Disney musical movies hold a special place in the hearts of fans, captivating audiences with their enchanting stories, beloved characters, and mesmerizing music. From timeless classics to contemporary masterpieces, Disney has produced an eclectic array of musical films that have become cultural icons.
This article will explore a carefully curated list of the finest Disney musical movies, highlighting the entertainment company’s extraordinary storytelling and unforgettable musical numbers.
So, sit back, sing along, and immerse yourself in the enchanting realm of everything Disney.
Top 14 Disney Musical movies to binge on
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)
You can’t help but feel captivated by Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, the classic musical that started it all for Disney. This animated feature was adapted from the 1812 German fairy tale published by the Brothers Grimm, becoming one of the most famous Disney movies ever.
The story follows Snow White (voiced by Adriana Caselotti), a young princess who flees from her wicked stepmother and takes refuge with seven dwarfs. The film features memorable songs like Heigh-Ho and Whistle While You Work, which have become classics in their own right.
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was groundbreaking at the time for using Technicolor. The movie set the standard for future Disney musicals, inspiring generations of filmmakers to create magical stories. Even today, over 80 years after its release, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs remains a beloved classic that continues to captivate audiences worldwide.
Cinderella (1950)
Immerse yourself in the magical world of Cinderella (1950), where a young girl’s dreams come true with the help of her Fairy Godmother and a bit of courage.
The animated film tells the story of Cinderella (voiced by Ilene Woods), a kind-hearted young girl who longs to attend the Royal Ball. However, her evil stepmother (voiced by Eleanor Audley) stands between her and her dream.
Cinderella captured audiences’ hearts worldwide and became one of Disney’s biggest critical and commercial successes since Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs in 1937. With its enchanting storyline, lovable characters, and uplifting songs such as A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes, and Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo, this Disney musical is a timeless classic that continues to inspire generations.
The film’s success stems from its beautiful animation style, catchy tunes, and relatable characters. Cinderella has become iconic in popular culture, inspiring countless adaptations across various mediums. From stage productions to live-action films, Cinderella remains one of Disney’s most beloved princesses whose story continues to capture hearts everywhere.
Mary Poppins (1964)
Mary Poppins (1964) is one of the best live-action musical movies, with its charming storyline and catchy songs that will leave you humming along for days. The film follows the journey of Mr. Banks (David Tomlinson), who hires the enigmatic Mary Poppins (Julie Andrews) to take care of his two mischievous children, Michael and Jane (Matthew Garber and Karen Dotrice, respectively).
The movie offers an excellent balance between humor and sentimentality as it tells the story of how Mary uses her unique perspective to change the lives of not just the children but also their father.
With iconic performances by Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke (who plays Bert, a close friend of Mary Poppins), memorable music numbers such as Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious, and breathtaking visuals that blend live-action with animation perfectly – there’s no doubt why this classic film has stood the test of time.
Jungle Book (1967)
Get ready to swing into the jungle and join Mowgli on his wild adventures in the beloved animated classic, The Jungle Book (1967). Produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios, this musical is an adaptation of Rudyard Kipling’s novel of the same name.
The film portrays the story of Mowgli (voiced by Bruce Reitherman), a young boy raised by animals in the wild. The movie features familiar characters like Bagheera (voiced by Sebastian Cabot), Baloo (Phil Harris), and King Louie (Louis Prima).
With classic songs like The Bare Necessities and I Wanna Be Like You, The Jungle Book has become another one of Disney’s most popular animated musicals.
Bedknobs and Broomsticks (1971)
While Bedknobs and Broomsticks (1971) may not enjoy the same popularity today, it is one of the early films that successfully combined live-action and animation in its storytelling.
Directed by Robert Stevenson, the film revolves around three children, Charlie (Ian Weighill), Carrie (Cindy O’Callaghan), and Paul (Roy Snart), who goes to live with a witch apprentice named Eglantine Price (Angela Lansbury).
In a world of wonder and adventure, the trio stumbles upon one of Eglantine’s well-guarded secrets and resorts to blackmail to obtain something from her. However, they soon realize that Eglantine, being a witch, will go to great lengths to protect her secrets.
The film features ghost soldiers fighting against Nazis, adding to the story’s allure. Bedknobs and Broomsticks film was nominated for five Academy Awards and ultimately won the Best Special Visual Effects award.
The Little Mermaid (1989)
Featuring songs like Part of Your World and Under the Sea, The Little Mermaid (1989) is a popular Disney classic that garnered critical and commercial success. It grossed over $211 million worldwide.
The animated film, released in 1989, tells the story of Ariel (voiced by Jodi Benson), a mermaid captivated by the human world. She falls in love with Prince Eric (voiced by Christopher Daniel Barnes) and makes a deal with the sea witch Ursula (voiced by Pat Carroll) to be with him. Ariel ends up giving up her voice in exchange for being a human.
What makes this Disney movie stand out is its memorable become timeless favorites that are still beloved today, almost three decades after its release. The Little Mermaid’s music is so iconic that it won two Academy Awards for Best Original Score and Best Original Song.
Beauty and the Beast (1991)
Beauty and the Beast 1991 is another fan-favorite Disney musical that follows the tale of Belle (voiced by Paige O’Hara), a book-loving girl who falls in love with a cursed prince (voiced by Robby Benson) who has been turned into a beast.
The animated film’s message about looking beyond appearances to see the beauty within is just as relevant today as it was first released.
The romantic fantasy features unforgettable songs such as Be Our Guest, Tale as Old as Time, and Beauty and the Beast. The film won the Best Original Song and the Best Original Score at the Academy Awards, cementing its place in music history.
