Top Five Disney Movies

Walt Disney, and his animation studio, has created over 40 films* since it’s inception in 1937. Most are recognized as truly visionary and amazing animated films. But, to me, five stand out as the greatest. Read on.

*This does not include Pixar. Those films, while owned by Disney, are not part of the accepted Disney animated feature film canon.

1. “The Jungle Book” (1967)
Based on a collection of Rudyard Kipling stories, “The Jungle Book” is one of the most visually satisfying Disney films. A young Mowgli attempts to reach manhood while being raised at various times by a pack of wolves, a patrol of elephants, a panther named Bagheera and a bear named Baloo. He does battle with the truly frightening tiger named Shere Khan, and, in the end, is wooed by a young girl into moving into the local village. But by far the best part of the film is King Louie (voiced by Louis Prima), the king of the monkeys, singing along with Baloo (Phil Harris) about being a man. This scene is simultaneously surreal and spellbinding, as is the rest of the film. Fun fact: this is the last Disney film made before Walt’s death.

2. “Robin Hood” (1973)
Perhaps I love this and the previous movie so much because of the vocal talents of Phil Harris. This time he’s Little John (also a bear), the sidekick to Robin Hood, a fox in this telling of the story. All the classic elements of the Robin Hood story are included, but the music is straight-up 1973. Country singer Roger Miller plays the whistling rooster who serves as the narrator, thus allowing the greatest whistling rooster song of all time to be the opening credits of the film. And the pseudo-homosexual, love-hate relationship between Prince John (a lion) and Sir Hiss (a snake) is truly hilarious for both kids and adults (albeit for two very different reasons).

3. “Aladdin” (1992)
The love story between a street-rat named Aladdin and a princess named Jasmine is reasonably good, but what makes this film fantastic is the supporting cast. Jafar is a nasty villain that you absolutely love to hate. The sentient Magic Carpet and the monkey Abu are the best non-speaking sidekicks in animation. But where Disney scored is by getting comedians Gilbert Gottfried and Robin Williams to play Iago the parrot and the Genie, respectively. Iago is wonderfully wicked, and smack-talks virtually every person he comes across in a way only the crazy-voiced Gottfried can. And Williams’ over-the-top performance as the Genie has become a true staple both in the Disney world and cinema in general.

4. “The Lion King” (1994)
This film is significant if only because it is the first Disney movie to not be directly based on previously written material. It does, however, draw plot elements from such classics as the Joseph story of the Bible, and William Shakespeare’s Hamlet. Featuring an ensemble cast that cannot possibly be topped, the story is profound, the music is fantastic (who’s better than Elton John?), and the visuals are astounding. This is a tale of epic proportions, and its vast setting and sprawling scope only heighten the entire experience. If given the chance, enjoy “The Lion King” in IMAX. It will change the way you think about animated films.

5. “Beauty And The Beast” (1991)
This is the first and only animated Disney film to be nominated for the Oscar for Best Picture, with good reason. Not only is the story a wonderful retelling of a classic tale, the animation is stunning in its use of 3D technology. The classic scene when Belle and the Beast dance in the ballroom is as visually astounding as anything filmed made with actual people. The songs are touching, and the supporting cast of living, breathing household objects is quite funny. And this particular film will always have a special significance to me: it was the first movie I ever saw in theaters.