The Top 40 Disney 2D Films

The film that saved the Disney company from bankruptcy after the second world war. What is it that makes Cinderella the pivotal Disney film, out of a period of over 75 years film-making? Is it the animation, the characters, the music, the story, the heroine, the villain? It is all of them!
Out of all of the Disney creations, none manage to carefully balance out all aspects and excel in all of them so well as Cinderella. The animation is stunning (think, the moment where her dress is created), the comedy is strong (particularly in the case of the king), all characters are likable (or hate-able), the music is spellbinding (A Dream is a Wish, Sing Sweet Nightingale, So This is Love, Bibbity Bobbity Boo), Cinderella herself makes for a relatable and much loved leading lady, and as far as villains go, her stepmother is, in my books, the very best of them all.
If this doesn't make for a good enough case then look at such moments as the dress-ripping scene, which leads to Cinderella running out into the garden; a scene done so perfectly that when the filmmakers of the 2015 remake came to creating their version they tried copying it to a T.
The most triumphant moment in Cinderella, however, has to be the ending, which to my mind is simply perfection! Two seconds of the step-mother's reaction is all that is needed for the best villain defeat ever!

PLEASE NOTE: Whilst the restoration on the 2012 Diamond Edition is somewhat acceptable to first-time viewers, fans will notice the clumsy mistakes in animation and colouring. Purists should stick to their VHS copies.

Walt Disney's second animated classic, and what a classic it is! Absolutely overloaded with charm; Pinocchio belongs in every Disney top ten.
The tale of a wooden boy brought to life by the lonely wishing of a childless father, who must live a worthy and kind existence in order to become a real boy. Pinocchio is more real than most; setting out with good intentions, but more often than not, getting led astray by the influence of the bad characters that surround him.
There's the superb musical numbers, the laugh-out-loud moments, and a brilliant set of characters; but what is truly phenomenal about Pinocchio is how outstandingly well-crafted it is. Never has animation looked so breathtaking as it does here, even after 75 years.
Containing some of Disney's darkest moments, for what is very nearly a horror story, Pinocchio is a moral tale all children should take lesson from.

NOTE: While the restored 70th Anniversary Edition is of high quality, it does not feature the sepia/candle-light colouring of the original. The 2000 Gold/Classics edition DVD is truer to the original.

Why bless my soul, it's Hercules! Another nineties gem lost amidst the throng of hits. And while it doesn't have the following that perhaps the Lion King has, Hercules still manages to hit all the right notes (seriously, the musical numbers here are great!)
The story of a boy who goes from zero to hero based on Greek mythology could have gone so very wrong; yet manages to go so very right!
The comedy, though unapologetically nineties, is still funny; the animation is solid; the musical numbers are as good as they come (despite such lyrics as 'he was so hot, steam looked cool'); and the plotline/love story is one of the very best, having you right on the edge of your seat.
The best thing about the film is just how likable Hercules is, who makes for arguably the best male lead in any Disney film, which is a refreshing change for a canon very much dominated by princesses.

NOTE: The 2000 Gold/Classics Edition and the restored 2014 Special Edition are both highly recommended.

The master's personal favourite, out of all of his creations; Bambi is a tale of growing up and facing tragedy along the way.
A departure from fantasy, Disney instead presented something remarkably real - a year in the life of a deer. Of course there are brazen rabbits and sexually confused skunks thrown into the mix; but that aside, the wonderful thing about Bambi is that he could, in theory, quite easily exist.
The way in which Disney captures the natural world in it's transformation through the changing seasons, without sugarcoating the struggles of it's wildlife, but rather framing those struggles for all to see, is masterful.
Bambi's legacy is also noteworthy; responsible for inspiring a generation to care more about their wildlife and take up vegetarianism (including, among others, Sir Paul McCartney).
Whilst Bambi's slow pace may not suit everyone, there is no denying the splendor of this film, which serves to remind us of how beautiful life truly is.

NOTE: The restored 2005 Platinum edition and 2011 Diamond Edition are both highly recommended.

