With the arrival of Disney+ and for many, lots of time to spend wasting the days away at home, now is the time to watch loads of films. The wonderful world of Disney has been around for decades and now is the time to sit down, fill up your popcorn tub and watch all the Disney films in chronological order.
The Films
For this post we’re going to look at the list of Disney classics. We’ll look separately at Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars and live action Disney films in other posts.
Snow White & The Seven Drawfs (1937)
Can you believe this was made in the 1930s?! Fantastic animation, a wonderful story that everyone knows. Fabulous characters and a wonderful start to the list!
Pinocchio (1940)
A living puppet with the desire to become a real boy, looked after my a cricket called Jiminy. A stellar musical score with memorable songs.
Fantastia (1940)
Great Western works of music are interpreted through Disney animation. One of my most memorable viewings because it allows the animators to try things out which will be seen in future films. A bit like how Pixar use their shorts.
Dumbo (1941)
With a live action remake recently released with Tim Burton at the helm, the original Dumbo was stunning. A great story with wonderful scenes.
Bambi (1942)
A young dear loses her mother to hunters and has to grow up in the forest with new friends. Disney’s issues with Mothers are starting to be seen.
Saludos Amigos (1942)
This Disney outing isn’t as well known as many others. The animators tour South America and create four animated shorts about the trip.
The Three Caballeros (1944)
Donald Duck receives three birthday gifts, each of which send him on an adventure.
Make Mine Music (1946)
Animations to music of the era. Wort a watch!
Fun & Fancy Free (1947)
Jiminy Cricket (yes, from Pinnochio) hosts two animated shorts, one of which is called Mickey And The Beanstalk, a Disney take on a the classic fairy tale.
Melody Time (1948)
More animations to popular music.
The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad (1949)
Two works of literature are given the Disney treatment, firstly of Wind In The Willows, then The Legend Of Sleepy Hollow.
Cinderella (1950)
A cruel stepmother, some lovable animals, a love story ahead of it’s time.
Alice in Wonderland (1951)
Alice tumbles down the rabbit hole in this well loved story. We’re all mad here!
Peter Pan (1953)
Wendy, Peter & lots of adventures in Neverland. Think happy thoughts!
Lady and the Tramp (1955)
Class boundaries are broken as two dogs from different walks of life fall in love. Who hasn’t tried that spaghetti scene?!
Sleeping Beauty (1959)
A cursed sleeping princess, three good fairies and a true loves kiss.
101 Dalmatians (1961)
Cruella de Vil wants to make a fashion statement by stealing loads of dogs!
The Sword in the Stone (1963)
Merlin the Wizard helps Arthur learn life lessons and become king. One of my all time favourites!
The Jungle Book (1967)
Jungle antics with a young boy, animals and loads of singing and dancing!
The AristoCats (1970)
Amazing music in this one as a family of cats try to get home!
Robin Hood (1973)
The legend of Robin Hood is given the Disney treatment as the characters are all portrayed by animals. Another of my all time favourites.
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (1977)
A collection of short animated films based on the A.A. Milne characters.
The Rescuers (1977)
Two mice search for a girl kidnapped by dishonest treasure hunters.
The Fox and the Hound (1981)
We’re into the 1980s of our list of Disney films in chronological order now. In The Fox and the Hound, childhood friends have to become enemies.
The Black Cauldron (1985)
One of the films that no one seems to know of! A boy and his misfit friends journey to find a dark magic item of power, before the bad guy does, naturally.
The Great Mouse Detective (1986)
A rodent Sherlock Holmes investigates a crime.
Oliver & Company (1988)
New York City is the backdrop as a kitten joins a gang of dogs who get up to petty theft.
The Little Mermaid (1989)
Head Under The Sea as a mermaid tries to become human and fall in love with a prince. Little does she know the bargain she made wasn’t a good one!
The Rescuers Down Under (1990)
The little heroes head to Australia to save a boy and a golden eagle from a murderous poacher.
Beauty and the Beast (1991)
A cursed prince tries to get a beautiful woman to fall in love with him to turn him human again. That ballroom scene is legendary!
