Ah yes, Disney. A company that has been with me through my entire Life and always put a big smile on my face. If it wasn't for Disney, i would probably never learned to love Animation. Some people like to call them a greedy and heartless money corporation, but don't kid yourself. In one way or another, you also came in touch with Disney as a kid.

 

And that's why i like to honor the best of them today. I will give you a list of my 15 most favorite Disney Animated Movies of all time. Now, the list is containing movies from the original Walt Disney Animation studios, so no movies from Disneytoon studios, or Pixar (sorry Toy Story and Wall-E.) And also, no 3D animations. Meaning no Tangled, no Wreck-it Ralph and no Frozen.

 

Before i begin, a few honorable mentions, that didn't make my List:

 

The adventures of Ichabod and Mr.Toad
Peter Pan
Mulan
The princess and the frog
The great mouse detective (this decision hurted me the most.)

 

15. Tarzan

 

 

"I said he could stay. That dosen't make him my son." - Kerchak

 

Tarzan was already very recognizable before the Disney Movie even came out, since the legend of Tarzan was already filmed almost a hundred times. Disney of course gave this movie there own twist to it.

 

Tarzans family gets killed by a leopard named Sabor and has to live with the Gorillas now. While he grew up, he always questioned himself why he is so different, as he tries hard to belong. As he grew up, he came into contact with his own kind for the first time and even fell love with the british scientist Jane Porter.

 

It's a movie that splits the masses, mostly because Phil Collins is doing the music. But for the people who know me, they know that i am a Collins fan. I admit, it's not his best work, but it works for the movie and is certainly an enjoyable watch for me.

 

14. Hercules

 

 

"Well, they're just fine. You know, a little dark, a little gloomy. And, as always, hey, full of dead people. What are you gonna do?" - Hades

 

I admit it, it totally spits on everything that the legend of Hercules (or Herakles if you want) stands for. But damn, if it isn't an enjoyable movie.

 

Hercules was born son of the gods Herra and Zeus on Mt.Olymp in ancient Greece. Hades, who learns that the baby will grow up to screw up his plans, tasks his henchman to make him mortal and turn him into a human. As Herc a teenager, he is getting shunned aside for his god like strength and tries to find out who he really is. His father tells him, that if he becomes a real hero, he will become a god again.

 

2 words. Ha Des (...wait.) James Woods as Hades is probably the greatest character in this movie. If it wasn't for him and his personality, this movie probably wouldn't be half as good. I also have to admit that i was never a fan of Meghara, since she was kind of bland to me, but she isn't the worst character i have seen. All in all, very enjoyable.

 

13. Alice in Wonderland

 

 

"Oh, you can't help that. Most everyone's mad here." - The Cheshire Cat

 

Now you like random things, like Pinkie Pie levels of Randomness? Alice in Wonderland was random, before random was cool. I really must Lewis Carroll credit for coming up with such a story, without the help of any drugs.

 

Alice is bored is bored with her routine life and is imagining herself in a wonderland, where everything is upside down. She comes across a white rabbit, who is obviously late for something. Alice follows the Rabbit and get pulled down into the Rabbit hole, which leads into wonderland. She encounters all sorts of weird creatures. Singing flowers, a smoking caterpillar, a mad hatter and a crazy queen.

 

It's really no surprise that the rerelease in the late 60s was such a success. This movie is the dream of every drugaddict. It has so many weird things in it, but in an enjoyable kind of way. It's not the most story driven movie, but it's really a good movie to just sit back and enjoy the ride. The Cheshire Cat is probably my favorite character. Sterling Holloway, who is always enjoyable to listen to, really ads to his character.

 

12. Sleeping Beauty

 

 

"Now, father, you're living in the past. This is the 14th century!" - Prince Phillip

 

The Princess movies before this movie (Cinderella and Snow White) never really left much of an impression. Sleeping Beauty though, is one of those very classic Fairy Tale, that i think even the brothers Grimm would have liked.

 

In a far away kingdom, the princess Aurora is born and the whole Kingdom gathered to celebrate. The Evil Maleficent, who is jealous because she didn't get invited, curses the baby to die before she reaches her 16th birthday. The 3 fairies weaken the curse, by just making her fall asleep. Nonethenless, they want to hide Aurora from Maleficent, to protect her, calling her Rose.

 

While this is the best of the 3 classic Princess movies, Aurora suffers from the same problem that Snow White has. She is very bland. But that's not really a problem. She is not exactly the hero of this movie. The 3 fairies are actually and they are very fun to watch. I really love the birthday preparation scenes they have in the cottage. And not to spoiler much, the climax of this movie is probably the most action packed of all the disney movies at that point. Just wonderful.

 

11. The Sword in the Stone

 

 

"A dark age indeed! Age of inconvenience. No plumbing...no electricity...no nothing!"

 

Now this is a movie, that i am missing all the time in top lists of disney movies. This might be the most underrated disney movie out there and i think it deserves more praise then it has.

