Who doesn’t remember curling up on a weekend morning to watch Mickey Mouse and his adventures? Behind so many of our happiest 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?
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Walt Disney was born in 1901 and was, by most accounts, a shy man who lacked confidence in himself. Along with his brother Roy, he went on to found the Walt Disney Company in 1923. The first film he ever produced was Alice’s Wonderland, a silent black-and-white short that marked the start of an era that has touched millions of families since.
Mickey Mouse came along a few years later — the warm-hearted mouse who’s always ready to help a friend 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, and he remains the 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)
A little fawn named Bambi learns early in life about the cruelty of nature, and through adventures with his friends, he finds a way through every difficulty that comes his way.
Bambi tops our list despite its tough opening scenes, because it shows children that you don’t always get what you want straight away — sometimes you have to work through hardship to get there.
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#2. The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (1977)
This is a must-see for the whole family. Winnie and his friends are always getting into scrapes, from Pooh eating too much honey and getting stuck in Rabbit’s front door, to the gang trying to find Eeyore’s missing tail. Watching them work together to solve each mishap is a joy, and children of all ages love this one.
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#3 Hocus Pocus (1993)
https://youtu.be/Mi2JpQgHAQI
This classic about three witches accidentally summoned back to modern-day life — and the chaos they cause trying to restore their youth — has stood the test of time. Any film with a talking cat is guaranteed to have some mischief in store. It’s not animated, but it’s a brilliant family comedy to watch together.
#4. Brother Bear (2003)
An animated film built around brotherly love and respect for all living things. When our young hero makes a choice he shouldn’t have, the spirits transform him into a bear. The moment of transformation is a real standout, with beautiful colour and sound. A genuinely feel-good movie suitable 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. Made in 1940, it’s a collection of eight segments set to sweeping classical music, conducted by Leopold Stokowski. Mickey Mouse appears in one of the best-loved segments as the Sorcerer’s Apprentice, with a few magical mishaps along the way.
The follow-up, Fantasia 2000, kept Mickey as the Sorcerer’s Apprentice but added seven new segments, with conductor James Levine leading the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. It’s every bit as worth watching with the family.
Your own list of favourite Disney movies might look quite different from ours — but whichever films make your list, they all share the same gift: the ability to touch and inspire us in some way.
What are your family’s favourite Disney movies? Share them with us in the comments below.
FAQs
What makes a Disney movie a “classic”?
Generally, a classic Disney movie is one from the studio’s earlier decades of animation and live-action filmmaking that has stayed popular with new generations of families, often because of timeless storytelling, music or characters.
Are these Disney movies suitable for younger children?
Most of the films on this list are gentle enough for younger children, though a couple — like Bambi’s early scenes or the witches in Hocus Pocus — may be a little intense for very young or sensitive viewers. It’s worth a quick check of the content before watching with under-5s.
Where can I watch these classic Disney movies?
Availability changes from platform to platform and country to country, so it’s best to check your usual streaming service or Disney’s official channels for current options.
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