The box-office smash that cemented Disney's return to form; Aladdin became one of the company's greatest success stories.
Transporting us to the world of the middle-east, full of flying carpets and hidden treasure, Aladdin captured the imagination of a generation.
The musical numbers were big and the Genie was even bigger, played by (as most will know) the incredible Robin Williams, who pretty much owned the part.
This film is very much larger than life, and yet doesn't manage to mess up on character development or plot; there is real danger to Aladdin - of being caught by Jafar or being found out by Jasmine; plus the twist at the end is pretty good going (though inevitably left it open to a sequel).
Aladdin feels much less like a cartoon, more of a cinematic whirlwind; helped along by some great CGI, but mainly great story telling. The film is action packed, in a similar way to Tarzan, but here the musical numbers fit in perfectly with the tale, so we don't feel like we're suddenly being thrown into a music video.
The second highest 2-D financial success (after The Lion King), Aladdin truly was a diamond in the rough, enchanting viewers with a set of memorable characters, spectacular visuals and a solid storyline.
If nothing else can convince you then the scene to 'A Whole New World' surely must!

NOTE: The restored 2004 Platinum Edition offers a crisp picture with a night sky that looks unbelievably real. While the picture is slightly trimmed, it is minor damage. The only qualm I have is with the musical numbers, which sound superior in their original mix.

Alice in Wonderland became somewhat of an obsession for Walt Disney, who had spent a great deal of time working out how to get this children's classic to work as a full length animated film. In 1951 that dream became a reality and Alice in Wonderland was born!
Despite the hard work, however, the film became a lesser hit for the company, as audiences of the time weren't as thrilled with it as they were with Snow White or Cinderella; and thus, poor old Alice was demoted; occasionally appearing on television, rather than getting a re-release in cinemas.
This lukewarm reception was most undeserved when you appreciate how very iconic the film has become, and how well it succeeds in piecing together a film out of the madness of Carol's work.
The film's strength arrives from how very well it uses Carol's story, and how different it is from other Disney films.
The madness, whit and charm of Alice in Wonderland, coupled with Disney's drawing, make for the very best adaptation of this classic tale.

PLEASE NOTE: The 2011 60th Anniversary Edition is an overkill, resulting in an over-shiny, polished and colourful look. However, the 2004 Masterpiece Edition and 2010 Un-Anniversary Edition are both much more acceptable.

The film that saved the company from bankruptcy (or so the story goes). The Little Mermaid is an animation adored by many, not least of all the Disney company who were on the verge of abandoning animated features altogether, as they were simply not bringing in the cash needed to fund them. So after a dark period, which knocked out such duds as 'The Great Mouse Detective' and 'The Black Cauldron', the company was brought to life again by one special little mermaid.
The great thing about The Little Mermaid is how it kick-started the Broadway experience in Disney films, delivering such classic songs as 'Under The Sea' and the unforgettable 'Part of Your World' (which at one point was considered for being cut from the film, and may have been, had the team working on The Little Mermaid not practically refused to accept the decision).
The music and the emotion surrounding Ariel are key here. So while the animation isn't quite up to par with films such as Snow White or Tarzan, it's still a gem (and the facial expressions of Ariel are spot on!) It will leave you singing for days.

PLEASE NOTE: The restoration on the 2013 Diamond Edition features a superbly restored picture but the audio has been fiddled with and may disappoint some keen listeners. Also, early editions feature various mistakes; the most offensive of which have now been fixed.

Here it is - the family favourite, the crowning jewel of the Disney collective, the nineties sing-along classic!
Argued by many as the greatest Disney film ever made, The Lion King was the surprise success story for the company, which simply did not expect the film to take off the way it did. Currently at a profit of over $987,000,000, The Lion King is the third highest grossing animated film of all time and the only entry on the top twenty to be made before the millennium, and without CGI animation.
Containing a great mix of unforgettable songs, characters and action sequences (think a certain stampede!), The Lion King, arguably, has it all in heaps.
A game changer for Disney it helped a lot of animators from rags to riches, practically overnight.
Not placing it as number one may warrant more death threats than I can possibly handle, but I feel, despite it's many strengths, there are better films out there. With a plot that is not dissimilar from Bambi, it isn't the most original piece; plus Scar has always bothered me as being the lion version of Jafar. But hey, Hakuna Matata!

