What are the greatest Disney cartoons ever created? It always seems so impossible to answer because asides from bringing beloved characters to life and setting the standard for the animation medium, the Walt Disney company has inspired the imaginations of several generations through their whimsical heartwarming stories, enthralling music, epic worlds, and memorable characters. Even movies that may not have done well in the box office like Treasure Planet, Atlantis: The Lost Empire, The Emperor’s New Groove, and so on have achieved a cult following today and have gained the respect they deserve especially with the new Disney+ platform where all these movies are now streamable for as long as needed.
Disney audiences are diverse in their tastes and preferences so their opinions are definitely valid when it comes to what they love and enjoy.
Snow White and The Seven Dwarves
The story that began it all. Debuting in 1937, Snow White and the Seven Dwarves is one of the many movies based on the fairytales by the “Brothers’ Grimm”. Breaking grounds not only as the first Disney princess but the first animated feature film ever produced. The story follows the titular character who is being hunted by her jealous stepmother for being the fairest in the land. With her kindness, loyalty, and beautiful soul, Snow White makes many friends along the way and is endeared to the seven dwarves. This story began the wave of true love being stronger than any evil force in there is or will ever be.
Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and Steamboat Willie
The first cartoon character ever created, Mickey Mouse is the official mascot of the Walt Disney company debuting in the 1928 movie, Steamboat Willie. One cannot mention Mickey Mouse without mentioning his friends, Donald Duck, Daisy Duck, his significant other Minnie Mouse, his canine companion Pluto and his eccentric friend, Goofy. These characters would feature in many humorous short films. One of the most iconic tv shows, these guys have had together is arguably the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse series where they go on different adventures and solving various problems with the help of “Toodles!”
Cinderella
What is needed to create an enchanting story? A magic wand, a gorgeous dress, a pumpkin carriage, glass slippers, and a dream. Cinderella is the twelfth feature animation film debuting in 1950. Her character would also be crowned as Disney’s second official princess. Based on the story of the same name by Charles Perrault, it follows the titular daughter of an aristocrat who is mistreated and enslaved in her own house by her stepmother and stepsisters after the death of her father. Cinderella remains kind and gentle through her ordeal until she is visited by her fairy godmother who uses her magic to help her find her true love and freedom.
Sleeping Beauty
Even after a hundred years, this movie remains a ray of golden sunshine and as fresh as rose in morning bloom. Sleeping Beauty is the sixteenth animated feature film also based on another story by Charles Perrault. Debuting in 1959, the story follows Princess Aurora/Briar Rose who is cursed to die on her sixteenth birthday by the evil fairy Maleficent. The three good fairies Flora, Fauna, and Merryweather must all work together to make sure the curse does not come into fruition. Although, the Sleeping Beauty herself has limited screentime in the movie, we are graced with her elegant personality, her wonderful demeanour, and her ethereal voice. Also, the three good fairies shine so much in this movie by putting themselves in the most dangerous of troubles to defeat Maleficent and end her reign of terror.
Atlantis: The Lost Empire
Now we arrive at one of the underrated gems of the house of mouse. Atlantis the lost empire is arguably the movie that marks the end of the renaissance era and the arrival into the experimental era of Disney. Released in 2001, the movie is based on the legend of Atlantis, a mighty ancient civilisation that fell after being flooded and covered completely by the ocean. An inexperienced but ambitious young adventurer joins an expedition to explore the lost city in order to fulfil the dream left behind by his grandfather. When it is discovered that Atlantis survived disaster and has been thriving in isolation for thousands of years, the young adventurer named Milo must help the princess to protect an ancient, sentient artefact, The Heart of Atlantis which is the life force of the world and its inhabitants.
It is totally up for discussion and debate which among the many Disney cartoons is the greatest but one thing we can all agree on is how much impact they make due to the heart, mind, and love put into the storytelling. Somewhere in your mind is an wonderful world waiting to be explored so take a break, get your device or sit on the couch explore the enchanting world of Disney animation.
