Top 20 Disney Animated Films

HERE IS A LINK TO THE UPDATED VERSION OF THIS LIST:

http://simbaking94.blogspot.com/2015/03/top-25-disney-animated-filmsupdated.html

Now that I'm done reviewing them, I've decided to rank them from best to worst.  Here it is, the list of best to worst Disney films, from Snow White to Frozen.  I'm giving you all a warning right now, I have no idea if your favorite film is in the Top 20.  The Top 20 is reserved for the most elite of all of the Disney films.  This list took a very long time to craft.  So, let's begin with numbers 53-21....

53. Home on the Range (2004)
52. Chicken Little (2005)

NONE ARE AWFUL AFTER THIS POINT!!!!

51. The Rescuers (1977)
50. Meet the Robinsons (2007)
49. Saludos Amigos (1943)
48. Atlantis: The Lost Empire (2001)
47. Brother Bear (2003)
46. Dinosaur (2000)
45. The Aristocats (1970)
44. Fun and Fancy Free (1947)
43. The Sword in the Stone (1963)
42. The Three Caballeros (1944)
41. Melody Time (1948)
40. The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad (1949)
39. Treasure Planet (2002)

NONE ARE PRETTY BAD AFTER THIS POINT!!!!

38. Make Mine Music (1946)
37. The Black Cauldron (1985)
36. Oliver and Company (1988)
35. Bolt (2008)
34. Mulan (1998)
33. Fantasia 2000 (1999)
32. Robin Hood (1973)
31. Winnie the Pooh (2011)
30. Pocahontas (1995)
29. Lilo and Stitch (2002)
28. Hercules (1997)
27. The Princess and the Frog (2009)
26. Wreck It Ralph (2012)
25. Tarzan (1999)
24. The Emperors New Groove (2000)
23. The Rescuers Down Under (1990)
22. Tangled (2010)
21. Peter Pan (1953)

HERE IT IS!!!!  THE ELITE OF THE ELITE!!!!  THE TOP 20!!!!

20. The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (1977)

Combining simple heartfelt lessons with the nicest group of characters in Disney History, this film is a delight from the first second you turn it on.  Christopher Robin's menagerie of stuffed nursery companions come to life and live the lives Walt Disney always intended to have them live.  One of the last projects he worked on prior to his death, Winnie the Pooh has become a longstanding icon, all thanks to his feature length debut in 1977.

19. Lady and the Tramp (1955)                                                        

One of the most endearing love stories ever told, combined with Peggy Lee's great songs and some of the finest voice over work for a Disney film, Lady and the Tramp is a surefire Disney Classic.  With a cavalcade of unforgettable moments from the spaghetti dinner to the Siamese cats, the picture is a gem that will shine for decades beyond it's upcoming 60th anniversary.  

  18. The Great Mouse Detective (1986)

Vincent Price's outstanding performance and a surprisingly enduring motion picture, what was almost Disney Animation's last breath has become the foundation for which the return to form for the studio's most famous department.  The chemistry between the hero and villain remains the best for any film beyond all doubt.  It's a classic that I hope gains more fans as time goes on.

17. Alice in Wonderland (1951)

The one and only genuine retelling of Lewis Carroll's classic insanity filled universe of talking white rabbits, dodo birds, walking playing cards and hookah smoking caterpillars.  Alice is charming, each eccentric character she meets along the way gets their own moment to shine, and the Queen of Hearts is one of the finer villains in Disney lore.  All of the rabbit holes in the world shouldn't keep us from watching one of Walt Disney's finest work, even though he personally detested it.

16. The Fox and the Hound (1981)

The strongest film of the Pre-Katzenberg/ Post-Walt era, the film's ability to challenge the rules and roles society has in store for us is still as touching as it was all those years ago it was made.  Tod and Copper's friendship proves that even the worst of enemies can turn it around and become friends.  The power of Disney's adaptation group remains one of their most solid sections of work, and this classic will never cease to touch our hearts.

                                                       

15. One Hundred and One Dalmatians (1961)

A hundred and one laughs, a hundred and one cheers, and a hundred and one reasons to see this near 55 year old classic.  If the adorable puppies can't sway you, the zany antics of the film's psychotic villain, Cruella DeVil, definitely will.  The xerox process may be skimping out in people's opinions, but the film's most important quality is the relationships between Pongo and Perdita, and their puppies.  And that is where the film is at it's strongest and where all Disney films should be.

14. Dumbo (1941)

The most heartfelt of all of Disney's work, this 63 minute film will tug at the heartstrings from it's first moment to it's sparkling finale.  The devotion Mrs. Jumbo has towards her son is matched only in how adorable her son is.  It's a story about overcoming the judging eyes of others and finding the hidden values in what others see as comic jokes.  Dumbo's ears are large enough to carry even the most sour-pussed of us to a smile.

13. Sleeping Beauty (1959)

A film of nearly umatchable technical wonder and delight, this classic Disney fairy tale has brought us some of the most enchanted and most exciting moments ever in our history.  Eleanor Audley's performance as the cruel and malicious Maleficent is one of the best ever, and the animation and musical score is top notch compared to the rest of the 1950's.

