These 10 Beloved Disney Cartoons Have Stood the Test of Time

Since 1937’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Disney has been serving up memorable cartoons through the ages. Who can forget the beloved cartoons that brought us everything from flying carpets to helpful little mice — among other critters? But it’s not just about nostalgia with these moving pictures, there’s the timeless humor, wholesome characters, and moral lessons these cartoons taught generation after generation. Outside this, it’s safe to say that the magical worlds built in these cartoons have inspired a whole new crop of animators and storytellers. 

From the magically charismatic Cinderella to the heroic Simba and even the adventures of Peter Pan — Disney characters have this vibe that’s so unmistakably theirs. The combination of well-thought-out themes, catchy songs, and memorable dialogue, they’ve created worlds that hit home no matter how old you are. It could be your first or 100th time watching these cartoons, but best believe it’ll never feel like a chore.

‘The Lion King’

Considering it’s a cartoon, The Lion King offers a highly complex story of love, loss and finding one’s place in the world. The narrative itself is focused on Simba, a lion cub destined for the throne. However, his entire world turned upside down after he “supposedly” caused his father’s death. Somehow, this lifechanging event turned into a lesson of a lifetime and ultimately a masterclass in politics and good old fashioned bravery.

Beside its gripping storyline, the timeless Disney cartoon gave us solid musical hits like “Circle of Life” and “Hakuna Matata”. There are also a crop of unforgettable characters such as Timon, Pumbaa, and even the dubious Scar, who took the story to a whole other level.

‘Beauty and the Beast’

Literally known for blowing up the phrase “tale as old as time”, Beauty and the Beast is a heartwarming cartoon that encourages viewers to look beyond the surface. Here, a bookworm of a young woman, Belle, is taken captive by a beast and held in his enchanted castle. What follows is the slow blossoming of love between the unlikely pair. 

Staying true to Disney’s manner, it features charismatic numbers like “Be Our Guest” and “Beauty and the Beast”. It equally helps that the cartoon had a selection of intriguing characters, crisp animation (for its time) and a simple yet vital message — love conquers all.

‘Aladdin’

Following the life of its eponymous character, Aladdin introduces us to one of those “thief with a heart of gold” narratives. Even more, it has you rooting for the thief from the get-go. He starts off as a sort of “diamond in the rough,” a street rat dreaming of living a better life. With the help of a genie, he embarks on an adventure-filled journey of love and self-discovery, with a few wishes thrown in the mix. Over all, it’s memorable and a timeless Disney cartoon, with colorful characters primarily the Genie voiced by Robin Williams, and the hit songs like “A Whole New World”. 

‘Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs’

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was the very first animated cartoon released by Disney all the way back in 1937. Heck, the Walt Disney himself was heavily involved in this project. The magical tale is centered on Snow White and of the evil queen who wants her gone. So, it is your run-of-the-mill “good versus evil” story. With the help of seven dwarfs, Snow White manages to hide from the queen for a while, making meaningful connections along the way. However, it’s not long before the two get caught in an epic showdown resulting in a twist of an ending.

Being the first full-length animated feature, it changed the game in terms of telling stories with animations. However, it was Snow White’s kindness and her ability to connect with everything and everyone around her that truly stole the show.

‘Cinderella’

Cinderella is, indeed, the ultimate timeless Disney cartoon and rags-to-riches story that has been captivating audiences since 1950. Orphaned after losing her parents, she is left to live with her wicked stepmother and stepsisters. A little help from her fairy godmother offers her the chance to attend a royal ball that would change her life.

The beauty of Cinderella lies in its hopeful message that indeed dreams can come true. That magical transformation scene, the charming prince, and the ever-kind Cinderella have made this cartoon an eternal classic.

‘The Little Mermaid’

The Little Mermaid gave Disney a rebirth in 1989 and told the story of Ariel, a mermaid princess who was ever so curious about humans. Her adventurous spirit ultimately led her to make a deal with the sea witch, Ursula, in exchange for legs to walk on land. This time around, audiences didn’t get a demure or by the books kind of princess. Rather, she broke a few rules and took a chance for the life she truly wanted. 

Bright animation and popular songs — especially “Under the Sea” — made the cartoon an instant favorite. It also appeals to audience old and new, because Ariel was determined to forge her own path. Talk about a timeless Disney cartoon.

‘Peter Pan’

Peter Pan whisks viewers off to Neverland — a place where no one grows up. With everything from charming little fairies, to daring pirates the magical world of Neverland is a place most could only dream of. Released in 1953, this timeless Disney cartoon quickly won the hearts of children everywhere. It probably had something to do with all the flying and the notion that they could be forever young. Peter Pan simply works because it is set in a world full of adventure. With memorable characters like Pan, Wendy, Tinkerbell and Captain Hook, the adventure never ends.

‘Sleeping Beauty’

The 1959 story of Sleeping Beauty is a timeless tale of romance, bravery, and the victory of good over evil. Here, Aurora gets placed under a terminal spell by an evil fairy Maleficent which causes her to fall into a seemingly endless sleep. The only cure? True love’s kiss. Talk about a catch 22, considering you have to be awake to fall in love. 

However, as it goes in these things, true love eventually does find a way into the story. Notably, it’s is a timeless Disney cartoon for its stunning visuals and the deep love at the center of the story. It doesn’t hurt that it gave us one of the most multi-faceted villains in Disney history — Maleficient.

‘Bambi’

Unlike the mainstream Disney cartoons involving royalty, Bambi goes in a different direction. It’s  a quiet, emotional story about the life of a young deer and his journey from childhood to adulthood. Released in 1942, Bambi is a timeless Disney cartoon that taps into the beauty of nature. It does all this while taking on weightier themes such as loss and survival. What gives the cartoon its’d continued relevance are it’s take on the notion of friendship and the survival of the fittest. Staying true to Disney’s nature, there are a handful of heartwarming moments and endearing characters thrown in the mix. 

‘Mulan’

Now, this timeless Disney cartoon was clearly cut from a different cloth when it first came out in 1998. Even better is the fact that it wasn’t necessarily a bad thing — Mulan was no mainstream princess and to be honest, we wouldn’t want her any other way . Daughter of a former soldier, Fa Zhou, Mulan enlists in the army in her father’s place. It’s all in hopes that she can save the old man from certain death.

Her journey, from an insecure young lady to a brave warrior, makes for an inspiring story. Overall, Mulan showcases themes of courage, honor, and self-discovery. It also breaks the mold and stands solemnly on the message of girl power.