05 Jun THE HOUSE OF MOUSE PROJECT: Ranking all 59 Walt Disney Animation Studios films

21. The Jungle Book (1967) – full article

After taking a backseat during the production of Disney’s previous two animated features, Walt Disney decided it was time for him to take a more direct role in the development of The Jungle Book; an adaptation of Rudyard Kipling’s classic 1894 novel of the same name. Walt’s health was deteriorating and it’s highly plausible he knew The Jungle Book would stand as his swansong. Released just ten months after Walt’s death and undoubtedly spurred by nostalgic sentiment over his passing, The Jungle Book was a box office sensation. While nowhere near as detailed as previous Disney films, the evocative hand-painted backgrounds were easily the best Disney had produced since Sleeping Beauty, marking a brief return to Disney seemingly focusing on crafting a film as visually impressive as it was entertaining. Elevated by a lively soundtrack from The Sherman Brothers and a charming performance from Phil Harris as Baloo, The Jungle Book highlighted the brilliance of Walt Disney and why his death was a loss the studio struggled to recover from.

20. Cinderella (1950) – full article

After almost a decade of subpar, inexpensive package films, Walt Disney recaptured the magic of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs with a return to the land of fairy tales. Given its now-classic standing within the Disney canon, the basic visual aesthetic of Cinderella is often overlooked, but the film truly does stand as one of the most simply crafted Disney animated films of this era. That’s likely due to one simple reason; the film’s more elaborate shots are the ones you likely remember. To boost both the fairy tale and romance elements of the film, the sequences featuring Cinderella’s dress transformation and her sweeping dance with the Prince were more intimately animated, creating moments that firmly stick in your memory. While Cinderella equally suffers from a lack of depth, it’s hard to resist another saccharinely-sweet Disney fairy tale that sought to remind us to continue following our dreams, no matter how shallow they may be.

19. Raya and the Last Dragon (2021) – full article

Created almost entirely remotely during the COVID-19 global pandemic, it’s a miracle Raya and the Last Dragon even exists, let alone stand as one of the best Disney animated feature films of recent years. After months of isolating lockdown, the film was ultimately the breath of fresh air we all desperately needed. Terrifically entertaining, gorgeously crafted, and entirely loveable, Raya and the Last Dragon is an absolute gem. Confidently led by two phenomenal female characters, it may occasionally tread familiar ground, but it still strides its own confident path with unique characters, stunning visuals, and a heartwarming narrative rooted in the power of trust, community, and friendship. And, of course, it features an ending that’s unlikely to leave a dry eye in the house.

18. Wreck-It Ralph (2012) – full article

Wreck-It Ralph was the first example of a Disney animated feature feeling inherently more like something Pixar had cooked up, particularly by delved into a world beyond the human realm. By taking an audience inside a video game to examine the complex emotional psyche of a computer-generated bad guy, Wreck-It Ralph deftly follows the Pixar formula to success. At its heart, Wreck-It Ralph is a film that highlights the complicated progress of attempting to change characteristics fundamental to our very being, but it’s only when they embrace these attributes do they find their hidden inner strength. On a visual scale, Wreck-It Ralph is one of the most dazzling pieces of animation the Disney studio has ever crafted. The intricate and expansive world designs are simply stunning, particularly the candy wonderland of Sugar Rush. A richly entertaining, gorgeously crafted, and surprisingly heartwarming piece of animation, Wreck-It Ralph continued Disney’s new renaissance period in terrific style.

17. Mulan (1998) – full article

It’s hard to truly quantify the groundbreaking stature of Mulan. As the first lead Disney character of Asian descent, Mulan stood as a landmark moment of cinematic representation of a race of people cinema has so often ignored. And continues to ignore. While Mulan didn’t exactly start a wave of change in either Disney animation or Hollywood in general, it presented an authentic depiction of an Asian character from a studio with a chequered history of outdated Asian representations. After decades of presenting female characters with little more than love on their brain, Mulan continued to push the ideas of what constituted a Disney heroine into new territory, offering up a decidedly feminist icon whose inner strength is practically unrivalled in the entire canon of Disney animation. While it was far from the entirely accurate cultural representation it could have been, Mulan shattered the preconceived notions of Disney animation and offered a unique perspective from a land American cinema so rarely ventures to.

