The Lion King
A good Disney movie can be judged by the quality of its soundtrack. Elton John provides the award-winning songs for this animal version of Hamlet. It follows Simba, a growing lion, as he turns into an adult. Younger children may find one of the more notorious scenes too upsetting. For this reason, it is best to wait until a child is around five years old before showing it to them.
Frozen
Many parents will have heard the popular song “Let It Go” by Idina Menzel so many times, that they are probably sick of it by now. It is sung in a scene of this hit musical, about a witch with ice powers. The film has gone on to be a popular one to watch during Christmas. Olaf the Snowman has also grown into a beloved character among Disney fans.
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
This movie revolutionised narrative animation in cinema. Even 80 years later, the visuals are impressive. This fairy tale involves a young girl who is pursued by an evil queen. It is notable for its enduring characters and songs.
Hercules
This is one of the lesser known Disney films but is still one that is well worth watching. It portrays the story of the mythical hero in a comical style. James Woods stands out as the voice of Hades who is always trying and fails, to destroy the hero. “I Won’t Say (I’m in Love)” is one of the best Disney songs ever written.
Mary Poppins
For this big-budget film, the studio decided to mix live-action scenes with animation. We see here a big step for Disney, as their production values increased, and so too did the standards of their movies. Mary Poppins is often cited as the best Disney film among audiences. This is mostly due to the lead performance by Julie Andrews.
The Rescuers Down Under
This film is a rare case where the sequel is superior to the original. Bernard and Miss Bianca return to help save a boy lost in the Australian outback. The animation in this movie is superb and expertly crafted. On a technical level, it is one of Disney’s all-time greats.
The Toy Story Trilogy
Disney teamed up with Pixar for these three films about toys that come to life when no one is watching. Characters such as Woody and Buzz have become well-recognised figures in popular culture. Each of the movies offers an emotional and joyous ride for both children and adults. Because of this, the trilogy offers a much higher appeal than the other films stated on this list. They are even better when watched in sequence as part of a marathon.