Get the extra big bag of candles because Walt Disney Studios is turning 100! And we’re celebrating the occasion with our selection 100 essential Disney movies that illuminate the company’s century-long commitment to wonder, whimsy, imagination, and family-grade entertainment.
Presented by latest releases first, we’ve covered every corner of the house mouse. Of course, it all starts with 1937’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, which kicked out decades of an animation golden age that includes Pinocchio, Dumbo, Bambi, Cinderella, Alice in Wonderland, Sleeping Beauty, and One Hundred and One Dalmatians. Disney also established their style of live-action films in this era, including Mary Poppins, The Love Bug, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, and Swiss Family Robinson.
The 1980s led the way to the Disney Renaissance, a period which produced The Lion King, Aladdin, Beauty and Beast, The Little Mermaid and more. And starting in 2010 with Tangled, we saw another Disney resurgence the featured Wreck-It Ralph, Moana, Zootopia, and Frozen.
To tighten our selections, we picked only movies that presented the Disney logo on release, so nothing from the 20th Century Fox acquisition or from labels like Touchstone Pictures. But, yes, that means all of Pixar is fair game, since Disney has presented their movies ever since Toy Story revolutionized animation in 1995.
And just like during the early 20th century golden age, plenty of live-action favorites have been produced in recent decades, including National Treasure, Remember the Titans, Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, and The Muppets.
For a studio so rooted in childhood and nostalgia, it makes sense they’d be adept at navigating their own past for remakes, with The Lion King, Aladdin, The Jungle Book, Cinderella, and The Little Mermaid.
Come celebrate a century of movies, music, and memories with Disney’s 100 years, 100 essential movies!
#1
Adjusted Score: 88071%
Critics Consensus: With Halle Bailey making a major splash in the title role, Disney’s live-action Little Mermaid ranks among the studio’s most enjoyable reimaginings.
#2
Adjusted Score: 110241%
Critics Consensus: Heartwarming, humorous, beautifully animated, and culturally expansive, Turning Red extends Pixar’s long list of family-friendly triumphs.
#3
Adjusted Score: 108094%
Critics Consensus: Another gorgeously animated, skillfully voiced entry in the Disney canon, Raya and the Last Dragon continues the studio’s increased representation while reaffirming that its classic formula is just as reliable as ever.
#4
Adjusted Score: 102261%
Critics Consensus: Encanto‘s setting and cultural perspective are new for Disney, but the end result is the same — enchanting, beautifully animated fun for the whole family.
#5
Adjusted Score: 109028%
Critics Consensus: It may suffer in comparison to Pixar’s classics, but Onward makes effective use of the studio’s formula — and stands on its own merits as a funny, heartwarming, dazzlingly animated adventure.
#6
Adjusted Score: 115753%
Critics Consensus: A film as beautiful to contemplate as it is to behold, Soul proves Pixar’s power to deliver outstanding all-ages entertainment remains undimmed.
#7
Adjusted Score: 77528%
Critics Consensus: Aladdin retells its classic source material’s story with sufficient spectacle and skill, even if it never approaches the dazzling splendor of the animated original.
#8
Adjusted Score: 75247%
Critics Consensus: While it can take pride in its visual achievements,The Lion King is a by-the-numbers retelling that lacks the energy and heart that made the original so beloved–though for some fans that may just be enough.
#9
Adjusted Score: 92213%
Critics Consensus: With an enchanting cast, beautifully crafted songs, and a painterly eye for detail, Beauty and the Beast offers a faithful yet fresh retelling that honors its beloved source material.
#10
Adjusted Score: 116647%
Critics Consensus: Coco‘s rich visual pleasures are matched by a thoughtful narrative that takes a family-friendly — and deeply affecting — approach to questions of culture, family, life, and death.
#11
Adjusted Score: 102620%
Critics Consensus: Queen of Katwe is a feel-good movie of uncommon smarts and passion, and outstanding performances by Lupita Nyong’o and David Oyelowo help to elevate the film past its cliches.
#12
Adjusted Score: 108659%
Critics Consensus: With a title character as three-dimensional as its lush animation and a story that adds fresh depth to Disney’s time-tested formula, Moana is truly a family-friendly adventure for the ages.
