90+ Best Disney Movies of All Time

A list of Disney Movies

30. Freaky Friday (2003) 

Body swap comedies aren’t a novel concept. Yet Disney’s Freaky Friday stands out not only as one of the best of the bunch, but also one of its strongest live-action releases. A remake of a 1976 classic, 2003’s Freaky Friday shrewdly updates the mother-daughter switching places comedy. Plus, stellar performances from both Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan anchor the film with heart in the high concept. 

List of Disney Movies 

29. Miracle (2004)

Disney are masters at providing hope and inspiration in their movies, but they don’t always need to turn to the fairytale and fantastical to do so. Such is the case with Miracle, which chronicles the true story of the U.S. men’s ice hockey team’s win over Soviet Russia in a stunning upset at the 1980 Winter Olympics. Miracle makes the most of its sports drama structure. Plus, Kurt Russell's performance as the team’s coach elevates this underdog story into a compelling and memorable story. 

Best Disney Movies of All Time

28. Saving Mr. Banks (2013)

It’s rare for Disney to allow one to pull back the curtain on their process with such candor and vulnerability. Yet Saving Mr. Banks examines the collaboration between the studio’s founder and the author of Mary Poppins with a startling amount of tenderness and intimacy. Movies about making movies can often fail to hit the mark, but this look at the filmmaking process managed to be as resonant as the film it’s about. Tom Hanks and Emma Thompson’s ability to make the giants Walt Disney and P.L. Travers, living, breathing, flawed people are a major source of its success. . 

Best Disney Movies Ever

27. Maleficent (2014)

On paper, Maleficent is the opposite of the Disney formula for success. It recontextualizes one of its most beloved tales with a dark, feminist slant, yet that’s precisely why Maleficent is such a revelation. Disney pushed its own boundaries with Maleficent, which added depth and bite to one of its simpler fairytales. It also struck casting gold with Angelina Jolie in the title role and Elle Fanning as Aurora.

Disney Movies 

26. Treasure Island (1950)

By 1950, Walt Disney Studios had established itself as the creator of grand, fictional adventures in animation. With Treasure Island, they proved more than capable of creating their signature movie magic in live-action too. Not only did the film triumph in Technicolor, Robert Newton’s portrayal as Long John Silver had an indelible effect on pirates in pop culture. 

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25. 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1954)

Disney’s adaptation of Jules Verne's novel not only demonstrated that the studio could make awe-inspiring movie magic in live-action as well as animation. A prototypical blockbuster, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea is a marvel of scale and visual effects that have aged impressively well. The film is an enduring epic and added to Disney’s legacy of codifying, or at least creating popular versions of classics and fairy tales. 

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24. Remember the Titans (2000)

It’s no surprise that Disney mined the true story of high school football coach Herman Boone for box office gold. What sets Remember the Titans apart is its social commentary about a Black football coach attempting to lead his team in Virginia. The movie’s stellar lead performance from Denzel Washington is what makes Remember the Titans a cut above most biopics. 

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22. Hercules (1997)

Disney has never been afraid to take big swings, and Hercules is one of its boldest. Inspired by Greek mythology but told with modern humor and gospel-infused music, the film stands out for its sharp writing and unique visual style. While it arrived near the end of the Disney Renaissance, its fast-paced energy and charismatic performances, especially James Woods as Hades have helped it grow into a cult favorite over time.

Best CGI Disney movie

21. Tangled (2010)

With Tangled, Disney proved it could modernize the classic princess formula without losing its charm. The film mixes stunning CGI animation with sharp humor and romance, making Rapunzel feel like a relatable heroine. Mandy Moore and Zachary Levi bring warmth and wit to this tangled story. Plus, the music and lantern scene have become instant Disney classics.

Best Animated Disney Movie

20. The Jungle Book (1967)

Released during Walt Disney’s lifetime, The Jungle Book remains one of the studio’s most enduring animated hits. Its laid-back tone, catchy songs like “The Bare Necessities,” and colorful cast of animal characters give it timeless appeal. Blending humor, adventure, and unforgettable music, the film captures Disney at its most relaxed and confident.

Best Disney Movies of All Time

19. Tarzan (1999)

At the tail end of the Disney Renaissance, Tarzan delivered sweeping adventure and emotional depth. The film’s groundbreaking “Deep Canvas” animation created fluid jungle action scenes, while Phil Collins’ soundtrack gave it a powerful emotional core. With its themes of identity and belonging, Tarzan remains one of Disney’s most visually ambitious animated films.

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18. One Hundred and One Dalmatians (1961)

The animated One Hundred and One Dalmatians is iconic for a whole host of reasons – it gave us one of the most memorable villains of all time, Cruella De Vil. The film was also the studio’s first contemporary animated feature, and non-musical (despite featuring Cruella’s seminal anthem). The movie also inspired two successful live-action remakes and spinoff that were successful in their own right – 101 Dalamatians and Cruella. Furthermore, Disney had entered a cost-cutting phase in the 60s. Even though the studio’s entire ink and paint department had disappeared, the detailed animation in Dalmatians doesn’t show any bad signs.

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17. Encanto (2021)

Disney’s Encanto brought vibrant Colombian culture and unforgettable music to the forefront of modern animation. The story centers on the Madrigal family, each gifted with magical powers — except for Mirabel. With songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda and a focus on family expectations, the film resonated deeply with audiences worldwide.

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16. Zootopia (2016)

Disney is at its best when they create a film that speaks as deeply to children as it does to its adult viewers. Zootopia screenplay is a prime example that tricky balance struck exactly right. The film is heartfelt and entertaining for younger audiences. But it also makes a sophisticated statement about atavism and profiling others that any mature viewer can appreciate. Furthermore, the film’s worldbuilding is a feat of imagination and ingenuity. Plus, the visit to the fictional city’s Department of Motor Vehicles staffed by sloths is one of the funniest scenes of the past years. 