12. Bambi (1942)

The naturalism of Bambi is only matched by it's simplicity in story and character development.  The film did not need to be a story heavy epic to get around the message it needed to.  A film that can encompass life, death, and regeneration within 69 minutes more than deserves a spot on this list.  But come on...we all know this movie by only one bit of Onomatopoeia: BANG!

11. Cinderella (1950) 

Enchanting leads, cruel and devious stepmothers, and a group of mischievous mice leads to a "Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo" spectacular like this.  All of the enchanting moments, from Cinderella's gown appearing for the first time, to the Duke placing the slipper on Cinderella's foot are simply stunning to watch.  The beautiful animation, combined with one of the finest group of songs ever assembled for a Disney film, and you've got one truly unforgettable masterpiece of animation and a longstanding milestone in the art of cinema.

10. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)

The ultimate crown jewel for Walt Disney and the history of animation is still as emotionally powerful as it was almost 80 years after it's initial release.  From the pure innocence of the fair princess and the ruthless desires of the Queen, to the mystery of the Magic Mirror and the comic antics of the seven dwarfs, Snow White is the single most important film on this list.  Had this failed, none of the films before this or after this on the list would have been made.

9. The Little Mermaid (1989)

A film that brought about the return to form for Disney and their artists, every last second of this film is magical.  An enticing mermaid, her Jamaican singing crab, her dashing prince, and her slippery antagonist make for a group of characters charming to the last kiss.  Combined with top notch animation and some of the greatest music ever written, The Little Mermaid was, is and will always be one of Disney's finest efforts.

8. The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996)

The darkest and most challenging of all of the Disney Classics, this interpretation of Victor Hugo's greatest tragedy is still a chilling motion picture.  Full of famous moments and endearing lead characters, this film is put into this great list with great thanks to it's almost terrifyingly evil villain, Judge Frollo, who could have easily merited this film an infamous PG rating.  Great animation and an even deeper score makes this one a gem on the great crown.

7. The Jungle Book (1967)

In what has to be the simplest retelling of a classic piece of literature, Disney's last film contains the most lovable and engaging cast of characters ever assembled for a Disney picture, from the comic monkeys to the elegant and cruel Shere Khan.  Combine that with the deep connection between boy and bear and the endlessly "listenable" list of songs, The Jungle Book is the single most heartfelt film made in the life of Walter Elias Disney.

6. Fantasia (1940)

The most unique film on this list, this is a film composed of several musical segments animated flawlessly by Walt Disney's group of marvelous artists.  Every moment from Mickey and his master's hat, to the hellish shadows of Chernabog's infamous Bald Mountain sequence, the power and majesty of Fantasia will last even beyond the last note.

T-4. Pinocchio (1940)

The most technically flawless animated film ever made is still one of the greatest gems of Disney Animation.  A film that proves that if you simply wish upon a star, your dreams can come true.  Every moment, every jaw dropping animated scene is simply breathtaking.  A journey that takes us from the falsely named Pleasure Island to the belly of a whale the size of an island, Pinocchio is the best film made during Walt Disney's life.

T-4. Frozen (2013)

Simply put, the most amazing and jaw dropping animated film I've ever seen in Disney 3D.  A film that focuses on the relationship between two estranged sisters and the love they share for each other.  This, combined with the most beautiful 3D animation ever composed and some of the best music ever, puts Frozen in the same group as the best films Disney has ever released.  It is simply beautiful, from the first bit of snow we see, to the spectacular blizzard in the finale.

3. Beauty and the Beast (1991) 

The only canon animated movie nominated for best picture, Beauty and the Beast is sheer perfection.  Every song is a masterpiece, every scene of animation is wonderful, and each character is engaging.  Gaston is a legendary villain, the emotional transformation of the Beast is so moving, and Belle's character is the most engaging female a film has had ever.  Be Our Guest indeed, my friends.

2. Aladdin (1992)

While it's easy to expect Disney to have an animated drama, like the aforementioned film above, it's rare that Disney comes out with a comedy.  not just a comedy, a legendary one.  And while most of the comedy does come from Robin Williams and his riffing, Aladdin is still one of the best films ever made, filling the mixing pot with a diabolical sorcerer, a loud mouthed parrot, a plucky young princess and a thief with a heart of gold.  With a healthy combination of sensational music and lovable characters, this is easily the best Disney Fairy Tale ever made.

1. The Lion King (1994)

Was there any doubt?  No, it isn't the funniest film, nor is it the most dramatic, but this epic masterpiece combines the two aspects of storytelling into such a perfect blend, that it rivals the best films ever written.  The story of Simba is a timeless allegory.  With the loving teachings of his father Mufasa, to his epic clash with his ruthless Uncle Scar, The Lion King is Disney storytelling at it's most basic, and yet, it's most powerful.

Now that the main films are done, sigh, it's time to go on to those lovely abominations they call sequels.  Someone, please bring me cyanide!!!!  :(