16. Fantasia 2000 (2000) – full article

Walt Disney originally wanted 1940’s Fantasia to stand as an evolving project to be re-released each decade with updated segments mixed amongst original sequences.  When the film failed at the box office, those grand plans were immediately shelved. When Walt passed away in 1966, many assumed the idea of a Fantasia follow-up died with him. Six decades after Fantasia debuted, Walt’s nephew Roy finally made his uncle’s dream a reality. With its fusion of traditional animation with computer-generated imagery, Fantasia 2000 highlighted the advances in technology now at the disposal of Disney animation team. Each segment offered wildly different animation styles and themes, featuring some of Disney’s most dazzling animation creations. While Fantasia 2000 may have been “Roy Disney’s folly” and a total financial disaster, it captured the spirit of Walt Disney’s original work and presented another spectacular combination of classical music and animation.

15. Frozen (2013) – full article

The history of Disney animation is dotted with films and characters that captured the pop culture zeitgeist, but none quite like the unprecedented phenomenon that was Frozen. With box office figures, soundtrack sales, and merchandise revenue not seen since the early 1990s, Frozen was the cultural sensation Disney had been chasing for the better part of two decades. There’s a very simple reason Frozen became such a pop culture sensation; it’s a bloody great film. By drawing on the spirit of the original Disney Renaissance and infusing the film with deftly designed Broadway sensibilities, the entire production team crafted a film that truly recaptured the Disney magic. The animation alone is astonishingly crafted. The music is iconic, even if you likely never want to hear it again. And its two protagonists continued to break the mould of the stereotypical Disney princess. You can hate it all you want now, but Frozen was, and always will be, a masterpiece.

14. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) – full article

By the very definition of being the first feature-length animated film in cinema history, there will be many who believe Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs should top this ranking countdown. While it’s true Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is one of the most influential films of all time and its unprecedented success is the only reason the other 57 Disney animated films even exist, it only scratched the surface of the capabilities of animation. Its narrative is obviously rather quaint and simple by today’s standards and Snow White herself is a rather one-dimensional heroine. But the fact the animation still holds up 90 years later is a testament to the remarkable talents of Disney’s animators. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was a miracle of cinema. It’s a film that legitimately changed the landscape of cinema itself. Its legacy within the Disney canon is unrivalled. It opened the door to a genre of cinema we now know and love. It set the standard for all animated films which followed. And the world of cinema was truly never the same again.

13. Aladdin (1992) – full article

For all its flaws and disappointing lack of cultural authenticity, Aladdin stands as one of the most outlandishly enjoyable Disney animated films for two simple reasons; its sublime soundtrack and the performance of Robin Williams. Williams’ performance was truly one for the ages, and, after his tragic passing in 2014, came to stand as one of his greatest legacies. From the moment Genie literally bursts onto the screen, we bear witness to the finest piece of voiceover work in animation history. In Williams deft hands, Genie is not only wildly hilarious but also incredibly heartwarming and endlessly lovable. Look, there are some cultural issues with Aladdin that are impossible to overlook. But the film’s iconic soundtrack and Williams’ masterful performance, coupled with eye-popping animation and thrilling sequences, continued the Disney Renaissance in sublime style.

12. The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996) – full article

One of the most artistically challenging projects Disney had ever tackle, The Hunchback of Notre Dame ultimately became of the studio’s darkest animated films to date. The idea of adapting the work of Gothic author Victor Hugo into a Disney animated musical sounds utterly insane, but the studio somehow made it work, particularly by refusing to shy away from some heavy themes such as infanticide, lust, damnation, genocide, and sin. However, the filmmakers couldn’t resist injecting a dose of childish humour into the film to lighten the mood, which ultimately damages the final product. Regardless, The Hunchback of Notre Dame may well be the most beautifully animated work in the Renaissance period. While the film ultimately underperformed at the box office, it has since received the re-evaluation it deserves and many now see it for the masterpiece it truly is.

11. The Princess and the Frog (2009) – full article

To put it mildly, Disney’s history with its depiction of people of colour was far from stellar. While films like Mulan and Pocahontas had broken new ground for diversity and representation in Disney films, the studio was still yet to produce an animated feature film headlined by an African American, either male or female. In The Princess and the Frog, we were finally blessed with our first black princess in the form of Tiana, a humble waitress from New Orleans with grand dreams of opening her own restaurant. The Princess and the Frog would sadly stand as the final traditionally animated Disney musical, and you can tell the very heart and soul of the entire production team went into this film. The luscious animation is simply gorgeous and perfectly recaptured the beautiful majesty of Disney’s animated films of the past. With its mix of jazz, blues, and gospel sounds, the soundtrack is a work of art. And Tiana stood tall as one of the greatest heroines Disney had ever seen. A groundbreaking work that kickstarted Disney animation’s second renaissance, The Princess and the Frog is a deeply special film.