#13
Adjusted Score: 109848%
Critics Consensus: As lovely to behold as it is engrossing to watch, The Jungle Book is the rare remake that actually improves upon its predecessors — all while setting a new standard for CGI.
#14
Adjusted Score: 89575%
Critics Consensus: The BFG minimizes the darker elements of Roald Dahl’s classic in favor of a resolutely good-natured, visually stunning, and largely successful family-friendly adventure.
#15
Adjusted Score: 112066%
Critics Consensus: The brilliantly well-rounded Zootopia offers a thoughtful, inclusive message that’s as rich and timely as its sumptuously state-of-the-art animation — all while remaining fast and funny enough to keep younger viewers entertained.
#16
Adjusted Score: 96392%
Critics Consensus: Refreshingly traditional in a revisionist era, Kenneth Branagh’s Cinderella proves Disney hasn’t lost any of its old-fashioned magic.
#17
Adjusted Score: 116829%
Critics Consensus: Inventive, gorgeously animated, and powerfully moving, Inside Out is another outstanding addition to the Pixar library of modern animated classics.
#18
Adjusted Score: 100742%
Critics Consensus: Agreeably entertaining and brilliantly animated, Big Hero 6 is briskly-paced, action-packed, and often touching.
#19
Adjusted Score: 67192%
Critics Consensus: Angelina Jolie’s magnetic performance outshines Maleficent‘s dazzling special effects; unfortunately, the movie around them fails to justify all that impressive effort.
#20
Adjusted Score: 101517%
Critics Consensus: Beautifully animated, smartly written, and stocked with singalong songs, Frozen adds another worthy entry to the Disney canon.
#21
Adjusted Score: 95875%
Critics Consensus: Equally entertaining for both kids and parents old enough to catch the references, Wreck-It Ralph is a clever, colorful adventure built on familiar themes and joyful nostalgia.
#22
Adjusted Score: 98461%
Critics Consensus: Frankenweenie is an energetic stop-motion horror movie spoof with lovingly crafted visuals and a heartfelt, oddball story.
#23
Adjusted Score: 94854%
Critics Consensus: Short, nostalgic, and gently whimsical, Winnie the Pooh offers young audiences — and their parents — a sweetly traditional family treat.
#24
Adjusted Score: 104299%
Critics Consensus: Clever, charming, and heartfelt, The Muppets is a welcome big screen return for Jim Henson’s lovable creations that will both win new fans and delight longtime devotees.
#25
Adjusted Score: 110902%
Critics Consensus: Deftly blending comedy, adventure, and honest emotion, Toy Story 3 is a rare second sequel that really works.
#26
Adjusted Score: 70107%
Critics Consensus: Rousing, heartwarming, and squarely traditional, Secretariat offers exactly what you’d expect from an inspirational Disney drama — no more, and no less.
#27
Adjusted Score: 98127%
Critics Consensus: While far from Disney’s greatest film, Tangled is a visually stunning, thoroughly entertaining addition to the studio’s classic animated canon.
#28
Adjusted Score: 62392%
Critics Consensus: Tim Burton’s Alice sacrifices the book’s minimal narrative coherence — and much of its heart — but it’s an undeniable visual treat.
#29
Adjusted Score: 92895%
Critics Consensus: The warmth of traditional Disney animation makes this occasionally lightweight fairy-tale update a lively and captivating confection for the holidays.
#30
Adjusted Score: 110078%
Critics Consensus: An exciting, funny, and poignant adventure, Up offers an impeccably crafted story told with wit and arranged with depth, as well as yet another visual Pixar treat.
#31
Adjusted Score: 97471%
Critics Consensus: Bolt is a pleasant animated comedy that overcomes the story’s familiarity with strong visuals and likable characters.
#32
Adjusted Score: 105698%
Critics Consensus: Wall-E‘s stellar visuals testify once again to Pixar’s ingenuity, while its charming star will captivate younger viewers — and its timely story offers thought-provoking subtext.
#33
Adjusted Score: 100527%
Critics Consensus: A smart re-imagining of fairy tale tropes that’s sure to delight children and adults, Enchanted features witty dialogue, sharp animation, and a star turn by Amy Adams.
