Disney Corners the Market on Animal Character Films

Disney has always been the flagstone of a good quality family movie, and the same can be said for their animal films. Other studios have tried to emulate their success, and while some films have had good fortune, the Disney animal films always seem to come out on top.

I choose my own ten best Disney animal films based on various things. Most are animated, two of them are not. Some of these movies I grew up with and they touched my heart at an early age, and others were films that were released when I was well into adulthood, and have had the joy of sharing them with my own children. The Disney animal characters of these movies are not only endearing, but each character teaches a life lesson that you can carry with you, long after the last credit has rolled off the screen.

#10

Homeward Bound (The Incredible Journey)

http://www.moviefone.com/movie/homeward-bound-the-incredible-journey/16384/main

This delightful movie was released in 1993 and was a remake of the 1963 film The Incredible Journey. It is a non-animated story of three animal friends; a Golden Retriever named Shadow, a Himalayan cat named Sassy, and an American Bulldog named Chance. When these three pets fear something has happened to their owners, who are in reality on a trip several hundred miles away, they decide to go look for them. They encounter danger and adventure as they travel the countryside looking for them. It is truly a tearjerker at the end when they are reunited with their owners. This movie emphasizes the loyalty that pets feel towards their "humans", and really tugs at the heartstrings.

#9

101 Dalmatians

http://disney.go.com/disneyvideos/animatedfilms/101dalmatians/

Released in 1961, 101 Dalmatians is a captivating movie. It's the story of a male Dalmatian, Pongo, who lives with his bachelor owner, Roger, in London. Pongo feels Roger is lonely, so devises a way for him to meet a mate. In the park one day, Pongo spies a beautiful female Dalmatian, Perdita, and her female owner, Anita. They all fall in love with each other, and before you know it Pongo and Perdita have 15 spotted puppies of their own. Danger enters the story when the wicked Cruella de Ville decides she wants the puppies to make a Dalmatian coat, and puts into action a plan to kidnap the puppies. They are stolen one night and taken to a mansion, where the puppies discover other stolen puppies, who know what their fate is.Pongo and Perdita find their own puppies and help them escape, along with the other puppies, and there are 99 puppies altogether. The adventure to get back to London is full of danger and suspense. They all make it home safely, and Roger and Anita gleefully agree to keep all 99 puppies, in addition to Pongo and Perdita. I truly loved this film, because it showed the lengths that a parent would go to to find their child, even if the parents were dogs. No journey or circumstance is too difficult or dangerous to keep a parent from their child.

#8

The Fox and the Hound

http://disney.go.com/disneyvideos/animatedfilms/foxandthehound/

The Fox and the Hound premiered in July 1981. This story centers on the unlikely friendship of a fox, Tod, and a hound dog, Copper. They grow up not realizing that anything is wrong with their friendship , until adulthood when an accident involving Tod and another dog that lives with Copper creates a fued between the two, and Copper vows to get revenge. Later on Tod ends up saving Copper's life in a bear attack, and the two mend fences, although each goes back to the life they were meant to live. Copper as a hunting dog, and Tod as a wild fox in the woods. Each with an understanding of each other, and a respect that had taken a long time to build. Movies about unique friendships, particularly among characters with great differences are truly a treasure. The Fox and the Hound emphasizes that diversity is good and that true friendships can be found in unlikely situations.

#7

Old Yeller

http://www.moviefone.com/movie/old-yeller/18341/main

Old Yeller is truly a Disney classic. I remember reading the novel by Fred Gipson as a teenager, before ever actually seeing the film and falling in love with the characters, and crying when tragedy strikes the family and they have to make a tough decision. The story centers on the Coates family who live in rural Texas in the late 1860s. The father of the family works on cattle drives and has to leave the family for several months, leaving his two sons Travis and Arliss in charge of the home. An old dog wanders on to the property and while at first seems like a nuisance, the family learns what a brave and wonderful dog he is. When a wave of rabies sweeps the area, Old Yeller fights off a rabid wolf while defending the family. The dog contracts rabies himself, and the family has to make the heartbreaking decision to put the dog out of his misery, even though they love him so. Old Yeller is definitely a "three tissue" movie, for not a dry eye will be found while watching this classic.

#6

Finding Nemo

http://disney.go.com/disneyvideos/animatedfilms/findingnemo/index2.html

Now, I know what you are thinking. Finding Nemo is about fish, not animals. I just could not leave this movie out of my list. Released in 2003, Finding Nemo is the story of a clownfish named Marlin who loves dearly his only child, Nemo. On the first day of school, Nemo ignores his father's warnings about the dangerous areas of the ocean, and ends up getting lost and caught by a scuba diver. Marlin tries to stop the boat with the diver but cannot catch it in time, and he launches himself into a journey of his own trying to locate his son. Hilarious antics are found throughout this beautiful film and you can't help but become engrossed in the quest to find little Nemo . Nemo is found by his father at the end, and both father and son have each learned a lesson. Nemo has learned that father does know best and that he needs to trust his father's judgment, and Marlin has learned that it's ok to let go a little, and let his son have some adventure now and then.

