multiple live-action remakes have been made of the animated films, they are unable to compete with the beloved originals.
The best Disney animated films based on fairytales can keep their audiences engaged even though the general storylines and character arcs are well known. Disney's adaptations of these centuries-old folk tales and fairytales often alter the surprisingly dark original fairytale to make them family and child-friendly, while still telling an important story and teaching audiences a lesson. With their iconic villains and their lovable lead characters, the best fairytale-based Disney movies are guaranteed to entertain.
10 Sleeping Beauty (1959)
Based On Sleeping Beauty By The Brothers Grimm
Sleeping Beauty is based on the fairy tale of the same name and revolves around Princess Aurora (Mary Costa), who was cursed as an infant by the evil fairy Maleficent (Eleanor Audley) to die before her sixteenth birthday. The good fairy Merryweather (Barbara Luddy) is unable to remove the curse, however, she is able to alter it so that Aurora falls asleep until she is awoken by true love's kiss.
Sleeping Beauty
- Release Date
- January 29, 1959
- Runtime
- 75minutes
- Director
- Clyde Geronimi, Wolfgang Reitherman
Cast
Mary Costa-
Bill Shirley
WHERE TO WATCH
In Disney's take on the classic fairy tale, Princess Aurora has been cursed by the evil Maleficent to prick her finger and fall into a deep sleep on her sixteenth birthday. Despite the efforts of the three fairies who raised her, the curse is soon upon Aurora, but hope lies with the handsome Prince Phillip.
- Writers
- Erdman Penner, Joe Rinaldi, Winston Hibler, Bill Peet, Ted Sears, Ralph Wright, Milt Banta
With high stakes and a thrillingly devious Disney villain, Sleeping Beauty is a fantastical love story filled with adventure. Prince Phillip and Princess Aurora's love story is a beautiful tale, and Maleficent's meddling to ensure that Aurora cannot break her curse makes for a powerful movie. The movie's artful and gorgeous animation is timeless and still holds up over 60 years later.
9 Frozen (2013)
Based On "The Snow Queen" By Hans Christian Andersen
Frozen is one of Disney's most popular animated films of the 21st century and instantly became a cultural phenomenon. Inspired by the fairytale "The Snow Queen" by Hans Christian Andersen, the movie revolves around Princess Anna (Kristen Bell) and her estranged older sister, Princess Elsa (Idina Menzel). The movie follows Elsa's struggles with her magical ice and snow powers after she accidentally traps their kingdom of Arendelle in an eternal winter.
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Frozen
- Release Date
- November 27, 2013
- Runtime
- 102 minutes
- Director
- Chris Buck, Jennifer Lee
Cast
Edie McClurg
WHERE TO WATCH
In this animated Disney musical, the newly crowned Queen Elsa accidentally uses her power to turn things into ice to curse her home in infinite winter. Her younger sister, Anna, teams up with a mountain man, his playful reindeer, and a living snowman to change the weather conditions and restore peace.
- Writers
- Jennifer Lee
Frozen's soundtrack was a hit, with the song "Let It Go" winning an Oscar and Grammy Award. Elsa and Anna's sisterly bond was the highlight of the Disney film, and the movie's decision to utilize the trope of an act of true love between the sisters rather than the romantic trope of true love's kiss cemented the film as a groundbreaking Disney film.
8 Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs (1937)
Based On "Snow White" By The Brothers Grimm
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs marks Disney's first feature-length animated movie, and its popularity helped turn Disney into a staple in animated fairytale movies. The movie is based on the German fairytale by the Brothers Grimm and revolves around the titular character, the kindhearted and innocent Snow White (Adriana Caselotti).
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Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
- Release Date
- January 14, 1938
- Runtime
- 83 minutes
- Director
- Ben Sharpsteen, Larry Morey, David Hand, Perce Pearce, William Cottrell, Wilfred Jackson
Cast
-
Adriana CaselottiSnow White (voice) (uncredited)
-
Lucille La VerneQueen / Witch (voice) (uncredited)
WHERE TO WATCH
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is a classic 1938 animated film based on the Brothers Grimm tale. The story follows Snow White, who hides in a forest with seven dwarfs to escape her jealous stepmother, the wicked Queen. The Queen is determined to be the fairest in the land, threatened by Snow White's beauty.
- Writers
- Ferdinand Horvath, Dorothy Ann Blank, Ted Sears, Merrill De Maris, Webb Smith, Richard Creedon, Otto Englander, Dick Rickard, Earl Hurd
After Snow White's stepmother, the Queen (Lucille La Verne), attempts to orchestrate the young princess's murder, Snow White flees into the forest and finds refuge with the seven dwarfs. The stunning animation, the strong villain in the form of the Queen, the lovable seven dwarfs, and the catchy soundtrack helped turn Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs into an everlasting film.
All 14 Disney Animated Movies In The National Film Registry
Disney has long been a cultural touchstone with incredible animated films that appeal across multiple generations, as has been recorded in the NFR.
