If there’s one thing that people know about me, or should know; I’m a Disney fanatic. I’ve seen darn near every Disney animated feature and as a kid could probably recite the film to you verbatim. I’m not sure if it’s the timeless stories or the wonderful music, or if it’s just the simple magic of Disney, but I love Disney. This is a ranking of my least favorite to most favorite animated features from 1937-1994. The other half will come later.

1. Pinocchio

This may actually be my least favorite Disney animated feature. I feel that there’s just too much involved in this story of a wooden puppet who wants to become a real boy. However, it does have to make the list as a reminder that it’s okay to wish upon a star and that dreams can come true.

2. Peter Pan

Again, this is not really one of my favorite features. I again feel that there are too man characters and too much going on between the Lost Boys, Pan, the Darlings, Tiger Lily and Hook. Quite honestly the ranking ties with Pinocchio for least favorite film.

3. 101 Dalmatians

I feel story line for this film was a little better. Not as many separate story lines to try to follow. Plus this film had some real world issues attached to it. I don’t know how often dogs would have been used, but many other animals were being skinned for fur coats and still are. And let us no forget the dastardly Cruella De Vil who is maybe as dastardly as her name suggests.

4. Alice in Wonderland

Reaching into the realm of fantasy, I have to almost enjoy the imagination behind this film. Still a lot happening in this film, but the parables told from the characters Alice meets are there to teach her important lessons. These lessons can be taken away for all kids to learn about growing up and facing reality without necessarily letting go of imagination.

5. Cinderella

Now we’re into the princess films. It’s the one thing every girl dreams of, right? Being a princess and finding the prince? While it is something I’ve always hoped for, I wouldn’t say it’s always been the one thing at the top of my list. My draw to this film is actually the song A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes. Linking back now to When You Wish Upon a Star, “They say if you dream a dream more than once, it’s bound to come true.” Another classic example of the magic of Disney at work for me.

6. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

Another princess movie, but I don’t like it because it’s a princess movie. I also don’t like it because she gets the prince that she knew someday would come. This film was one of the inspirations for my vocal talent. Ariana Casellotti was an trained opera singer with a classical voice and that was what I aspired to as a vocalist as a child.

7.The Sword in the Stone

Here we have the tale of the boy destined to become king. Young Arthur who manages to pull the sword from the stone when no one else could. I think what’s most entertaining about this film is actually Merlin and his mishap adventures with Madam Mim.

8. The Black Cauldron

Please don’t ask why this one made the list. It’s a very dark tale for a child to be watching and actually scared me half to death as a child with the Horned King. The comic relief of Gurgi on the adventure may be this film’s one true redeeming grace.

9. Oliver and Company

This film was an interesting spin on the classic Dicken’s novel, Oliver Twist. An abandoned cat is taken in by a little girl but runs into the streetwise dog Dodger and his crew. With great songs by Billy Joel, Huey Lewis, and voice talents of Bette Midler;this film is a must watch at least once.

10. The Rescuers Down Under

Join Bianca and Bernard on an adventure to Australia to help a young boy in need. The role of the Rescuer society is the help children in need of escaping from dangerous family situations. But, as is common with sequels, it’s wasn’t as good as the first one.

11. The Rescuers

Bianca and Bernard as dispatched to help a little girl in need in this film. Her caretaker needs her help in capturing a precious diamond, but has no further use for her after that. Will she get the diamond and find a family? This film is great tale of friendship that explores loneliness and finding family.

12. Aladdin

Maybe not my favorite film, but it does help to explore A Whole New World of possibilities. An orphaned street brat who lives off stealing food just to survive can become something more than what he is. Maybe the best route isn’t to use a genie to doit but he learns to be himself and is excepted into the folds of the royal family and gets the princess in the end.

13. The Aristocats

Here’s an interesting adventure of well taken care of cats who are destined to inherit a fortune from their owner. When the butler learns of this he is determined to get rid of the cats. With the help of a street wise Tom cat by the name of O’Malley, the cats find their way home and even end up extending their family out to all the cats of Paris.

14. Lady and the Tramp

Beauty and the Beast for dogs. Lady is beautiful, well taken care of pure bred. Tramp is a ladies man type dog off the streets. When the family puts lady outside after the baby is born, she encounters Tramp who shows her a different side of the fence. Now, can Lady help Tramp find a home before he’s put down?

15. Sleeping Beauty

Yet another princess movie, but it deserves a decent ranking. This film had wonderful music as well as an amazing villain. Who can deny how chilling Maleficent was with her curse on the child as calm as could be? Though, honestly I’d like to reach a point where we get away from the typical damsel in distress story line.

16. Robin Hood

Steal from the rich to give to the poor with Robin Hood. And lets not forget about the wonderful Maid Marion. This film is fun and entertaining from start to finish. It’s a must watch for the whole family.

17. Bambi

There’sa new young prince of the forest and his name is Bambi. Join Bambi and his friends, Thumper and Flower, in the forest as he learns and grows into a young buck. Watch as they fall in love, or as Owl says they are “twitterpated.” Also watch as Bambi and Faline find a way to escape man’s destruction of their home.

18. Jungle Book

Look for the Bare Necessities with Mowgli in the jungle. He must travel across the jungle and away from his family of wolves to the man village to escape the tiger, Shere Khan.

19. The Great Mouse Detective

A mouse like adventure similar to the tales of Sherlock Holmes. Join Basil and Dawson in an adventure to save a little girl’s father from the clutches of a rat who wants to take over London.

20. The Fox and the Hound

Two creatures who are supposed to be sworn enemies, actually become the best of friends in this tale. A fox is taken in by a widow and learns to play, without any sign of prejudice with a hound puppy from a hunter next door. Even as adults the two never forgot their friendship even though they were supposed to be sworn enemies.

21. Lion King

Join Simba as he becomes king of Pride Rock. This is Disney’s take on the Shakespeare classic of Hamlet. A young prince loses his father at the hands of his uncle and must fight to gain back his throne. At least this tale has a happy ending for our prince. This will always rank as one of my favorites due to the lovable characters and he music of Elton John that bring this movie to life.

22. Little Mermaid

This film ties for the top spot up until 1994. I have to love the music in this film and the strong will of Ariel to follow her dreams of being human. The only pitfall that keeps them from actually making number one on this list is that same old damsel in distress and the desire for a prince.

23. Beauty and the Beast

Last but not least is Beauty and the Beast. This has been my all time favorite Disney film since childhood. The bookworm and independent Belle has been my inspiration and drive as a person. I’ve never been one to fit into a crowd and I don’t fall for the popular, good looking guy who chases me. My type is the kind that is a little rough around the edges but once you actually get to know the person you see what I consider the soul and true beauty of the person behind the looks. I love the music and the characters of this movie and it will always be my favorite because I can relate to it.