Not many studios have built a legacy as strong as Disney. Since the 1990’s, Disney has produced great movies. Whether it’s lions facing dangers, friendly monsters or emotional teenagers, the studio has created several strong characters. Given the sheer number of movies the studio has made, making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my favourite Disney films of all-time which deserve to be celebrated.
1. Inside Out
Emotions have shaped my personality. As far as I can remember, I have always been an emotional person. At an early age, I was affected by emotions that caused my life to face damage. Several years ago, I felt upset when my family made the decision to immigrate to Toronto. The depressing news that my family was moving countries caused me to face mental health issues. Facing emotions of sadness, I found no joy in the prospect of immigration that caused loneliness. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured how emotions turn the lives of teenagers inside out as powerfully as “Inside Out”. Ever since its release in 2015, Pete Docter’s film has stood the test of time as the greatest Disney movie ever made. With the greatest film of his career, Docter used innovative animated techniques to capture an emotional teenage girl facing despair. Docter has always had an aptitude for creating compelling animated movies, and “Insider Out” showcased his strengths as a filmmaker. Through stunning animation, Docter captured the conflicted emotions that teenage girls go through. For instance, the scene in which Riley experiences sadness when her family moves to San Francisco causing trauma is one of the greatest moments of the genre. Ultimately, what makes “Inside Out” my favourite Disney film of all-time is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies that the studio has made targeted towards children only, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. It delivers a strong message about the role emotions play shaping lives of teens that would resonate with everyone. The film captured the studio’s strengths at creating family-friendly entertainment that both kids and adults can appreciate. An extraordinary glimpse inside minds of teenagers whose conflicted emotions are turned inside out, it’s a joyous reminder of a studio that has achieved success without a doubt by manufacturing timeless movies that definitely deserve to be talked about.
2. The Lion King
“The Lion King” is a classic animated film that my cousin found inspiring. At an early age, I bonded with a cousin that truly loved a film about lions with courage. He would adore a classic animated cartoon about lions with a loud roar that made his heart soar. Drawn to the circle of life, he always praised a cartoon that he considered to be special. Nearly 30 years following its release, “The Lion King” remains one of the greatest movies Disney has ever made. Rob Minkoff’s movie forever changed the animated genre through its strong depiction of lions facing trauma. Minkoff has always had an aptitude for making animated movies, and “The Lion King” showcased his strengths as a filmmaker. For instance, the scene in which Mufasa is killed in a stampede causing Simba to face trauma remains one of the greatest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an incredible vocal performance by James Earl Jones, who embodied the personality of a lion. Ultimately, what makes “The Lion King” a great cartoon is its message. The film delivers a profound message about identity which would resonate with everyone. As strong as a lion’s roar, it’s a marvellous reminder of a studio that has manufactured memorable movies which audiences adore.
3. Toy Story 3
Stories of toys have shaped my identity. As far as I remember, I’ve enjoyed playing with toys that I treasure. I recall joy I felt buying a toy as a boy. However, my fascination with toys didn’t last forever. After reaching a mature age, I had to throw toys in the garbage. As someone treasuring toys that shaped my identity, I adored “Toy Story 3”. Released in 2010, Lee Unkrich’s film brought the Toy Story series to a satisfying conclusion. All of the films in the Toy Story franchise are classic Disney movies in their own right but the third film has always been my personal favourite. Through awe-inspiring animation, Unkrich captures hardships faced by children throwing away toys they value. For instance, the final scene in which Andy bids emotional farewell towards his toys causing a dilemma is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Tom Hanks, who embodied an iconic cowboy. Ultimately, what makes “Toy Story 3” a classic is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about abandonment which would resonate with everyone. A fantastic farewell to a franchise about toys seeking belonging, it’s a riveting reminder of a studio making movies that are worth celebrating.
4. Soul
Everyone faces an existential crisis in their lives. Several years ago, my life hit a crushing low when I struggled finding a job causing sorrow. After graduating from university, I struggled to find stable employment impacting me deeply. Facing a dilemma that was frightening, I questioned whether I any longer had purpose for living. As someone impacted by an existential crisis that caused my life to spiral out of control, I adored “Soul”. Released in 2020, Pete Docter’s movie captured a jazz musician facing an existential crisis. Disney has always excelled at making movies about complicated subjects palatable for children, and “Soul” showcased is strengths as a studio. For instance, the scene in which Joe experiences existential crisis ending up in a world of souls causing a dilemma is one of the finest moments of the animated genre. At the centre of it all is an incredible vocal performance by Jamie Foxx, who embodied a musician with soul. Ultimately, what makes “Soul” a Disney classic is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about finding one’s purpose which would resonate with everyone. A soul-stirring achievement, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a studio that inspires children with aimless lives to achieve a goal.
5. Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl
Pirates of the Caribbean is a fantastic franchise that earned my grandfather’s appreciation. Several years ago, I formed strong bonds with a grandfather that adored Jack Sparrow. He would always love embarking on an adventure with pirates in movies he was eager to see at the theatre. My grandfather’s lifelong love for watching pirates that hurl swords at each other began when he first saw “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl”. Released in 2003, Gore Verbinski’s iconic movie introduced a franchise about pirates travelling the Caribbean seas. Verbinski effectively used practical effects to capture pirates travelling across seas that are frightening. For instance, the scene in which Jack Sparrow is first introduced causing a dilemma is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is a strong performance by Johnny Depp, who embodied a pirate facing catastrophe. Ultimately, what makes “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl” a Disney classic is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about leadership which would resonate with everyone. As strong as Jack Sparrow’s love for the Caribbean seas, it’s a powerful reminder of a commemorated studio making unforgettable movies.
6. Black Panther
Black Panther is a legendary superhero that built a lasting legacy. Since his creation in the 1960’s, T’Chala has become an icon in the African-American community. In 2018, Ryan Coogler honoured the iconic comic-book character in his movie “Black Panther”. The first ever African-American superhero movie, “Black Panther” broke barriers for Disney. Unlike most Disney movies, what makes “Black Panther” stand out is representation. Coogler uses breathtaking visuals to honour an African-American superhero’s legacy. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Chadwick Boseman, who proved how great of an actor he once was before he passed away. As strong as T’Challa’s desire to protect his kingdom, it’s a riveting reminder of a genre with wisdom that has always manufactured memorable movies achieving stardom.
7. Cruella
It isn’t easy to create an effective remake of a classic animated movie. Over the past decade, Disney has developed a tendency of adapting cartoons into live-action features. These remakes rarely capture the magic of the original films. In a studio that has lost its appeal in the modern era, it’s worth praising “Cruella”. Released in 2021, Craig Gillepsie’s movie offered a captivating remake of a beloved animated cartoon. Unlike most Disney movies, what makes “Cruella” stand out is its risks. Gillepsie takes huge risks recreating the cartoon from a fashion perspective but succeeded. Assisted by Emma Stone who is amazing in the lead role, Gillepsie honoured an animated classic that’s well-known. As precious as clothes designed by Cruella, it’s a captivating reminder of a studio producing movies that are worth watching in the Cinema.
8. The Incredibles
A common theme that’s often explored in Disney movies is emphasis on family. The studio has always excelled at capturing the lives of families facing sorrow. The studio’s strength for capturing incredible families overcoming obstacles is clearly evident in “The Incredibles”. Released in 2004, Brad Bird’s animated classic created a superhero family children adore. Unlike most movies made by the studio, what makes “The Incredibles” stand out is its depiction of superheroes. Bird used awe-inspiring animation to capture a superhero family facing tension. Assisted by Craig T. Nelson who is extraordinary in the lead role, Bird created a compelling superhero animated movie. A powerful portrait of a superhero family that’s incredible, it’s a remarkable reminder of a studio that has produced movies audiences consider special.
9. The Jungle Book
The Jungle Book is a classic animated cartoon that changed my life outlook. I grew up watching a celebrated cartoon about misunderstood animals that shaped my childhood. In 2016, Jon Favreau celebrated the classic cartoon about jungles with a frightening look in his movie “The Jungle Book”. Unlike most movies made by the studio, what makes “The Jungle Book” stand out is its stunning motion-capture effects. Favreau uses captivating motion-capture technology to reimagine the classic cartoon for a modern generation. Assisted by Ben Kingsley who is superb in the lead role, Favreau honoured a cartoon that’s legendary. A remarkable live-action remake of a cartoon about jungles that are shook, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated studio that has manufactured memorable movies which are well worth a look.
10. Mary Poppins Returns
Few characters created by Disney are as beloved as Mary Poppins. Since her creation in the 1930’s, Mary Poppins is a magical nanny that children have loved dearly. In 2018, Rob Marshall honoured the nanny in his movie “Mary Poppins Returns”. Marshall used musical numbers to honour a classic movie. Assisted by Emily Blunt who is extraordinary in the lead role, Marshall honoured a classic movie. Although “Mary Poppins Returns” is magical, it can’t capture magic of the original. It lacks character development that made the original a classic. Nevertheless, it’s a valuable addition to Disney’s movies. A marvellous tribute to a magical nanny, it’s a magnificent reminder of a studio that has produced memorable movies delighting children which I will forever treasure for inspiring me to turn my dreams of film criticism into reality.
The Film Buff 
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