... And They Lived Happily Ever After

Six months ago or so, Mandy and I were watching the Disney channel one night and happened to catch Cinderella. It was pretty rad seeing a movie you haven't seen since you were, like, five, and I got the idea to watch all the old Disney movies, especially the ones that I didn't quite "get" when I was little.

For instance, Jenna rented Lady and the Tramp last week, and as we watched it I realized just how much went over my head when I watched that movie as a kid. I mean, there are a lot of references in that movie that an eight-year-old doesn't get.

Currently, Sonia, Jenna, and I are watching Snow White, which we rented from the library (free movie rentals this month- go check it out). Actually Sonia is slightly mocking it. I think she may have been deprived of Disney as a child. But Jenna and I are watching it, and I highly recommend to all my adoring fans that you also take an "grown-up" look at this movie. I don't know how I watched it at age five without being absolutely terrified. Or, maybe I was and it's just one of my many repressed memories....

Here's the complete list of Disney movies, with dates and some fun facts, that I'll be checking off as I re-watch each classic. Oh, the hours of childish enjoyment ahead of us!


Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (12/21/1937) Granted a special Academy Award for screen innovation in 1938: one large and seven small oscars.
Pinocchio (02/07/1940)
Fantasia (11/13/1940)
Dumbo (10/23/1941) The first of the animated films to have been released on video.
Bambi (08/13/1942) As a bit of trivia, this is the animated feature with the fewest lines of dialog.
Saludos Amigos (02/06/1943) Set in South America, this film was targeted more towards the population in Latin America as the audience in Europe, and revenues from that continent, dwindled in World War II.
The Three Caballeros (02/03/1945) This is somewhat of a sequel to Saludos Amigos.
Make Mine Music (08/15/1946) Almost like a second Fantasia, but featuring more popular music in 10 shorter sequences, which lack the depth that Fantasia had. It also included Casey at the Bat. Parts of this film have been released separately, under the titles Willie, the Operatic Whale and Peter and the Wolf.
Fun and Fancy Free (09/27/1947) Contained the two stories Mickey and the Beanstalk and Bongo.
Melody Time (05/27/1948)
The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad (10/05/1949) Available as separate short films, under the titles The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and The Wind in the Willows.
Cinderella (02/15/1950) It has been said that this was Walt Disney's favorite film.
Alice in Wonderland (07/28/1951)
Peter Pan (02/05/1953)
Lady and the Tramp (06/22/1955)
Sleeping Beauty (01/29/1959)
101 Dalmatians (01/25/1961)
The Sword in the Stone (12/25/1963)
The Jungle Book (10/18/1967) This was the last film that Walt Disney worked on, as he died prior to its release.
The Aristocats (12/24/1970)
Robin Hood (11/08/1973)
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
The Rescuers (06/22/1977) This film was the last that was developed by the original (Walt) generation of Disney lead animators.
The Fox and the Hound (07/10/1981) The first major effort by the "new generation" of Disney artists.
The Black Cauldron (07/24/1985)
The Great Mouse Detective (07/02/1986)
Oliver and Company (11/18/1988) Made $54M in it's initial release, which at the time was the highest box-office gross of any animated film in its first theatrical run.
The Little Mermaid (11/17/1989) Grossed $89M in its initial US release. This movie is generally thought to mark the beginning of the New Era of Disney animation.
The Rescuers Down Under (11/10/1990) Disney's first official animated sequel. Grossed around $28M in its initial US release. The first feature extensively using the help of computers, which makes it stunning to look at (even from today's view).
Beauty and the Beast (11/15/1991)
Aladdin (11/11/1992)
The Lion King (6/15/94)
Pocahontas (6/23/95)
The Hunchback of Notre Dame (06/21/1996)
Hercules (06/27/1997)
Mulan (06/06/1998)
Tarzan (06/18/1999)
Fantasia 2000 (1999/31/12)
The Emperor's New Groove (12/15/2000)
Atlantis: The Lost Empire (06/15/2001)