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Best Disney Movies of All Time

Best Disney Movies of All Time

Since its birth as the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio in the 1920s, the Walt Disney Company has captured the essence of childhood innocence with motion pictures. In its nearly 100-year history, Disney has defined what is possible in animation and proved that characters like Mickey Mouse, Snow White, and Peter Pan can transcend childhood wonderment and stay relevant for generations of adults.

Today, Disney has grown into a global entertainment powerhouse with the company generating nearly $60 billion in collective revenue during fiscal 2018. With a vast cultural reach extending into television, music, and merchandise, it’s little wonder that many families still consider a pilgrimage to Disney theme parks the ultimate vacation.

Disney also continues to be hugely successful at the box office. The company has already released two of the year’s top grossing films with “Aladdin” and “Toy Story 4,” and is responsible for some of the world’s highest grossing movies of all time. The company’s remake of “The Lion King” — set to be released on July 19 — is similarly predicted to be a hit and is one of the company’s most anticipated upcoming movies.

24/7 Tempo has identified the best Disney movies of all time, based on audience and critic ratings on the Internet Movie Database (IMDb) and Rotten Tomatoes.

 

Source: Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

40. The Jungle Book (2016)
> Directed by: Jon Favreau
> Starring: Neel Sethi, Bill Murray, Ben Kingsley
> Domestic box office gross: $364.0 million

Director Jon Favreau scored critical acclaim with this part-CGI/part live-action remake of the Disney 1967 classic animated feature. Both the original and remake are based on Rudyard Kipling’s 1894 short story collection of the same name and follow a “man-cub” named Mowgli who is forced out of the jungle after being raised by wolves.

Source: Courtesy of Buena Vista Film Distribution Company

39. Lady and the Tramp (1955)
> Directed by: Clyde Geronimi, Wilfred Jackson, Hamilton Luske
> Starring: Barbara Luddy, Larry Roberts, Peggy Lee
> Domestic box office gross: $93.6 million

Barbara Luddy and Larry Roberts lend their voices to the titular roles of this beloved 1955 Disney romance about a pampered uptown spaniel and a gruff downtown mutt who find an unexpected connection. This film’s classic animation holds up well with current critics, earning a 93% fresh score on Rotten Tomatoes. It was the first animated film shot using the ultra-wide CinemaScope lens.

Source: Courtesy of Buena Vista Distribution Company

38. One Hundred and One Dalmatians (1961)
> Directed by: Clyde Geronimi, Hamilton Luske, Wolfgang Reitherman
> Starring: Rod Taylor, Betty Lou Gerson, J. Pat O’Malley
> Domestic box office gross: $144.9 million

This 1961 animated classic introduced one of the all-time great Disney villains — Cruella De Vil voiced by Betty Lou Gerson. After Cruella kidnaps a litter of 15 puppies, canine parents Pongo (Rod Taylor) and Perdita (Cate Bauer) launch a harrowing plan to get them back. Based on the children’s story by Dodie Smith, “One Hundred and One Dalmatians” scores an impressive 98% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes but falls behind in audience score at 76%.

Source: Courtesy of Touchstone Pictures

37. Lincoln (2012)
> Directed by: Steven Spielberg
> Starring: Daniel Day-Lewis, Sally Field, David Strathairn
> Domestic box office gross: $182.2 million

Daniel Day-Lewis won an Academy Award for his portrayal of the 16th president of the United States in this Steven Spielberg-directed 2012 biopic. Sally Field was also nominated as Best Actress in a Supporting Role for her portrayal of Mary Todd Lincoln. The film focuses on Abraham Lincoln’s final months in office as he struggles to unite the fractured nation and end slavery.

Source: Courtesy of RKO Radio Pictures

36. Cinderella (1950)
> Directed by: Clyde Geronimi, Wilfred Jackson, Hamilton Luske
> Starring: Ilene Woods, James MacDonald, Eleanor Audley
> Domestic box office gross: $85.0 million

Walt Disney and company adapted “Cinderella” from a folk tale with roots dating back as far as ancient Greece. This version is a comparatively whimsical tale to the original story. At the time of its release, critics lauded Disney’s lush animation. Reviewing the movie for The Chicago Tribune, Mae Tinee said it has “glowing colors to bedeck the old fairy tale.”

