All 52 Walt Disney Animated Classics: Ranked From Worst To Best
30. Pocahontas (1995)
Historically inaccurate in so many ways, people have since given up expecting accuracy of source material from Disney films. It's an animated movie - if you want accuracy then you are in the wrong place. But that still doesn't devalue the love story that is Pocahontas.
There are so many who love it, though its critical response upon release was little more than decent. The music is great and Pocahontas has placed herself among many fans as their favorite Disney "princess" (don't write in the comments how she is not a princess (we heard you and know this already). Not the most loved Disney film from the 1990s, but it is enjoyed enough and has a large amount of diehard fans.
29. Brother Bear (2003)
Brother Bear is a vastly underappreciated and mostly great film that I feel deserves a higher spot on this list, which is tough given that we're now moving into the territory where the movies are either good or great. Brother Bear is a sweet film in the with some characters that produce a few good laughs and a story that is well-put together and actually speaks volumes about important subjects like family and relationships.
Brother Bear is also a film with an environment and background that feels sort of random: a man turns into a bear and learns the importance about who he should be without musical numbers, romance, or a castle. It takes place in the Canadian woodlands. It is not going to be considered an epic or a classic, but has a lot of entertainment value with lots of fine elements that come together brilliantly.
28. Hercules (1997)
Hercules gave us a fantastic collection of distinct characters with attitude, spice, and motivation. A classic tale of growth and what it means to sacrifice your wants for the needs of others. From the rock bottom Phil to the wise-cracking Hades (played by the great Danny DeVito and James Woods respectively), Hercules delivers with some of the best characterization this side of DisneyWorld.
I also find Meg's story to be an excellent example of how to write a great animated character. She is ultimately a good person, but like all of us, has some issues to work through - it takes a while to put others before her, like in real life. No one is a simple presentation of character here, either. Through good musical numbers and polished animation, Hercules gives us a hilarious take on the traditional Greek myth.
27. The Jungle Book (1967)
It is hard not to bounce to the beat of The Jungle Book's music. Full of life and energy, The Jungle Book remains a cherished hit today for many. It was the first animated feature released after the death of Walt Disney, but that did not mean any of the magic was lost from this success.
While it is not a Snow White or Peter Pan, this film is still referenced with ease when counting the movies inherent to the Disney canon and will never be forgotten. The Jungle Book seems to be a personal favorite for many and does not need a hard argument for why it is considered a "classic." As mentioned above, the biggest take away from this one is the soundtrack - which is totally fine. It's great.
26. The Aristocats (1970)
This marks the mid-point of this list, so things are going to start speeding up now. Long gone are the Disney animated features you've never heard of - we're now onto some of Disney's best ventures. Here we have the last film project fully approved by Walt Disney himself before his death, but The Aristocats was also the first fully produced project to have been completed after his death (though that did not seem to hurt the film at all).
Everything that makes a Disney animated film great is on show here. Great music and animation, lovable characters, and - for a time like now when cats are worshiped as gods on the internet - this movie is exactly what is needed for that cute kitten fix we all seem to crave. The film was a huge success overall and fans still seem to love it today. Try getting "Everybody Wants to Be a Cat" out of your head once you hear it. Seriously.