Since Walt Disney released his first cartoon film “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” in 1937, the production company has not stopped captivating the hearts of the little ones at home. Films like “The Lion King”, “Pinocchio” or “Aladdin” have seen generations of children grow up, entertaining them, making them laugh and sometimes even cry with the misfortunes of their characters. Without a doubt, these are films full of positive values and great teachings that every child should see. In Stage Children we have compiled some of the best Disney movies of all time that the little ones should see at least once in their lives.
20 Disney films that children should see at least once in their lives
1. The Lion King (1994)
This two-time Oscar-winning cartoon musical is much more than just an adventure story. It is an impressive film that reflects the harshness of life without losing sight of sensitivity and good humor . The story takes place in the African savannah, where Simba, a little lion heir to the throne, is unjustly accused of the death of his father by his evil uncle Scar who wants to take over the kingdom. Forced to exile himself from his land, Simba will experience very difficult times, but he will also make very good friends who will help him return and recover what is rightfully his.
2. The Jungle Book (1967)
This is the film version of “The Jungle Book” by Rudyard Kipling, a classic of children’s literature and cinema that was brought to the big screen by director Wolfgang Reitherman. The film tells the story of Mowgli, a boy who after getting lost in the jungles of India is raised by a pack of wolves, under the protection of the panther Bagheera and the bear Baloo. In the jungle, little Mowgli will learn to live as one of his friends and face the dangers that await him there, although his real challenge will come when he must face his origins. A very moving story that transmits values such as love of nature, a sense of belonging and camaraderie.
3. 101 Dalmatians (1961)
This Disney adventure film tells the story of a couple of Dalmatian dogs in love who, after their owners marry, marry and form a wonderful dog family blessed with 15 puppies. However, one day the peace and joy of the home is interrupted by the unexpected visit of Cruella de Vil, a fan of fur coats who wants to buy the little puppies. After the owners refuse, Cruella sends two emissaries to kidnap the puppies. Not being able to prevent it, her parents will do everything in her power to get her children back. A story full of shocks but also positive values such as love for animals and solidarity that highlights the importance of friendship and teamwork.
4. Aladdin (1992)
Aladdin is a resourceful young man living in extreme poverty who dreams of marrying the sultan’s daughter, Princess Yasmine. One day the Grand Vizier of Agrabah Jafar arrives in the kingdom, a very powerful man who intends to find a magic lamp to ask him to become Sultan. To fulfill his purpose, he recruits Aladdin and asks him to help him search for the magic lamp in the depths of the Cave of Wonders. After a difficult journey, Aladdin finds the wonderful lamp with a genie inside, and from that moment on, his wishes begin to come true. A story of adventure and love very well interwoven and with vibrant photography that the little ones at home will surely love.
5. Alice in Wonderland (1951)
Based on Lewis Carroll’s famous works “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” and “Through the Looking Glass and What Alice Found There”, this is the best film adaptation of this story. A film in which Mary Blair’s designs shine with their own light over an impressive soundtrack. The story is about a young woman who, after falling asleep, dreams that she is chasing a strange rabbit.Unable to reach him, Alice falls into the rabbit’s lair that transports her to Wonderland, a world of magical creatures inhabited by talking animals and slightly crazy beings. There, she will meet the Queen of Hearts, who she must escape from if she doesn’t want to be trapped forever behind her bars. It is a fantastic story, in which there is no lack of adventure and tints of good humor.
6. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)
This was the movie that started not only the Disney fairy tale stories but all of the animated cinema that came after. Based on the Grimm brothers’ tale, it tells the story of a young woman who, after becoming the most beautiful in the kingdom, must escape the clutches of her stepmother, a witch who dreams of being the most beautiful in the region. Upon escaping from the palace, Snow White finds refuge in the house of seven dwarfs, who will receive her with open arms after learning her story. However, Snow White’s stepmother will not rest until she achieves her goal. A story that deals with envy and the overvaluation of physical appearance that also highlights the importance of accepting oneself and being authentic.