Aladdin (1992)
Disney shows you A Whole New World as a street-rat falls for a princess. Obviously there’s a bad guy trying to take over the world and a Genie voiced by the incredible Robin Williams.
The Lion King (1994)
Lion cub heir to the throne is chased off by wicked uncle after father king dies. He returns in adulthood to reclaim his true place. Fantastic songs!
Pocahontas (1995)
As English colonists invade 17th century Virginia, a British soldier and the daughter of the chief fall in love.
The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996)
This one has everything. A deformed bell-ringer, a vicious government minister, a gypsy dancer, a Parisian backdrop. Watch out for cameos!
Hercules (1997)
The child of Zeus and Hera is stripped of his immortality. To reclaim it, he must become a true hero. Did you know Tate Donovan is the voice of title character?!
Mulan (1998)
A young maiden secretly joins the army in her father’s place, becoming one of China’s greatest heroines. Eddie Murphy voices Mushu.
Tarzan (1999)
Raised by gorillas, a man has to find his place when he discovers he’s human. Can you recognise Brian Blessed’s voice?
Fantasia 2000 (1999)
An undated interpretation of the original from almost 60 years earlier.
Dinosaur (2000)
The first Disney film of the new century is one of the worst rated. A meteorite shower ruins a dinosaurs family home so he treks to a sanctuary.
The Emperor’s New Groove (2000)
The Emperor is turned into a llama and with the help of a new friend, tries to get back to his throne.
Atlantis: The Lost Empire (2001)
Adventure a plenty as explorers try to locate the mysterious lost continent of Atlantis.
Lilo & Stitch (2002)
Lots of laughs in this one as Hawaiian Lilo adopts a new pet, who is actually an extra-terrestrial fugitive.
Treasure Planet (2002)
An animated version of Treasure Island, set in space!
Brother Bear (2003)
Nature calls as a young Inuit hunter is turned into a bear, with a chatty cub being the only help to changing back.
Home on the Range (2004)
Animals go bounty hunting to try and save their home.
Chicken Little (2005)
Aliens start attacking a town and a heroic chicken must step up.
Meet the Robinsons (2007)
A child inventor, a time machine and a plot twist.
Bolt (2008)
With the voices of John Travolta and Miley Cyrus, a canine TV star believes his powers are real.
The Princess and the Frog (2009)
A waitress with big dreams ends up in a tricky situation after she kisses a frog prince.
Tangled (2010)
Rapunzel has spent her entire life in a tower. Now she explores the world and uses a frying pan in style!
Winnie the Pooh (2011)
More adventures for Pooh and his friends.
Wreck-It Ralph (2012)
A video game bad guy doesn’t want to be the villain any more. My favourite of the modern era.
Frozen (2013)
Needs little introduction. Probably the most successful Disney film ever.
Big Hero 6 (2014)
High tech heroes try to save the same in this adventure. Deserved better but was overshadowed by Frozen.
Zootropolis (2016)
Animal adventures as a bunny police officer teams up with a con artist fox to solve some crimes. Also knows a Zootopia in some countries.
Moana (2016)
A terrible curse is heading to Moana’s island and she must set sail to save the day. A great story, fantastic songs & The Rock! You’re welcome.
Ralph Breaks the Internet (2018)
The follow up to Wreck-It Ralph sees Ralph and Vanellope head through the WI-FI router in their arcade and into the biggest adventure of their lives!
Frozen II (2019)
The sequel sees Anna, Elsa, Kristoff, Olaf and Sven leave Arendelle on a new adventure, full of catchy music and song.
Raya and the Last Dragon (2021)
The next Disney adventure is set in an alternative Earth where a warrior called Raya tries to find the last dragon. We can’t wait!
Get Watching
So there you have it. All the classic Disney films in chronological order so you can sit with your family and watch them through the years. Let me know what is your favourite and for what reason over on Twitter.
Thanks for joining us for list of Disney films in chronological order and please check out the Pixar, Star Wars, Marvel and live action Disney post too.