 

In Medieval times, a young boy named Arthur, who gets called ward by everyone, accidentally lands in the house of Merlin the wizard. Merlin wants to take Arthur as a student, but his stepfather sir Hector sees Merlin as the devil and rather wants him to become squire for his real son Kay. Merlin and Arthur go on many adventures together.

 

The songs of this movie are also very underrated, considering they are made by the legendary Sherman brothers, who have very imaginative lyrics (watch Mary Poppins and you know what i mean.) I remember me and my brother walking down the street, singing that's what makes the world go round.
But the real highlight is the magic duel in the middle of the movie, which is just alot of fun.

 

10. Robin Hood

 

 

"To coin a phrase, my dear counselor, rob the poor to give the rich." - Prince John

 

Another one of those underrated classics, during a time where Disney dosen't really know where they go with the studio. Robin Hood is probably one of the funniest Disney movies i have seen, because i can still laugh to this day.

 

While King Richard is gone for the crusade, his brother prince John has taken charge of England and milks the people dry of their money with his way too high taxes. Robin Hood and his buddy Little John rebel against the rule of John, by stealing from the crown and giving it to the poor, while Robin dreams to be back with his childhood love, Maid Marian.

 

I think there is no story around that i watched more versions of then Robin Hood. The Disney version, while not my number 1 pick, is certainly up there with the likes of Errol Flynn and Kevin Costner. It was great that they casted Peter Ustinov as Prince John, since he was one of the most charismatic actors of the time, who also voiced John in the german version.

 

9. Dumbo

 

 

"What's the matter with his ears? I don't see nothin' wrong with 'em. I think they're cute." - Timothy Q. Mouse

 

Prepare your tissues guys, because this movie for me, is a real tearjerker. This is the kind of movie that bullies watch in those camps, to become better people.

 

The little Elephant Jumbo jr. gets brought by the stork to his mother Ms. Jumbo. Upon arrival, her and the other elephants immediatly see that he has was very large ears for a baby Elephant. mockingly, one of ms. Jumbos room mates renames him Dumbo. Her mother is still keeping him, while the others shun him away. Dumbo must take alot bullying from the Elephants and even the guests, who visit his circus. He meets a mouse called Timothy, who tries to make him into a star with his ears.

 

This movie is just an hour long, the shortest of all disney animated movies, but it really brings everything across during that time. You can't help but feel sorry for Dumbo during this whole movie. But the pay of for it is just that much sweeter. Also, don't forget the legendary elephants on parade scene.

 

8. Bambi

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xksfShPraTQ

 

"Your Mother can not be with you any longer." - Prince of the forest

 

This movie traumatized a whole generation of kids and even beyond that. I wouldn't call it a spoiler when i say, yes, Bambis mother dies. And it's horrible.

 

The little Deer called Bambi is born in a giant forest, where he grows up with his friend Thumper the rabbit and Flower the skunk. Bambi is very naive and uncautious in his childlike nature and is fascinated by everything that he comes across in the forest. One day he learns though, that life can also be very cruel to you.

 

I really have to say, that i am a big fan of the art style in this movie. The forest looks like an actual forest and it acts like an actual forest and you can see that they put in alot of money into this movie to make it look good. I am surprised all the time how dark this movie turns, since the first 20 minutes are very cheerful.

 

7. Pinocchio

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pguMUFyJ3_U

 

"A lie keeps growing and growing until it's as plain as the nose on your face." - The Blue Fairy

 

I talked to some old timers, who watched this movie as a kid and they say that this is their favorite disney movie of all time and i kind of can see why that is. It was very ambitious in it's animation and it takes risks that alot of later animated movies didn't take.

 

The watchmaker Ghepetto wishes nothing more to have a boy for himself, so he wishes to a star one night that it may bring him one. A blue fairy comes to his home and brings his wooden puppet Pinocchio to life. The fairy tells him, if he behaves and is doing nothing bad, he will become a real boy. Pinocchio also gets help from his consience Jiminy Crickett, who should always bring him to the right path.

 

This is probably one of the darkest disney movies i have ever seen. Pinocchio is doing some bad things in it and it's shown very harshly, the consequences of his actions, especially during his time on pleasure island. And again, the art here is phenomenal.

 

6. The Hunchback of Notre Dame

 

 

"And he shall smite the wicked and *plunge* them into the fiery *pit!*" - Judge Claude Frollo

 

Did i just talk about dark Disney movies? Here is another one for you. This was a movie that many thought couldn't be disneyfied, because the book was just so dark, that you possibly can't make it into a family friendly movie.

 

Quasimodo is a deformed hunchback, who lived for the past 20 years in the bell towers of Notre Dame in Paris. His father in law Frollo, always tells him that the world outside is cruel and dark and would never accept him for what he is, because he is just a monster for everybody else. One day, Quasi is deciding to join the feast of fools, just so he can interact with other people. Down there, he meets the gypsy Esmeralda and Phoebus, the captain of Frollos Guard.