Source: Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

35. Big Hero 6 (2014)
> Directed by: Don Hall, Chris Williams
> Starring: Ryan Potter, Scott Adsit, Jamie Chung
> Domestic box office gross: $222.5 million

Centering on a robotics prodigy and his best friend, an oversized robot named Baymax, “Big Hero 6” is an animated feature for the new generation. The film was produced after Disney acquired Marvel Entertainment in 2009 and went in search of a lesser-known comic title the studio could adapt with a signature style. It was a hit with critics and viewers alike, scoring an 87% fresh score and 91% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.

Source: Courtesy of Buena Vista Film Distribution Company

34. Old Yeller (1957)
> Directed by: Robert Stevenson
> Starring: Dorothy McGuire, Fess Parker, Tommy Kirk
> Domestic box office gross: $21.9 million

An early live-action classic for Disney, “Old Yeller” was based on the Newbery Honor-winning children’s book of the same name by Fred Gipson. In the film, a teenage boy named Travis Coates (Tommy Kirk) is helping to manage his family’s farm when a haggard dog shows up uninvited. The yellow Labrador soon wins over the entire family, and the film has won over 100% of critics on Rotten Tomatoes.

Source: Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

33. Frozen (2013)
> Directed by: Chris Buck, Jennifer Lee
> Starring: Kristen Bell, Idina Menzel, Jonathan Groff
> Domestic box office gross: $400.7 million

“Frozen” was not only one of the biggest box office smashes of 2013, but also the highest grossing animated film of all time, raking in an eye-popping $1.3 billion worldwide. Kristin Bell lends her voice to the lead character, Princess Anna, who is joined by a motley crew on an adventure to save her frozen kingdom from her older sister Elsa (Idina Menzel). It rates 7.5 out of 10 stars on IMDB and has a 90% fresh rating at Rotten Tomatoes.

Source: Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

32. Tangled (2010)
> Directed by: Nathan Greno, Byron Howard
> Starring: Mandy Moore, Zachary Levi, Donna Murphy
> Domestic box office gross: $200.8 million

With 2010’s “Tangled,” Disney Animation Studios flexed its fairy tale muscles again, this time taking on the story of Rapunzel. Zachary Levi’s Flynn Rider is on the lam in an abandoned tower when he’s captured by Mandy Moore’s Rapunzel. He ends up helping her escape in this adventure and romance story. Though animated with computers, “Tangled” was designed to visually resemble the look of paintings.

Source: Courtesy of Buena Vista Pictures

31. Monsters, Inc. (2001)
> Directed by: Pete Docter, David Silverman, Lee Unkrich
> Starring: Billy Crystal, John Goodman, Mary Gibbs
> Domestic box office gross: $289.9 million

“Monsters, Inc.” was the fourth feature release for Pixar and follows 1999’s “Toy Story 2.” John Goodman and Billy Crystal star in the leading roles of James P. “Sulley” Sullivan and Michael “Mike” Wazowski, two professional monsters who are tasked with returning a two-year-old human girl to the human world. Bill Murray had initially won the Sully role, but director Pete Docter had trouble reaching Murray after his screen test and eventually moved on to Goodman.

Source: Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

30. Black Panther (2018)
> Directed by: Ryan Coogler
> Starring: Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong’o
> Domestic box office gross: $700.1 million

Marvel’s “Black Panther” has grossed over $700 million ar the domestic box office since its 2018 release, but it’s actually the second time the beloved comic was developed for film. Wesley Snipes initially signed on to produce and star as the king of Wakanda in the 1990s but that project collapsed due to Snipes’ commitment to the “Blade” franchise. Director Ryan Coogler finally brought the comic to life, and it currently has a 97% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Source: Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

29. Moana (2016)
> Directed by: Ron Clements, John Musker, Don Hall
> Starring: Auli’i Cravalho, Dwayne Johnson, Rachel House
> Domestic box office gross: $248.8 million

With 2016’s “Moana,” Disney takes on the lesser-known mythology of the ancient Polynesian explorers. Auli’i Cravalho voices the film’s titular character as she ventures off from her native island in search of Dwayne Johnson’s mighty demigod Maui. Having raked in $643 million worldwide since its release, “Moana” spotlights Disney’s ability to bring diverse stories to a global audience.

Source: Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

28. Thor: Ragnarok (2017)
> Directed by: Taika Waititi
> Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Cate Blanchett
> Domestic box office gross: $315.1 million

“Thor: Ragnarok” marks Chris Hemsworth’s fourth turn as the Norse superhero. Hemsworth felt the character was starting to grow stale before production started, and director Taika Waititi responded by recasting Thor as a prisoner, stripped of his mythic hammer and desperate to return home to and defend his homeland from Cate Blanchett’s villainous Hela. Fans and critics embraced the fresh take on Thor, and the movie currently has an 87% audience score and 93% freshness on Rotten Tomatoes.