#34
Adjusted Score: 91201%
Critics Consensus: Bridge to Terabithia is a faithful adaptation of a beloved children’s novel and a powerful portrayal of love, loss, and imagination through children’s eyes.
#35
Adjusted Score: 106177%
Critics Consensus: Fast-paced and stunningly animated, Ratatouille adds another delightfully entertaining entry — and a rather unlikely hero — to the Pixar canon.
#36
Adjusted Score: 83253%
Critics Consensus: Cars offers visual treats that more than compensate for its somewhat thinly written story, adding up to a satisfying diversion for younger viewers.
#37
Adjusted Score: 77260%
Critics Consensus: As simple and authentic as the gritty South Philly invirons in which it’s set in, Invincible sends a uplifting and heartfelt message packed with an athletic enthusiasm that shouldn’t be missed.
#38
Adjusted Score: 105341%
Critics Consensus: Bringing loads of wit and tons of fun to the animated superhero genre, The Incredibles easily lives up to its name.
#39
Adjusted Score: 86203%
Critics Consensus: Kurt Russell’s performance guides this cliche-ridden tale into the realm of inspirational, nostalgic goodness.
#40
Adjusted Score: 51688%
Critics Consensus: National Treasure is no treasure, but it’s a fun ride for those who can forgive its highly improbable plot.
#41
Adjusted Score: 93200%
Critics Consensus: Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan charm in Mark Waters’ nicely pitched — and Disney’s second — remake of the 1976 hit.
#42
Adjusted Score: 87688%
Critics Consensus: May leave you exhausted like the theme park ride that inspired it; however, you’ll have a good time when it’s over.
#43
Adjusted Score: 108663%
Critics Consensus: Breathtakingly lovely and grounded by the stellar efforts of a well-chosen cast, Finding Nemo adds another beautifully crafted gem to Pixar’s crown.
#44
Adjusted Score: 82529%
Critics Consensus: Faithful to its literary source, this is imaginative, intelligent family entertainment.
#45
Adjusted Score: 88928%
Critics Consensus: A heart-warming sports flick, The Rookie greatly benefits from understated direction and the emotional honesty Dennis Quaid brings to the role of Jim Morris.
#46
Adjusted Score: 91812%
Critics Consensus: Edgier than traditional Disney fare, Lilo and Stitch explores issues of family while providing a fun and charming story.
#47
Adjusted Score: 103189%
Critics Consensus: Clever, funny, and delightful to look at, Monsters, Inc. delivers another resounding example of how Pixar elevated the bar for modern all-ages animation.
#48
Adjusted Score: 91052%
Critics Consensus: The Emperor’s New Groove isn’t the most ambitious animated film, but its brisk pace, fresh characters, and big laughs make for a great time for the whole family.
#49
Adjusted Score: 77233%
Critics Consensus: An inspirational crowd-pleaser with a healthy dose of social commentary, Remember the Titans may be predictable, but it’s also well-crafted and features terrific performances.
#50
Adjusted Score: 99102%
Critics Consensus: With strong performances and director David Lynch at the helm, The Straight Story steers past sentimental byways on its ambling journey across the American heartland.
#51
Adjusted Score: 108718%
Critics Consensus: The rare sequel that arguably improves on its predecessor, Toy Story 2 uses inventive storytelling, gorgeous animation, and a talented cast to deliver another rich moviegoing experience for all ages.
#52
Adjusted Score: 93989%
Critics Consensus: Disney’s Tarzan takes the well-known story to a new level with spirited animation, a brisk pace, and some thrilling action set-pieces..
#53
Adjusted Score: 89683%
Critics Consensus: Writer-director Nancy Meyers takes the winning formula of the 1961 original and gives it an amiable modern spin, while young star Lindsay Lohan shines in her breakout role.
#54
Adjusted Score: 90976%
Critics Consensus: Exploring themes of family duty and honor, Mulan breaks new ground as a Disney film, while still bringing vibrant animation and sprightly characters to the screen.
#55
Adjusted Score: 85299%
Critics Consensus: Fast-paced and packed with dozens of pop culture references, Hercules might not measure up with the true classics of the Disney pantheon, but it’s still plenty of fun.