#5

The Jungle Book

http://disneydvd.disney.go.com/the-jungle-book-40th-anniversary-platinum-edition.html

The Jungle Book was one of my favorite films as a child. I had the songs memorized off an LP that I got for Christmas. The characters in The Jungle Book are some of the most fun loving Disney characters ever. The story revolves around Mowgli, a boy who was raised in the jungle by wolves, and how the evil Tiger, Shere Khan, wants to kill him, because he hates man. A variety of animal characters assist Mowgli in getting out of the jungle and into a "man village." Bagheera, a panther, is put in charge of getting the youngster to safety. Along the way to the village, the pair run into Baloo, a happy-go-lucky bear who wants to have fun as they travel through the village. They run into various problems and calamities along the journey, but eventually they do lead Mowgli to the village, and he goes willingly when he makes a new friend. The music from this film and the friendship between the characters make this a film, anyone, young or old will enjoy.

#4

Dumbo

http://disney.go.com/disneyvideos/animatedfilms/dumbo/

Dumbo is one of Disney's most tender animated films. After much delay and many union strikes, the film was released late in 1941. Dumbo's story begins on a circus train. A mother elephant receives a new baby elephant from the stork. She plans on naming him Jumbo Jr. after his father, but when his enormous ears are discovered, the other animals on the train call him Dumbo. Dumbo's mother is outraged at the treatment her baby receives, for he is beautiful to her no matter how large his ears. She is taken away and deemed a "Mad Elephant". Without a friend in the world, Dumbo finds Timothy Mouse, a wise mouse who becomes Dumbo's biggest fan and encourager, particularly after they discover that Dumbo can actually fly with those enormous ears and becomes a superstar for the circus. This story speaks to the heart, because it shows a mother's love for her child, and also how with a little encouragement and faith in yourself, you can do anything!

#3
Bambi

http://disney.go.com/disneyvideos/animatedfilms/bambi/home.html

Bambi is the story of a fawn, who makes many friends after his birth. He befriends Thumper, a rabbit, and Flower, a skunk. The three friends all enjoy each other's company. On a visit to a meadow, Bambi also meets Faline, a doe fawn, and his father, The Great Prince of the Forest. When food is scarce during a bad winter, his mother takes him into the forest to scavenge for food. During this trip, his mother is shot and killed, and Bambi finds himself all alone. His father tells him he is alone now, and leads him out of the forest. Later in his adult years he reunites with his old childhood friends and becomes a Prince of the Forest himself. Bambi is a classic story if growing up and finding your own way in the world.

#2

Lady and the Tramp

http://www.movietome.com/movie/281413/lady-and-the-tramp/index.html

Set in 1909 , Lady, a cocker spaniel puppy, is given by Jim Dear to his wife, Darling, as a Christmas present. Lady quickly becomes the love of their lives and is a happy dog. Soon, a baby is born into the family and Lady is unsure of her place in the family, but in due time realizes the baby is no threat to her and that they love her. When Jim Dear and Darling need to make a trip without the baby, they call Aunt Sarah to come babysit. Aunt Sarah is no fan of dogs, and neither are her two Siamese cats. Lady is muzzled, and in fear she runs away. While out, she meets Tramp, a street wise stray dog, who wins her heart. They set out on a series of adventures that eventually wind them back at home with Jim Dear and Darling, who also take in Tramp. I absolutely love this film, for so many reasons. The characters are so endearing, and the musical moment where Lady and Tramp share a spaghetti dinner outside an Italian restaurant is clearly Disney at it's best.

#1

The Lion King

http://www.moviefone.com/movie/the-lion-king/8981/main

The Lion King was released in summer of 1994, and this is clearly my favorite of all the Disney animal classics. From the musical score by Elton John, to the voices chosen for each character, this film is truly magnificent. The Lion King takes place on the flatlands of Africa, in a kingdom of different animal species, called Pride Rock. The wise King, Mufasa, wants his young son, Simba, to learn the ways of the kingdom, so that he can take over as king when he is no longer there. Simba gets into trouble in a way that only a youngster can, and while out of the protected area of his parents, he runs into all kinds of problems. Mainly, his wicked uncle Scar, who wishes to be king instead and so plots to kill both Mufasa and Simba. Simba is lured to a gorge and a stampede of wildebeasts is set off. Mufasa tries to save his son, but Scar pushes him off a cliff, killing him. He then convinces Simba that it is Simba's fault his father died, and that he should run away. He grows up in the jungle with other enjoyable characters, Puumba, a warthog, and Timon. After running into an adult Nala, his childhood friend, he is convinced he needs to return home, and finds out that Scar has ruined the kingdom. Simba returns home and battles with Scar to claim his rightful place as the king of Pride Rock.

The Lion King is a truly majestic movie that everyone of all ages should see.

These are my top ten best Disney animal character movies. Take the time to view each one with someone you love.