PLEASE NOTE: Whilst the 2011 Diamond release is far better than the 2003 'Special' edition, it still contains a couple of minor changes and one huge mistake, in which, during one particular scene, the cloud of Mufasa is no longer visible (seriously, they did that!). Also, any claims of it being the 'theatrical cut' are downright lies!
It's nowhere near as bad as Beauty and the Beast, but I would recommend that hardcore fans hang on to their VHS copy for now.

Coupled only with The Little Mermaid, The Fox and the Hound is one of the few great works that came about in the eighties, which wasn't the best of times for the Disney company. Whilst the former came out at the very end of the decade, the Fox and the Hound arrived right at the beginning.
The story of a fox that befriends a hound, only to learn of the very different paths fate had in store for them, this sweet yet heartbreaking tale is very much the Bambi of the eighties.
Noted for being the crossover work between the animators of old, Disney's 'nine old men', and the new and upcoming animators that would eventually give us such classics as 'Beauty and the Beast', 'The Little Mermaid' and 'The Lion King', this was very much an end of an era.
The Fox and the Hound is about innocence lost and overcoming social boundaries. One for the animal lovers; it's gentle and heartfelt story telling will move many, and will likely continue to do so for many years to come.

NOTE: The 25th Anniversary Edition is apparently left unrestored, and recommended for this reason. The restored 2011 Edition features a wider picture with a slight trim off the top and bottom, but is also recommended. It depends on your preference.

The mid-nineties was a wild time for the Disney company, and as the money rolled in the number of animated filmed increased. At the start of the Renaissance Disney had promised to release at least one animated film a year; at this point they were working on three to four at the same time.
A Goofy Movie can easily take home the prize for most unappreciated/forgotten title, not only from that time period, but perhaps from this entire list. The main reason for this perhaps being that this wasn't a typical release; coming instead from the newly created DisneyToon division, which was responsible for creating an army of sequels to popular titles and has since been unable to create anything else of worth, with the exception of The Lion King 2 (seriously, look it up for yourselves. All of them are dreadful!)
Quite easily one of the funniest animations the company ever produced, this film deserves much more praise than it received. Not only does it manage to keep the laughs going throughout, it also manages to bring about one of the more successful father/son relationships to the screen, giving Goofy the chance to do what he does best - be a goofball!

NOTE: The 2009 Double-Pack Edition and the 2000 Gold/Classic Edition are both highly recommended.

'It's all about me!' reads the poster to The Emperor's New Groove, and who really wants to see a film about a spoiled rich kid? Well, uh, me for one!
Noted for being a sudden departure from the long run of musicals Disney had released during the nineties, The Emperor's New Groove was an unexpected comedy classic. Boasting a great plot, excellent comedic timing and the vocal talent of Eartha Kitt (who is simply marvelous in this); the film really stands out from the crowd.
But things could have been oh so different, had the original concept of 'The Kingdom of the Sun' gone ahead. In fact, this film is notorious for being one of the most difficult animations to complete (most of all for poor old Sting, who had to bin half-a-dozen songs when they changed it). Nearly a decade in the making, the total cost ran up to $100 million, so even when it managed to make a profit, it the margin wasn't so great.
The Emperor's New Groove may not immediately spring to mind when we talk of Disney classics, but it's sure to please.

NOTE: The 2005 New Groove Edition and 2013 Special Edition are both recommended.

