I know this topic has been done to absolute death on blogs and when I started writing more Disney related posts a couple of months ago, I thought I wouldn’t bother writing about my favourite films because like, does anyone really care? But after I put a poll out with a couple of Disney-related options on it, it turns out, that people do actually like reading these posts. If you’re a Disney fan, you’re going to be interested in what Disney things other Disney fans like – I assume! 

I’ve grown up with the films and they more or less started my whole Disney journey and how much Disney grew to mean to me over my meager 25 years. There really is nothing quite like immersing yourself in the magic of a Disney movie, with characters you’ve come to know and love and the wonderful songs. And then if you’re lucky enough to visit the parks, getting that interactive experience with these films and characters can be a wonderful experience.

To me, Disney films aren’t just films. I mean, yeah, they’re films just like any other films and if you don’t like them, that’s totally fine. We won’t all like every genre of film, just like we all won’t like every genre of book. But Disney movies can bring so much magic and joy to so many people and I urge you, not to look down on someone who loves Disney films or take the mick or come out with the old, “but they’re for kids!!!” line. Anyway! Enough waffle, here’s some of my favourite Disney films (in no particular order – I couldn’t do that).

Beauty and the Beast (2017)

Although I’ve always been familiar with the original Beauty and the Beast, I didn’t realise just how much I adored it until the live-action remake came out. I absolutely adore this film and everything about it. I think they did justice to the original, as well as making it their own. I love the additional songs and scenes – I think they add to the story rather than anything. Honestly, Evermore is always playing on my iTunes!

Saving Mr. Banks (2013)

If a film has Tom Hanks and Emma Thompson in it, you can bet your bottom dollar that I’m going to be watching that. Although I’ve never been a huge Mary Poppins watcher, I was fascinated by this film and bloody hell what an underrated film this is! It was so perfect and captured the story of Walt Disney’s struggle to get the rights to the Mary Poppins stories wonderfully. It’s funny and emotional and perfectly acted.

Peter Pan (1953)

I think this was a pretty obvious one considering my blog name and the fact I have a Peter Pan related tattoo but I love the original Peter Pan film. I know there’s plenty of problematic things you can point out in this film (along with most old, original Disney films) but I take it for what it is, an escape. I love the music, it literally soothes me and a good few years ago when I wasn’t in a very good place, I’d go to sleep listening to this film.

The Hunchback of Notré Dame (1996)

One of the most underrated Disney movies ever? Am I right? Honestly, I don’t know why I don’t see this film about more. On more of these type of posts, more merch – just… there needs to be more because it’s a bloody beautiful film. It’s fun, emotional, the songs are bloody brilliant, the horse is bloody amazing. And don’t get me started on how much I admire Esmeralda.

Brave (2012)

As the newer animations go, I don’t think Brave gets nowhere near enough credit. I prefer Brave a thousand times over to Frozen yet it clearly didn’t get even half the hype. I think Brave is such a beautiful film because it’s unique, it doesn’t focus on romance and Merida is, quite clearly, one of the most inspirational Disney Princesses is she not? That hair. That hair.

A Goofy Movie (1995)

A Goofy Movie is one of those silly films that I just find hilarious. Like, hilarious. It’s quite embarrassing how funny I find this film. I’m not huge on movies with the original Disney characters in but I’ve always loved Goofy and I think they made a cracking film for him. Again, another one which I with had more recognition!

I’m going to have to leave it here because I’m just thinking about all the other films I’d like to add to this list and if I don’t stop we’ll be here forever! I’d love to know what your favourite Disney movies are! Any the same as mine? Do you prefer the oldies or the new ones?

70 Comments

  1. I was always pretty partial to the 60’s live action films (i.e. Blackbeard’s Ghost) and I’ve always had a soft spot for The Great Mouse Detective.

  2. I’m loving the live-action princess movies they-re making! I adore the Cinderella one and also just love the 2017 Beauty and the Beast. I hope they keep making more! I also love The Princess Diaries, 1&2, and watch them over and over and over and over again! I wish they’d make a third one! I also love Mary Poppins and am curious about the sequel that’s coming out this year.

