There's no greater influence on the young developing mind than a powerful movie. This is my own personal list, not so much of my favorite animated films yet rather my most influential ones. It's a study of the ten films that shaped my mind as a young boy, from their adventurous plots to their underlying themes. They bring a nostalgic quality when I'm reminded of them today. Few notes about the list.
10. Robin Hood (1973) Walt Disney Studios
Plot Line: The classic tale of Robin Hood is told through animals as the main characters. The setting is an old British town of Nottingham during the middle ages. Robin Hood is the protagonist fox who teams with his pal Little John, a bear, to steal from the rich and give to the poor. Prince John is the antagonist lion who has swindled his brother, King Arthur, into taking the throne and taxing the people. Robin Hood must team up with his pals, including the Friar Tuck and the Maid Marian to make right the injustice of Prince John and the Sheriff of Nottingham.
Themes: Some of the obvious themes in this story are courage, sharing, charity, companionship, and the evils of excessive greed. Although Robin Hood is somewhat of a criminal, his motives are not selfish yet for the good of his companions. He is willing to put his own safety at risk for the bettering of others, which makes him an aspiring hero to the young viewers.
Personal Significance: I remember watching this film at Grandma Hilda's in Battle Creek with the cousins. The ending always brought such a warm happy feeling.
9. Lady and the Tramp (1955) Walt Disney Studios
Plot Line: A domesticated dog, Lady, falls for a stray street dog, Tramp. Lady finds herself being pushed aside when her owners have a baby, and it is through Tramp's free spirit style of life she finds hope again. Their love is best captured at an Italian spaghetti dinner where they share their first kiss.
Themes: The obvious theme is romance however the fact that these two dogs are so different is the greater takeaway in my opinion. One dog is well-mannered while the other is wild. Perhaps opposites attract could be one of the underlying messages of this film.
Personal Significance: I remember watching this film at a very young age at our home in Park Ave. I especially remember this curious feeling I felt when they shared that last pasta noodle. It's likely I didn't care much for girls at the time and maybe didn't fully understand it, however it was certainly the most memorable emotion I felt from this classic film.
8. Anastasia (1997) Fox Animation Studios
Plot Line: Set during the historical Russian Revolution, this story gives an intriguing twist on the murder of Tsar Nicholas and his family. The story begins with tragedy as we learn that Anastasia was once a princess who loss all her family to a terrible sorcerer named Rasputin. She then must grow up on her own, and embark on a journey to discover her past, during which she also finds love.
Tragedy and Resolve: This movie begins with a tragic conflict with the terrible loss of Anastasia's family. She must dig deep from within to face the adversity and loneliness of her past to discover who she is.
Themes: This is a coming-of-age story, in which the young Anastasia embarks on a journey of self discovery despite her terrible past as an orphan. There are also themes of love, loneliness, inner-strength, and courage.
Personal Significance: I was 13 years old when this movie came out, and it was probably the last animation that really influenced me. I remember the animation was quite groundbreaking at the time and the music was also very enjoyable. This was perhaps my first big introduction to Russian culture and it all fascinated me as a teenager.
7. A Goofy Movie (1995) Walt Disney Studios
Plot Line: A young teenager, Max, wants to impress a girl in his school and he does this by breaking the rules. As a form of punishment he goes on a long camping trip with his father, Goofy, for some quality father-son bonding. Throughout which he connects with his father, becomes proud of his goofy personality, and happens to get the girl as well in the end.
Themes: The big message of this film is self-esteem. The young Max, is somewhat ashamed of his goofy traits and his goofy father, and tries to change his image. Yet it's through his father that he discovers he should be proud of who he is.
Personal Significance: I remember watching this film when I was 12, and could totally relate to the scenario, especially being a boy scout at the time. I also really enjoyed the music of this film and would sing the songs constantly with my family and friends.
6. The Little Mermaid (1989) Walt Disney Studios
Plot Line: This fantasy is a love story between Aerial a mermaid princess who falls in love with a human sailor. She however must come to the harsh realization that she cannot live on dry land, yet with her peers under the sea. In an act of desperation she sells her voice to a sorceress, Ursula, so that she can become human. However this plan backfires on her, and she is imprisoned to Ursula. At the end she must team up with her friends and family to defeat the evil witch.
Themes: This story has several subtle themes scattered throughout the romantic adventure that it is. The biggest message is to follow your heart and not be afraid to dream beyond any barriers that may be. However it also suggests that friends and family are equally as important, and one shouldn't push them aside in their quest for love.
Personal Significance: I remember enjoying everything about this underwater fantasy the first time I saw it. From the characters, the colorful sea, the beautiful mermaid princess Aerial, and especially the music. This film ushered in a new era of animations, in what has become known as the Disney Renaissance. From 1989 to 1999 I grew up with this string of successful Disney films such as Little Mermaid, Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, and Lion King to name a few, all of which have influenced me immensely.