Responsible for teaching an entire generation how to spell the word 'Hunny', here is one of Disney's most famous films and beloved set of characters. An absolute gold mine for the company, it's had more sequels than I've had hot dinners.
While the animation isn't perhaps the film's strongest suit, and there are some rather shameless influences from Dumbo and Lady and the Tramp present, the film more than makes up for it in charm.
Simply overloaded with sweetness, hilarity and sheer whit, it's wonderful to find The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh to be just as impressive as an adult as it was as a child. The way in which the story is delivered, via the narrator and 'book', also adds to its charm and helps the film to stand out among the crowd.
One for comfortable viewing on a rather blustery day, The Many adventures of Winnie the Pooh is story telling at its finest.

PLEASE NOTE: The restoration on the 2013 Edition has largely trimmed the picture and left it a touch too bright. The 2007 Friendship Edition is the original unaltered version and is preferred.

Ah, the 50s. The golden age for Disney releases, most of which come to feature at the top end of this list. Peter Pan is another well remembered classic from this period and while it is undoubtedly charming, it doesn't quite measure up to the others.
The musical numbers are pleasing but a lot of the time the lyrics are hard to make out. Another problem is that the film sometimes feels rushed or jumpy, which is rare for an earlier Disney work as they're usually timed to perfection. Lastly, while it won't bother a lot of people, there is no doubt that the way in which the Indians are drawn could be viewed as offensive.
However, that said, there is still much left to like about this classic animation, especially in the opening twenty minutes, which in my mind are simply masterful: Nana the dog attempting to tidy the nursery while father clumsily bumps into her, Peter Pan meeting Wendy for the first time and the flight scene above the clock tower. All marvelous!
The characters are also splendid: the furious Captain Hook and the bumbling Smee work together as a hilarious pairing, Wendy and the boys are all delightfully proper, Peter Pan is as boyish and arrogant as he should be (though some would argue he isn't as likable as he ought to be, Walt Disney included), and Tinkerbell is beautifully hot-headed and jealous (earning the status of mascot for the Disney company, after Mickey Mouse of course).
Still charming audiences today, Peter Pan is a pure delight.

PLEASE NOTE: The restoration for the 2007 Platinum Edition is of considerably poor quality: the colours have been altered to be warmer than previous releases and so much detail has been lost. The 2013 Diamond Edition is much preferred, though still imperfect. If you own the 2002 Special Edition, I'd hang onto it for now.

The story of an abandoned child who grows up among a pack of wolves in the jungle of India and must be returned to the 'man village' before the villainous Shere Kahn the tiger can take his revenge on mankind by killing him.
The last animated classic to be overseen by Walt Disney himself, who passed away during its production; The Jungle Book had much to live up to!
While the sleepy feel of this film won't suit everyone, it is still largely appealing. The way in which it immerses you into the jungle, with its flowing streams, thick foliage and hidden ruins, is powerfully successful - and the calm, atmospheric music which accompanies it only adds to this.
Remembered primarily for the songs 'The Bare Necessities' and 'I Wanna Be Like You', this venture out to the forests of India will have you both singing and weeping for joy.
The Jungle Book has its fun, and yet, still manages to allow it's story to carefully unfold. Besides this, the ending has to be one of my all time favourites.

NOTE: While the latest restorations offer an arguably better picture, the image itself has been cropped for widescreen viewing, which may upset some fans.
Both the 2007 Platinum and the 2015 Diamond Edition are more or less of the same quality.

After the success of The Little Mermaid, and the cash injection it provided for the company, things still could have quite easily fallen flat (think the aftermath to The Princess and the Frog), but thankfully this was not the case, and instead the Disney renaissance was born!
Beauty and the Beast is regarded by many as one of the very best, if not the best, of the Disney company's film collective, and it's not hard to see why; the opening scene does more than enough to establish the film among the greats.
While The Little Mermaid suffered somewhat at the hand of animators transcending from the rather sketchy drawings of the 1980s to the clear-cut animation of the 90s, the two year difference left Beauty and the Beast looking favourable by comparison, but I dare say they have bitten off more than they could chew - the film is certainly not lacking in ambition, but it's animation is way off the quality of later efforts such as Pocahontas or Tarzan.
Still , a family favourite with all the musical hits you'd expect, mixed with a little darkness and a lot of magic, Beauty and the Beast still proves its worth, and is without doubt the best musical on the list.
'Tale as old as time, song as old as rhyme, Beauty and the Beast.' Need I say more?

