Fifty-four Disney movies have been produced by the Walt Disney Animation Studios in California, starting with Snow White and the 7 Dwarfs in 1937. The latest was Big Hero 6, released in 2014. Three more movies are in the pipeline due to be released sporadically over the next three years. They are bound to be must see Disney classics.
Disney movies cover numerous genres, including catchy musicals (Jungle Book (1967), Frozen (2013)), traditional folk stories (Cinderella (1950), Sleeping Beauty (1959)), historical biographies (Pocahontas (1995), The Hunch back of Notre Dame (1996)), and cute, feel-good animal tales (The Lady and the Tramp (1955), The Aristocats (1970)). Each genre is treated in a distinctly Disney manner making each a for kids and adults.
Characteristic of Disney are the movies where actors interact with the animated characters with such classics as Mary Poppins (1964), with Julie Andrews playing Mary. It is interesting that this movie is also famous for the most appalling English accent courtesy of Dick Van Dyke which is ironic as the author of the Mary Poppins books, upon which the film was based, had insisted all the actors should be English.
Additionally I am sure all children from 1971 onwards have twisted the knobs on the end of their bed posts in an attempt to travel to the Isle of Naboombu like the lucky kids in Bedknobs & Broomsticks were able to do.
Disney movies however, generally fall into two categories; those enjoyed only by children and those enjoyed by both adults and children. Naturally for long-suffering parents who watch these movies on a daily basis, it is the latter that generally become big hits. The popularity of the block-buster Disney movie can be seen in the long list of celebrities who provide the voices for some of the colourful characters. No one can fault Robin William's exuberant performance in Aladdin (1992), and Whoopi Goldberg's performance for The Lion King (1994).
A typical "What is your favourite....?" question concerns animation and everyone has their favourite. With such an extended history of film-making, a favourite is not always a film from childhood. Simply a film that has spoken to them for whatever reason. For great songs a classic is Jungle Book (1967), and I defy anyone not to dance to I wanna be like you-hoo-hoo. The most recent movie with annoyingly catchy tunes is Frozen (2013), where Let it Go has been used in TV adverts in the UK, played hundreds of times a day in December 2014. Although perhaps not the most spectacular example, everyone should see Frozen just so they are able to join the discussion.
A great tale of adventure is Peter Pan which consists of pirates, wild children living in the woods, an alarm clock in a crocodile, and a boy who never grew up. Disney excels at romances, of which there are a lot. One that shines is Little Mermaid (1989) which tells the love story of a man and Aerial. There are some jolly tunes like Under the Sea, vibrant colours and loveable characters.
Disney addressed a different, more teenage audience with The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) which appealed to kids, teens, adults or goths. This is the story of Jack Skeleton the Pumpkin King who is fed up with scaring people and wants to take over Christmas. A dark, deliciously macabre movie with great (if dreary) songs. It is distinctly un-Disney which is its appeal and it is not surprising it is more of a cult movie than a hit.
This list is not definitive and is likely to change. As the audience matures the choice of favourite movie will change. With a choice of fifty-four movies (and counting) there will always be one or ten that stands out.
Disney movies cover numerous genres, including catchy musicals (Jungle Book (1967), Frozen (2013)), traditional folk stories (Cinderella (1950), Sleeping Beauty (1959)), historical biographies (Pocahontas (1995), The Hunch back of Notre Dame (1996)), and cute, feel-good animal tales (The Lady and the Tramp (1955), The Aristocats (1970)). Each genre is treated in a distinctly Disney manner making each a for kids and adults.
Characteristic of Disney are the movies where actors interact with the animated characters with such classics as Mary Poppins (1964), with Julie Andrews playing Mary. It is interesting that this movie is also famous for the most appalling English accent courtesy of Dick Van Dyke which is ironic as the author of the Mary Poppins books, upon which the film was based, had insisted all the actors should be English.
Additionally I am sure all children from 1971 onwards have twisted the knobs on the end of their bed posts in an attempt to travel to the Isle of Naboombu like the lucky kids in Bedknobs & Broomsticks were able to do.
Disney movies however, generally fall into two categories; those enjoyed only by children and those enjoyed by both adults and children. Naturally for long-suffering parents who watch these movies on a daily basis, it is the latter that generally become big hits. The popularity of the block-buster Disney movie can be seen in the long list of celebrities who provide the voices for some of the colourful characters. No one can fault Robin William's exuberant performance in Aladdin (1992), and Whoopi Goldberg's performance for The Lion King (1994).
A typical "What is your favourite....?" question concerns animation and everyone has their favourite. With such an extended history of film-making, a favourite is not always a film from childhood. Simply a film that has spoken to them for whatever reason. For great songs a classic is Jungle Book (1967), and I defy anyone not to dance to I wanna be like you-hoo-hoo. The most recent movie with annoyingly catchy tunes is Frozen (2013), where Let it Go has been used in TV adverts in the UK, played hundreds of times a day in December 2014. Although perhaps not the most spectacular example, everyone should see Frozen just so they are able to join the discussion.
A great tale of adventure is Peter Pan which consists of pirates, wild children living in the woods, an alarm clock in a crocodile, and a boy who never grew up. Disney excels at romances, of which there are a lot. One that shines is Little Mermaid (1989) which tells the love story of a man and Aerial. There are some jolly tunes like Under the Sea, vibrant colours and loveable characters.
Disney addressed a different, more teenage audience with The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) which appealed to kids, teens, adults or goths. This is the story of Jack Skeleton the Pumpkin King who is fed up with scaring people and wants to take over Christmas. A dark, deliciously macabre movie with great (if dreary) songs. It is distinctly un-Disney which is its appeal and it is not surprising it is more of a cult movie than a hit.
This list is not definitive and is likely to change. As the audience matures the choice of favourite movie will change. With a choice of fifty-four movies (and counting) there will always be one or ten that stands out.
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