Source: jacoblund / Getty Images

27. Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)
> Directed by: Anthony Russo, Joe Russo
> Starring: Chris Evans, Samuel L. Jackson, Scarlett Johansson
> Domestic box office gross: $259.8 million

Following 2011’s “Captain America: The First Avenger,” this Marvel blockbuster finds Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) teamed with an unlikely partner in fellow S.H.I.E.L.D. member Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson). They must eliminate a deadly assassin known as the Winter Soldier, a task that hits close to home for Captain America. A favorite entry into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” is certified 90% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes with a 92% audience score.

Source: GiorgioMorara / Getty Images

26. Incredibles 2 (2018)
> Directed by: Brad Bird
> Starring: Craig T. Nelson, Holly Hunter, Sarah Vowell
> Domestic box office gross: $608.6 million

Director Brad Bird faced a momentous challenge — creating a worthy sequel to 2004’s “The Incredibles” — but he pulled it off with flying colors. Time magazine called this sequel “rapturously entertaining,” and it has earned a 94% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. In addition to directing both Incredibles films, Bird also helmed Pixar’s 2007 smash “Ratatouille.”

Source: Courtesy of Buena Vista Film Distribution Company

25. Sleeping Beauty (1959)
> Directed by: Clyde Geronimi
> Starring: Mary Costa, Bill Shirley, Eleanor Audley
> Domestic box office gross: $51.6 million

This Disney animated classic tells the story of Princess Aurora (Mary Costa), who is cast into an unending sleep by the evil fairy Maleficent (Eleanor Audley). Only Prince Philip (Bill Shirley) can break the spell, but he must defeat Maleficent first. “Sleeping Beauty” had a production budget of $6 million, making it the most expensive animated film ever at the time.

Source: Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

24. Captain America: Civil War (2016)
> Directed by: Anthony Russo, Joe Russo
> Starring: Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson
> Domestic box office gross: $408.1 million

“Captain America: Civil War” is a high-action affair that finds Chris Evans’ Steve Rogers/Captain America squaring off with Robert Downey Jr.’s Tony Stark/Iron Man in a dispute over the Avengers’ future. Since its release, the film has grossed an epic $1.15 billion worldwide, and it has a 91% Freshness rating among critics on Rotten Tomatoes.

Source: Courtesy of Buena Vista Pictures

23. Finding Nemo (2003)
> Directed by: Andrew Stanton, Lee Unkrich
> Starring: Albert Brooks, Ellen DeGeneres, Alexander Gould
> Domestic box office gross: $380.8 million

“Finding Nemo” was the No. 1 box office earner during its opening weekend in 2003, and it remains a Disney/Pixar favorite with a 99% Freshness rating among critics on Rotten Tomatoes. Albert Brooks voices the film’s lead character, a clownfish named Marlin. When his son Nemo disappears in the Great Barrier Reef, Marlin and his royal blue tang friend Dory (Ellen DeGeneres) stretch their limits to find the youngster.

Source: Courtesy of RKO Radio Pictures

22. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)
> Directed by: William Cottrell, David Hand, Wilfred Jackson
> Starring: Adriana Caselotti, Harry Stockwell, Lucille La Verne
> Domestic box office gross: $184.9 million

The film that paved the way for Disney’s future groundbreaking work, “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” took three years and $1.5 million to finish. This was an unimaginable sum for an animated film in the 1930s, but the studio saw a massive return on the investment, and critics hailed the film as an achievement. A New York Daily News reviewer at an early screening wrote: “The entire audience seemed to fall under the magic spell which Walt Disney and his staff of clever magicians wove with great artistry on the screen.”

Source: Courtesy of RKO Radio Pictures

21. Pinocchio (1940)
> Directed by: Norman Ferguson, T. Hee, Wilfred Jackson
> Starring: Dickie Jones, Christian Rub, Jack Bailey
> Domestic box office gross: $84.3 million

“Pinocchio” was the second animated feature release from Walt Disney Productions following the success of 1937’s “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.” It tells the story of a partially animate puppet (Dickie Jones) who can only become a real boy by adhering to a strict moral code. It was the first animated film to win competitive Academy Awards in 1941, taking the prizes for Best Original Score and Best Original Song.