PLEASE NOTE: The 'restoration' on the 2010 Diamond Edition has taken away some of the much needed darkness and altered the colours. On top of this, the drawings look overly perfected to the point that the film now bears more resemblance to a made-for-TV cartoon! This is quite easily the WORST restoration the company has ever produced.
The 2002 Platinum Edition trims the image, but may be the better of the two. My advice: hang on to your video cassettes!

The story of an outcast, a freak, an orphan; Dumbo pulls hard on the heart strings and does not let go until the very end. Following in the footsteps of Pinocchio, it contains some of Walt Disney's strangest and most unnerving animation, with the 'Elephants on Parade' song sequence looking like a bad drug trip (which it kind of was).
A tragic storyline of an outcast baby elephant whose protective mother is declared insane, Dumbo is dark material indeed, but it is truly moving (I simply defy you to make it through 'Baby Be Mine' without a tear forming in your eye) and this only makes for an even more glorious ending. Another early masterpiece.

PLEASE NOTE: All recent restorations fail to match up to the original. If you don't mind grain, go for the 60th Anniversary edition, if not, there's the 70th Anniversary edition instead, but the audio is reportedly bad. Avoid the 'Big Top' edition altogether!

The almost all-too-perfect original full-length feature, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, the film that started it all - and what a delight it is!
It's hard to believe just how grand this animation is, to say that it's closing in on 80 years in age.
Whilst understandably still showing signs of the Silly Symphonies that proceeded it, resulting in a lot of song/dance routines to mask a thin plot, the strengths of Snow White are many: the evil queen remains to be one of the scariest villains of all time, the animation itself is near perfect and the characters are lovable. Dramatic from beginning to end; the picture is spellbinding!
Snow White suffers only from being of its time: the singing is quite old fashioned, Snow White herself is beyond sugary-sweet, and as for the relationship between herself and the prince, some would remark that it is a little too fairy-tale.
But all these things are largely forgivable for what was, and still is, a masterpiece.
Judging something like this, which holds such a legacy, against its contemporaries, which have had the luxury of following its lead and a development in technology, is hard to do. Yet, while Snow White is a marvel, I think it's fair to say that better animations have followed.
Still, they shall all be forever indebted to the one that started it all.

NOTE: The restored 2009 Diamond Edition is recommended.

One for the misfits, Lilo and Stitch is a strange entry on this list, considering it's concept and setting; but the idea pays off.
It's the story of a Hawaiian girl, Lilo, who is being taken care of by her struggling older sister, due to her parents having died in a car crash. Finding it difficult to fit in among her peers, she either confines herself to her true loves (Elvis and taking pictures) or lashes out at people; more often than not, hurting herself and her sister in the process. What she really needs is a friend...
And then along comes Stitch, a hyperactive alien running away from an intergalactic death sentence.
The concept may seem bizarre at first, but it works surprisingly well, as the two characters come together and develop over the course of the film. It's also a good balance between an older style of animation (watercolour, as used on Dumbo) and a modern-day story.
Lilo and Stitch is truly touching, as it successfully manages to tap into the 'dysfunctional family' to show us real people just trying to hold it together.

NOTE: The 2009 Big Wave Edition and the 2013 Edition are both recommended.

