Disney Animated Classics
Year: 1937-Present
Created by: Walt Disney
Films: 63
Created by: Walt Disney
Films: 63
"If you can dream it, you can do it. Always remember that this whole thing was started with a dream, and a mouse." - Walt Dinsey
The Disney Animated Classics is the longest running film series in history and is also one of the most beloved. These timeless animations appeal to audiences both old and young, and are fondly cherished the world over. On this page you can find links to the reviews of every single Disney Animated Classic, categorised in release order and their respective eras.
Golden Age (1937-1942):
The first era of Disney Classics, The Golden Age refers to the timeless nature of the films created in this period as well as the influence they had on cinema at the time. These films are usually characterised by their bright colour palette, extreme emotional high and lows, and the sense that everything is out to get the inexperienced protagonist.
Wartime Era (1943-1949):
The aptly named Wartime Era of Disney occurred just as WWII was at its peak and its immediate aftermath. During this period Disney Animation Studios stopped producing feature length pictures due to budgetary constraints and instead focused on short films and collections.
Silver Age (1950-1967):
Often the films people first think of when thinking of Disney Classics. The Silver Age was the final era overseen by Walt Disney before his death in 1967. The era returned to the style of animation used in The Golden Age, however with various modern nuances following the change in attitudes in a post-WWII society.
Bronze Age (1970-1988):
Following the death of Walt Disney, Disney Animation Studios were able to be more experimental with the types of films they created. All of the films in this era used a particular animation technique, xerography, which is characterised with thick black scratchy lines. These titles are often considered cult classics due to them being overshadowed by those in the Silver Age and Renaissance.
Renaissance Era (1989-1999):
The era of millennial nostalgia and widely considered the best era of Disney Animation. The Renaissance is most easily recognised for its return to fairy-tale style stories, incredible songs, and are among the most critically acclaimed films in the Classics series. This era utilised many new animation techniques, including major developments in computer animation alongside traditional hand-drawn animation.
Post-Renaissance (2000-2009):
The Post-Renaissance Era are usually the most divisive films in the Classics series. This era had a mix of fully 3D computer animated films, as well as traditional 2D hand-drawn animation, and for the first time in Disney history contained no musical numbers. There is some contention as to whether The Wild and Dinosaur are considered as Animated Classics due to Disney not considering them Classics in all territories, however for this collection I am considering both of them Classics.
Revival Era (2009-2019):
The Revival Era is named as such as it revived many aspects of the Golden Age, Silver Age, and Renaissance, whilst also moving with the times and making way for more diverse subject matter and protagonists. It saw the return of fairy tales and musicals to the series after being entirely absent in the Post-Renaissance Era. These films are almost all 3D CG animated, with the exception of The Princess and the Frog and Winnie the Pooh, and does also feature a number of sequels for the first time since the 80's.
Streaming Era (2020-Present):
The current era of Disney Animation. The Streaming Era refers to the shift in audience interest and box office strategy for Disney following the COVID-19 pandemic. With dwindling box office returns and the launch of Disney+, emphasis was taken away from the theatrical release of these films and instead they found their audiences on streaming services.
These films can be best characterised as sharing elements of the Revival Era whilst also venturing into some more experimental territory like Post-Rennaisance films attempted.
These films can be best characterised as sharing elements of the Revival Era whilst also venturing into some more experimental territory like Post-Rennaisance films attempted.