7. Beauty and the Beast (1991)
This is the first animated production nominated for an Oscar for best picture, a classic of fairy tales that children should see at least once in their lives. The film tells the story of a French maiden who, after her father was kidnapped in a beast’s castle, decides to take her place to avoid all that suffering. Despite her hideous appearance, little by little an incredible feeling arises between the beast and the young woman, the key that will return this bewitched prince to his original human form. A film that deals with inner beauty and the importance of not getting carried away by appearances that little ones should enjoy on occasion.
8. Hercules (1997)
Shortly after birth, the minions of Hades steal Hercules, the son of Hera and Zeus, from Olympus. His mission is to take him to Earth to strip him of his immortality. However, his plan does not turn out as he expected and the boy manages to keep some of his divine powers, but that will not be enough for him to ascend to Olympus again, he must prove that he is worthy of occupying his position. among the gods. Thus, Hercules must learn to use his strength to fight evil creatures and really strange monsters. Undoubtedly, a film full of adventures and overflowing with humor that ensures that the little ones at home have a very entertaining time.
9. Lady and the Tramp (1955)
Beyond its typical scene of Gulf and Queen eating pasta, this musical comedy with romantic airs narrates the adventures of a spoiled dog with a stray dog, who teaches her what the real world is like beyond her idyllic world. While she discovers the sad reality that extends beyond her window, Reina gets to know Golfo better and falls in love with that dog who has only had the misfortune of having a difficult life. A film with beautiful photography and an impressive soundtrack that reflects the harshness of life without losing sight of love and tints of good humor. Based on Ward Greene’s novel of the same name, it was the first animated film released in Cinemascope.
10. The Little Mermaid (1989)
The rebirth of Disney’s second golden age came with this children’s musical, a mix of comedy, romance and adventure. The film tells the story of Ariel, a mermaid princess who, dissatisfied with the life she leads under the sea, wants to discover the world that opens before her eyes on the surface. Along with her best friend, the Flounder fish, Ariel frequently surfaces to learn stories from an experienced seagull and take home some of the human artifacts she finds along the way. In one of those raids she meets Prince Eric, with whom she falls in love with a crush. After saving him from the shipwreck of her boat, Ariel decides to sell her soul to become human and win the love of her prince. Will she get it?
11. Mulan (1998)
If there is a Disney film that children should see, it is Mulan. Inspired by the Chinese poem “Ballad of Fa Mu Lan”, it recounts the exploits of a young woman who, in order to prevent her sick and elderly father from being called up, dresses as a man and joins the imperial army to face the invasion. of the Huns. With the support of Mushu, a talking dragon chosen by his ancestors, and Cri-Kee, a lucky cricket, she will face numerous challenges and difficulties that will test his courage and willpower. Without a doubt, an ode to feminism and gender equality that teaches children the value of fighting for what they want without feeling trapped by their gender or condition.
12. Peter Pan (1953)
Based on the play “Peter pan and Wendy” by JM Barrie, it was the first animated film to popularize the story of the boy who did not want to grow up. The film narrates the adventures of Peter Pan, a very singular boy who, together with his inseparable fairy Tinkerbell, goes every day to listen to the stories that Wendy tells her two little brothers before going to sleep. One day, while trying to get her shadow back, Wendy wakes up and surprises Peter Pan who convinces her to visit Neverland. A journey full of challenges, chases and dangers in which there will also be a lot of fun and moments of good humor with which the children will have a very entertaining time.
13. Tarzan (1999)
It is an animated children’s film directed by Chris Buck and Kevin Lima, based on the novel “Tarzan of the Apes” by Edgar Rice Burroughs. A blockbuster in the year of its release, it narrates the adventures of Tarzan, a boy who, after being orphaned in the shipwreck of the ship he was sailing with his parents, is adopted by a group of apes and gorillas in an African jungle. . Raised according to the customs of primates, he spends his childhood and adolescence as one of the herd until one day he meets Jane, a young human who has traveled to the wildest Africa with a group of explorers who want to investigate the life of the apes From this moment, Tarzan will rediscover his origin and will have to face the many adventures that await him.