Can you paint with all the colours of the wind? Yes. Can you make an accurate historical animated feature? erm...
Okay, so it won't ever win a prize for historical accuracy, but that's hardly the point is it really? This is Disney after all.
When Pocahontas was being made, animators were queuing up to get involved; but in the end it was The Lion King that stole the show. Pocahontas then managed to fade into the background, which was easily done back in the nineties. Had it come out in the eighties, we may be telling a very different story indeed.
Beautifully crafted with superb animation; there is much to like about this journey to the new world, in particular, the conflicting relationship between the two main characters.
Ultimately though, it is Pocahontas's soul-searching and sense of freedom which make her and the film engaging. That, and the near-perfect songwriting of 'Just around the Riverbend' / 'Colors of the Wind'.
It's easy to understand why The Lion King proved the more popular of the two: Pocahontas's adult storyline cannot be disguised by cute creatures and the odd comic moment; it's definitely suited for a more mature audience, and young children in particular may grow tired. But, like Treasure Planet, it's debatable as to whether this is a weakness, or that rather it is simply suited to an older demographic.
While nonetheless one of the lesser-loved entries from the Renaissance period, Pocahontas is commendable for addressing race, greed, gun violence and environmental destruction all in one film.
If anything, Pocahontas deserves recognition simply for being so undervalued as a princess that she can't even make it into the club, whilst Mulan (who isn't a princess) can. Come on Disney, really?

NOTE: The restored 2005 10th Anniversary Edition is highly recommended for its Director's cut, which includes the missing song 'If I Never Knew You'. Otherwise the 2012 Edition.

Disney went through a strange period in the late sixties and seventies whereby the same voice actors were brought back time and time again for different characters, something perhaps relating to the loss of Walt himself, in some kind of attempt at holding onto the magic. Most prevalent in this practice was Phil Harris who voiced Baloo in The Jungle Book and Thomas O'Malley in The Aristocats; he is here again as Little John.
This may sound irrelevant, but it gives an indication as to what place the company was in, as honestly, there had been a slump in quality ever since Sleeping Beauty had robbed them of their riches. Here the very frames of older films are shamelessly recycled (The Jungle Book's Baloo dancing).
However, Robin Hood presents a welcomed change of pace from the releases that preceded it, which, although not without their merits, had been largely dull; offering viewers instead a more livelier pace, without losing any of the Disney charm.
The positives come mainly from the humour: Prince John, with his regal and self-admiring person, coming under such well-deserved misfortune and ridicule from Robin Hood and the townsfolk; along with Hiss, his serpent adviser, constantly having his well-meant council go awfully wrong.
Another strength is the plight of the townspeople against the heartless Sheriff of Nottingham, whom you come to empathise with, feeling jubilant in their rebellion.
As for faults, it may come across as not being serious enough for some viewers, with a few too may chase scenes thrown in, although I would argue that this suits the tone of the film. Others may suggest that the voice acting could have been more consistent with the location, but this can be overlooked.
Robin Hood seems less concerned with the magic, seriousness or even general majesty of Disney animation, it just wants to have some good old fun! Plus there's a jail break - what more could you possibly want?


PLEASE NOTE: The restoration on the 2013 40th Anniversary Edition is considered overdone by some, and the picture has been largely trimmed. Fans should stick to the 2006 Most Wanted Edition, but newcomers may be pleased enough with the picture.

The latecomer to the party, The Princess and the Frog is a hard one to place.
It all begins remarkably well, with gorgeous animation, great humour and just the right amount of sentimentality. Tiana is very relatable and her desire to succeed as a businesswoman will have feminists and modern-day parents jumping for joy.
'Almost There' is a great little tune and the music throughout is a pure delight (thanks to Mr. Randy Newman) which falls in perfectly with the jazzy setting of New Orleans.
Now for the bad news: whilst visually stunning and featuring a wonderful set of characters, the story is fundamentally flawed in that it all becomes far too complicated, especially for younger viewers. Even I didn't quite get it first time round (but less on that). Another problem is that Tiana spends far too long as a frog, something little girls don't really want to see, which also seemed wasteful considering her beautifully designed human character. Lastly, the character of Lawrence is infuriatingly unwelcome as the typical English meany, especially considering that he is supposedly from the same country as prince Naveen (Maldonia, wherever that is).
A little better thought out and this could have been top twenty material. But I guess it depends on how smart today's kids are, maybe we don't give them enough credit.

NOTE: The 2010 Standard Edition is highly recommended.

