Given how much of a powerhouse Disney is in the entertainment space, it is no surprise that there have been a number of excellent documentaries made about the studio that take audiences behind the magic. The Walt Disney Company has been providing family-friendly content that has made its mark on history for over a century, which means that there is a huge amount of history to be explored. Because of how huge of a fan base the company has, there is no shortage of sources of information that allow people to learn more about the triumphs and tribulations Disney has faced on its way to becoming one of the most recognizable brands in the world.
These documentaries explore things like how certain elements of the Disney Parks came to be and the process behind making some of Disney’s most well-known films. What makes these documentaries so captivating is how they provide a raw look at what really happens behind the scenes and what went into creating such recognizable things. Though there are so many, there are ten documentaries about the Disney filmmaking process that really stand out and should be on fans’ watchlists.
Related
Every Animated Disney Movie Ranked From Worst To Best
From Snow White to Ralph Wrecks the Internet, and everything in between, here are all of Disney’s animated movies, ranked.
10 Frank and Ollie
1995
When Walt Disney was still heading up the famous studio, he was backed by a core group of animators who became known as the “Nine Old Men”. Two of these animators were Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston, who are at the forefront of this documentary. What makes this documentary so special is that it was directed and written by Frank’s son, Theodore. This gives it a more personal touch and allows for it to include inside information that others would not have been able to provide. The film is also not shy about talking through all of the challenges that Disney faced in its early years, which helps to prove how far the studio has come.
9 It All Started With A Mouse: The Disney Story
1998
The 1998 TV documentary, It All Started with a Mouse: The Disney Story takes viewers through the story of Walt Disney and how he built a company that is now a global household name. What sets the documentary apart is that it is filled with lots of classic footage that shines a light on how some of the biggest Disney films, like Snow White, Pinocchio, and Bambi, came to be. In addition to being informative, the documentary is also inspirational. Walt’s story of being an ambitious aspiring cartoonist and animator in Kansas City to being someone who created stories that have been loved by millions for decades makes for a motivational and heartwarming watch.
8 The Sweatbox
2002
What makes the 2002 documentary, The Sweatbox, so interesting is that it shows the chaos that can come along with massive Disney productions. The documentary details the making of one of Disney’s animated films, The Emperor’s New Groove. When the film was in pre-production, Sting was asked by the director to write some songs for the soundtrack. He agreed with the condition that his filmmaker wife, Trudie Styler, could document the production process. This production ended up not going as planned and had the crew working in less-than-ideal situations. The name, for example, comes from the screening room in Burbank where there was no air conditioning, causing animators to sweat while their work was being reviewed.
The film is one that Disney has tried to hide, as it had a very short, limited, and unpublicized theatrical run. After that,, Disney chose to never release it, and the only way to watch it was through parts that were leaked online. While this documentary definitely isn’t the happiest, it’s an important watch because it shows how hard the animators behind some of the most popular movies of all time work. They are the reason for the “magic” and deserve to be treated as such, which is why even just watching the leaked clips online can be impactful.
7 The Pixar Story
2007
Directed by the Academy Award-nominated Leslie Iwerks, The Pixar Story is a documentary that details the complex and fascinating history of Pixar Animation Studios. The film provides the full story of the pioneering computer animation studio that started as a Bay Area start-up and became a company that has revolutionized the entertainment industry. It includes testimonies from some of the most influential people in Pixar’s history, including Tom Hanks, George Lucas, Michael Eisner, and Bob Iger.
6 Waking Sleeping Beauty
2009
The 2009 documentary, Waking Sleeping Beauty, provides audiences with a unique look at how Walt Disney Animation Studios was able to break out of their mid-1980s box-office slump. It is filled with archival clips and is narrated by Don Hahn, who worked on Beauty and the Beast and The Lion King. The film is specifically focused on a group of young and ambitious animators and filmmakers. What makes this really interesting is that this group includes Tim Burton and the director of Toy Story, John Lasseter. Getting to hear from them about the struggles they faced when it came to outside competition and appeasing studio executives is a rare treat that gives audiences a new look into the filmmaking process.
Related
All Disney Princess Movies In Order
Disney has made princess movies for a long time, introducing many popular princesses introduced into pop culture. Just how many are there?
5 The Boys: The Sherman Brothers’ Story
2009
One of the most memorable parts of Disney films is the music that manages to remain with audiences long after watching. The Boys: The Sherman Brothers’ Story dives into what it’s like to create these iconic songs and follows Richard M. and Robert B. Sherman, who were both contract songwriters for Disney. They composed a number of the studio’s biggest and most loved hits, including “It’s a Small World” and “A Spoonful of Sugar”. The documentary doesn’t focus on just the highlights of these two brothers’ careers, though, and explores the deep and longstanding rift in the two’s personal relationship.
4 Prop Culture
2020
The 2020 documentary, Prop Culture, is led by a film historian and avid collector named Dan Lanigan. Lanigan was able to track down the props that were used in classic Disney films, such as Pirates of the Caribbean and The Muppet Movie. He then delivers these props to the people involved in making the movies, which allows them to go on a trip down memory lane. This also opens the door for some surprising industry secrets to be revealed, such as how famous movie props were sourced, made, and stored.
3 Disney Gallery: The Mandalorian
2020
The Mandalorian has been one of Disney Plus’ most popular shows, and Disney Gallery: The Mandalorian gives viewers an inside look at what the process of making the show was like. One of The Mandalorian‘s producers, Jon Favreau, has the cast and crew share what their experiences were like when making the show. Each episode walks audiences through a different facet of the Star Wars television show and includes things like interviews and behind-the-scenes footage. What really makes this documentary stand out, though, is the fact that it has three seasons, which gives it more time to really dive deep into the production process.
2 Into the Unknown: Making Frozen 2
2020
Frozen 2 has been celebrated for its stunning graphics and inspiring plot, and Into the Unknown: Making Frozen 2 provides an interesting look as to how the film came to be. The documentary-style show has six episodes which reveals the different challenges and breakthroughs that the cast faced when bringing this movie to life. It was directed by Megan Harding, who also had a role in a 2014 documentary that looked at the making of the original Frozen film, which gives her increased perspective and contributes greatly to Into the Unknown: Making Frozen 2.
1 Mickey: The Story of a Mouse
2022
Mickey Mouse is one of the most globally recognized characters to ever exist, and Mickey: The Story of a Mouse provides his origin story. The documentary was created to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the character, as well as all of the cultural significance that has surrounded him. It explains how Mickey Mouse was able to become a symbol of joy and childhood for so many and reflects upon all of the different iterations of the popular character over the years.