14. The Aristocats (1970)
The Duchess and her three kittens live comfortably in the mansion of the aristocrat Madame Adelaide Bonfamille in Paris. However, the opera singer will not live long, and she knows it. So thinking about the future of her kittens, she decides to leave all her fortune to her butler Edgar to take care of the cats once she is gone. But since greed has short legs, fearing that he will not be able to enjoy fortune, Edgar decides to get rid of the cats and takes them to the outskirts of the city, where Duchess and her kittens manage to escape from her. The next morning, they meet Thomas O’Malley, a stray cat who will take them back home, but not before showing them the world that lies beyond the mansion.A story about social inequalities, in which music and good humor are not lacking, with which children will learn the importance of caring for animals.
15. Dumbo (1941)
This musical drama from Disney is one of those movies that children should not miss. The Oscar-winning film tells the story of Dumbo, a little elephant with huge ears who is ridiculed by everyone in the circus. Forced to act as a clown due to his incompetence in other acts, Dumbo along with his friend, Timothy the mouse, rediscovers his true talent in life: flying. From that moment on, Dumbo becomes the sensation of everyone in the circus and gains the appreciation of those who once ridiculed him. A film about personal development, the acceptance of differences and the importance of not being guided by the appearance that children should see at some point in their lives.
16. Cinderella (1950)
Without a doubt, this is one of the Disney classics that the little ones at home will love. Based on the French version of the fairy tale by Charles Perrault, it tells the story of a young woman who, after her mother died and her father remarried, moves in with her stepmother and her two stepsisters. After her father dies later, the young woman is left under the care of her stepmother, who nicknames her Cinderella and assigns her to take charge of the housework for her. One day the king organizes a party to choose the fiancée of his son and invites all the young women of the court, including Cinderella. The young woman’s destiny is about to change, but her stepmother will do everything possible to prevent her from doing so. A fantasy musical that even today continues to captivate children and teaches them the importance of persevering in their dreams,even in adversity.
17. Bambi (1942)
Nominated for three Academy Awards, this animated children’s film is a true ode to death, adversity and the ability to overcome difficulties. The film tells the story of Bambi, a little fawn who loses his mother at a very young age at the hands of some hunters. Alone in the world, with the help of Tambor the rabbit, Flor the skunk and Faline the fawn, he will face a life of challenges and adversity on his way to becoming a young and strong deer. However, his greatest challenge will come much later, when he is forced to fight for the love of his life, Faline, and face his worst enemy, man. A story of self-improvement that will undoubtedly make the little ones at home reflect.
18. Pocahontas (1995)
Based on a true story, the film is set in the year 1608 and inspired by the romance of an English sailor and soldier named John Smith and an indigenous princess from the Native American tribe known to all as Pocahontas. Destined to marry a brave warrior from the tribe, Pocahontas meets John and falls in love with the young man. It will be her love and her faith in that stranger that will prevent a bloody war between the two armies. Without a doubt, a very beautiful story, perfect for teaching children to respect other cultures, to accept differences and not to be carried away by stereotypes.
19.Frozen (2013)
Winner of two Oscars, this is another of the Disney movies that kids should see at some point in their lives. Inspired by the story “The Snow Queen” by Hans Christian Andersen, the film tells the epic journey of the young Anna, the mountaineer Kristoff and the reindeer Sven in search of Elsa, Anna’s sister and Snow Queen, to put end the icy spell that has condemned the kingdom to live in eternal winter. A story that highlights the importance of talking about our vulnerability and the mistakes we often make, but also highlights the sacrifices most of us are willing to make for the people we love most.
20. Moana or Vaiana (2016)
Winner of two Oscars, this is another of the Disney movies that kids should see at some point in their lives. Inspired by the story “The Snow Queen” by Hans Christian Andersen, the film tells the epic journey of the young Anna, the mountaineer Kristoff and the reindeer Sven in search of Elsa, Anna’s sister and Snow Queen, to put end the icy spell that has condemned the kingdom to live in eternal winter. A story that highlights the importance of talking about our vulnerability and the mistakes we often make, but also highlights the sacrifices most of us are willing to make for the people we love most.