 

It amazes me how many religious and dark undertones this movie has and still manages to be an entertaining family movie. Sadly, it wasn't a very big hit because the source material is just too dark and many parents didn't wanted their children to watch it. BTW, screw the gargoyles. If it wasn't for them, this movie might be even higher.

 

5. The Jungle Book

 

 

"An extraordinary performance. And thank you for detaining my victim." - Shere Khan

 

Yes, you already know my story with this movie. But i guess some of you are surprised, that it's not my number one. You have to ask my big brother for that.

 

Mowgli grows up in the jungles of India and gets raised by wolves. Sadly, the news is going around that the Tiger Shere Khan is back in the part of the jungle because he hates man and he wants to kill mowgli as long as he is weak. The pack decides to bring the boy back to the man village. Bagheera is taking the job as both journey into the jungle, meeting many colorful characters.

 

This movie just oozes with great characterization. There is not a single character that i really don't like. It has the same episodic feeling that Sword in the Stone has, but much better and the songs are just evergreens. If there is one thing i criticize the movie for, is that it's way too short.

 

4. Aladdin

 

 

"Oi! Ten thousand years will give you such a crick in the neck." - Genie

 

If i can compare Aladdin to anything, then i would say it's the Indiana Jones of Disney movies. It's pretty much one of the biggest thrill rides that you will ever be on, when it comes to Disney movies and is packed with alot of things, that everyone can love.

 

Aladdin is a young man from Agrabah, who always tries everyday to survive there. One day, the evil Grand Vizier Dschafar tries to use the boy, to enter the cave of wonders to get the magical lamp inside the cave. The lamp has a Genie in it, that will grand anybody 3 wishes, with a few exceptions. Aladdins life changes, when he falls in love with the Sultans daughter Jasmine, as he discovers "a whole new world."

 

I think the Genie is not just the star of the movie, but also has like become the standard of how comedy sidekicks should be in an animated movie. If you take that as a plus or minus, is for you to decide. But the Genie worked extremly well for this movie. I remember a time in Kindergarten, i was 4 or so and we always recreated scenes from this movie, because we all loved it so much. XD

 

3. Beauty and the Beast

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=afzmwAKUppU

 

"It's not right for a woman to read. Soon she starts getting *ideas*, and *thinking*..." - Gaston

 

With Beauty and the Beast receiving the nomination as best picture at the oscars, it was proven that animation isn't just something for kids and it also showed that you can't kill Disney, even if they seem down and out.

 

Belle is a girl living in a little village. She spends most of her days reading books (boy, never heard that one before ) who always dreams about more in her life. Gaston, the local tough guy of this town, tries desperately to marry her, because he believes it's their destiny. One day, Belles father was out of town to show one of his inventions, but didn't return. His horse showed her the way to a dark castle, which houses a beast in it, that was cursed.

 

It's one of the greatest love stories told in film, animated or not. The beast looks very scary at first. But he has very soft and even shy site in him, which makes him very sympathetic. All the songs in this movie are oscar worthy, with the title song being in many peoples list on number 1. How you can't see the genius of this movie is beyond me.

 

2. Fantasia

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nrC8rLcvTQ&pxtry=1

 

Now here is a disney movie, that is unlike any other disney movie out there. This was a very ambitious project from Walt Disney, who at first just wanted to make a short with music by legendary composer Leopold Stokowski, which later became more shorts and ended up being fantasia.

 

Fantasia consists of 7 animated shorts, that are all played to the tune of classical music pieces, like the nutcracker suite by Tchaikovsky or the pastoral symphony by Ludwig van Beethoven. All the music pieces are in sync with the pictures that are happening on the screen.

 

I think my favorite short of them is the Night on Bald Mountain sequence. The art style and the overall dark feel of it is bone shivering and there are even some things in there, i would consider taboo by todays standards.

 

1. The Lion King

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GibiNy4d4gc

 

"Look Simba. Everything the light touches, is our Kingdom." - Mufasa

 

Everybody watched this movie in my childhood, everybody was remembering the characters from it and everybody remembered the songs from it. This was pretty much my generations Frozen, just better (sorry to all Frozen fans.)

 

The little Simba was the son of King Mufasa and Queen Sarabi, who would one day become King of the Pride Lands. His uncle Scar was jealous of Simba though, since he thinks he should've become the rightful King of the Pride Lands, so he's partnering up with the Hyenas, to get rid of Simba and Mufasa, so he could become King. Once Simba gets forced into exile, he meets Timon and Pumbaa and befriends them and tries to leave his old past behind. But you can't run forever.

 

Lion King for me, is not only the best Disney movie of all time, it's also one of my favorite movies of all time. There is not a single thing in this entire movie, where i fast forward, or i have to roll my eyes about it. For me, this is the perfect family film and i still wonder why it never got a nomination for best pic.

 

There you have it folks. This was quite a thing to write for me. But i really liked to write this and share it with you.

 

Do you have problems with the list? Are there things i should have included?

 

Comment below, let me know.