It’s no wonder Beauty, and the Beast was such a success that it became the first animated film nominated for Best Picture at the Academy Awards. The film’s success led to a live-action remake of Beauty and the Beast (2017), which brought the classic tale to life mesmerizingly.
Aladdin (1992)
Hold on to your magic carpet because Aladdin’s 1992 animated film is about to take you on a thrilling adventure through the streets of Agrabah. As one of the most beloved animated Disney musical movies, Aladdin tells the story of a young street thief (voiced by Scott Weinger) who falls in love with Princess Jasmine (voiced by Linda Larkin) and uses his wits and courage to win her heart.
One of the highlights of this Disney classic is its unforgettable musical numbers; from Friend Like Me to A Whole New World, each song in Aladdin adds depth and emotion to the story.
A Whole New World won an Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1993. The film’s soundtrack also features performances by Robin Williams as Genie, whose energetic rendition of ‘Friend Like Me’ remains a fan favorite.
Newsies (1992)
Newsies is a 1992 musical comedy-drama produced by Walt Disney Pictures. It marks the directorial debut of choreographer Kenny Ortega, who helmed the project with his creative vision.
The film follows the journey of newspaper sellers fed up with the relentless exploitation of their ignorant bosses. Drawing loose inspiration from the New York City Newsboys Strike of 1899, the movie features notable performances from Christian Bale as Jack Kelly, Robert Duvall as Joseph Pulitzer, Ann-Margret as Medda Larkson, and Bill Pullman as Bryan Denton.
While the film didn’t succeed at the box office, it has gained a dedicated fan base through home video releases, making it a cult favorite.
The Lion King (1994)
You’ll feel the thrill of the African savannah as you join Simba on his journey to reclaim his rightful place as king in The Lion King. This 1994 animated musical is part of the Disney Renaissance period. It centers around a cub named Simba, who is faced with tragedy and must learn to overcome his fears to become a leader.
The Lion King boasts an incredible musical score, featuring songs such as Circle of Life, Hakuna Matata, and Can You Feel the Love Tonight. These memorable tunes have become iconic within pop culture and continue to be enjoyed by audiences today.
The film’s success has led to numerous adaptations, including a photorealistic computer-animated remake directed by Jon Favreau in 2019. Whether you’re watching it for the first time or revisiting an old favorite, The Lion King is sure to capture your heart with its timeless tale of love, loss, and redemption.
The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996)
Discover the dark and mature themes of The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996) as you follow Quasimodo’s (voiced by Tom Hulce) journey to save Esmeralda (voiced by Demi Moore), from his tyrant guardian, Judge Claude Frollo(voiced by Tony Jay). This Disney animated musical is widely regarded as one of Disney’s darkest movie musicals ever produced.
It is a story that explores themes such as infanticide, lust, genocide, and sin. Despite its dark themes, The Hunchback of Notre Dame still managed to become a hit at the box office. Critics praised the movie for its stunning animation and memorable songs.
With music composed by Alan Menken and lyrics written by Stephen Schwartz, the movie musical has been adapted into a Broadway production that has received critical acclaim. If you’re a fan of Disney musicals, then you should check out The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996).
High School Musical (2006)
From the catchy tunes of We’re All in This Together to the iconic basketball court choreography, High School Musical (2006) has cemented itself as a cultural touchstone for millennials and Gen Z alike.
High School Musical follows Troy Bolton (Zac Efron), captain of East High’s basketball team, who falls in love with Gabriella Montez (Vanessa Hudgens), a brainy transfer student. Despite the peer pressure to stick to their respective cliques, they audition for the school musical together and ultimately break free from societal expectations.
The film’s themes of following your dreams and breaking down social barriers resonate with audiences worldwide. The success of High School Musical led to two sequels and even a spin-off series on Disney+. It also launched the careers of Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens, and Ashley Tisdale.
The Princess and the Frog (2009)
The Princess and the Frog (2009) is a beloved Disney animated musical that follows Tiana’s (voiced by Anika Noni Rose) journey as she meets a frog prince (voiced by Bruno Campos) who promises to help her achieve her dream of opening a restaurant.
As they embark on an adventure filled with challenges, romance, and magic, Tiana learns valuable lessons about hard work, perseverance, and the importance of family. The Princess and the Frog was the first Disney movie to feature an African American princess.
With the songs written by composer Randy Newman, this film continues Disney’s tradition of creating timeless classics that feature strong female leads. Tiana is regarded as one of the most inspiring Disney Princesses ever made.
Frozen (2013)
Inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale The Snow Queen, Frozen is a computer-animated musical fantasy film that tells the story of a young girl, Princess Anna (voiced by Kristen Anne Bell), who sets out on a journey with Iceman Kristoff (voiced by Jonathan Groff) and his reindeer, Sven, to find her estranged sister Elsa (voiced by Idina Kim Menzel). Elsa possesses the extraordinary ability to manipulate ice at will, capable of transforming objects and people.
Directed by Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee, this film aims to provide enjoyable entertainment for the entire family, even though some dedicated animation fans might find it somewhat clichéd. Frozen has garnered praise from film critics, who consider it another of Disney’s finest musical animation features since its Renaissance era.
With its captivating story of sisterhood and magic, Frozen has become a modern classic. The film’s iconic songs that can get stuck in your head, including Let It Go and Do You Want to Build a Snowman? have contributed to its tremendous success and widespread popularity.
Sources: ENTOIN, featuredanimation