By skyforbes A new movie is out from Disney Animation Studios, so I thought that would be a fun one to do. This is only the movies from Disney's main Animation Studio, so no Pixar, no Goofy Movie, no direct-to-video sequels.
64. Chicken Little (2005)
Often considered the studio’s low point: chaotic humor, abrasive tone, and early-era CG that is hard to look at.
63. Dinosaur (2000)
A tech showcase at the time, but the visuals haven't aged super well and all that's left is a bland, generic story.
62. Saludos Amigos (1942)
Historically interesting, but more travel documentary than story. Short and viewed mainly as a wartime artifact.
61. Wish (2023)
Meant to be a celebratory milestone, but widely seen as formulaic and weak, with songs and story that feel like placeholders.
60. Home on the Range (2004)
The movie that killed traditional animation. Silly and shallow in tone; the film that signaled how lost Disney was before the revival.
59. Melody Time (1948)
Very few commentators really have that much to say about this movie tbh. It's a grab bag of shorts of inconsistent quality.
58. Ralph Breaks the Internet (2018)
Some ok ideas and emotional beats, but leans too hard into IP references and meme humor. Watching it now it feels incredibly cringe.
57. Strange World (2022)
Inventive art direction and an ok emotional core, but the worldbuilding and pacing feel rushed. The definition of meh.
56. Make Mine Music (1946)
Another collection of shorts; a few charming, many forgettable. Rarely discussed except by Disney-completionists.
55. The Black Cauldron (1985)
A fascinating misfire, butchered by the studio. Ambitious visually but structurally messy and tonally confused.
54. Pocahontas (1995)
Gorgeous visually and musically, but historical inaccuracy and stiff storytelling keep its reputation mixed-to-negative. Most commentators agree this movie is just dull.
53. Oliver & Company (1988)
Fun ’80s energy and music, but generally viewed as a transitional curiosity rather than a classic.
52. Fun and Fancy Free (1947)
Contains the beloved Mickey and the Beanstalk segment, but the pacing and framing devices keep it from rising higher.
51. Moana 2 (2024)
Entertaining and visually strong, but immediately recognizable as a repurposed series rather than an actual proper film.
50. Brother Bear (2003)
Decently well reviewed at the time, this movie has largely been forgotten and has fallen in rankings over time.
49. The Rescuers Down Under (1990)
A technical leap forward, but an eminently forgettable movie that was the black sheep of Disney's best era.
48. The Sword in the Stone (1963)
Charming moments and characters, but the loose, episodic structure holds it back in modern rankings.
47. The Three Caballeros (1944)
Visually wild and occasionally brilliant, but its chaotic tone makes it more interesting than beloved.
46. Raya and the Last Dragon (2021)
Strong worldbuilding and themes, but the resolution and pacing feel rushed for many watchers.
45. Atlantis: The Lost Empire (2001)
A cult favorite for its style and worldbuilding, yet broadly seen as uneven, rushed, and conceptually stronger than its execution.
44. Meet the Robinsons (2007)
Once overlooked, now gaining warm reassessment for its sincere tone and emotional “keep moving forward” message. Still uneven, but increasingly appreciated.
43. Bolt (2008)
A solid turning point toward the modern revival era. Charming and well-crafted, if a bit safe.
42. Frozen II (2019)
Visually stunning with ambitious ideas, yet widely seen as narratively muddled.
41. Treasure Planet (2002)
Beautiful and imaginative, but modern consensus still calls it a noble but structurally imperfect experiment.
40. The Rescuers (1977)
Moody and grounded, respected more than adored. Quiet and sincere but slow.
39. The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad (1949)
Two good shorts in one package. Entertaining but rarely ranked among the studio’s essential works.
38. Lady and the Tramp (1955)
Iconic moments and beautiful backgrounds, but generally regarded as gentler and simpler than the very top-tier classics.
37. Winnie the Pooh (2011)
A lovely, gentle film that successfully feels like it belongs in a different era. Small but genuinely charming.
36. Big Hero 6 (2014)
Heartfelt and accessible, anchored by Baymax’s appeal. Though seen as narratively safe. Worst of the era of bad Disney twist villains.
35. Fantasia 2000 (2000)
Impressive but less daring or boundary-pushing than the original Fantasia.
