Disney is celebrating its 100-year anniversary this year, and to commemorate the big event, there are plenty of movies to watch. The studio released the short “Once Upon a Studio,” which features characters from their century-long reign in animation. “Once Upon a Studio” follows Mickey and his friends as they come to life in the studio to take a group picture together. The short film is nothing short of adorable and the perfect way to celebrate a love for Disney, from classics to current favorites.
This is the perfect reason to go back and revisit these characters in all their glory— starting from the beginning. Disney has created a plethora of beloved characters, from princesses to talking cats. There’s no better way to celebrate than by revisiting some of Disney’s most iconic movies.
11 Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)
Where to Watch: Disney+
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is Disney’s first animated feature film, so it’s only right that this is where audiences should begin their Disney marathon. The first of many Grimm fairy tales that would be adapted into a big-screen hit for the studio, Snow White tells the story of an evil queen who is jealous of her stepdaughter’s beauty and orders her to be killed, only to discover that she is alive and living with seven miners, all of which have a fun personality. This film is beautifully animated and first introduces the idea that a true love’s kiss can break any spell. This watch is also the perfect way to prepare for the upcoming live-action Snow White, starring Rachel Zegler.
10 Pinocchio (1940)
Where to Watch: Disney+
Pinocchio has been redone in the past several years, but nothing can top the original adaptation of this tale. The film follows a woodworker, Geppetto, who wishes that a puppet he made could turn into a real boy. The Blue Fairy makes his wish come true and advises a cricket, Jiminy Cricket, to serve as the boy’s consciousness. Pinocchio learns right from wrong in the many misadventures he goes on in this film. The first 25 minutes in Geppetto’s shop are truly a sight to be seen. It’s some of the most beautiful animation to come out of early Disney, and the cozy atmosphere of Geppetto’s shop is unmatched by any other early Disney film.
9 Fantasia (1940)
Where to Watch: Disney+
Fantasia is a series of shorts collected together to make a feature film, set to brilliant instrumental classics. Fantasia is a great way to learn about Disney’s roots in short-form animation and learn the essence of how Disney came to be making feature films. Many of the Fantasia segments have launched popular characters, like the Sorcerer’s Apprentice Mickey, who accidentally creates a very big problem with a well-meaning spell. Fantasia is a great film for kids of all ages, and will certainly remain enjoyable for an adult audience who can appreciate the intricacies of the animation and music.
8 Alice in Wonderland (1951)
Where to Watch: Disney+
Alice in Wonderland is one of Disney’s most experimental films, with stunning visuals and a trippy storyline. This film follows Alice, a young girl who dreams of a more adventurous life. She finds it when she falls down a rabbit hole and encounters a series of strange people, creatures, and even the Queen of Hearts. Alice in Wonderland is an important watch on this Disney100 marathon because it showcases the creativity and imagination that Disney has, even when adapting preexisting works, as the film is based on the Lewis Carroll book, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.
7 Sleeping Beauty (1959)
Where to Watch: Disney+
Disney’s classic Sleeping Beauty also deserves to be on this list simply for the fact that it was founder Walt Disney’s favorite Disney movie thanks to its simple story of true love conquering all. It also features one of his favorite villains and one of Disney’s best and most iconic antagonists in the form of Maleficent. Maleficent has become such an iconic Disney character since Sleeping Beauty‘s release that it’s Maleficent in her dragon form that graces the Fantasmic! shows at the Disney theme parks, as well as Maleficent being the only Disney villain to get her own movie spinoff starring Angelina Jolie.
6 The Aristocats (1970)
Where to Watch: Disney+
The Aristocats is delves into its scenes with experimental colors and animation, making the “Everybody Wants to be a Cat” song a feast for the eyes. The film follows a high-society cat, Duchess, and her three kittens as they are displaced from their home and try to find their way back with the help of Thomas O’Malley, an alley cat. The Aristocats is essential viewing for its absolutely adorable characters and the fun journey that viewers will be taken on.
5 The Little Mermaid (1989)
Where to Watch: Disney+
Now entering a more modern period of Disney films, in a period which has often been dubbed Disney’s Renaissance because of its bounce back into commercial success, The Little Mermaid stands out as a spectacular film from this era. Most notable about The Little Mermaid is the music, which began an era of classic Disney hits that would remain popular for decades. The Little Mermaid is about a young mermaid, Ariel, who dreams of walking on land and sacrifices her own voice to make that dream come true.
4 The Lion King (1994)
Where to Watch: Disney+
Shakespeare and Disney come together in this film to tell the classic story of Hamlet through the tale of animals in Africa. When the king, Mufasa, is murdered by his jealous brother, Scar, young Simba must go on the run until he can return and regain the throne from his evil uncle. The Lion King features a series of great songs, like the iconic “Circle of Life” and “Hakuna Matata.” This film is a tearjerker for children and parents alike, in a beautiful telling of this classic play.
3 The Princess and the Frog (2009)
Where to Watch: Disney+
Princess and the Frog was Disney’s last film to be 2D animated, before the announcement of the upcoming film Wish. Princess and the Frog takes a spin on the classic Frog Prince story and creates a really fun adventure filled with jazz and southern swamplands. The film follows dreamer and future restaurant owner, Tiana, and Prince Naveen, after Naveen is turned into a frog by the evil witch doctor Dr. Facilier, and Tiana follows suit. Princess and the Frog is a hilarious, instant classic that has staked its claim as one of the best Disney princess movies.
2 Big Hero 6 (2014)
Where to Watch: Disney+
Disney’s take on the superhero genre could not have been a bigger success. Big Hero 6 follows a young prodigy who becomes heroes with the help of his friends and the lovable robot, Baymax. It’s unconventional and hilarious, ushering in a new wave of Disney films for the mid-2010s. Big Hero 6 set the stage for more adventurous Disney tales that would come out, like Zootopia and Wreck-It Ralph. For more Disney hits, check out the 100 best movies on Disney+.