10. Moana (2016) – full article

Ten years after the studio’s first true foray into the computer-animated world, Moana represented the pinnacle of Disney computer animation. To call this film visually dazzling is an understatement. It is a beautifully crafted piece of cinema, with some of the most detailed and photorealistic animated backgrounds ever seen on screen. From the spectacular water designs to the lush tropical backdrops, Moana is an eye-popping display of the stunning capabilities of computer animation and another example of how far Disney had progressed in the last decade. If Frozen broke the mould on what a female-centric Disney film should be, Moana shatters it even further. Moana is not searching for a prince, but rather searching for herself and her place in her world. And while she may battle coconut pirates, a giant crab, and a fire-breathing lava god, the toughest opponent Moana must overcome is her own self-doubt. Moana was a new Disney Princess for the ages and the film was like a refreshing cool island breeze.

9. Bambi (1942) – full article

As the final Disney feature-length animated film before the era of cheap package films, Bambi represented a synthesis of everything which preceded it; the technique of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and Pinocchio, the experimentalism of Fantasia, and the naturalism of Dumbo. While it may have been a divisive departure from the fantasy films of Disney’s earlier works, Bambi was the culmination of the work Disney’s animators had created over the studio’s first five years. It stands as a progression of the skills of the animation team, highlighting just how far Disney had come in just half a decade. Bambi was the culmination of everything the studio had learned with its first four films. Naturally, it’s mostly remembered for one of the most heartbreaking scenes ever seen in cinema, but the technical achievements of its artistry are truly staggering.

8. Dumbo (1941) – full article

Despite huge critical acclaim and for Disney’s first three animated feature films, the heavy losses occurred from the box office failures of Pinocchio and Fantasia were taking their toll on the company and Walt Disney himself. In early 1941, Walt instructed his production team to make Dumbo as cheaply and quickly as possible, namely by utilising watercolours for the background animation. Made on a shoestring budget, the tremendous box office numbers of Dumbo made the film one of Disney’s most profitable releases in their entire history. The unprecedented success of Dumbo ultimately saved the entire studio from ruin. Who knows where Disney would be today without that little elephant. Even at only 64 minutes long, Dumbo is still one of Disney’s finest films. It may not be a triumph of animation itself, but its emotional core is hard to beat. For anyone who’s ever felt a little different, Dumbo is a Disney icon we can truly identify with and be inspired by. There’s so much more hiding beneath the surface of this unassuming masterpiece, even if there are some unavoidable issues with some of its now outdated cultural depictions.

7. The Little Mermaid (1989) – full article

After the colossal failure of The Black Cauldron, Disney was determined to recapture the golden lustre of their animation heyday. And the answer was waiting in the form of one red-headed mermaid. It’s difficult to truly quantify how the success of The Little Mermaid changed Disney animation. While films like The Great Mouse Detective and Oliver & Company had laid the foundation for Disney’s eventual revival, The Little Mermaid finally recaptured the original Disney magic which had all but vanished since Walt Disney’s death. By returning the studio to its musical roots, composers Howard Ashman and Alan Menken had uncovered the key to the renaissance period now calling on the horizon. For all its dazzling animation, terrific voice performances, and entertaining narrative, it’s the music that ultimately makes The Little Mermaid such a remarkable piece of cinema. What Ashman and Menken created was nothing short of masterful and Disney’s revival had only just begun.

6. Zootopia (2016) – full article

With its daring bid to craft an animated film targeted at children that subtlety (and not so subtlety) shines a light on important topics like racism, bigotry, and sexism, Zootopia may well be the most subversive Disney film ever released. It’s not every day you get a “children’s film” that dares to tackle issues like racial prejudice, gender inequality and social xenophobia. Zootopia sends a clear message of the resulting pain that comes from prejudging others based on their heritage, which is undoubtedly a message of even greater pertinence four years later. On a technical level, Zootopia is another sublime piece of animated cinema, with impressively detailed world-building and spectacular character designs. With a pertinent message to convey but the intelligence to hide it in animation form, Zootopia stood as a perfect blend of entertainment and education.