#56
Adjusted Score: 74660%
Critics Consensus: Disney’s take on the Victor Hugo classic is dramatically uneven, but its strong visuals, dark themes, and message of tolerance make for a more-sophisticated-than-average children’s film.
#57
Adjusted Score: 96003%
Critics Consensus: The arresting and dynamic visuals, offbeat details and light-as-air storytelling make James and the Giant Peach solid family entertainment.
#58
Adjusted Score: 107256%
Critics Consensus: Entertaining as it is innovative, Toy Story reinvigorated animation while heralding the arrival of Pixar as a family-friendly force to be reckoned with.
#59
Adjusted Score: 57851%
Critics Consensus: Pocahontas means well, and has moments of startling beauty, but it’s largely a bland, uninspired effort, with uneven plotting and an unfortunate lack of fun.
#60
Adjusted Score: 103846%
Critics Consensus: Emotionally stirring, richly drawn, and beautifully animated, The Lion King is a pride within Disney’s pantheon of classic family films.
#61
Adjusted Score: 77101%
Critics Consensus: The Santa Clause is utterly undemanding, but it’s firmly rooted in the sort of good old-fashioned holiday spirit missing from too many modern yuletide films.
#62
Adjusted Score: 89321%
Critics Consensus: Disney’s remake of The Incredible Journey successfully replicates, and in some ways improves upon, the simple charms of the original, with its cross-country animal odyssey sure to delight kids.
#63
Adjusted Score: 79395%
Critics Consensus: Cool Runnings rises above its formulaic sports-movie themes with charming performances, light humor, and uplifting tone.
#64
Adjusted Score: 45753%
Critics Consensus: Harmlessly hokey yet never much more than mediocre, Hocus Pocus is a muddled family-friendly effort that fails to live up to the talents of its impressive cast.
#65
Adjusted Score: 41879%
Critics Consensus: Extra! Extra! Read all about Newsies instead of suffering through its underwhelming musical interludes, although Christian Bale makes for a spirited hero.
#66
Adjusted Score: 102062%
Critics Consensus: A highly entertaining entry in Disney’s renaissance era,” Aladdin is beautifully drawn, with near-classic songs and a cast of scene-stealing characters.
#67
Adjusted Score: 81717%
Critics Consensus: It may not be the finest version of Charles Dickens’ tale to grace the screen, but The Muppet Christmas Carol is funny and heartwarming, and serves as a good introduction to the story for young viewers.
#68
Adjusted Score: 72513%
Critics Consensus: An action-packed, if anachronistic, look back at pulp matinee serials, The Rocketeer may ring hollow with viewers expecting more than simple fun and gee-whiz special effects.
#69
Adjusted Score: 103904%
Critics Consensus: Enchanting, sweepingly romantic, and featuring plenty of wonderful musical numbers, Beauty and the Beast is one of Disney’s most elegant animated offerings.
#70
Adjusted Score: 78803%
Critics Consensus: Even as its special effects take center stage, Honey, I Shrunk the Kids still offers a charming, high-spirited sense of adventure for the whole family.
#71
Adjusted Score: 97672%
Critics Consensus: The Little Mermaid ushered in a new golden era for Disney animation with warm and charming hand-drawn characters and catchy musical sequences.
#72
Adjusted Score: 77854%
Critics Consensus: The Great Mouse Detective may not rank with Disney’s classics, but it’s an amiable, entertaining picture with some stylishly dark visuals.
#73
Adjusted Score: 86538%
Critics Consensus: Bolstered by impressive special effects and a charming performance from its young star, Flight of the Navigator holds up as a solidly entertaining bit of family-friendly sci-fi.
#74
Adjusted Score: 80077%
Critics Consensus: Though perhaps not as strong dramatically as it is technologically, TRON is an original and visually stunning piece of science fiction that represents a landmark work in the history of computer animation.
#75
Adjusted Score: 74119%
Critics Consensus: The Fox and the Hound is a likeable, charming, unassuming effort that manages to transcend its thin, predictable plot.
#76
Adjusted Score: 101190%
Critics Consensus: Perhaps the most faithful of Disney’s literary adaptations, this cute, charming collection of episodes captures the spirit of A.A. Milne’s classic stories.
