Disney Animated Films Ranked from Best to Worst (2022 Edition)

 

About a decade ago, I decided to watch all the Disney animated films. 

 

Watching these films- some for the first time, some who knows how many times- reminded me that the world is indeed still full of possibilities and creativity. Our dreams define so much of who we were and who we are and, though they may be different, is what connects us to others.

Walt Disney is one of my Imagination Icons.

I included my initial reactions after watching each one.

(5 Stars)

-PINOCCHIO has been my favorite since I was a kid. It is as full of wonder and magic as I remember.

-THE SWORD IN THE STONE is another one of my favorite Disney movie. It’s a feel-good film with great characters and a wonderful story. I love it!

-THE LION KING is classic Disney! Even after all these years, the story, songs and art still stand out.

-THE LITTLE MERMAID- Classic! Great story and songs.

 

-RAYA AND THE LAST DRAGON may be in my Top 5 Disney films of all time. Lately I've had the bad habit of trying to find faults in things but I was excited to watch the film throughout. I love the representation. The complexity of Raya's actions and decisions were handled masterfully.

-ALADDIN- Classic! Great story and songs.

-BEAUTY & THE BEAST- I remember originally not liking this movie but after rewatching it for my Disney Challenge, I was totally captivated by the story. I love the songs!

 

-ENCANTO was as fun, magical, and exciting as everyone has been saying it was. I felt it was like a bridge of what made Disney so magical and what it can become once more people's stories are heard.

-MOANA is definitely Top 10 Disney with its masterful art & storytelling. Great characters. Music that you'd want to actually listen to.

-How can you go wrong w/ ALICE IN WONDERLAND? Fun, fantastic, whimsical wordplay galore!

-For all its faults, BAMBI truly is a classic film. I enjoyed it more than I thought I would- or remembered. Very artistic.

-101 DALMATIANS is a wonderful Disney film! Artsy, stylish. Great characters and some of the meanest meanies ever!

-PETER PAN is hard not to like. Truly a Disney classic filled with all the magic and wonder we come to expect!

-SNOW WHITE is truly an accomplishment in animation! Although, I found her voice annoying!

-FANTASIA - A fun great way to combine music and art for the whole family! It was a tad too long for my liking!

-BIG HERO 6 was so good, I would watch it again! Action-packed scenes and emotional moments provide a satisfying movie!

-THE ARISTOCATS is another great Disney film. The kittens were adorable. The mouse sounded like Winnie-the-Pooh!

-ROBIN HOOD has definitely made my top Disney animated movies. A fun family film with great characters!

-MULAN is classic Disney with a strong story, memorable songs, laughter, action, and heart.

-Impressed with Disney's POCAHONTAS! Strong story & characters. The music fit in with the movie so well. Truly a classic!

(4 Stars)

-While singing mice are creepy and we have yet another mute prince, CINDERELLA is classic.

-LILO & STITCH is a surprisingly good movie. Liked the original story and animation choices. Welcome back, Disney!

-TARZAN was surprisingly good- despite the Phil Collins songs. Great animation. Fascinating story. Wouldn't mind watching again.

-Didn't think I'd like THE PRINCESS & THE FROG but I did. Unexpected turns made this movie shine. Makes you believe again.

-ZOOTOPIA was surprisingly fun even if certain plot points were completely predictable. Great timely message of diversity.

-OLIVER & COMPANY was a good Disney film even if it didn't make 100% sense and was too short. Good music, characters. Interesting illustrations.

-THE GREAT MOUSE DETECTIVE was a fun Disney film, a great homage to Sherlock Holmes. Wish there were more!

-Just watched TANGLED. Disney hasn't lost all its magic. Great, creative storytelling that inspires. I want to watch them all now.

-THE EMPEROR'S NEW GROOVE is a funny slapstick buddy movie. Great vocal talents.

-Could've done without the gargoyles and music but THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME was an OK Disney movie. So not for kids though!

-THE MANY ADVENTURES OF WINNIE THE POOH- So simple and charming!

-WINNIE THE POOH. Wished it hadn't end so soon! Interesting scene at the end of the credits. PS- I dislike Tigger.

-FANTASIA 2000

(3 Stars)

-THE FOX & THE HOUND sure was violent! But enjoyable. Interesting backstory. Strong message of friendship.

-While not the best movie ever, MEET THE ROBINSONS sure has heart- almost a love letter to Walt Disney and his vision. Keep Moving Forward!

-CHICKEN LITTLE is fun and such a throwback to its vintage style.

-WRECK-IT RALPH is a fun enough Disney film. Hated Sarah Silverman's voice and character. Had its moments.

-HOME ON THE RANGE mayn't be a Disney classic- at times, it tries too hard to be funny- but it was quite enjoyable. Very country.

-THE THREE CABALLEROS was quite enjoyable despite centering around Donald Duck. Mostly fun segments, inventive and imaginative.

-The problem with SLEEPING BEAUTY is the characters are practically mute and non-existent. It is, at least, very pretty to watch.

-BOLT is a pretty good movie. After the gimmicky beginning, there's an actual story. Disney has been lacking in memorable songs though.

 

(2 Stars)

-LADY AND THE TRAMP. Quite lackluster but the spaghetti scene remains memorable even now!

-I didn't particularly care for Disney's THE JUNGLE BOOK but who can't not like Baloo the Bear?

-ATLANTIS: THE LOST EMPIRE is a fun, great adventure but it didn't feel like a Disney film at all. No songs!

-Watched FROZEN. Didn't understand all the raves about it. There were moments but not enough to make it interesting. Songs were OK.

 

-FROZEN II. I was surprised that I liked it because they even tried to tell a story despite the immense popularity of the first movie. For some reason, the illustrations creeped me out.

 

-RALPH BREAKS THE INTERNET. It was definitely made for adult audiences in mind w/the humor and references and all the nostalgia it called upon. Timely but not timeless.  

-MELODY TIME had some good moments but nothing quite great.

-SALUDOS AMIGOS was an interesting almost documentary like entry in the Disney films. It's amazing to think how much impact animation had.

(1 Star)

-FUN AND FANCY FREE is an odd entry in the Disney collection. Another package feature. Rather dark. Not particularly enjoyable.

-DUMBO was kind of dumb and depressing. Cute, though, at times.        

-THE RESCUERS seemed like a redundant addition to the Disney canon.

-I need to remember not all Disney movies are supposed to be musicals! They can showcase the latest in animation like with THE RESCUERS DOWN UNDER.

-DINOSAUR was kind of pointless. Though I guess visually compelling, the story was weak. Watch THE LAND BEFORE TIME instead.

-THE ADVENTURES OF ICHABOD AND MR. TOAD is super lame with unlikable characters. It did have some good moments.

-HERCULES was incredibly lame. Weak plot points. Horrible songs. Uninteresting characters. Mediocre illustrations.

-TREASURE PLANET was another weak Disney film. Ugly illustrations. Unnecessary "cute" characters.

-Nothing about THE BLACK CAULDRON screamed Disney. It's like an extremely lame version of THE SWORD IN THE STONE!

-MAKE MINE MUSIC alternated between boring and really boring- except for one or two shorts. I actually fell asleep watching this.

-BROTHER BEAR. Simply horrible! Bad animation and weak, nonsensical storyline.