I wouldn’t call myself a Disney-o-phile, but I do like my dose of Disney especially any classical animation (and some live-action) movies and cartoons before the beginning of the millennium.  Been to every Disney Theme Park, and I have a couple of Disney sock pairs and a Mickey watch – so yes, I’m not completely obsessed but pre-obsessed. 

Some years back, I got my older son to go through all the movies from Snow White, to Zootopia and pretty much see all of them (including the Black Cauldron, Robin Hood, and both Rescuer movies).  It was great to see him appreciate the classics and mostly agrees with me that they are better quality than the newer movies.  I am now going through the same thing 7 years later with my youngest 5-year-old.  Although her attention span is still questionable, especially for a long one-and-a-half to a two-hour movie, she can see the movie in installments at least and get the entire story. 

Some movies seem to have aged concerning comedic references and what seems to me some choppy storylines (not that I’m about to criticize any childhood movies made at least 80 years ago).  I should also note what a 5-year-old would appreciate is very different than what I think is still relevant, but below are my “still” relevant top 5 Disney animated movies in no particular sequence or preference.  For obvious copyright reasons I could not include the cover pictures of the movies – you can certainly look them up if you are no familiar with them.

I also want to highlight the fact that I find the newer Disney movies, although more recent, are likely to outdate badly much quicker since they rely more heavily on contemporary references for their jokes and stories which makes them the opposite of classics that could age well – but I could be wrong, just one passionate fan’s opinion anyway.

1. The Lion King, this movie is as classic as it gets from the story to the characters it’s hard to see any of the references age, watching this I was as excited as seeing it for the first time and the lessons are as relevant.  Family, community, and the circle of life are as classic as it gets.

2. The Rescuers, both the original set in Louisiana and the sequel set in Australia are full of great moments and cozy atmospheric settings.  The chemistry between the two main characters carries the movie.  There is some rough and choppy animation but that just further adds to the charm of the overall movie.

3  The Great Mouse Detective, is by far one of the most underrated movies for me in the Disney canon.  But given that this is treated as a period piece the references and story will always be a classic and relevant.  Some great animation and moments that seem much smoother than earlier Disney movies and a precursor to the renaissance Disney set.

4. Raya and the Last Dragon, not sure why this one didn’t get much love.  I thought the story had a great ending and the animations and action shoots are exciting.  Awkwafina as the voice for the Dragon was funny but wasn’t over the top to make this a dated movie in a few years, the jokes were subtle with no big contemporary references.

5. Tangled, another underrated one with great action, beautiful animation, and subtle but effective comedy (mostly physical which always ages well, especially for the younger crowds).  I thought this was an easy watch and didn’t have many references that can quickly be outdated.  Overall one of the better movies in the more recent offerings (certainly after the year 2000) and worth a watch despite what seems to be a surprising critical review of the movie.

Honourable mentions go to ultimate classics which were always going to stand the test of time, but which kids can still easily watch and appreciate including The Little Mermaid, Oliver and Company, the Black Cauldron (for the older kids – yes it’s a great dark movie I think), Robin Hood, and the Hunchback of Notre Damn (also more for the older kids, some scenes are surprisingly adult level dark).