Classic straight from the vault. Modern blockbusters. Hidden animated gems. There’s something for everyone on Disney+.
Last Updated: March 2nd When it comes to beloved animated films, Disney‘s had the market cornered for quite some time. The Mouse House consistently churns out beautifully-rendered art and expertly-crafted storytelling, which is why the studio has been at the forefront of animation and computer generation in the world of film. From classics once locked up in that metaphorical vault to modern offerings that combine cutting-edge tech with truly inspiring stories, Disney+ is now home to the best animated features its parent company has to offer. So of course, we’ve rounded up the ones worth watching (first). Run Time: 105 min| IMDb: 8.5/10 Disney continued its trend of spotlighting underserved communities and lesser-known cultures with Coco, a Pixar project that follows a young boy learning the importance of family during a traditional Mexican celebration, “Dia de Los Muertos.” The Day of the Dead is probably a holiday you’ve heard of before, but the film adds a rich history and vibrancy to a time held sacred by so many. Coco has dreams of becoming a singer, but when he finds himself amongst the dead, he must rely on his courage and his ancestors to help him return to the living. Bring your tissues for this one. Run Time: 83 min| IMDb: 7.6/10 There are too many Robin Hoods on film to count at this point, but there’s something special about this take on the masked outlaw, who’s imagined here as a sly fox while the rest of the key players take on other humanoid animal forms. He’s charming, gallant, and just heroic enough to make us root for him, plus he’s responsible for many a sexual awakening, so Disney must’ve done something right. Run Time: 81 min| IMDb: 8.3/10 Another animated flick that revolutionized the genre when it landed in theaters in the mid-1990s is this beloved story about a group of anthropomorphic toys who come to life when their human, a little boy named Andy, and his family aren’t around. The group is led by a cowboy named Woody (Tom Hanks), who becomes jealous when Andy receives a new action figure for his birthday, a space ranger named Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen), who believes he’s an actual ranger, not a toy. The two battle for Andy’s attention, resulting in misadventures that land them in all kinds of danger. It’s Pixar’s first feature film, the first computer-animated movie, and its screenplay was penned by the likes of Joss Whedon and Andrew Stanton. So yeah, it’s worth a watch. Run Time: 76 min| IMDb: 8/10 There are inventively animated children’s stories and then there’s whatever Tim Burton decides to do next. The director never fails to bring something wholly-original and cutting edge to whatever genre he tackles but his greatest triumph might be this ’90s fantasy classic that manages to make even Christmas just a bit dark. Run Time: 74 min| IMDb: 6.7/10 Occasionally, Disney displayed moments of true ingenuity in its storytelling aspirations, digging for interesting angles in the oddest of places, reinventing classics, and reimagining worn-out tropes. Oliver and Company is one of those moments. A canine spin on Charles Dickens’ classic Oliver Twist, this film follows an orphaned kitten named Oliver who joins up with some street-savvy mutts led by a mongrel named Dodger (Billy Joel in all his savoir-faire) and begins pulling jobs to help them pay off a debt to a vicious loan shark and his Dobermen henchmen. But when Oliver draws the attention of a little rich girl who decides to adopt him, the crew must rescue them both from the opportunistic thug. The music, the voice cast, the emotions this film draws out — who gave Disney permission to be so good? Run Time: 78 min| IMDb: 7.3/10 Here’s an over-reaching statement that we will defend until the end of time: The Emperor’s New Groove is one of the greatest animated films of our generation.