34. The Fox and the Hound (1981)
Emotional and memorable, but undermined by tonal inconsistency and comic relief that feels disconnected. This movie had the highest variation in placement, with modern rankings putting it everywhere from top 5 to bottom 5.
33. Tarzan (1999)
Excellent action and music, but the weak supporting cast and pacing keep it from achieving emotional depth. The disembodied voice Phil Collins songs have aged poorly.
32. The Princess and the Frog (2009)
Strong heroine, setting, and music. Admired, though pacing issues often keep it just short of the top-ranking Revival films.
31. Zootopia 2 (2025)
Generally viewed as a strong sequel. This movie is brand new and so isn't in a lot of rankings. Hard to know for sure where it will land once the dust has settled.
30. Robin Hood (1973)
Deeply nostalgic and meme-beloved, but viewed as thinly plotted with recycled animation and modest ambition.
29. The Great Mouse Detective (1986)
A stylish Sherlock riff and an important transitional film. Fun, clever, and foundational for the coming Renaissance.
28. The Aristocats (1970)
Fun and engaging. At the time not considered a classic, but has gained more of a nostalgic following in recent years.
27. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)
The original. Historically monumental and visually stunning, though simple and archetypal in storytelling by modern standards.
26. Dumbo (1941)
Short, strange, and emotionally sharp. Respected, though its structure feels unconventional today.
25. The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (1977)
Beloved for warmth and emotional honesty, though its anthology structure keeps it mid-list.
24. Hercules (1997)
Energetic, stylized, and undergoing a major nostalgic glow-up, though tonally uneven.
23. Frozen (2013)
A cultural phenomenon. There's been some backlash since it exploded onto the scene. Still mostly regarded as a strong, emotionally grounded return to Disney's traditional fairytale storytelling.
22. Cinderella (1950)
A beautifully constructed fairy tale. Simple, elegant, and enduring.
21. The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996)
A bold, operatic powerhouse undergoing major critical reevaluation.
20. Tangled (2010)
Often cited as the true launch of the Revival era. Strong characters, music, and visual storytelling.
19. Zootopia (2016)
Funny, sharp, and thematically ambitious. One of the most modern-feeling Disney films.
18. Peter Pan (1953)
A fun adventure, though modern perspectives acknowledge dated and problematic cultural portrayals.
17. The Emperor’s New Groove (2000)
Modern internet darling. Hilariously chaotic, endlessly quotable, and gaining more respect every year.
16. Wreck-It Ralph (2012)
Smart world-building and heartfelt storytelling have kept this one in strong favor.
15. The Jungle Book (1967)
Easygoing, character-driven charm and a legendary soundtrack keep this one high in memory and reception.
14. Encanto (2021)
A widely beloved recent entry: heartfelt, musically strong, and culturally resonant.
13. 101 Dalmatians (1961)
A stylistic standout with one of Disney’s most iconic villains.
12. Mulan (1998)
Empowering, funny, and epic. Its emotional core keeps it high in modern rankings.
11. Moana (2016)
A major recent high point. Emotional, visually stunning, and deeply resonant.
10. Bambi (1942)
A poetic, atmospheric milestone. Admired for artistry and emotional resonance.
9. Lilo & Stitch (2002)
A once-underrated gem now widely recognized for its sincerity, humor, and emotional depth.
8. Alice in Wonderland (1951)
Once divisive, now appreciated for its surrealism. Still seen as style-over-story, but uniquely iconic.
7. Pinocchio (1940)
Dark, masterful, strange. Once considered one of the greatest animated films ever made. The episodic and disjointed storytelling put it lower on a lot of younger reviewers' lists.
6. Aladdin (1992)
Iconically energetic, musically huge, and anchored by a legendary Genie performance.
5. Fantasia (1940)
Daring, experimental, and singular. Widely regarded as an artistic landmark.
4. Sleeping Beauty (1959)
Now considered a visual masterpiece: elegant, painterly, and iconic, if emotionally remote.
3. The Little Mermaid (1989)
The film that restarted the magic. Musically and narratively foundational.
2. The Lion King (1994)
Often considered Disney's most iconic and emotionally sweeping film. Cinematic, musical, mythic.
1. Beauty and the Beast (1991)
Frequently crowned as the perfect balance of craft, music, emotion, pacing, and storytelling/ Still the consensus pick for the studio’s pinnacle.