Disney
- Walt Disney Animation Studios originally started as the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio in 1923.
- Since then, the studio has produced 54 fully animated, theatrically released films.
- Two are tied at the top with 100% critics scores from Rotten Tomatoes.
Walt Disney Studios has come a long way since its inception in the 1920s, when two brothers, 37%
Based on the folk tale of the same name, “Chicken Little” is about a fearful little chicken who becomes convinced the sky is falling. While the adults in his life dismiss him, it becomes clear that something is certainly afoot in his small town.
“When Disney can’t hit a tried-and-true fairy-tale adaptation out of the park, maybe it’s time to give up the ghost and get Pixar back on the phone,” wrote the 49%
There’s not a cute animal sidekick or a show tune to be found in “Atlantis.” Instead, Milo, a passionate archaeologist, unwittingly exposes the people of Atlantis to the corporate greed of the surface world in this slightly depressing story.
“It’s so oppressively tedious at times that you almost wish the cast would break into a chorus of ‘Under the Sea,'” wrote Lou Lumenick for 53%
This cartoon is a loose adaptation of the Charles Dickens story “Oliver Twist,” but instead of a down-on-his-luck orphan, Oliver is an adorable stray kitten.
“With its captivating characters, sprightly songs and zap-happy animation, ‘Oliver & Company’ adds up to a tip-top frolic,” wrote Peter Travers for 54%
“The Black Cauldron” is based on Welsh mythology — hence why characters have names like Princess Eilonwy and Fflewddur Fflam. It tells the story of a teenager named Taran who longs to become a hero. He gets his chance when he sets out to prevent the Horned King from using the Black Cauldron to raise an evil army.
“This is the 25th full-length animated feature from Walt Disney studios, and professionally put together as it is, many of the ingredients may seem programmed to those who have seen some of the others,” wrote Walter Goodman of 64%
“The Aristocats” is essentially the tale of “Lady and the Tramp,” but this time with cats. Duchess, a pristine cat and mom of three precocious kittens, meets the alley cat Thomas O’Malley and falls in love.
“Before the disastrous aughts, was there a worse decade for Disney animated features than the 1970s?” asked Matt Brunson of 66%
Notably, this was the last Disney film to be released before Walt Disney’s death in 1966.
“The Sword in the Stone” is King Athur’s origin story — he meets legendary sorcerer Merlin and pulls out Excalibur, the sword lodged inside the stone.
‘There is still some life in the characterizations, though the animation is turning stiff and flat,” wrote 69%
“Treasure Planet” updates the setting of the famed pirate story “Treasure Island” to the future. Instead of hitching a ride on a pirate ship, Jim Hawkins hops on a spaceship — and instead of looking for buried treasure, Jim and his friends are searching for a missing planet made entirely of treasure.
“Akin to an extremely well-made Saturday morning cartoon — great for hyperactive four-year-olds or hungover students, not worth a trip to the pictures,” wrote Nev Pierce for the 72%
Based on the 1831 Victor Hugo novel of the same name, “Hunchback” centers on sweet Quasimodo, a physically deformed man who is orphaned after the villainous Judge Frollo murders his mother.
To atone for his sins, Frollo adopts Quasimodo but keeps him hidden atop Notre Dame’s bell tower. But when Quasimodo catches sight of Esmerelda, he vows to enter the world below.
“You’re quickly won over by the movie’s subversive wit, swept along by its narrative bravado and its enormous visual energy. This new ‘Hunchback’ is a triumph on its own terms, and on any other terms that might come to mind.” wrote Joe Morgenstern of 75%
“The Fox and the Hound” is one of the rare Disney movies that doesn’t have a totally happy ending. Tod, a fox, and Copper, a bloodhound, meet when they’re young and become best friends. But when they grow up, they learn they’re natural enemies.
It ends on a bittersweet note, as the two friends acknowledge that they probably won’t see each other again, but are at peace in the forest.
“All charmingness aside, this cute but rather thinly plotted yarn exposes the cracks that were present in the pre-renaissance Disney empire,” wrote William Thomas of 78%
“Peter Pan” is based on the 1904 play of the same name by JM Barrie.
In it, the Darling children are whisked away to Neverland, a magical world where children never grow up, fairy dust lets you fly, and an evil captain with a hook for a hand terrorizes the seas.
But Neverland is also home to Tiger Lily and her tribe, who are 79%
“The Rescuers” focuses on Bernard and Bianca, two mice who are sent to help Penny, a young orphan who has been kidnapped by the evil Madame Medusa, who plans to use her to steal a precious jewel.
“Although not one of the studio’s classics, it has warmth, humor and delightful characterization,” wrote Victoria Mather for 84%
Based on Lewis Carroll’s 1865 novel “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland,” this adaptation follows Alice as she falls down the rabbit hole and meets unforgettable characters like the Cheshire Cat, the Mad Hatter, Tweedledee and Tweedledum, and the Queen of Hearts.
