Disney’s First 10 Animated Feature Films, Ranked

Disney’s initial ten animated movies were a fantastic beginning for the studio, but it’s interesting to consider which one stands out as the best. Having already created many popular short films, Disney took a big risk by making what was then a groundbreaking animated feature film. Released in 1937, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs revolutionized the world of animation.

The film was a huge hit and showed that animated movies could be longer than just short clips. Building on that success was difficult, particularly because World War II disrupted the film industry. However, Disney kept making movies consistently and became masters of creating full-length animated features.

As a lifelong Disney fan, I’ve always been a little confused about their first few movies. It turns out there’s some debate about what actually counts as one of their official animated features! Disney themselves have basically said that The Reluctant Dragon and Victory Through Air Power aren’t part of the main lineup, so they don’t really factor into the total number of films they’ve made. It basically means there’s a pecking order even within those classic, early Disney years.

10. Make Mine Music (1946)

Following several successful feature-length films, Disney focused on making collections of shorter animated segments, known as “package films,” throughout the 1940s. Make Mine Music is considered one of the weaker entries in this series, comprised of ten individual animated shorts, each set to music. As with all of Disney’s package films, the quality of these segments varies considerably.

While each individual short film has its good points, the collection as a whole doesn’t quite come together. It lacks a unifying thread and doesn’t reach the heights of the best segments in other similar films. The fact that Disney seems to have distanced itself from the movie, and that the original, uncut version isn’t available on DVD or streaming services, speaks volumes and justifies ranking it last.

9. Saludos Amigos (1942)

At just 42 minutes long, Saludos Amigos is the shortest full-length animated film Disney ever made. This ‘package film’ is made up of four separate animated shorts, each taking place in a different country in Latin America. It combines traditional animation with live-action travel footage and was created to promote friendship between North and South America.

At just under an hour long, Saludos Amigos doesn’t quite stack up against most full-length Disney films. The short segments are lively and fun, but they lack a lasting impact. It’s mainly a treat for dedicated Disney fans – particularly those interested in seeing the studio’s animators themselves – and won’t likely appeal to general audiences.

8. Fun And Fancy Free (1947)

I remember when Disney released Fun and Fancy Free – it was near the end of the 1940s and another one of their movies made up of different stories. It’s set up with a little story around it featuring Jiminy Cricket, who you might remember from Pinocchio. It’s only about 73 minutes long, but that was actually considered a full-length movie back then!

One short is easily forgotten, but the other is truly special. While “Bongo” isn’t very memorable, “Mickey and the Beanstalk” is a classic Disney cartoon starring Mickey Mouse. The segments featuring Jiminy Cricket are also fun, making Fun and Fancy Free an enjoyable film overall, though it doesn’t quite reach the epic scale of some other Disney movies.

7. The Three Caballeros (1944)

So, after the success of Saludos Amigos, Disney quickly jumped into making another film celebrating Latin America, and that film is The Three Caballeros. The story centers around Donald Duck celebrating a decade of being on screen, and he gets presents that basically act as little tours of South and Central America. Now, like Saludos Amigos, it’s a collection of segments, but honestly, it feels a lot more like a movie this time around – much more connected and flowing than its predecessor. It’s a definite step up!

If allowed to unfold at its own pace, The Three Caballeros tells a surprisingly engaging story. The three main characters have a genuine connection, and the film captures some of that familiar Disney charm. Although it was created to promote good relations with Latin America during World War II, The Three Caballeros has proven to be more enduring than other Disney films with similar political goals.

6. Melody Time (1948)

Despite some parts of Melody Time feeling dated, Disney seems to have a particular fondness for this, their final package film. The movie is made up of seven different segments – a blend of folk stories, dreamy musical sequences, and classic Disney shorts. Though these segments are quite different from one another, Melody Time feels more cohesive than other films made in this style.

Both “The Legend of Johnny Appleseed” and “Pecos Bill” remain beloved Disney shorts, with “Pecos Bill” taking up a significant portion of the film – about 20 minutes. While it doesn’t reach the level of classic Disney musicals like Fantasia, Melody Time is a hidden gem and deserves more recognition. Disney appears to agree, as they’ve made the original, uncut version available on Disney+.

5. Dumbo (1941)

Following the success of their earlier films, Disney decided to keep costs down with Dumbo. The movie tells the story of a young circus elephant made fun of for his large ears, which surprisingly allow him to fly. At just 64 minutes long, Dumbo proved Disney could create a compelling story even with a limited budget.

While Dumbo has some truly unforgettable scenes, other parts haven’t held up well over time. Compared to other Disney films of its era, the story itself is somewhat simpler and more contained. However, the animation and music are exceptional, demonstrating that Disney’s success comes from creativity and emotion, not just a big budget.

4. Bambi (1942)

As a huge animation fan, it’s amazing to think that even early on, Disney didn’t really have to learn how to make incredible movies! Bambi is a classic – it tells the story of a young deer who loses his mother and grows up navigating life in the forest. It was only their fifth full-length film, but honestly, Bambi feels like Disney really hit its stride with traditional animation. It’s a beautiful film and, in my opinion, a high point for that style of animation.

By grounding its characters in realistic details, Bambi beautifully balanced realism with a hopeful outlook. The film has famously upset viewers with its heartbreaking scenes, and it created a coming-of-age story template that Disney continues to use today. While it might not be Disney’s most popular film, Bambi remains a timeless animated classic.

3. Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs (1937)

I have to say, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is truly something special. Without it, I think the 1937 film might just be considered average among all Disney movies. It’s based on the familiar fairy tale, where Snow White gets cursed by a wicked queen and needs a prince’s kiss to break the spell. Honestly, it was a huge success right away, and it totally makes sense why!

What’s truly impressive about this movie is how complete and polished it feels, especially considering it was the first of its kind. Disney really took a risk by including so many characters, and it paid off. While it’s still enjoyable to revisit Snow White after all this time, it doesn’t quite hold up as well as some of Disney’s other early classics.

2. Pinocchio (1940)

After the huge success of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Disney faced a major challenge with Pinocchio. However, Pinocchio proved to be just as good, if not better. The film tells the story of a puppet who longs to become a real boy and embarks on a difficult and exciting adventure. Pinocchio featured improved animation and a more complex story, raising the bar for Disney animation.

This movie is a fantastic choice for families, offering excitement, heartwarming moments, and plenty of laughs. It’s incredibly well-made, and the characters are beautifully designed – truly classic Disney. Even after over 80 years, it’s still a delight to watch, and it remains one of Disney’s best films from its early years, second only to one other title.

1. Fantasia (1940)

Many consider Disney’s Fantasia to be their greatest achievement, and a landmark in Western animation. The film presents a series of stunning animated segments, each set to a famous piece of classical music. It was groundbreaking for its time, notably for its innovative use of sound in cinemas, and truly elevated the art of animation.

Unlike Disney’s earlier collections of shorts, Fantasia feels like a single, flowing movie. The segment featuring Mickey Mouse as “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” is particularly iconic, and every part of the film offers at least one unforgettable scene. Fantasia solidified Disney’s reputation as leaders in animation, proving they truly deserved their place at the top.

2026-01-04 19:51