Best Disney Movies

It has been 100 years of Disney. In those years Disney has released some of the most iconic films of all time. Whether it be childhood animated classics or DCOMs there has been so much incredible content. Members of our Arts & Entertainment took a look back at some of the best Disney movies of all time.

“The Princess and the Frog” (2009)

Inspired by the Brothers Grimm’s classic fairy tale, “The Frog Prince,” “The Princess and the Frog” is easily one of the most spellbinding films in Disney history.

The film’s leading lady is Tiana, a waitress who’s been working her entire life to save enough money and start up the New Orleans restaurant she always dreamed of owning.

She works hard and doesn’t take crap from anyone, not even the Prince of Maldonia turned frog, Naveen.

Tiana kisses Naveen in an attempt to turn him human but ends up transforming into a frog herself. A wild journey through the bayou ensues, filled with arguably the best Disney soundtrack of all time.

Voodoo lady Mama Odie’s lively tune “Dig a Little Deeper” preaches self-reflection and acceptance, and firefly Ray’s “Ma Belle Evangeline” sets the perfect backdrop for Tiana and Naveen to fall in love.

When Naveen tries to give up his life and happiness to get Tiana her restaurant, Tiana tells him, “My dream wouldn’t be complete without you in it.”

“The Princess and the Frog” is a perfect comfort film, and without a doubt one of the best in Disney’s catalog. - Kaitlyn Murphy

“Tangled” (2010)

“Tangled” is a top-tier Disney Princess movie based on the fairy tale “Rapunzel”. Everything about this film radiates happiness, and the plot is somewhat different from other princess movies such as Cinderella, Snow White and Sleeping Beauty.

This movie is about self-discovery, and watching Rapunzel go on this crazy adventure to fulfill her dreams of seeing the floating lanterns on her birthday is absolutely heartwarming.

The relationship between Rapunzel and Flynn Rider is a dream. The filmmakers do a great job at allowing their relationship to be a slow burn, and watching the two of them bicker and fight their feelings throughout the movie is so fun to watch.

The design elements in “Tangled” are nothing short of amazing. The backgrounds, animations and details truly make it a magical and whimsical film.

“Tangled” is full of amazing scenes, but the best scene is when Rapunzel and Flynn are in the boat singing “I See the Light” underneath all of the floating lanterns. The background animation and colors used in the scene make it especially beautiful.

Another top-tier thing about “Tangled” is the music. “I See the Light," “When Will My Life Begin” and “I’ve Got a Dream” are just a few of the iconic songs that came out of this movie’s soundtrack.

“Tangled” is basically perfect, and it is definitely up there in the rankings for best Disney Princess movie. - Sarah Gavlak

“Hercules” (1997)

Combining the quintessential Disney magic and an iconic Greek myth, Disney’s 1997 “Hercules” is an underrated classic that makes an excellent case for the studio's best film.

“Hercules” has phenomenal music, an iconic villain and heroine, a joke-packed script and beautiful cinematography.

Is this film faithful to the Greek myth? Not even close. But with the classic Disney spin, the filmmakers created an action-packed, comedic, heroic and romantic story.

The soundtrack consists solely of bangers that contribute to the storytelling expertly.

Anything the muses sing doesn’t just move the plot along but are powerful and spirited tracks. “I Won’t Say (I’m In Love)” is maybe the greatest song from a Disney heroine. “Go The Distance” is a strong contender for the best ballad in the studio's history.

There are a lot of great Disney films, but “Hercules” has Danny DeVito. That’s an argument in itself to consider “Hercules” Disney’s best movie. - Sophia D’Ovidio

Beauty and the Beast (1991)

It doesn’t get much better than this. Action, music, romance. "Beauty and the Beast" is flawless, from the animation to the story itself.

It’s timeless, and because of how loved it is, Disney decided to make a live-action version in 2017 to introduce the classic to a new generation of kids, and help adults remember the magic.

"Beauty and the Beast" was the first animated film to ever be nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars, and although it lost, it opened the doors for more animated movies in the future to get the same recognition as live-action films.

Belle is an intelligent, compassionate lead, and Beast is a misunderstood man whom you grow to love as Belle helps him shed his anger and lack of trust. Gaston stands out amongst Disney villains for his boastful, yet enjoyable energy. You love to hate him.