Source: Courtesy of Buena Vista Distribution Company

20. The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (1977)
> Directed by: John Lounsbery, Wolfgang Reitherman
> Starring: Sebastian Cabot, Junius Matthews, Barbara Luddy
> Domestic box office gross: N/A

This 1977 classic combined four previously released Winnie the Pooh shorts based on books by A.A. Milne. Sterling Holloway lends his voice to the lovable, honey-eating bear and is joined by Ralph Wright as Eeyore and Paul Winchell as Tigger. The film has been praised for its commitment to the original books and maintains a perfect 100% Freshness rating among critics on Rotten Tomatoes.

Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images

19. The Little Mermaid (1989)
> Directed by: Ron Clements, John Musker
> Starring: Jodi Benson, Samuel E. Wright, Rene Auberjonois
> Domestic box office gross: $111.5 million

“The Little Mermaid” was a project of Walt Disney’s long before it became a box office hit in 1989. Initially conceived in the 1930s, Disney put the project aside to push ahead with “The Ugly Duckling,” and it stayed on the shelf until studio execs revived it in 1984. Jodi Benson provides the voice of Princess Ariel as she squares off against evil sea witch Ursula, voiced by Pat Carroll.

Source: Courtesy of Buena Vista Pictures

18. The Straight Story (1999)
> Directed by: David Lynch
> Starring: Richard Farnsworth, Sissy Spacek, Jane Galloway Heitz
> Domestic box office gross: $6.2 million

This 1999 David Lynch drama tells the true story of Alvin Straight (Richard Farnsworth), who embarked on a long, slow drive from Iowa to Wisconsin on a John Deere lawn mower to reconnect with his estranged brother. The film didn’t achieve the same financial success as many of Disney’s, hits but it was a critical success and holds an impressive 96% Freshness rating from critics and 91% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.

Source: Courtesy of Buena Vista Distribution Company

17. Mary Poppins (1964)
> Directed by: Robert Stevenson
> Starring: Julie Andrews, Dick Van Dyke, David Tomlinson
> Domestic box office gross: $102.3 million

Julie Andrews made her feature film debut in “Mary Poppins” and found immediate screen success, winning the Oscar for Best Actress at the 37th Academy Awards. This picture uses a combination of live action and animation to tell the story of a magical nanny who teaches the Banks family that every day can be its own adventure. The beloved family classic has grossed $102.3 million at the box office since premiering in 1964.

Source: Courtesy of Buena Vista Pictures

16. The Lion King (1994)
> Directed by: Roger Allers, Rob Minkoff
> Starring: Matthew Broderick, Jeremy Irons, James Earl Jones
> Domestic box office gross: $312.9 million

“The Lion King” was an instant hit with viewers and critics in 1994, with Rolling Stone’s Peter Travers praising its music and “fun, eye-popping thrills.” It has remained a fan favorite, and currently has a 93% score in both Freshness Freshness from critics and audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. Matthew Broderick leads this loaded voice cast in the role of Simba, with Jeremy Irons voicing the scheming Scar.

Source: Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

15. Zootopia (2016)
> Directed by: Byron Howard, Rich Moore, Jared Bush
> Starring: Ginnifer Goodwin, Jason Bateman, Idris Elba
> Domestic box office gross: $341.3 million

When “Zootopia” premiered in 2016, it became Disney Animation Studios’ biggest hit since 2013’s “Frozen.” Raking in $1.02 billion at box offices around the world, it became the fourth animated film ever to crest the billion dollar mark. It has also shown impressive staying power since release day, holding a 97% Freshness rating from critics and 92% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Source: Courtesy of Buena Vista Pictures

14. Ratatouille (2007)
> Directed by: Brad Bird, Jan Pinkava
> Starring: Brad Garrett, Lou Romano, Patton Oswalt
> Domestic box office gross: $206.5 million

This 2007 Pixar hit centers around Remy (Patton Oswalt), a rat with the unlikely ambition of becoming a great chef. He strikes up a friendship with restaurant worker Alfredo Linguini (Lou Romano), and they hatch a plan to see his dreams come to life. The film was initially conceived by animator Jan Pinkava, but Pixar chose Brad Bird as director after losing faith in Pinkava’s direction for the project.

Source: Courtesy of Walt Disney Productions

13. Fantasia (1940)
> Directed by: James Algar, Samuel Armstrong, Ford Beebe Jr.
> Starring: Leopold Stokowski, Deems Taylor, Corey Burton
> Domestic box office gross: $76.4 million

“Fantasia,” Disney’s third animated feature, includes eight vignettes set to classical music performed by the Philadelphia Orchestra and conducted by Leopold Stokowski. The sections combine surreal imagery, including dancing monsters, humanoid house tools, and regal unicorns, with Mickey Mouse serving as a wizard-like conductor. It was groundbreaking at the time, and reviewer Edwin Schallert, writing for the Los Angeles Times, called the work “courageous beyond belief.”

