Top 10 Disney Movies
Disney is just one of those companies – you say the name, and it’s recognized instantly as a classic old company with animated classics as well as some decent live action films (and admittedly, many failures). My childhood memories are heavily dominated by Disney memories. But what films stand out the most over the years and through my childhood?
Well, it took some thought to come up with this list. I immediately had to rule out Disney Pixar, otherwise all ten spaces would have been filled immediately. As I’ve stated before, I consider that company superior and separate – Disney is a financial supporter only. There are some older films on this list, but mostly, these are newer films. This isn’t to say I don’t adore and respect older classics from Disney, just that they all didn’t make my personal top ten countdown.
On that note, let’s see which films are nostalgic and touching even to this day.
10. Treasure Planet: This 2002 release turned the ‘Treasure Island’ story into an animated sci-fi adventure. It was nominated for an Academy Award, but it did poorly at the box office. I’ve never understood this, because I love this movie – and according to most reviews, so did the majority of critics. While not the best film out there, it really was and remains to me a very good, fun adventure. Young boy and delinquent Jim Hawkins travels with a crew after discovering a map to the treasure of a pirate who terrorized the galaxy in the past. On his journey he learns about himself, makes friends, and, well, the usual shenanigans in an adventure. The designs of the galaxies and creatures (remember: it’s sci-fi) were pretty decent, the voice acting was memorable, the characters were interesting even if there were clichés. I wouldn’t consider the animation the best, but it certainly wasn’t bad. Now, I admittedly have not read the novel this was loosely based on – but believe me, this adventure has a wonderful energy whether you’re a fan of the novel or not.
9. Pocahontas: I really do like this movie by Disney. It’s historically inaccurate, but then again, so are most films – I can’t yell at Disney for that. As a little girl I remember loving the main character – free spirited, with simple beauty and strength abound, Pocahontas went through quite the adventure with her animal friends in this movie after meeting John Smith and interacting with the settlers coming to the New World. The animation is beautiful, the voice acting well done, and even if there are inaccuracies, I think I can appreciate this movie even now. It stirs my emotions every time.
But here’s my complaint: why in the world did the re-release change the words in parts to be more PC? Trust me, your children will not be affected by some harsh words in a G rated film (reality has a far stronger impact), and if anything, the fact that the settlers were so racist against the Native American people was one of the few accurate things I remember as a kid. Don’t cushion the truth to make people feel better, please; we learn more that way. (I really am bitter for the company ruining a very powerful song with their edits. Luckily I own the original soundtrack!)
8. Rescuers Down Under: I know a lot of people may not agree with me, but I actually think this is one of about two Disney sequels that improved when compared to its original. I love the first film, but this sequel…just, wow. The original was about two mice rescuing a little girl from the middle of nowhere. The sequel is about the two mice rescuing a boy who is protecting an endangered eagle in a land filled with dangerous animals and people, with a possible love triangle in the mix. The animation is incredible (I ran around as the fantastic looking eagle from this movie on Halloween several years in a row), the villain is a bit more intimidating than the original’s, and there’s just so much more action to appreciate. I think this film is pretty under appreciated, especially for a Disney film. Give it a viewing.
7. Brave Little Toaster: OK, I have to admit, it shouldn’t be surprising that I like this film – a lot of the people on this project went on to become a part of the Pixar team (and I’m not biased at all!). This film turned ordinary house appliances into lonely living beings determined to make it home to their original owner – who is no longer the little boy they remember, but a young man getting ready to go to college. The main characters travel to find him and meet a large variety of other characters, some nice, most of them not. With pretty good animation and a ton of imagination, I still appreciate this movie today.
6. Mulan: Surprise surprise. ‘Mulan’ is one of the newer Disney films, turning the Disney princess into a warrior princess who pretends to be a man to join the army in her father’s place. She and fellow soldiers must train hard to protect their people from the incoming Huns. While there are some things I can criticize in it, let’s be honest: there always are. But honestly, my personal pet peeves don’t change the fact that this movie truly is fun to watch – the animation is lovely, the voice acting very good, and the music and storyline exciting and fun.
5. Beauty and the Beast: This fairy tale about a girl and a beast falling in love quickly became a Disney classic. It was received with incredible positive response, and I don’t blame anyone for it. Honestly, I don’t feel like there’s much I can say about this one. With Belle and the Beast as opposing and yet very appealing main characters, fantastic animation and some of the best composed music I’ve ever heard, this movie is easily one of Disney’s best.
4. Miracle of the White Stallions: Now here’s an oldie that I bet almost no one has even heard of. This movie is from 1963, and tells the tale of how the Lipizzaner horses from the Spanish Riding School in Vienna were saved during World War II. It’s based on a true story, and has some fantastic camera work and old actors in it. The horses are the focus and yet are not – the people tell the story, and the horses are a constant presence even when not on camera. Seeing this film makes me want to see these horses on tour again – there are actually two real performances made by the stallions in this film, directed by the original hero from this very story. I was relieved that this film made it to DVD, because even though Disney didn’t give it any respect and didn’t attempt to clean it up at all, I was very happy to see it again.
3. The Lion King: This is another one of those ‘90s classics that I feel doesn’t need any explanation. This fantastic Disney original about a lion cub earning his throne contributed a lot, from more fantastic music to one of the most recognized deaths in cinema. I personally get a kick out of seeing footage of a lion from the zoo being brought to the studio so the artists have a reference for the drawings – and the effort really shows and paid off.
2. Hunchback of Notre Dame: I love this movie – I love the villain, I love the beautiful and caring Esmeralda, and I love Quasimodo and his growth and role in the film as he comes to terms with his looks, learns about his past, and helps the gypsy girl his master hunts. This film actually has a director and a producer from ‘The Beauty and the Beast’ and ‘The Lion King,’ so I guess it shouldn’t be surprising that I adore it as much as I adore those. I know some people may actually wonder how this beat ‘Lion King’ – and truthfully, even though this movie was based on a classic tragic tale, I do think in some ways ‘Lion King’ may have a slightly better story, and in some ways, the other films have better animation sequences. So it still beat ‘Lion King’? Well, honestly, I am a theater lover, and anything that hires a professional choir and Broadway singer to do the music gets instant brownie points – not to mention, there’s Latin in this movie, and that language just screams with power to me. This soundtrack is one of the most stunning, with only one song that I can’t stand – and every other song gives me chills every time I hear it. Nostalgia Critic even granted Frollo’s “Hellfire” the top villain song. Put simply: I cheer when these play on my iPod, and I will always enjoy watching this movie.
So what tops ‘Hunchback’?
1. Fox and the Hound: An oldie but goodie, this movie was actually the last Disney film to favor some old styles in the credits before the ‘Renaissance of Disney’ began. This film tells the simple, beautiful tale of friendship between a fox (my favorite animal – I’m so not biased!) and a hound. Critics said that the film approached an old Disney magic, and I have to agree. The film just feels older and slower paced as it examines how the fox cub and hound pup grow up and how they move through their lives, and sometimes it has the old style animation as well, even if it was released in ’81 – long after a lot of other animated Disney classics. But to this day, I adore this movie. It makes me cry, and that is why this beats ‘Hunchback’ – because while ‘Hunchback’ gives me chills, this Disney film actually manages to bring tears to my eyes as much as its ending warms my heart.
And there’s my top 10 Disney movies. Feel free to agree or disagree, but as always, give each movie a fair chance and at least one viewing.