Finally, the cast of characters from Lumière (the candle) and Cogsworth (the clock) to Mrs. Potts and Chip (teapot and her teacup son) add humor and catchy songs from “Be Our Guest” to the titular song, which won Best Original Song. Nothing beats it. - Nick LaRosa

“The Aristocats” (1970)

Disney’s Aristocats is a classic film. Its animation and music livens up the room every time it’s watched by families. It also has one of the most iconic songs, “Ev’rybody Wants to Be a Cat”.

While some of the cultural-based references are outdated, the basis of the story is a great adventure. A family of cats, owned by a wealthy woman, is set to inherit everything in her will. When the butler finds out, he catnaps the family and takes them far away from home.

The three kittens, Marie, Toulouse, and Berlioz have an adorable brother-sister dynamic. Additionally, the kittens’ mother, Duchess, falls in love with Thomas O’Malley, the alley cat. Along the way, they meet some crazy geese and jazz-playing street cats.

Through song and a trek through beautiful scenery, the cats try to find their way home. Aristocats is truly a lovely story about a cat family and one crazy experience. Give it a watch next family movie night. - Isabel Sweet

“Chicken Little” (2005)

Chicken Little is a movie that does not get a lot of praise but is well worth some love. The film has a lot going on, but has great humor and is a lot of fun for the whole family.

The movie starts with our main character Chicken Little telling the town the sky is falling, but no one in the town believes him. Little becomes the joke of the town and is considered a joke throughout the start of the film, along with his friends Abby, Runt and Fish Out of Water.

It all changes when Little hits the game-winning home run to win a baseball game and becomes a hero overnight. His dad, Buck, and Little, who have had a rocky relationship start to reunite. However, the sky then falls and aliens are in Oakey Oaks and they kidnap Fish.

Abby, Runt and Chicken Little chase after Fish and save him, but are chased by two aliens, and the alien's child, Kirby, runs away. Kirby follows Chicken Little to his house and stays with them, until an alien invasion breaks out in Oakey Oaks as they search for Kirby, vaporizing all the citizens they can.

Chicken Little returns Kirby to the aliens with the help of his friends and father, who reunites and fixes his issues with his son. Chicken Little makes peace with the orange aliens, saving the town and making him a hero to all.

The entire story just makes the viewer feel so good in the end, the humor hits every time, and the music in the film is a perfect touch to what is sometimes a forgotten gem in the Disney catalog. - Adam Sheetz

“Finding Nemo” (2003)

Some of Disney’s best movies are released from the Pixar studios, and one of the most incredible is “Finding Nemo”.

Let’s call this movie what it is, a masterpiece.

The plot is immaculate with minimal holes. A son who is separated from his father, talk about suspense.

The father travels across the whole ocean to find him. Hearts all over the world are warmed just thinking about it.

Some would say that “Finding Nemo” walked so that “Taken” could run, but in all reality, Liam Neeson could never do what Marlin did.

The film features some of the most remarkable and underrated humor delivered by equally underrated side characters who help carry this film on their backs.

Visually, “Finding Nemo” is one of the most stimulating movies to bless television screens. It features multiple beautiful oceanscapes.

Along with that, it's educational. Kids will learn niche ocean facts and some minor facts about Australia.

Lastly, this cinematic triumph has an emotionally moving, beautiful soundtrack. Try doing homework to the soundtrack without shedding a tear, it is wonderful.

“Finding Nemo” is a feather in Pixar’s cap. - Savannah Swartz

“The Lion King” (1994)

With The Walt Disney Company celebrating its 100th anniversary, it’s only right to review what is maybe the company’s greatest animated movie, “The Lion King” (1994).

From the very beginning of the movie, the world is created in such a way that it feels so grand and epic.

Rather than doing a story about a character trying to stand out in a large world, the story relies on a character who is the center of the world that is created, which is clear within the first few minutes of the movie when all the animals gather for the presentation of Simba.

The other aspects that add to this large-scale feeling are the score and the landscape shots used throughout the entirety of the film.

Hanz Zimmer has quite the resume of scores, but his work in “The Lion King” manages to add a whole other dimension to the movie.

The transition between scenes and the most emotional moments of the movie are amplified by Zimmer’s score which is momentous and epic.

