For nearly a century, Disney has been at the heart of animated storytelling, creating magical films that have captivated audiences of all ages. From timeless fairy tales to modern adventures, Disney’s animated movies have shaped childhoods, set new standards in animation, and left an enduring cultural impact. With unforgettable characters, stunning visuals, and heartwarming stories, these films continue to inspire generation after generation. In this article, we’ll explore some of the best Disney animated movies—classics and modern masterpieces that have defined the magic of Disney.
10. Dumbo
The story begins when Mrs. Dumbo is expecting a child, and the storks arrive, and leave her son, a small elephant with huge ears. Because of the enormous size of his ears, Dumbo is the victim of many mockeries but his mother always defends him. One day, Dumbo’s mother gets locked up for defending him against those who mock him, leaving him alone. He soon befriends Timothy, a little mouse who never stops believing in him. When Timothy discovers that Dumbo can fly with his ears, he helps him rise to fame as the star of the circus.
9. The Hunchback of Notre Dame
It all begins with a gypsy puppeteer who tells children the story of how the evil judge Claude Frollo hated gypsies, so he captured and killed a gypsy woman who was carrying a baby in her arms. He also wanted to kill the baby, but the friar at the cathedral in Paris wouldn’t let him and forced the judge to raise the child. Follo, however, decided to lock the deformed baby in the tower of the Notre-Dame Church on the condition that he would never come down to the village. One day, Quasimodo escapes from the tower and meets a gypsy woman in town, Esmeralda. From then on, Quasimodo disobeys the one who had been his guardian by defending the girl and living many adventures with her, until they manage to defeat the evil judge and finally Quasimodo is free and people accept him.
8. One Hundred and One Dalmatians
Pongo is a Dalmatian who lives with his master Roger. Tired of his master’s single life, Pongo decides to help him get a partner, but he has a canine companion. One day during a walk they meet Anita and her dog Perdita. After some time the young couple gets married, and they decide to live together, then Perdita gets pregnant and has 15 puppies. An evil woman named Cruella is obsessed with the fur coats and tries to buy the puppies, but they decide to keep them. However, Cruella is willing to do anything to get the Dalmatians and hires some thieves who kidnap them. Pongo and Perdita come to rescue their children, and are surprised that Cruella has 84 more Dalmatian puppies. After managing to escape Roger and Anita decide to keep all the dogs.
7. Mulan
It is the adventure of a young woman who, in order to protect her father and bring honor to her family, poses as a man to join the Chinese army to fight against the invaders from the north. When the emperor makes it official that every family must send a man to Mulan’s army when she sees that her father is sick, she decides to go instead of her father. After going through a hard training he manages to gain the respect of everyone and becomes one of the best warriors in China.
6. Coco
Miguel is a young boy who loves music and dreams of becoming like his idol, Ernesto de la Cruz, Mexico’s greatest musician. However, his family forbids music. On Día de los Muertos, Miguel visits Ernesto’s grave and accidentally transports himself to the Land of the Dead.
There, he meets Hector, who offers to help him meet Ernesto if Miguel promises to place his photo on the family ofrenda next year. Through a series of adventures, Miguel uncovers a shocking truth—Ernesto killed Hector to steal his songs.
With Hector and his family’s help, Miguel returns to the living world. He then helps Mama Coco remember Hector, ensuring his memory lives on, allowing him to continue existing in the Land of the Dead.
5. Frozen
In Frozen, we follow the adventures of two princesses, Elsa and Anna. From a young age, Elsa possesses magical powers to control snow and ice. One day, she accidentally injures Anna, leading her to isolate herself from everyone out of fear and shame.
Struggling with her powers, Elsa retreats to an ice palace in the mountains to live alone. However, Anna, optimistic and brave, refuses to give up on her sister. She embarks on a journey with Kristoff, his reindeer Sven, and the lovable snowman Olaf to bring Elsa back.
Together, they face thrilling adventures and unexpected dangers, discovering the true meaning of love and sacrifice. In the end, they must unite to save their kingdom from total destruction.
4. Beauty and the Beast
Bella is an intelligent, beautiful, and independent young woman who is imprisoned by a beast in her castle. Despite her fears, she manages to befriend the enchanted staff of the castle and learns to see beyond the terrifying aspect of the Beast to recognize the kind heart and soul of the true Prince inside, such as an evil hunter, Gaston wants to have Beauty for himself and hunt the Beast at any cost. When Beauty falls in love with the Beast, and they kiss, the spell in the castle ends and everyone becomes human again.
3. Aladdin
The streets of Agrabah are the setting for the story of Aladdin. A young thief who is convinced that great things await him. On the other side of the city is Princess Jasmine, who wants to know what lies beyond the palace walls, but her father always keeps an eye on her. Meanwhile, her father is tirelessly looking for a good husband for his daughter, but his advisor Jafar, who is an evil sorcerer is angry with the Sultan’s position on what Agrabah should be, and sets in motion a plan to seize power.
Aladdin gets caught up in Jafar’s evil plan and a magic oil lamp. He destined for Jafar falls into his hands and accidentally evokes the Genie inside. The Genie, an extravagant presence, grants Aladdin’s wish to become someone worthy of Jasmine’s love and the Sultan’s respect: Prince Ali.
Unfortunately Jafar manages to get the magic lamp, and invokes the Genie. By the way, Aladdin cleverly challenges him and makes him see that he will never be more powerful than the Genie, so he wishes to be the most powerful in the universe. The Genie turns him into a Genie, and he is locked in a magic lamp. After defeating Jafar, Aladdin releases the Jinn with his last wish, as promised, and finally he is free.
2. Hercules
The story follows Hercules, the son of the mighty god Zeus. After Hades launches an attack on Olympus, he kidnaps the infant Hercules and abandons him on Earth. Fortunately, a kind-hearted couple discovers him and raises him as their own son, unaware of his divine origins. He grows up and becomes very strong and with the dream of one day reaching the Olympus and reuniting with his father but to do, so he must prove that he is a true hero.
Hercules trains with Phil and defeats many monsters, disrupting Hades’ plans against Zeus. To stop him, Hades deceives Hercules through Meg. After she falls for Hercules, Hades threatens to kill her unless he surrenders his strength for a day.
That day, Hades frees the Titans and attacks Olympus. With Phil’s help, Hercules regains his strength and saves Olympus and Meg. When Zeus invites him to become a god, Hercules chooses to stay on Earth with Meg as a human.
1. The Lion King
It’s undoubtedly one of the best Disney animated movies. Simba, the young lion prince, falls victim to his uncle Scar’s deceit. Scar, along with the hyenas, plots to kill Mufasa and manipulates Simba into believing he is responsible for his father’s death. Overcome with fear and guilt, Simba flees the kingdom, convinced that he can never return. Scar orders Simba’s death, but the young lion escapes into the forest. There, Timon and Pumbaa rescue him, and they quickly become friends. They teach him the philosophy of Hakuna Matata. Meanwhile, everyone believes that Simba has died, and it is therefore Scar who takes the throne.
Nala and Simba reunite, and she reveals Scar’s wrongdoing. Determined, Simba returns to reclaim his rightful throne. After a fierce battle, he defeats Scar and takes his place as the true Lion King.
Conclusion
Disney’s animated films have endured, captivating audiences with rich storytelling, deep emotion, and groundbreaking animation. From golden-age classics to modern masterpieces, Disney pushes creative boundaries and sets the gold standard for animation. More than entertainment, these timeless tales bring joy, teach lessons, and showcase the magic of storytelling.