed, and the film has an effective message about prejudice and racism.

Determined to capture the spirit of A.A. Milne’s books, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh packaged three previously-released shorts together, including the Oscar-winning Winnie the Pooh and the Blustery Day. The result is an irresistibly lovely time at the movies. So much of the voicework is phenomenal — Sterling Holloway as Winnie the Pooh, John Fiedler as Piglet, and Paul Winchell as Tigger defined these characters for generations to come.

Keen to repeat the Best Picture nomination of Beauty and the Beast, Disney set out to make a major prestige romance in Pocahontas, the studios first-ever film about a real person. Disney also worked on the film while delegating a secondary team to work on a little film called The Lion King. Despite making a film about a historical figure, there’s little accuracy to be found here. Still, this is one of Disney’s most breathtakingly hand-drawn films, loaded with exquisite detailing, bold character designs, and a masterful use of color. The score is a powerhouse, and the songs, including “Colors of the Wind,” “Mine, Mine, Mine,” and “Savages”, composed by Alan Menken and written by Stephen Schwartz, could make a run for Disney’s finest. The film lacks where it needs it most: the romance. Pocahontas (Irene Bedard) is enormously compelling, but John Smith (Mel Gibson) is dull as dishwater.

Released in the heat of the pandemic, Raya and the Last Dragon was largely completed at home. That didn’t stop the film from becoming one of the most cohesive and exciting outputs of the last 10 years. Lone warrior Raya (an exuberant Kelly Marie Tran) sets off on an adventure to find the mythical last dragon, who holds the key to stop the evil Druun spirits from annihilating their world. This rollicking adventure is expertly paced, with a loveable cast of characters (Con-Baby!) and some of the richest detail CGI animation can offer, bringing distinct villages to vibrant life. Filled with terrific action, it’s the closest thing Disney animation has to an MCU movie — though it’s better than the vast majority of them.

To date, with a budget of $260 million, Tangled is Disney’s most expensive animated movie, costing $23 million more than Avatar. The reason? Rapunzel’s (Mandy Moore) hair. It took software engineer Kelly Ward six years to create software that allowed the hair to move the way animators wanted. Rapunzel is delightfully spunky, and Flynn Rider (Zachary Levi) is swoon-worthy — no surprise since the animators had a “hot man meeting,” inviting 30 women from the studio to talk about what they considered most attractive in a man to ensure Flynn was the best-looking male lead in the studio’s history. Their romance is the single most developed romance of any Disney princess movie. It sometimes leans too heavily into cheap humor instead of heart, but Tangled is effortlessly rewatchable and frequently hilarious.

From here on out, you could make a legitimate claim for any one of these films to be the very best. Walt Disney took an enormous leap with Fantasia, eschewing traditional narratives for a series of shorts set to classical music. The scale of ambition was massive — the studio wanted to install a new sound system called Fantasound exclusively for Fantasia at theaters across America before pesky costs got in the way. All the effort paid off handsomely: Fantasia is both a powerful artistic expression and a deeply entertaining watch. Those averse to classical music won’t be after watching studio-defining sequences like “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice”and “Night on Bald Mountain.”

The first film to be made in Disney’s no-defunct Florida studio, Mulan is a thrilling film about Mulan taking the spot of her father to protect him from military service. Since women cannot serve, Mulan must impersonate a man to take his place. This rousing adventure drew from sketches by production designer Hans Bacher, who honed in on the essence of China, while character designer Chen-Yi Chang brought a curvature and elegance to make the characters work in this world. A unique look at honor, pride, family, and duty,

Originally considered a second-thought to prestige picture Pocahontas, 1994’s The Lion King wound up becoming the most successful hand-drawn movie in the studio’s history (not adjusting for inflation), raking in $968 million at the global box office. It’s no surprise a movie this electric became this popular. The voice acting is top-notch, with Jeremy Irons giving perhaps the best performance of his career as villain Scar. Inspired by Shakespeare’s Hamlet and Disney’s own Bambi, the film features one of the most impactful character deaths in movies, wonderful songs from Elton John, and an excellent blend of high-stakes drama and humor. The Lion King provided an opportunity for a lot of the newer employees to make their mark — and what a mark they made.

After finding themselves in financial difficulty after poor results for both Fantasia and Pinocchio, Disney cut back the costs on Dumbo, favoring things like watercolor paints and limiting costly special effects. While the result is more cartoonish than previous efforts, that had no impact on Disney’s exceptional storytelling, nor the quality of animation, with the Pink Elephants sequence providing animators the chance to do something experimental and sensational. The tale of Dumbo, an elephant endlessly ridiculed and tormented for his big ears, is heartbreaking, but also inspirational — no amount of torment stops Dumbo from achieving his dreams. At a mere 64 minutes, Dumbo packs in better pacing and more pure emotion than longer films could only dream of.

After a string of mediocre results with the package films in the Wartime Era, Disney returned to the successful formula of Snow White, delivering their second princess film, Cinderella. The film ushered in the Silver Age, characterized by the return of grand narratives and artistic innovation, and what’s grander than a literal rags-to-riches tale? The film was a smash hit, and Cinderella is Disney’s most underappreciated princess; she’s no pushover and has a wide range of capabilities. Animators used live-action actors for reference to ensure realistic movements. The animation pushed boundaries: the “Sing, Sweet Nightingale” sequence makes innovative use of bubbles, and Cinderella’s dress transformation, animated by Marc Davis, was cited by Walt as his favorite example of animation.

The next princess film after Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty massively underperformed at the box office, and combined with huge expenses, the film nearly tanked the entire studio. Made to take advantage of the Super Technirama 70, animators had to work with far larger canvases than they were used to, creating exorbitant costs and significant delays. But the results were absolutely worth it. This is unquestionably Disney’s most beautiful-looking movie — no other Disney film looks anything like Sleeping Beauty. Under the guidance of the exemplary Eyvind Earle, whose work was inspired by pre-Renaissance European art, every frame is a work of art, and its unique styling, including square trees, leaves a lasting impression. It doesn’t hurt that it has one of the all-time great villains in Maleficent, who wreaks havoc on Princess Aurora because she wasn’t invited to her birthday party. 

A rambunctious, high-energy adventure, few films are as successfully crowd-pleasing as Aladdin. The Genie is often hailed as Disney’s greatest sidekick and for good reason. Robin Williams’ voicework here is masterful, and the Genie is brought to exquisite life by Eric Goldberg. Everything here works, from plucky protagonist Aladdin, a princess longing for more in Jasmine, and a dastardly villain in Jafar (Jonathan Freeman) — not to leave out his quippy sidekick Iago, voiced by Gilbert Gottfried.