5. Aladdin (1992) Walt Disney Studios
Plot Line: The story takes place in a fictional setting in Arabia. The street-rat Aladdin falls for the princess Jasmine who is wandering the streets in disguise. He is however captured by the wicked sorcerer Jafar, and must set off on a mission to recover a magic lamp. He is able to keep the lamp for himself, of which there a genie grants him three wishes. He is unable to make Jasmine fall in love with him, however uses his first wish to woo her. He is eventually unable to impress her with the material stuff, yet only his true self. In the end he must team up with her to defeat Jafar who has bewitched the sultan and taken over the kingdom.
Themes: Quite a few in this one. Once again there is the love story of opposites attract (rich woman and poor man.) There are themes of courage, companionship, and charity to the poor. Yet I think the biggest underlying theme is to be true to yourself.
Personal Significance: I was about 9 years old when this one came out and I remember it was very influential to me for several reasons. I think I was in 3rd grade, and it was all the buzz with my classmates. I remember especially being in awe of the princess Jasmine, and it was perhaps one of the first times I truly admired a woman. I'm quite sure it was that same year I began having crushes on the girls in my grade as well. The movie was filled with excitement, good laughs, and incredible music.
4. Lion King (1994) Walt Disney Studios
Plot Line: Set in the animal kingdom of Africa the young prince Simba, must cope with the terrible loss of his father Mufasa. He chooses to flee and grow up in the wild with two friends Simon and Pumba. He eventually realizes that he must come to terms with his past, face his enemy Scar, and claim his rightful throne.
Tragedy and Resolve: A child loses his father in a traumatic staged murder. He then chooses to run and hide from the guilt and sadness. With the support of his friends however, Simba is able to dig deep to face his past. He chooses to courageously face his enemy Scar and fight for what is rightfully his.
Themes: This story hits the young viewer with a heavy dose of tragedy only to make the climb all the more rewarding in the end. This is truly one of Disney's classic gems with mature themes of inner-strength, companionship, love, family, and courage to name a few.
Personal Significance: I remember watching this movie over and over again, playing the video games, re-enacting the story with my cousins, and always signing the songs. Although it had a very tragic moment, this movie was unusually uplifting with its colorful setting and music.
- This list may reflect my gender and the period I grew up in (Male, born in 1984)
- Four of these films deal with mature and tragic themes of loss
- Two of them were not produced by Walt Disney Studios
- There are several classics I never remember watching as a kid such as Bambi, Cinderella, Snow White, and Sleeping Beauty. (Most of which were girl stories anyway) Although I admire their legacy, they never impacted me as a child and therefore are not on this list
- Some honorable mentions include Beauty and the Beast, The Sword in the Stone, and The Brave Little Toaster.
10. Robin Hood (1973) Walt Disney Studios
Plot Line: The classic tale of Robin Hood is told through animals as the main characters. The setting is an old British town of Nottingham during the middle ages. Robin Hood is the protagonist fox who teams with his pal Little John, a bear, to steal from the rich and give to the poor. Prince John is the antagonist lion who has swindled his brother, King Arthur, into taking the throne and taxing the people. Robin Hood must team up with his pals, including the Friar Tuck and the Maid Marian to make right the injustice of Prince John and the Sheriff of Nottingham. Themes: Some of the obvious themes in this story are courage, sharing, charity, companionship, and the evils of excessive greed. Although Robin Hood is somewhat of a criminal, his motives are not selfish yet for the good of his companions. He is willing to put his own safety at risk for the bettering of others, which makes him an aspiring hero to the young viewers.
Personal Significance: I remember watching this film at Grandma Hilda's in Battle Creek with the cousins. The ending always brought such a warm happy feeling.
9. Lady and the Tramp (1955) Walt Disney Studios
Plot Line: A domesticated dog, Lady, falls for a stray street dog, Tramp. Lady finds herself being pushed aside when her owners have a baby, and it is through Tramp's free spirit style of life she finds hope again. Their love is best captured at an Italian spaghetti dinner where they share their first kiss.Themes: The obvious theme is romance however the fact that these two dogs are so different is the greater takeaway in my opinion. One dog is well-mannered while the other is wild. Perhaps opposites attract could be one of the underlying messages of this film.
Personal Significance: I remember watching this film at a very young age at our home in Park Ave. I especially remember this curious feeling I felt when they shared that last pasta noodle. It's likely I didn't care much for girls at the time and maybe didn't fully understand it, however it was certainly the most memorable emotion I felt from this classic film.
