I’ve got a Resort poll going in another thread, but I had an idea and decided to go for it.
I love Disney animated films, from the classics, to the Renaissance, to the modern hits, and everything in between. But which one is the best?
I’m going to divide this into multiple polls by era. Make sure to comment below to give your favorite films due credit, even if you don’t vote for them! Discussion is more than half the fun.
What is the best Walt Disney Animation Studios film?
Poll 1: Walt Disney’s Classics
- Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)
- Pinocchio (1940)
- Fantasia (1940)
- Dumbo (1941)
- Bambi (1942)
- Saludos Amigos (1943)
- The Three Caballeros (1945)
- Make Mine Music (1946)
- Fun and Fancy Free (1947)
- Melody Time (1948)
- The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad (1949)
- Cinderella (1950)
- Alice in Wonderland (1951)
- Peter Pan (1953)
- Lady and the Tramp (1955)
- Sleeping Beauty (1959)
- One Hundred and One Dalmatians (1961)
- The Sword in the Stone (1963)
- The Jungle Book (1967)
0 voters
Note: The Jungle Book was the last animated film for which Walt Disney was credited as producer. He died December 15, 1966, 10 months before its release.
Poll 2: The Dark Ages and the Renaissance
- The Aristocats (1970)
- Robin Hood (1973)
- The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (1977)
- The Rescuers (1977)
- The Fox and the Hound (1981)
- The Black Cauldron (1985)
- The Great Mouse Detective (1986)
- Oliver & Company (1988)
- The Little Mermaid (1989)
- The Rescuers Down Under (1990)
- Beauty and the Beast (1991)
- Aladdin (1992)
- The Lion King (1994)
- Pocahontas (1995)
- The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996)
- Hercules (1997)
- Mulan (1998)
- Tarzan (1999)
- Fantasia 2000 (1999)
0 voters
Note: The Disney Renaissance is generally considered to have started with The Little Mermaid. I consider Tarzan to be the last in that string, but Fantasia 2000 is good enough to be lumped in, IMO. Dinosaur was a clear drop-off in quality and resonance.
Poll 3: The Lull
- Dinosaur (2000)
- The Emperor’s New Groove (2000)
- Atlantis: The Lost Empire (2001)
- Lilo & Stitch (2002)
- Treasure Planet (2002)
- Brother Bear (2003)
- Home on the Range (2004)
- Chicken Little (2005)
- Meet the Robinsons (2007)
- Bolt (2008)
0 voters
Note: I don’t expect any of the films above to win the grand prize, but I am very curious to hear arguments for each. There are some hidden gems in this category!
Poll 4: The Latest Hits
- The Princess and the Frog (2009)
- Tangled (2010)
- Winnie the Pooh (2011)
- Wreck-It Ralph (2012)
- Frozen (2013)
- Big Hero 6 (2014)
- Zootopia (2016)
- Moana (2016)
- Ralph Breaks the Internet (2018)
- Frozen II (2019)
- Raya and the Last Dragon (2021)
- Encanto (2021)
0 voters
I included all 60 of the official Walt Disney Animation Studios Films, from Snow White to Encanto. Note that there are alternate lists that include or exclude different films, but this is the most widely recognized set. Pixar will have to wait till another day.
Remember to vote in each poll, even if you are not familiar with all the options. Use whatever criteria you see fit.
Jeff's Official Polling Rules for Cynics and Skeptics
In case of a tournament, the following protocols will be followed:
- All voters are eligible to participate regardless of their familiarity with the various options
- Voters may cast or change their vote as desired until the poll is closed (generally timed)
- The first option to receive over 50% in any round upon closing of the poll is deemed the winner
- The percentage displayed by the forum software will be deemed the official result, regardless of the absolute number of votes cast (i.e., rounding differences may be decisive)
- If no option receives over 50%, additional rounds will be held
- All options receiving 15% or more will advance to the next round
- If all options have received 15% or more, the option receiving the lowest % of the vote will be eliminated
- In the case of a tie, the option receiving the higher % in the previous round will advance
- If there is still a tie after following the above rules, the option listed first by the forum software in the results will advance
- All results are final – no recounts, re-dos, challenges, or complaints will be accepted; however, discussion and debate is welcome.
- Have a magical day!