It’s official: the Walt Disney Company is 100 years old this year. Most of us have grown up watching their whimsical films, buying expensive merchandise, or even going to their magical theme parks. As an Orlando resident, I have tons of experience with all of those things, and to this day I’m still surrounded by the influence of the world’s most famous mouse.
This huge milestone allows us to reflect on how Disney has impacted us, most notably through their animated films. After reviewing the large number of movies that they’ve released in a century, historians have managed to break down the company’s filmography into eight eras. However, it’s a known fact that some of these eras are more iconic than others. Today, we will rank these ages of Disney from worst to best.
- THE WARTIME ERA (1943-1949)
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While Disney usually manages to produce iconic work from each age, the Wartime Era was pretty lackluster. Dealing with World War II and the aftermath, audiences weren’t necessarily thinking about watching animated films. Most of the content that was created during this time involved simple animal cartoon characters, war propaganda, or a mix of both. Probably the most notable work from this era is The Three Caballeros, which has a ride in EPCOT at the Mexico pavilion!
- The Dark Ages (1981-1988)
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This era was not only defined by the darker themes of Disney’s movies but also by their lack of success. Many of the films that came out during this time are rarely known by modern audiences today, such as The Fox and the Hound, The Black Cauldron, and The Great Mouse Detective. They are probably remembered by those who specifically grew up in the 80s, but I can’t imagine it having much of an impact beyond that.
- The Bronze Age (1961-1977)
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This era follows the unfortunate passing of Walt Disney and the massive failure of Sleeping Beauty (which is also unfortunate due to its immaculate aesthetics). Defined by sketch-like outlines and faster movement, it has a unique sense of style. However, it lacks in quality and isn’t too memorable. Some films that came out around this time include The Jungle Book, 101 Dalmatians, and Robin Hood.
- The Experimental Era (2000-2008)
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Following the Disney Renaissance, the Experimental Era was, well, experimental. Tons of unique animation styles were used, varying from 2-D to 3-D animation, or even combinations of the two, like Atlantis. While some films are enjoyable, some of them lack the Disney magic that we crave.
- The Revival Era (2009-Present)
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After completely converting over to 3-D animation, Disney has experienced mild to severe levels of success with Tangled, Frozen, and Moana. However, audiences are already irritated with Disney’s lack of originality and animation style. Wish, their upcoming film that’s supposed to celebrate their 100th anniversary mixes 2-D and 3-D animation, but people have already called it “the Wish version” of a Disney movie.
- THE GOLDEN AGE (1937-1942)
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With Disney, it’s a challenge to beat the originals. The first full-length animated feature, Snow White and the Seven Dwarves was released, along with Pinocchio and Bambi, complete with feelings of nostalgia and wonder. However, it is not as high on the list due to modern audience preferences, which beg for more action.
- THE SILVER AGE (1950-1959)
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Essentially, this era of Disney is the Golden Age but enhanced. Utilizing better animation techniques, aesthetics, and the vibe of the 50s, the Silver Age produced many dreamy films, including Cinderella and Peter Pan. If you ever need a movie to bring out your inner child, look no further than this period!
- The Renaissance (1989-1999)
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Unsurprisingly, the best era that Disney has to offer is the Renaissance. Experiencing a true revival from the Dark Ages with 1989’s The Little Mermaid (one of my favorite childhood movies), Disney managed to craft well-written stories that appealed to the time, but also kept the nostalgic, whimsical mood of its older movies. Big milestones were achieved during this time; for example, 1991’s Beauty and the Beast became the first animated film to be nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars. Other notable films during this time include Aladdin, Mulan, and Hercules.
It’s easy to say that Disney has had quite a run with their media output. They weren’t always at the top of their game at some points in their history, yet they managed to make history when they could. The company has had an influential impact on the entertainment industry, and only time will tell if it’ll remain on its throne as the top animation studio in the world.