We're all very familiar with Disney movies like "The Lion King" and "Mulan," but there are other great Disney animated classics that are not currently included in many home DVD collections and deserve recognition for their wonderful stories. Check out these 7 great Disney films that deserve a play at your next movie night.
1. "Pinnochio" (1940)
This Disney movie was so well-done it received an 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Pinnochio is based on the book "The Adventures of Pinocchio" by Carlo Collodi about a wooden puppet named Pinnochio (whose name means "pine seed") created by a wood carver named Gepetto. The puppet desires to become a real boy but his mischievous adventures hinder his wish from coming true. Enjoy Disney's take on the story of this mischievous puppet who receives advice from the sagely Jiminy Cricket. The music is just as great as the storyline and the film has received Academy Awards for Best Song and Best Scoring of a Musical Picture.
2. "The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad" (1949)
You've probably sat on the ride at Disney Land but have never seen this movie. This movie combines elements of the well-known stories "The Wind in the Willows" by Kenneth Grahame and "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" by Washington Irving. Popular singer Bing Crosby also narrates the film's story, which is appropriately split into two sections dedicated to each respective plot. The segment about Mr. Toad follows his attempt to gain back Toad Hall after losing the deed to the estate, while the latter half of the film focuses on Ichabod Crane's mysterious disappearance after an encounter with the Headless Horseman. Enjoy the story of Mr. Toad and his animal friends or schoolmaster Ichabod Crane and the Headless Horseman, all for the price of one movie.
3. "The Sword in the Stone" (1963)
This movie is based on the book of the same name by Terence Hanbury White and was the last movie released before Walt Disney's death. "The Sword in the Stone" follows the journey of Wart, a young apprentice, who receives guidance from the wizard Merlin as he attempts to pull out a legendary sword from its stone. This humorous tale with lovable characters will leave you laughing throughout the feature presentation.
4. "The Rescuers" (1977)
"The Rescuers" is based on a book series of the same name by Margery Sharp and has a sequel, "The Rescuers Down Under." The film is about two mice named Bernard and Miss Bianca that work for an international mouse organization in New York, the Rescue Aid Society, and are on a mission to rescue an orphan girl named Penny from the clutches of Madame Medusa. Join these mighty mice on their quest in this animated tale full of adventures.
5. "The Black Cauldron" (1985)
"The Black Cauldron" is based on "Chronicles of Prydain," a book series influenced by Greek mythology and written by Lloyd Alexander. This story is about a Taran, a young boy who sets out on a quest with four friends to prevent the Horned King from obtaining a Black Cauldron that brings the dead back to life. This unorthodox journey will suit the tastes of anyone who enjoys animation combined with action and adventure.
6. "The Great Mouse Detective" (1986)
This movie is based on the children's book series, "Basil of Baker Street," by Eve Titus. "The Great Mouse Detective" is about a young mouse named Olivia who witnesses her toymaker being kidnapped by a bat named Professor Ratigan, an evil professor who desired to utilize the toymaker's skills to clone the Queen and control all of England. She seeks the expertise of a famous detective named Basil of Baker Street. Join Olivia in her quest to thwart the plans of the cunning Ratigan.
7. "Oliver and Company" 1998
I watched this movie on repeat as a kid, yet many of my friends have never actually seen this Disney classic inspired by Charles Dickens' book "Oliver Twist." The story is about a cat named Oliver who becomes lost around the streets of New York and joins a group of mutts that steal from other people. The little orange cat eventually finds refuge at the home of a young girl named Jenny and the two are a perfect match. This story will touch the heart of any cat lovers.
