All 56 Walt Disney Animated Classics: Ranked From Worst To Best

25. Lady And The Tramp (1955)

Lady And The Tramp was a trend-setter for Disney: not only was it the first of the studio's releases to use CinemaScope widescreen techniques, but it was also the first to be based on an original story rather than a classic tale.

In both aspects, it was a huge success. The story, in particular, feels like it belongs alongside the likes of Snow White and Sleeping Beauty as a tale for the ages, and it is perhaps because of the simple, universal truths of it that it remains so popular. Everyone loves an underdog tale, after all.

At the time (and indeed since), Lady And The Tramp was criticised for its realistic approach to animation, but it is wholly fitting with the setting, and further accusations of a lack of imagination are cheap and unwelcome. This was the model for great Hollywood romances for years, and Disney managed it with cartoon dogs. That's no mean feat.

24. Mulan (1998)

Years before Frozen was lauded for its progressive gender politics, Mulan did it better with a rich story about identity, family and war. The music is great, the landscapes (particularly the snowy mountains) are beautiful and the characters are enchanting without being too showy. It's definitely one of the best written of the 90s Disneys too, with a message that is both encouraging and affirmative.

The vocal work too is great. In the pantheon of great Disney vocal performances for sidekicks, Eddie Murphy's Mushu almost belongs side by side with Robin Williams' Genie too - he just doesn't ever tend to get the same level of hyperbolic praise.

Do not watch the sequel though. Ever.