Since the late 1920s, the animation world has belonged to the Walt Disney Company. From 1928 when a very familiar mouse made his debut in the first cartoon with sound, Steamboat Willie, until the present day when Disney's newest classic, Frozen, hits theaters this week, Disney's films have provided high quality family entertainment for generations.
In honor of the release of Frozen, Disney's 52nd animated feature, let's honor the Mouse House's pantheon of classical films with their top 10.
10. Mulan
Following along with the same mold as Hercules, Mulan is both high quality entertainment while also promoting strong family values. The lead heroine is someone everyone can sympathize with in some form, so the entire audience of pulling for Mulan to succeed. The sidekicks, once again, still the show. Mushu, Mulan's hilarious "guardian," is one of my personal favorite sidekicks in Disney history mainly because of the voice talent of Eddie Murphy who injects wit and charm into every word Mushu utters. The songs are also predictably strong with such classics as Reflection and I'll Make a Man Out of You. When the final credits roll, anyone with a heart will want to go and hug the closest family member around.
9. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
The film that started it all must be on this list! Walt Disney chose Snow White as his first full-length animated film because he believed that it had everything a fairytale needed: a heroine and hero, an evil villain, the sympathetic, scene-stealing characters, and a happy ending. Of course, Walt would be correct. Snow White is a timeless classic that will undoubtedly be viewed by generations to come with the same awe and amazement as those audience members who first saw it back in 1937. Animation has come a long way since Snow White, but this film remains a classic for a reason...because it's great!
8. Wreck-It Ralph
Never have video games been so awesome that within the world of Wreck-It Ralph. This Disney classic may not follow the tradition guidelines for a Disney film, but it still delivers a strong story with raw emotion. Ralph is a bad guy who just wants to be good. How can anyone not pull for him?? During his quest to become good, he's joined by Venelope and Fix-It Felix who are genuine scene-stealers. The nostalgia that the movie brings to the table is just incredible; the animations is beautiful, and Wreck-It Ralph wrecks it....in a good way!
7. Tangled
Disney went back to their roots in 2009 when they released Princess and the Frog, their first princess film in over a decade. In 2010, they continued that renewed interest in the princess with Tangled, some of the company's best work since the early '90s. Rapunzel and Flynn Rider's charisma is enough to carry the film itself, but luckily, all the classic Disney elements are there, including excellent music, which is highlighted by the show-stopping number, I See the Light, and hilarious sidekicks in the chameleon Pascal and Maximus the palace horse. The romance and strong storyline are predictably there and Disney continues to show that they still know what they're doing when it comes to animation.
6. Cinderella
A whole lot was riding on the success of Cinderella for the still young company when it was released in 1950. Disney had produced classics like Pinocchio and Bambi, but they haven't exactly made the amount of money Disney had hoped for. But with Cinderella, the fortunes began to change, and the reason is simply because this film personifies what it means to be a classic. The storyline is simply yet still incredible. The mice, led by the hilarious Gus and Jack, are scene stealers, the fairy godmother is regal every time, and the step sisters are still lovingly annoying. But of course, who can forget that amazing scene when the glass slipper finally fits onto Cinderella's foot? Simply a classic.
5. The Little Mermaid
After the death of Walt Disney, the Walt Disney Company went through a period of time where they were trying to find their identity when it came to their movies. They struggled and didn't really produce a true classic in the '70s and early '80s, but in 1989, Disney came back with authority with the release of The Little Mermaid. Ariel, the first Disney princess since Aurora in Sleeping Beauty way back in 1959, is someone that everyone can't help but pull for. The songs are beyond memorable. Under the Sea, Kiss the Girl, Part of Your World, and Poor Unfortunate Souls are some of the best songs Disney has ever produced. The sidekicks and villain, the Disney specialties, are as strong as ever, leading to a true Disney classic.
4. Aladdin
In my opinion, Aladdin produces the best Disney song ever written in the Oscar-winner, A Whole New World, and the film itself is just as classical. Robin Williams is simply hysterical as the lovable Genie. The story between Aladdin and Jasmine is a perfection execution of romance. Jafar is simply evil, making him one of the best Disney villains in the canon. As mentioned before, the songs are some of the best ever written for a Disney film. In addition to A Whole New World, audiences are treated to Friend Like Me and One Jump Ahead. Of course, one of the most memorable scenes in a Disney film comes in the movie when Aladdin takes Jasmine on a magic carpet ride. Magical.
3. The Lion King
While Aladdin produced the best song in my opinion, The Lion King produces the best overall soundtrack for a Disney film. With such classics as Oscar-winner Can You Feel the Love Tonight, Hakuna Matata, and the awe-inspiring Circle of Life, every song is just amazing. The story of Simba is legendary and inspiring. Timon and Pumbaa undoubtedly steal the show from the moment they take the stage. Scar is straight-up villainous, continuing Disney's tradition of excellent villains. There's a reason that The Lion King continues to be so successful with its many stage adaptions and re-releases, and it's because everyone enjoys this film. Period.
2. Frozen
Believe the hype. Disney's latest film, Frozen, is another classic in the canon. All the necessary elements are there for this film to become a classic. First of all, the main characters are rich and lovable. Anna and Elsa are both fascinating protagonists that every audience member roots for from beginning to end. The sidekicks are hilarious and scene-stealing. Olaf the Snowman and Sven are two characters that will have everyone laughing every time they are on the screen. The music is some of Disney's best in their history with future classics like For the First Time in Forever and the show-stopping, Let It Go. The story is so very strong and extremely intriguing. Frozen is a movie for the generations.
1. Beauty and the Beast
I have a feeling that it's going to take a film truly amazing and breathtaking to dethrone Beauty and the Beast on my list. In my opinion, it's by far Disney's best film to date. The story is timeless. Belle is one of the more complex Disney princesses and the Beast is someone you just learn to love. The sidekicks are abundant and hysterical, led by Lumiere, Cogsworth, and Mrs. Potts. Gaston is perfect as the villain for this story. The songs are fantastic. Be Our Guest and Belle are simply classical, but the most memorable scene in Disney history comes when Belle and Beast elegantly dance in the castle's ballroom with Angela Lansbury's beautiful voice softly singing Beauty and the Beast. It truly is a tale as old as time.
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