This works in tandem with the shots of the vibrant and sweeping landscape, which add to the grandeur of it all.

One of the most underrated aspects of the film is the storytelling, which is often overlooked by the catchy songs and incredible animation.

The emotional rollercoaster this movie puts the viewers through is impeccable, causing children to cry after the death of Mufasa, but then to sing “Hakuna Matata” five minutes later.

Every deep and intense scene is able to impact the viewer, but the fun moments keep the lively fun of the film going throughout.

The soundtrack to this film is a large reason why this works, with numerous Disney classics setting up integral parts of the story.

The internal struggle Simba has to go through is extreme for a normal Disney movie, as he has to get over the fact that he thinks that he was responsible for his father’s death.

Eventually, after receiving advice from numerous different mentors, Simba returns home to fight for his place as king.

There, he confronts his uncle, Scar, who is truly one of Disney’s most evil and best villains.

In the final fight, Simba eventually defeats Scar and takes his place as king as he walks to the front of Pride Rock and roars over his kingdom.

The film ends with Simba’s daughter being presented to the kingdom just like he was at the very beginning of the movie, symbolizing “the circle of life.”

By the end of the movie, it feels like so much time has passed since so much has happened over the course of an hour and a half.

The character arc of Simba is what drives this movie forward as he went from a naive and brave cub to a broken and lost adult, but eventually ended up as a wiser and balanced king.

There aren’t enough words to describe how great the movie is or all the little details filtered throughout, but its legacy will likely stand the test of time as one of Disney’s greatest films. - Chris Reynolds

“Big Hero 6” (2014)

"Big Hero 6" is a Disney film released in 2014. The film follows the story of teenage robotics prodigy Hiro Hamada and the healthcare robot Baymax invented by Hiro’s older brother Tadashi.

Hiro was going down the wrong path in life, occupying his free time by partaking in illegal underground robot fights. To inspire him, Tadashi takes him to his college, where he meets Tadashi’s friends, his mentor Robert Callahan and Baymax.

After Hiro is accepted into the school after impressing Callahan at a robotics convention, Tadashi tragically passes away in a fire at the convention.

Hiro is overcome by grief and isolates himself, but his demeanor changes after he accidentally activates Baymax. He begins an adventure where he learns the true circumstances surrounding the death of his brother.

The unintentionally comedic robot Baymax became a beloved figure. Baymax viewed the world with only the goal of helping others in mind. He viewed Hiro as his patient, while Hiro saw him as the last remaining piece of his brother.

The movie explores the deep concepts of grief, combatting problems with violence, and the importance of friends and family. - Alex Perez

“Teen Beach Movie” (2013)

One of the best DCOMs, “Teen Beach Movie” is a timeless classic.

Brady (Ross Lynch) and Mack (Maia Mitchell) are surfers in a small town who are swept away to the world of “Wet Side Story,” an old movie about a rivalry between a biker gang and surfers.

Though Brady jumps into the action immediately, Mack hesitates but is thrown into the movie when Lela (Grace Phipps) falls off of the stage and into the hands of Brady instead of Tanner (Garrett Clayton), thus altering the entire movie.

“Teen Beach Movie” is the best glimpse into the DCOM renaissance of the 2010s we have. When society peaked, so did Ross Lynch and Maia Mitchell.

The soundtrack is extremely catchy, with songs like “Cruisin’ For A Bruisin’” and “Falling For Ya” cemented in Disney music history. - Adrianna Gallucci

Kaitlyn Murphy is a second-year majoring in journalism. To contact her, email kvm6255@psu.edu.

Sarah Gavlak is a second-year majoring in telecommunications. To contact her, please email sng5393@psu.edu.

Sophia D’Ovidio is a third-year majoring in digital and print journalism. To contact her, email sgd5184@psu.edu.

Nick LaRosa is a fourth-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email njl5547@psu.edu

Isabel Sweet is a second-year majoring in communications. To contact her, email ips5219@psu.edu

Adam Sheetz is a fourth-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email ads360@psu.edu.

Savannah Swartz is a third-year communications major. To contact her, email sms9072@psu.edu.

Christopher Reynolds is a third-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email him at clr5971@psu.edu.

Adrianna Gallucci is a second-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact her, please email amg7989@psu.edu.