Source: Courtesy of Buena Vista Pictures

12. Aladdin (1992)
> Directed by: Ron Clements, John Musker
> Starring: Scott Weinger, Robin Williams, Linda Larkin
> Domestic box office gross: $217.4 million

The role of Genie was created specifically for Robin Williams, and “Aladdin” is credited as one of the first animated features to use a major star as a voice talent. It was a financial and critical success, winning Academy Awards for Best Original Score and Best Song. Fans and critics still love “Aladdin,” and it has a 94% Freshness rating from critics and 92% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.

Source: Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

11. Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens (2015)
> Directed by: J.J. Abrams
> Starring: Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac
> Domestic box office gross: $936.7 million

“The Force Awakens” marked the start of the new Star Wars trilogy, and it was the first film under the Disney brand. George Lucas was not highly involved with the production but said he was comfortable handing Star Wars off to Kathleen Kennedy and her team at Disney for the future. The new arrangement was a huge success, bringing in $2.07 billion worldwide since opening.

Source: Courtesy of Buena Vista Pictures

10. Toy Story (1995)
> Directed by: John Lasseter
> Starring: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Don Rickles
> Domestic box office gross: $191.8 million

“Toy Story” was a groundbreaking achievement in computer animation, but it almost died on the vine. In an earlier version of the picture, Tom Hanks’s Woody was less likable, and Disney execs were ready to pull the plug on Pixar’s dream of releasing the first fully-CGI animated feature ever. With a reworked script and a kinder version of Woody, the film outpaced Disney and Pixar’s box office expectations, pulling in over $370 million.

Source: Courtesy of Buena Vista Pictures

9. Toy Story 2 (1999)
> Directed by: John Lasseter, Ash Brannon, Lee Unkrich
> Starring: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack
> Domestic box office gross: $245.9 million

In the second edition of the franchise, Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen) takes center stage in a rescue mission to save Woody (Tom Hanks) after he is kidnapped by a toy collector. Disney initially planned “Toy Story 2” as a direct-to-video sequel, but the picture outpaced its predecessor at the box office and has since grossed nearly $500 million worldwide. It currently has an impressive 100% Freshness rating from critics and an 86% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.

Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

8. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
> Directed by: Henry Selick
> Starring: Danny Elfman, Chris Sarandon, Catherine O’Hara
> Domestic box office gross: $75.1 million

The stop motion animation used in “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” with characters realized by Tim Burton, gives this picture a distinct identity among Disney’s many animated hits. With a darker twist on the animated feature, the company feared this project would be too dark for kids and elected to release it under the Touchstone imprint. Chris Sarandon provides the speaking voice for lead character Jack Skellington, while Danny Elfman handles his singing voice.

Source: Courtesy of Buena Vista Pictures

7. Beauty and the Beast (1991)
> Directed by: Gary Trousdale, Kirk Wise
> Starring: Paige O’Hara, Robby Benson, Jesse Corti
> Domestic box office gross: $219.0 million

Disney’s 1991 animated adaptation of “Beauty and the Beast” is the studio’s 30th animated feature and came during the 10-year period known as the Disney Renaissance. Other films released at the time include “The Little Mermaid,” “Aladdin,” “The Lion King,” and “Mulan.” Fans and critics continue to love “Beauty and the Beast,” and it currently has a 94% Freshness rating from critics and 92% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.

Source: Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

6. Up (2009)
> Directed by: Pete Docter, Bob Peterson
> Starring: Edward Asner, Jordan Nagai, John Ratzenberger
> Domestic box office gross: $293.0 million

In “Up,” Ed Asner lends his voice to leading character Carl Fredricksen, an aging balloon salesman with a dream to travel and experience far-off lands. Jordan Nagai stars opposite Asner in the role of Russell, an adventure scout who unwittingly joins Fredricksen’s adventure.

Source: Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

5. WALL·E (2008)
> Directed by: Andrew Stanton
> Starring: Ben Burtt, Elissa Knight, Jeff Garlin
> Domestic box office gross: $223.8 million

“WALL-E” was an instant success for Disney and Pixar, piling up over $63 million in its first weekend of its release — it was the No.1 film that weekend. The film follows a lonely trash-cleaning robot on a desolate, future Planet Earth as he falls in love with a visiting robot named EVE. The picture was also a hit with critics, winning the Oscar for Best Animated Feature in 2009.