“If you are not too particular about the images of Carroll and [illustrator John] Tenniel, if you are high on Disney whimsy, and if you’ll take a somewhat slow, uneven pace, you should find this picture entertaining,” wrote Bosley Crowther for 86%
After years of criticism regarding its Disney princesses and their lack of agency, audiences were given Mulan, a young woman who secretly takes her father’s place in the Chinese Imperial army by disguising herself as a boy.
Mulan is a warrior through and through. No one could ever call her a typical damsel in distress.
“Overall, this is a lovely film, ranking with the best of Disney’s animated features while taking on rather serious issues of war, honor, gender roles and family pride,” wrote Moira MacDonald for 87%
Newly orphaned sisters Lilo and Nani are struggling to adjust to their new normal when Lilo adopts Stitch, a rambunctious alien who she thinks is just a weird dog. When two agents of the Galactic Federation come looking for Stitch, chaos erupts on Kauai.
“It’s one of the most charming feature-length cartoons of recent years — funny, sassy, startling, original, and with six songs by Elvis,” wrote : 88%
Running at just 68 minutes long, this is an anthology film. First up is “The Wind in the Willows,” which is the story of J. Thaddeus Toad, who is trying to save his home from bankruptcy.
The second story is “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” in which Ichabod Crane arrives in Sleepy Hollow and is stalked by the terrifying Headless Horseman.
88%
Six years after Ralph discovers that even though he’s a villain in his game, he doesn’t have to be a bad guy, he’s on another adventure with his friend Vanellope. This time, our duo heads to the internet to find a part that’s needed to fix Vanellope’s game, “Sugar Rush.”
“‘Ralph Breaks the Internet’ works because it doesn’t pander, and it doesn’t simplify,” wrote Brian Tallerico for 89%
“Tangled” is a classic Disney princess film, but made with modern 3D animation, a first for the studio. It tells the tale of Rapunzel, a teenager with magical hair who longs to see the world outside her tower — and when the charming thief Flynn Rider happens upon her home, she seizes the chance to break free.
“If this is what old-fashioned means, then bring it on,” wrote Derek Malcolm of 90%
For all the talk about how 90%
Everyone’s favorite honey-loving bear, who starred in 1977’s “The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh,” returned to the big screen in “Winnie the Pooh.” This time, Pooh and the rest of the Hundred Acre Wood crew team up to save Christopher Robin from a monster they’re calling the Backson — in reality, Christopher Robin is just at school and will be “back soon.”
“It’s a pleasure to sink into an animated family movie from Disney that radiates charm with a gentleness that seems damn near revolutionary,” wrote Peter Travers for 91%
Disney went through a rough period in the ’70 and ’80s — when “The Little Mermaid” was released in 1989, it was 92%
“The Lion King” combined breathtaking visuals, amazing songs composed by Elton John, Tim Rice, and Hans Zimmer, and an epic coming-of-age story to cruise to 93%
Kelly Marie Tran stars as Raya, a young woman who goes on a quest to find the last dragon to reunite her fractured country, Kumandra.
“As an overall throwback, and as a return to the streamlined storytelling upon which Disney built its supremacy, ‘Raya and the Last Dragon’ is a welcome expansion of the Disney universe,” wrote 95%
“Dumbo” has some problematic elements, including a flock of stereotypical crows — one of whom was originally named Jim Crow — a drunk baby elephant, and “Song of the Roustabouts.”
But Dumbo’s design makes him one of the cutest characters in the Disney canon, and “Baby Mine” is a tearjerker.
“Perfection, thy name is Dumbo,” wrote 95%
“Moana” is another modern Disney princess film that eschews a love story for a story of personal growth. Moana ventures out to the sea to save her island and, along the way, learns that she’s capable of leading her people and exploring the open ocean.
Victoria Luxford called “Moana” “great fun” and “a traditional Disney Princess film but with a little more depth to it, being about personal discovery and bravery” for 98%
“Cinderella” is one of the 98%
“Zootopia” takes place in a world without humans, where anthropomorphic mammals have built their own society, complete with laws, organized crime, and tax evaders like Nick Wilde (a fox voiced by Jason Bateman).
“The fictional universe it presents — a human-free world where mammals have evolved into a bustling, civilized society — is vividly realized, richly detailed, and very funny,” wrote John Nugent for 100%
“Pinocchio” is based on an Italian children’s story from 1883. It’s a heartwarming (if a bit creepy) story of a wooden puppet who comes to life after its creator, Gepetto, wishes upon a star.
Why has “Pinocchio” remained at the top of the pack? Well, “When You Wish Upon a Star” is Disney’s official theme, distilling everything we love about Disney movies into a 3-minute and 15-second song.
Otis Ferguson wrote in The New Republic that “Pinocchio” is “a delight and at times will take your breath away, for the limits of the animated cartoon have been blown so wide open that some of the original wonder of pictures — wonder and terror too, as when that train roared up into the camera — is restored.”