My Definitive List of Disney Classics

It irritates me that so many of the Disney Classics are undervalued by people. Of course there's no arguing that The Lion King is a masterpiece, Snow White's pretty dated and there are a whole host no one's ever heard of. But I'm here to educate you on what Disney films you might have missed but must buy and see.

So as far as I'm aware, here are the 53 Disney Classics that have been released as of May 2015 (UPDATE May 2017) when I write this:

1. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

2. Pinocchio 

4. Dumbo

5. Bambi

6. Saludos Amigos

7. The Three Caballeros

8. Make Mine Music

9. Fun and Fancy Free

10. Melody Time

11. Ichabod and Mr Toad

12. Cinderella

13. Alice in Wonderland

14. Peter Pan

15. Lady and the Tramp

16. Sleeping Beauty

17. 101 Dalmatians

18. The Sword in the Stone

19. The Jungle Book

20. The Aristocats

21. Robin Hood

22. The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh

23. The Rescuers

24. The Fox and the Hound

25. The Black Cauldron 

26. Basil the Great Mouse Detective

27. Oliver and Company

28. The Little Mermaid

29. The Rescuers Down Under

30. Beauty and the Beast

31. Aladdin

32. The Lion King

33. Pocahontas

34. The Hunchback of Notre Dame

35. Hercules

36. Mulan

37. Tarzan

38. Fantasia 2000

39. The Emperor's New Groove

40. Atlantis

41. Lilo and Stich

42. Treasure Planet

43. Brother Bear

44. Home on the Range

45. Chicken Little

46. The Wild

47. Meet the Robinsons

48. Bolt

49. The Princess and the Frog

50. Tangled

51. Wreck-it Ralph

52. Frozen

53. Big Hero 6
54. Zootropolis/Zootopia
55. Moana

Now I can't claim to have seen all 55, but I have seen my fair share (80%) to know that Disney doesn't always get it right. But more astoundingly, us, the audience, don't always get it right either.

Let me help you. Here are, in my opinion, ten Disney films that are under appreciated:

1. Oliver and Company

2. The Hunchback of Notre Dame

3. Hercules

4. The Emperor's New Groove

5. Lilo and Stich

6. Treasure Planet

7. Brother Bear

8. Meet the Robinsons

9. Bolt

10. Wreck-it Ralph

I know Lilo and Stich is pretty popular, but ask yourselves this; would it be as popular if Stich wasn't so merchandised? Thinking about it, that might be where these films made mistakes. They're not as easy to merchandise. Princess films create princess dresses every little girl (and sometimes boy and there's nothing wrong with that) - and adult - wants to wear. Growing up, I wanted an Ariel dress but alas, my wish didn't come true. I didn't include The Princess and the Frog here because there's some good merchandise for it. You might not have seen it but you know who Tiana is right? I bet you don't know who Lewis is. No, not the crocodile in The Princess and the Frog, that's Louis. Any other guesses? No? I didn't think so.

Cute side-kicks turned into cuddly toys are a goldmine for Disney. Think of Olaf - he didn't add much to Frozen if you ask me. He's my least favourite character in the whole film, but they kept him in for a reason. That reason? Merchandising!

All ten of those films I love and could watch again and again but if I had to pick one to force you to watch it would be The Emperor's New Groove. That film gets funnier with every watch. It's aimed just as much at adults as it is for kids. I'm astounded people don't rate this in their top funniest films ever.

So now you might be wondering what in my opinion are ten Disney films that have been hyped to death:

1. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

2. Bambi

3. Peter Pan

4. The Jungle Book

5. The Little Mermaid

6. Beauty and the Beast

7. Aladdin

8. The Lion King

9. Tangled

10. Frozen

Now before you go screaming at me, I'm not saying these are bad films. These films will always be known by everyone and that's just the way it is. They're over hyped for a reason. These are Disney's true successes. Tell me you haven't seen more of this list than the previous one?

I rest my case.

All I'm trying to say is that instead of watching Aladdin for the 30th time, why not go for Treasure Planet? It's masterpiece, I assure you. Instead of singing Let it Go for the 185,389th time, why not listen to the songs from The Hunchback of Notre Dame (Again, outstanding). 

Disney is more magical if you broaden your horizons. Plus if you haven't seen Hercules we can't be friends.

P.S. Big Hero 6 is incredible.

P.P.S. In case you were wondering, I'm one of those 'Pixar can do no wrong' type of people. (Except Cars 2) #sorrynotsorry

Molly Looby

Disney Obsessed / Author / Blogger
molly.looby@hotmail.com