8. Anastasia (1997) Fox Animation Studios
Plot Line: Set during the historical Russian Revolution, this story gives an intriguing twist on the murder of Tsar Nicholas and his family. The story begins with tragedy as we learn that Anastasia was once a princess who loss all her family to a terrible sorcerer named Rasputin. She then must grow up on her own, and embark on a journey to discover her past, during which she also finds love.Tragedy and Resolve: This movie begins with a tragic conflict with the terrible loss of Anastasia's family. She must dig deep from within to face the adversity and loneliness of her past to discover who she is.
Themes: This is a coming-of-age story, in which the young Anastasia embarks on a journey of self discovery despite her terrible past as an orphan. There are also themes of love, loneliness, inner-strength, and courage.
Personal Significance: I was 13 years old when this movie came out, and it was probably the last animation that really influenced me. I remember the animation was quite groundbreaking at the time and the music was also very enjoyable. This was perhaps my first big introduction to Russian culture and it all fascinated me as a teenager.
7. A Goofy Movie (1995) Walt Disney Studios
Plot Line: A young teenager, Max, wants to impress a girl in his school and he does this by breaking the rules. As a form of punishment he goes on a long camping trip with his father, Goofy, for some quality father-son bonding. Throughout which he connects with his father, becomes proud of his goofy personality, and happens to get the girl as well in the end.Themes: The big message of this film is self-esteem. The young Max, is somewhat ashamed of his goofy traits and his goofy father, and tries to change his image. Yet it's through his father that he discovers he should be proud of who he is.
Personal Significance: I remember watching this film when I was 12, and could totally relate to the scenario, especially being a boy scout at the time. I also really enjoyed the music of this film and would sing the songs constantly with my family and friends.
6. The Little Mermaid (1989) Walt Disney Studios
Plot Line: This fantasy is a love story between Aerial a mermaid princess who falls in love with a human sailor. She however must come to the harsh realization that she cannot live on dry land, yet with her peers under the sea. In an act of desperation she sells her voice to a sorceress, Ursula, so that she can become human. However this plan backfires on her, and she is imprisoned to Ursula. At the end she must team up with her friends and family to defeat the evil witch.Themes: This story has several subtle themes scattered throughout the romantic adventure that it is. The biggest message is to follow your heart and not be afraid to dream beyond any barriers that may be. However it also suggests that friends and family are equally as important, and one shouldn't push them aside in their quest for love.
Personal Significance: I remember enjoying everything about this underwater fantasy the first time I saw it. From the characters, the colorful sea, the beautiful mermaid princess Aerial, and especially the music. This film ushered in a new era of animations, in what has become known as the Disney Renaissance. From 1989 to 1999 I grew up with this string of successful Disney films such as Little Mermaid, Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, and Lion King to name a few, all of which have influenced me immensely.
5. Aladdin (1992) Walt Disney Studios
Plot Line: The story takes place in a fictional setting in Arabia. The street-rat Aladdin falls for the princess Jasmine who is wandering the streets in disguise. He is however captured by the wicked sorcerer Jafar, and must set off on a mission to recover a magic lamp. He is able to keep the lamp for himself, of which there a genie grants him three wishes. He is unable to make Jasmine fall in love with him, however uses his first wish to woo her. He is eventually unable to impress her with the material stuff, yet only his true self. In the end he must team up with her to defeat Jafar who has bewitched the sultan and taken over the kingdom.Themes: Quite a few in this one. Once again there is the love story of opposites attract (rich woman and poor man.) There are themes of courage, companionship, and charity to the poor. Yet I think the biggest underlying theme is to be true to yourself.
Personal Significance: I was about 9 years old when this one came out and I remember it was very influential to me for several reasons. I think I was in 3rd grade, and it was all the buzz with my classmates. I remember especially being in awe of the princess Jasmine, and it was perhaps one of the first times I truly admired a woman. I'm quite sure it was that same year I began having crushes on the girls in my grade as well. The movie was filled with excitement, good laughs, and incredible music.
4. Lion King (1994) Walt Disney Studios
Plot Line: Set in the animal kingdom of Africa the young prince Simba, must cope with the terrible loss of his father Mufasa. He chooses to flee and grow up in the wild with two friends Simon and Pumba. He eventually realizes that he must come to terms with his past, face his enemy Scar, and claim his rightful throne.Tragedy and Resolve: A child loses his father in a traumatic staged murder. He then chooses to run and hide from the guilt and sadness. With the support of his friends however, Simba is able to dig deep to face his past. He chooses to courageously face his enemy Scar and fight for what is rightfully his.
Themes: This story hits the young viewer with a heavy dose of tragedy only to make the climb all the more rewarding in the end. This is truly one of Disney's classic gems with mature themes of inner-strength, companionship, love, family, and courage to name a few.
Personal Significance: I remember watching this movie over and over again, playing the video games, re-enacting the story with my cousins, and always signing the songs. Although it had a very tragic moment, this movie was unusually uplifting with its colorful setting and music.
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