Source: Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

4. Coco (2017)
> Directed by: Lee Unkrich, Adrian Molina
> Starring: Anthony Gonzalez, Gael Garcí­a Bernal, Benjamin Bratt
> Domestic box office gross: $209.7 million

Hollywood newcomer Anthony Gonzalez voices the lead character Miguel in Disney and Pixar’s 2017 feature “Coco.” Against his family’s wishes, he dreams of becoming a musician and ventures into the world of the dead to meet a musical ancestor. The movie was a hit among critics, 97% of whom gave it a positive review on Rotten Tomatoes.

Source: Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

3. Toy Story 4 (2019)
> Directed by: Josh Cooley
> Starring: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Annie Potts
> Domestic box office gross: $246.7 million

This 2019 addition to the enormously successful “Toy Story” franchise finds Woody (Tom Hanks), Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen), and the crew packing up for a road trip with their owner Bonnie and her family. Woody helps pump up Bonnie’s new favorite toy Forkie (Tony Hale) and crosses paths with a long-lost acquaintance Bo Peep (Annie Potts). It’s a favorite on Rotten Tomatoes, landing a 98% Freshness rating from critics and a 94% audience score.

Source: Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

2. Inside Out (2015)
> Directed by: Pete Docter, Ronnie Del Carmen
> Starring: Amy Poehler, Bill Hader, Lewis Black
> Domestic box office gross: $356.5 million

The animated comedy “Inside Out” gets inside the head of Riley Anderson (Kaitlyn Dias), a pre-teen girl struggling to adjust to life in San Francisco after moving from Minnesota. Riley’s emotions, played by Amy Poehler, Bill Hader, Lewis Black, Phyliss Smith, and Mindy Kaling, live within her head and help her find balance. The film opened at No. 2 in box offices, grossing more than $90 million in its first weekend.

Source: Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

1. Toy Story 3 (2010)
> Directed by: Lee Unkrich
> Starring: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack
> Domestic box office gross: $415.0 million

With the massive success of “Toy Story” and “Toy Story 2,” director Lee Unkrich admitted that he felt huge pressure to deliver on “Toy Story 3.” The third installment went on to gross more than the first two combined and was named the Best Movie of 2010 by Time magazine. It still holds up on Rotten Tomatoes, with a 98% Freshness rating among critics and an 89% audience score.


Detailed findings:

While Disney remains firmly dedicated to its animated roots, traditionally illustrated classics like “Bambi” and “Dumbo” have largely given way to computer-animated features such as the 2001’s “Monsters, Inc.” and 2003’s “Finding Nemo.”

Disney’s turn towards computer animation and 3D began with the release of Pixar’s ground-breaking 1995 release “Toy Story.” It was the first-ever feature created entirely with CGI technology, and it cemented a massively lucrative 12-year partnership with Disney and an eventual merger in 2006. The “Toy Story” franchise has gone on to become one of the top 25 highest grossing film franchises of all time, hauling in a whopping $2.6 billion worldwide.

Disney Animation Studios has capitalized on the momentum “Toy Story” created, releasing in the last decades titles such as “Tangled” (2010), “Big Hero 6” (2014), and “Moana” (2016), which have each grossed well over $500 million in box offices worldwide. Meanwhile, 2013’s “Frozen” has raked in nearly $1.3 billion.With this new generation of animated features, Disney and Pixar have continued to capture the imagination of global youth and convert parents into loyal, merchandise-buying customers.

With such a deep and influential animated film catalog, one might easily forget that Disney has also created some hugely successful live-action features. From “Old Yeller” (1957) to “Lincoln” (2012), Disney’s live-action releases complement its animated offerings with action, drama, and mystery, appealing to both adults and children. Some of the most popular live-action features in Disney’s collection have come from its LucasFilm imprint. Since acquiring LucasFilm in 2012, Disney has expanded the iconic Star Wars franchise, reviving classic characters and weaving new voices into the saga.

Methodology:

To be considered for this ranking, a film had to have attracted a total of at least 10,000 user ratings on IMDb, 10 Tomatometer critic reviews, and to have been produced by either Walt Disney Pictures or Walt Disney Productions. 24/7 Tempo’s index tallied an average for each film using its average audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes and average user rating on Internet Movie Database, each weighted by the number of votes. We then averaged the combined user rating with the film’s Rotten Tomatoes’ average critic rating.

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