Greatest Disney Movies of All Time

15. Moana (2016)

With sweeping ocean visuals and empowering storytelling, Moana quickly became a modern Disney favorite. The film follows a brave young girl who sets sail to save her people, guided by her strong sense of identity. Featuring music by Lin-Manuel Miranda and a scene-stealing performance from Dwayne Johnson as Maui, the movie balances adventure, humor, and heart.

Popular Disney Movies 

14. Coco (2017)

Pixar’s Coco is a colorful and deeply emotional celebration of family and tradition. Set during Mexico’s Día de los Muertos, the film follows Miguel as he journeys to the Land of the Dead to uncover his family’s history. With stunning animation and the Oscar-winning song “Remember Me,” Coco delivers one of the most heartfelt and impactful endings in modern Disney history.

Best Disney Movies of All Time 

13. Frozen (2013)

In the 21st century, the bar Disney had set for itself when it came to animated filmmaking was sky high. Yet Frozen launched itself into the stratosphere with a new, nuanced take on Hans Christian Anderson’s “The Snow Queen.” Frozen also demonstrated that Disney was able to modernize and take a note by prioritizing the familial love of its two female protagonists rather than focusing on the pursuit of romantic relationships. 

Disney Movies List 

12. Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)

Disney was no stranger to mixing animation and live-action, yet there’s something special about their neo-noir comedy, Who Framed Roger Rabbit. The intricacy of interaction between the live-action and “toon” characters was groundbreaking. With this box office and critical success, Disney proved they were able to color outside their own lines to magnificent effect. 

Best Disney Movies of All Time

11. Up (2009)

Up is a wholly original adventure with gut-wrenchingly human emotion. The film’s opening sequence is regularly referred to as a masterclass in visual and musical storytelling. Plus, it won Best Animated Feature and Best Original Score at the Academy Awards. The precision with which Up walks its emotional tightrope highlights it among the already strong stable of Pixar films.

Classic Animated Disney Flick

10. Cinderella (1950)

After years of financial struggle, Disney returned to form with Cinderella. The film’s elegant animation, charming animal sidekicks, and iconic transformation scene helped restore the studio’s fortunes. More than just a fairy tale romance, Cinderella set the blueprint for generations of Disney princess movies to come.

Famous Disney Movies 

8. The Little Mermaid (1989)

The success of The Little Mermaid ushered in the era known as the Disney Renaissance. In this decade, the studio dominated the box office and charmed critics with a slew of modern animated classics. The film stands out with its vivid, hand-drawn animation.

Alan Menken and Howard Ashman made The Little Mermaid a proper musical, providing an entire soundtrack of sparkling music. Ariel also marked a new kind of Disney princess, one who’s fully formed and more active in her desires. 

Best Disney Movies of All Time

7. Aladdin (1992)

Disney revitalized the underdog story with its retelling of one the most famous Arab folktales. The film was a major box office and critical success. It also began the trend of casting movie stars in voice roles, thanks to Robin Williams’ unbelievable performance as the Genie. Williams upped the ante of the film’s exceptional storytelling and music with some of the most sophisticated humor and references a family movie had ever seen. This broadened its appeal and enriched it's comedic depth.

Animation Disney Film

6. Toy Story (1995)

When Toy Story premiered in 1995, it changed animation forever. As the first fully computer-animated feature film, Pixar’s debut set a new standard for storytelling and technology. With memorable characters like Woody and Buzz Lightyear, the film proved that heart and humor matter more than special effects. It demonstrated that innovative technology works best when grounded in strong character development and meaningful emotional depth.

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5. Bambi (1942)

Few Disney movies are as emotionally powerful as Bambi. Set in a quiet forest, the story follows a young deer learning about life, love, and loss. Its delicate watercolor backgrounds and unforgettable early tragedy make it one of the most artistic and heartbreaking films in Disney’s history.

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4. Pinocchio (1940)

Walt Disney Studios made a name for itself through the introduction of its own beloved characters, but also through crafting what would become defining narratives of popular folk and fairytales. Their 1940 Pinocchio is the latter, drawing from the nineteenth-century Italian children’s story. Largely considered one of the best animated films of all time, Disney’s amendments to the story and incorporation of cutting-edge animation technology solidified its status. Plus, Pinocchio gave us “When You Wish Upon a Star”, which has gone on to be the studio’s signature song. 

Best Disney Movies of All Time

3. Snow White and the Seven Dwarves (1937)

Snow White marked a series of essential firsts for the fledgling Disney studios. Not only was it Disney’s first feature-length animated film, it was the first animated film made in the United States, and its mix of gorgeous art and music was revolutionary at the time. The film earned an Academy Award nomination for its score, and established Disney as the visionary he’s remembered as. 

Greatest Walt Disney Movies 

2. Beauty and the Beast (1991)

Considered the savior of the movie musical, Beauty and the Beast blended past storytelling traditions with modern sensibilities. It also embraced brand new computer-generated animation techniques. This movie was the first-ever animated film nominated for Best Picture at the Academy Awards, and it’s easy to see why with its dazzling musical numbers, complex characters, and sweeping narrative scale. The voice cast filled with a generation of lauded actors only adds to Beauty and the Beast’s legacy.

Best Disney Movie

1. The Lion King (1994)

One could argue that pulling from Shakespearean tragedy for a family animated film was a massive risk for Disney to take, yet The Lion King pulled it off. The Lion King blends personal tragedy and humor with aplomb, within a musical structure from titans Tim Rice, Elton John, and Hans Zimmer. The result is a film that resonates with audiences no matter their age.