5. The Lion King (1993) – full article

It’s rather unfathomable now to ponder how The Lion King was once considered a flop in the making. The irony to think the Disney studio had such little faith in a project that would soon become the most successful animated film of all time. But it was indeed a risky venture and one that very easily could have fallen flat on its face. Every element had to be perfect for this film to work. And, somehow, it was. The animation. The music. The characters. The narrative. That sublime opening sequence. That devastating death scene. The stirring ending. It all combined to create a genuine miracle of cinema. While there are undoubtedly some major plot holes and baffling character choices in its haphazardly constructed screenplay, it’s easy to overlook such quibbles when the end result is so genuinely magnificent. Narrative issues aside, The Lion King was (and still is) a masterful piece of cinema. Its visuals now live in cinema history as some of those most dazzling sequences animated films have ever offered. Its music is still as catchy and enjoyable all these years later. Mufasa’s death still brings a tear to your eye. And that opening sequence still makes your heart roar.

4. Fantasia (1940) – full article

After delivering two critically-acclaimed animated films, most would assume Walt Disney might merely play it safe with his third animated feature film and simply deliver another family-friendly animation to charm audiences across the globe. But Walt was never one to take the expected path. Just eight months after the release of Pinocchio, he would unveil his most ambitious work thus far that challenged everything Disney had established within the animated film genre. A hugely risky venture that ultimately did not pay off, Fantasia was a daring exhibition of the very art form of hand-drawn animation, while also serving as a loving tribute to the power of classical music. While it lacks the emotional narrative of its contemporaries, Fantasia is a spectacular showcase of the talented artists behind each boldly unique sequence. The entire experiment plays like a lavish concert elevated by the striking imagery dancing on screen. It was the ambitious task of Walt Disney’s career but one such a visionary could actually achieve.

3. Sleeping Beauty (1940) – full article

Standing as the most expensive animated film to date, Sleeping Beauty initially underperformed at the box office, resulting in major changes at the studio. The studio would not return to the princess fairy tale genre for another three decades. Animated features would no longer be produced for gargantuan budgets. Production times were shortened, with animators encouraged to produce their work as quickly and cheaply as possible. Nothing was ever the same after Sleeping Beauty. It’s part of what makes the film so truly special. The stunning animation featured some of the most detailed and intricate work of any Disney film. You can truly pause this film at any moment and it’s instantly a work of art. Walt’s vision of creating a “moving tapestry” was ultimately achieved, with Sleeping Beauty standing as one of the most artistically spectacular animated films ever seen. It is unquestionably a masterpiece that showcased the deft talents of Disney’s marvellous animators. It’s naturally bittersweet to consider the film as the end of Disney’s devotion to crafting unique and striking animation art. While the studio would continue to deliver entertaining animated films, they would not reach the pinnacle of animation seen here for several decades to come, which just makes Sleeping Beauty even more magical in retrospect.

2. Beauty and the Beast (1991) – full article

The undisputed high point of the Disney Renaissance period, Beauty and the Beast was another remarkable fusion of music and animation, with Alan Menken and Howard Ashman’s songs driving the entire narrative of the film. Every song is a work of art, with accompanying gorgeous animation to bring Ashman’s evocative lyrics to life. Continuing the blazing trail set by Ariel, Belle is an independent, intelligent female protagonist who wants more from her life than just marrying the first braindead jock who comes courting. Despite its narrative being set in the past, Belle represented a modern woman who refused to bow to society’s expectations of her. A sweeping love story for the ages, Beauty and the Beast stood as the bittersweet swansong of one of the finest talents both stage and screen had ever known. Ashman’s premature death robbed the world of the beautiful music he still had to offer, but we are eternally blessed for what he left behind. The film made history as the first animated film to be nominated for Best Picture and its acceptance by the Academy declared animation could be considered as artistically valuable as live-action films. Quite frankly, one could easily make a case that it should have won.

1. Pinocchio (1940) – full article

And then there was one. After the unprecedented success of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, there was an enormous weight of expectation on Walt Disney Productions’ sophomore animated feature film. Thankfully, it appears this was the very environment Walt Disney thrived within. With seemingly endless cash in the bank, the team behind Pinocchio were able to truly push the limits of animation and craft something technically spectacular that still stands as the studio’s most dazzling achievement. While both the narrative and music deserve high praise, the crowning achievement of Pinocchio was undoubtedly its spectacular animation, which, even today, is an impressive sight to behold. From the incredibly detailed background designs to the awe-inspiring and benchmark-setting water effects found in the climactic ocean sequence, Pinocchio is bursting with hand-drawn animation work that still has the power to take your breath away 80 years later. It’s one of the films animators would use as the template for their work for decades to come. That’s how definitive this work became. While Disney was still to produce numerous wonderful films over the next eight decades, they set a towering benchmark with Pinocchio that was simply never matched.