#77
Adjusted Score: 82011%
Critics Consensus: Featuring superlative animation, off-kilter characters, and affectionate voice work by Bob Newhart and Eva Gabor, The Rescuers represents a bright spot in Disney’s post-golden age.
#78
Adjusted Score: 75994%
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
#79
Adjusted Score: 60563%
Critics Consensus: One of the weaker Disney adaptations, Robin Hood is cute and colorful but lacks the majesty and excitement of the studio’s earlier efforts.
#80
Adjusted Score: 68755%
Critics Consensus: Though The Aristocats is a mostly middling effort for Disney, it is redeemed by terrific work from its voice cast and some jazzy tunes.
#81
Adjusted Score: 79636%
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
#82
Adjusted Score: 92529%
Critics Consensus: With expressive animation, fun characters, and catchy songs, The Jungle Book endures as a crowd-pleasing Disney classic.
#83
Adjusted Score: 101938%
Critics Consensus: A lavish modern fairy tale celebrated for its amazing special effects, catchy songs, and Julie Andrews’s legendary performance in the title role.
#84
Adjusted Score: 71353%
Critics Consensus: A decent take on the legend of King Arthur, The Sword in the Stone suffers from relatively indifferent animation, but its characters are still memorable and appealing.
#85
Adjusted Score: 103948%
Critics Consensus: With plenty of pooches and a memorable villain (Cruella De Vil), this is one of Disney’s most enduring, entertaining animated films.
#86
Adjusted Score: 91622%
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
#87
Adjusted Score: 86965%
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
#88
Adjusted Score: 85228%
Critics Consensus: Wholesome and energetic, the ingenious Swiss Family Robinson guides us through a thrilling adventure that leaves us wondering whether modern civilization is all it’s cracked up to be.
#89
Adjusted Score: 94025%
Critics Consensus: This Disney dreamscape contains moments of grandeur, with its lush colors, magical air, one of the most menacing villains in the Disney canon.
#90
Adjusted Score: 102520%
Critics Consensus: Old Yeller is an exemplary coming of age tale, packing an emotional wallop through smart pacing and a keen understanding of the elemental bonding between humanity and their furry best friends.
#91
Adjusted Score: 97904%
Critics Consensus: A nostalgic charmer, Lady and the Tramp’s token sweetness is mighty but the songs and richly colored animation are technically superb and make for a memorable experience.
#92
Adjusted Score: 93154%
Critics Consensus: One of Disney’s finest live-action adventures, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea brings Jules Verne’s classic sci-fi tale to vivid life, and features an awesome giant squid.
#93
Adjusted Score: 81672%
Critics Consensus: Though it doesn’t delve deeply into the darkness of J.M. Barrie’s tale, Peter Pan is a heartwarming, exuberant film with some great tunes.
#94
Adjusted Score: 89019%
Critics Consensus: A good introduction to Lewis Carroll’s classic, Alice in Wonderland boasts some of the Disney canon’s most surreal and twisted images.
#95
Adjusted Score: 102050%
Critics Consensus: The rich colors, sweet songs, adorable mice and endearing (if suffering) heroine make Cinderella a nostalgically lovely charmer.
#96
Adjusted Score: 98961%
Critics Consensus: Elegantly animated and deeply touching, Bambi is an enduring, endearing, and moving Disney classic.
#97
Adjusted Score: 103809%
Critics Consensus: Dumbo packs plenty of story into its brief runtime, along with all the warm animation and wonderful music you’d expect from a Disney classic.
#98
Adjusted Score: 102624%
Critics Consensus: A landmark in animation (and a huge influence on the medium of music video), Disney’s Fantasia is a relentlessly inventive blend of the classics with phantasmagorical images.
#99
Adjusted Score: 108070%
Critics Consensus: Ambitious, adventurous, and sometimes frightening, Pinocchio arguably represents the pinnacle of Disney’s collected works — it’s beautifully crafted and emotionally resonant.
#100
Adjusted Score: 121902%
Critics Consensus: With its involving story and characters, vibrant art, and memorable songs, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs set the animation standard for decades to come.