  3. I absolutely loved Brave (probably just being a patriotic Scot haha) and I think Moana is great too – they are both about a thousand times better than Frozen. In terms of classic Disney movies I love Beauty and the Beast – I think that’s why I’ve never watched the live-action one, I don’t want to spoil it. I also find the Hunchback of Notre Dame too sad to watch often haha!
    Beth x

  4. I surprised myself with how much I enjoyed the remake of Beauty and the Beast! Mr Banks completely makes me tear up every time, in a good kind of way I suppose… Great list…I’m in the mood for Disney now!

  5. I think my favourite will always be Hercules. It reminds me of my first trip to WDW and the Hercules themed part of the parade, but I will always hold Mary Poppins close to my heart.

  6. I have just recently started watching Disney movies and I will save your post for a reference for sure

  7. Saving Mr Banks is definitely so underrated! I love that one so much! My favourites are Tangled, Moana and Lion King. Great list Jenny x

  8. I LOVED Saving Mr Banks, it was hilarious! And you’re right, Merida should get way more credit than it does, she’s my heroine (well, she would be with my surname, haha). Flora loves Moana but I just don’t get that one – she’s going to be the chicken in her school play this summer !

    Lisa | http://www.lisasnotebook.com

  9. The Hunchback of Notre Dame was my absolute favourite film growing up. As was The Fox and the Hound. Wow, I need to watch these films again, I haven’t watched them in years ! This post has made me nostalgic.

  10. You’ve picked some of my favourites here! I definitely agree Hunchback is so underrated I always say that! Brave is one of my favourite Pixar films ever it’s amazing & I adore Saving Mr Banks!! All of the live action films have been good so far in my opinion but Beauty and the Beast is the best one yet!!

    Jess // foundationsandfairytales.wordpress.com
    xx

  11. I did not expect Saving Mr Banks to make me cry as much as it did! It really touched me and I reflected on the relationship with my own dad. And yes! I said this before and I will say it again, The Hunchback of Notre Dame is totally underrated! I love Esmeralda, so fierce and feisty and beautiful x x x

  12. I love the Hunchback of Notre Dame, it’s hugely underrated. I adore Esmeralda, she is so passionate and has such conviction with her beliefs. Ultimate Disney girl!

  13. The Hunchback of Notre Dame is one of my favourites too, along with the newer Beauty and the Beast. I was scared that film wasn’t going to do justice to the animated classic as that is my all-time favourite Disney film, but it exceeded my expectations. The new songs are a fantastic fit, and I love how they expanded the story to give the setting a more authentic feel and create depth to all the characters. However, it is the French details that make me giddy i.e. naming the village Villeneuve after the author of the original story, the French titles in the credits, and how even in the French dubbing of ‘Belle’ they didn’t dub Emma Watson’s spoken French. It’s just been packaged perfectly and it is probably my favourite of all the new live-action adaptations.

    A few more of my favourites are Cinderella (1950), The Great Mouse Detective, Lady and the Tramp and One Hundred and One Dalmatians (both animated and live-action) I do like many of the newer films, but as I grew up with the older classics, they’re the ones I love the most.

    1. It really was a perfect remake wasn’t it? I’ll fight anyone that say it’s not haha! I think the Beast was done so well. I don’t even think of him as a character really, in the original but they truly brought him to life in this one.

      1. Yeah, I’ve always been intrigued by the Beast as a character so it was great to see his character develop and be more fleshed out.

  14. People had said Emma Thompson was wooden in Beauty and the Beast and maybe she didn’t quite have the presence some Disney actors have, but saying that I enjoyed her, and all in all I thought it was amazingly done, Plus I have 4 boys who moaned about watching it and then sat entranced through the whole thing! We were singing the songs for days! Adored Saving Mr Banks, as well as Emma Thompson and Tom Hanks, thought Colin Farell was brilliant and the little girl and the mother (chills) too!

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