It is often noted how The Little Mermaid not only saved the Disney company from financial ruin in '89 but also brought the Broadway experience to the big screen, but this is perhaps unfair when you consider that Oliver and Company, which came out only a year earlier, was also a financial success and contained a number of Broadway style songs (including the fantastic 'Why Should I Worry?' by Billy Joel).
OK, so the CGI scenes look a little dated by today's standards and it does rely on the cuteness of Oliver to resonate with viewers (and yes, it is another film about taking cats/dogs), but Oliver & Company is still good fun.
There is a real energy running throughout, thanks to the film's great voice casting, the musical numbers and a combination of several different character personalities; while New York City serves as the perfect modern setting for this Oliver Twist adaptation.
The Little Mermaid may mark the beginning of the Disney Renaissance but Oliver & Company was most certainly a step in the right direction.

PLEASE NOTE: The restoration on the 2013 Edition has removed much of the original detail. The 2009 20th Anniversary Edition is preferred, although it is slightly trimmed.

The love story to conquer all love stories. Lady and the Tramp is not merely another story about dogs; it is a tale of class-divide and breaking through social boundaries to find true love.
The early 1950s were a great time for the Disney company, and Lady and the Tramp is no exception to that. Whilst the story is fairly simplistic, the way in which it is told is first class; with a dog's-eye view that brings the viewer into their world and offers up some truly dramatic scenes.
The subtle Christmas-link of the tale doesn't prevent it from being enjoyed all year round and the newly released wide-screen version (as it had been cut down massively for previous cinema and home releases) will blow your mind at just how stunning the animation is.
While other films's greatest strengths lie in their story or characters, here it is the drawings themselves which take the lead, in a spectacular show of skill by the animation team (although that is in no way a criticism of the narrative).
With it's gentle unfolding and beautiful animation, Lady and the Tramp will enrapture viewers of all ages.

NOTE: The restored 2006 Platinum/50th Anniversary Edition and the 2012 Diamond Edition are both highly recommended.

An experiment in picture and sound, Fantasia was revolutionary for its combination of classical music and animation. While several changes to the film's length have left it with numerous versions, including the original which featured a since deleted racist illustration, the current version stands at 2 hours.
Fantasia offers up beautiful orchestral pieces illustrated by some of the best animators of the time. The pieces ranging from dancing hippos to vengeful gods.
While the animation is pretty and the music wonderful, things don't really get going until 'The Sorcerer's Apprentice', where the music and imagery work hand-in-hand. Up until then, it is, dare I say, a little dull and more enjoyable to simply listen to the music without the animation.
But things pick up from there, and although it is much more gentle than it's follow up, Fantasia 2000, this doesn't prevent it from achieving greatness in works such as 'The Rite of Spring' or 'The Pastoral Symphony'. The presentation of these pieces and the intimation in the middle also help to give Fantasia a wonderful old-world feel.
Although the music does a lot of the work here, it's safe to say the experiment was a success.

NOTE: The restoration on the 2010 Edition is highly recommended. However, those of you looking for the theatrical cut with the original audio of Deems Taylor, hang on to your videos.

Another Renaissance piece, The Hunchback of Notre Dame is surprisingly epic and delightfully dark. Whilst heavily laden with songs, in a sort of Les Misérables fashion (which may not suit everyone), the film manages to balance the dark and disturbing themes with it's need to appeal to a younger audience.
This doesn't work one-hundred percent of the time, of course, resulting in some unnecessary comic relief, which sadly only detracts from the film. And it could also have done with one, or even two, of the musical numbers being cut (mainly the gargoyles's). But still, this is a great film.
Visually spectacular and housing the dreaded Claude Frollo, constantly on the verge of insanity, The Hunchback of Notre Dame is one of those few glorious un-Disney-like films which the company seldom produces.
Sure, the songs are still there, but the scenes are darker, the violence obvious and the love story faulted. Plus a subtle questioning of religion is something that nobody thought Disney would ever do. Bravo!

PLEASE NOTE: Only the Blu-ray from the 2013 release is highly recommended; the DVD version is the same transfer as the 2002 release and is not an upgrade. The 2013 Blu-ray/DVD Hunchback 1 & 2 combo however features the improved version.