Who doesn’t remember curling up on a weekend morning to watch Mickey Mouse and his gang get up to mischief? Behind so many of our best childhood movie memories is The Walt Disney Company, which has produced hundreds of films over the decades. Here’s our pick of 5 of the best classic Disney movies to watch with the family. Is your favourite on the list?
Walt Disney was born in 1901 and was reportedly a shy man who lacked confidence in his early years. Along with his brother Roy, he went on to found the Walt Disney Company in 1923. The very first movie he produced was Alice’s Wonderland, a silent black-and-white short that marked the beginning of an era that has since touched the hearts of millions.
Mickey Mouse came along a few years later — the warm-hearted little mouse who’s always eager to help his friends and stand up for what’s right is said to have been inspired by Walt’s own pet mouse. Designed in 1928, Mickey was the star of the first ever cartoon with synchronised sound. Imagine the excitement of that very first audience! Our hero mouse remains the much-loved mascot of the Walt Disney Company to this day.
But enough history — let’s get to the films. Here are our favourite classic Disney movies to watch as a family.
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#1. Bambi (1942)
Bambi is a personal favourite for family movie nights. A little fawn learns early in life about the harshness of the natural world, and through adventures with his forest friends, he finds the courage to overcome whatever comes his way.
Despite its tough opening scenes, Bambi tops this list because it gently shows children that life doesn’t always go the way we want — and that sometimes you have to be brave to get through the hard parts.
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#2. The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (1977)
A must-see for all the family. Winnie the Pooh and his friends are always getting into gentle scrapes — from Pooh eating too much honey and getting stuck in Rabbit’s front door, to the gang trying to track down Eeyore’s missing tail. There’s something lovely about watching them work through each little mishap together. Kids of every age tend to adore this one.
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#3. Hocus Pocus (1993)
https://youtu.be/Mi2JpQgHAQI
This classic tells the story of three witches accidentally summoned back to life, causing chaos as they try to restore their youth. It’s not an animated film, but it’s a brilliantly silly family comedy that has stood the test of time — and wherever there’s a talking cat, you know something ridiculous is about to happen.
#4. Brother Bear (2003)
An animated film built around the values of brotherly love and respect for all living things. When our young hero makes a choice he later regrets, the spirits transform him into a bear as a lesson. The moment of transformation is a real standout — the colours and sound design are gorgeous. A genuinely feel-good watch for all ages.
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#5. Fantasia (1940)
https://youtu.be/LpKA9n-75tQ
No list of classic Disney movies would be complete without Fantasia. Released in 1940, it’s a collection of eight segments set to sweeping classical music conducted by Leopold Stokowski. Mickey Mouse features in one of the best-loved segments as the Sorcerer’s Apprentice, with a few magical mishaps along the way.
Its sequel, Fantasia 2000, is also a beautiful watch for the whole family. It keeps Mickey as the Sorcerer’s Apprentice but adds seven new segments, with conductor James Levine leading the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
I’m sure your own list of favourite Disney movies looks a little different from ours — but one thing they all have in common is their ability to touch and inspire us, at any age.
What are your family’s favourite Disney movies? Share them with us in the comments below!
FAQs
Are all of these classic Disney movies animated?
Most of them are, but not all — Hocus Pocus is a live-action family comedy, while Bambi, Winnie the Pooh, Brother Bear and Fantasia are animated features.
What age group are these classic Disney movies suitable for?
These are generally considered family-friendly, but a few have moments that can be intense for very young or sensitive children (Bambi’s forest scenes and Hocus Pocus’s witchy chaos, for example). It’s worth watching along with younger children the first time.
Is Fantasia 2000 the same as the original Fantasia?
No — Fantasia 2000 is a sequel released decades later. It keeps the Sorcerer’s Apprentice segment with Mickey Mouse but replaces the rest of the original’s segments with seven new ones, set to music performed by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
More family movie ideas
Looking for more cosy watches? Check out Top 10 Classic Films to Watch with Children and 50 of the Best Family Movies of All Time for more inspiration for your next family movie night.
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