Which animated Disney movies are the best of all time?

Disney has long held court as one of the most powerful forces in entertainment, building an empire that stretches from blockbuster franchises to theme parks that continue to draw families worldwide. The studio’s animated features remain central to that legacy, delivering stories that still resonate long after the credits roll. Disney+ has made it simple to revisit those classics or discover newer releases from the comfort of home, keeping the tradition of strong narrative and memorable characters alive for new generations.

Moana

Moana arrived in 2016 as a fresh take on a Polynesian heroine navigating her destiny on the open ocean. The young voyager leaves her island home with the demigod Maui to restore balance after darkness threatens her people. Auli’i Cravalho voiced the determined title character while Dwayne Johnson brought swagger to Maui, and their journey highlighted persistence and self-trust. The 2024 sequel Moana 2 later crossed the billion-dollar mark worldwide, showing the franchise’s continued commercial strength.

Bambi

Bambi stands as one of the studio’s most enduring early triumphs, released in 1942 and still unmatched in its quiet emotional weight. The story follows a young fawn learning to survive in the forest after losing his mother. Along the way he forms bonds with Thumper the rabbit, Flower the skunk, and Faline, who becomes his companion. The film never leaned on overt spectacle, instead letting its simple coming-of-age arc carry the message that loss is part of life.

Mulan

The 1998 animated Mulan presented a young woman who disguises herself as a man to take her aging father’s place in the army during a Hun invasion. Her courage and quick thinking help turn the tide of battle and earn respect on her own terms. A separate live-action version appeared in 2020, yet the original animated film remains the version most tied to the studio’s classic era of hand-drawn storytelling and strong female leads.

Brother Bear

Brother Bear followed an Inuit hunter named Kenai who kills a bear and is transformed into one himself as punishment. Forced to see the world from the animal’s perspective, he learns empathy and the cost of rash judgment. The film mixed traditional animation with themes of forgiveness that still feel relevant, earning an Oscar nomination for Best Animated Feature upon release.

Encanto

Encanto arrived in late 2021 with a Colombian family blessed with magical gifts, except for the one granddaughter who receives none. The Madrigals must confront what happens when their miracle begins to fade, and the story centers on acceptance rather than perfection. Lin-Manuel Miranda’s songs, especially “We Don’t Talk About Bruno,” helped the film connect across age groups and cultures while exploring multigenerational expectations inside one household.

Zootopia 2

Zootopia 2 reached theaters in November 2025 and quickly became the highest-grossing animated film domestically, surpassing previous records set by earlier Disney titles. The sequel expanded the original’s city of anthropomorphic animals while continuing its examination of prejudice and cooperation. Its box-office performance confirmed that audiences remain hungry for smart, world-building animated features that balance humor with social observation.

Recent Disney Animation Milestones

Between 2021 and 2025 the studio released multiple features that kept the pipeline active even as streaming platforms grew. Moana 2 crossed the billion-dollar threshold early in 2025, while Zootopia 2 set new domestic benchmarks by early 2026. These results show Disney Animation maintaining its commercial footing while experimenting with new voices and settings. The variety of releases also demonstrates how the studio continues balancing legacy characters with original stories that reflect shifting audience tastes.

Disney’s animated catalog now stretches across nearly a century, yet the same core appeal remains: characters facing clear stakes inside worlds that feel lived-in. Whether viewers return to Bambi’s forest or follow newer entries like Encanto and Zootopia 2, the through-line is consistent storytelling that still travels well beyond the theater. The addition of recent hits on Disney+ simply makes that history easier to sample in one place.