The Disney movie revolutionized how movies would adapt classic fairytales, helped popularize the trope of true love's kiss, and won the hearts of audiences. While the Snow White live-action failed to live up to expectations, the original remains a beloved classic.
7 Cinderella (1950)
Based On Cinderella By Charles Perrault
Cinderella (1950) is based on the 1697 fairytale by Charles Perrault and follows the titular character (Ilene Woods) as her evil stepmother, Lady Tremaine (Eleanor Audley), and her stepsisters Drizella (Rhoda Williams) and Anastasia (Lucille Bliss) force her into a life of servitude. After Cinderella's stepmother and stepsisters sabotage her dress and her chances of going to the royal ball, the fairy godmother steps in and uses her magic to help Cinderella.
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Cinderella
- Release Date
- March 4, 1950
- Runtime
- 75 minutes
- Director
- Clyde Geronimi, Wilfred Jackson, Hamilton Luske
Cast
-
Ilene Woods
-
James MacDonald
WHERE TO WATCH
Cinderella is a young orphan who lives with her wicked stepmother. One day, when the woman forbids her to go to the royal ball, she receives unexpected help from two adorable mice and her fairy godmother.
Walt Disney's favorite character, Cinderella, is known for her kindness and perseverance, despite the harsh reality of her home life, making her a compelling and lovable Disney princess you can't help but root for. The adorable friendship and endearing bond between Cinderella and the two mice, Jaq and Gus (James MacDonald), adds moments of levity and humor to the movie. The thrilling and emotional storyline and incredible characters have cemented its status as one of the best fairytale movies of all time.
6 Beauty And The Beast (1991)
Based On "Beauty And The Beast" By Jeanne-Marie Leprince De Beaumont & Gabrielle-Suzanne De Villeneuve
Beauty and the Beast tells the heartwarming yet unconventional love story between a cursed beast and an intelligent and brave young woman. The animated movie is based on the French fairytale of the same name by Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve. The romance fantasy film is set in 18th-century and follows Belle (Paige O'Hara) as she bargains her freedom to save her father, Maurice (Rex Everhart), and stays with the Beast (Robby Benson) in his castle.
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Beauty and the Beast
- Release Date
- November 21, 1991
- Runtime
- 84 Minutes
- Director
- Gary Trousdale, Kirk Wise
Cast
-
Paige O'Hara
-
Robby Benson
WHERE TO WATCH
A selfish prince is doomed to become a monster for the rest of his life, unless he manages to fall in love with a beautiful young woman.
The main antagonist, Gaston (Richard White), is a terrifyingly grounded Disney villain in his relentless pursuit of an uninterested Belle. While the romance between Belle and the Beast gets a rough and controversial start with the Beast holding her father captive before keeping Belle captive, Beauty and the Beast is still an entertaining romance fantasy movie.
5 Aladdin (1992)
Based On "Aladdin" By Antoine Galland
Aladdin is a musical fantasy Disney film based on the folktale of the same name from One Thousand and One Nights, a collection of Arabic folktales. The movie follows Aladdin (Scott Weinger), the charming street urchin who falls for Princess Jasmine (Linda Larkin) and finds a magical lamp that has a wish-granting Genie (Robin Williams). Aladdin's kindhearted demeanor, mischievous antics, and humble background set him apart from other Disney princes and make him an interesting lead.
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Aladdin
- Release Date
- 1994 - 1995-00-00
- Network
- Disney Channel
- Directors
- Alan Zaslove, Rob LaDuca, Toby Shelton
- Writers
- Bill Motz, Bob Roth, Jan Strnad, Steve Roberts, Brian Swenlin, Michael Ryan, Kevin D. Campbell, Tad Stones, Mark Saraceni
Cast
Bebe NeuwirthUncredited-
Dave FennoyMan (voice)
Aladdin is an animated television series produced by Walt Disney Television, airing from 1994 to 1995. Set after The Return of Jafar, the series follows Aladdin and Princess Jasmine on various adventures, accompanied by companions such as Abu, the Magic Carpet, Genie, and Iago, encountering sorcerers, monsters, and thieves.
- Seasons
- 3
Aladdin's animation style and the gorgeous scenery and backgrounds of Agrabah make for a visually stunning film. The vibrant movie is a delightful blend of romance, comedy, adventure, and fantasy with an iconic soundtrack. Aladdin has cemented its status as a Disney animated classic that never gets old.
4 The Little Mermaid (1989)
Based On "The Little Mermaid" By Hans Christian Andersen
The Little Mermaid is loosely based on the Danish fairytale of the same name by Hans Christian Andersen. The Disney movie revolves around the young mermaid princess Ariel (Jodi Benson), who yearns to become a human and falls in love with a human prince, Eric (Christopher Daniel Barnes). Ariel makes a deal with the devious sea witch and iconic Disney villain Ursula (Pat Carroll) to be turned into a human in exchange for her voice.
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The Little Mermaid
- Release Date
- November 17, 1989
- Runtime
- 83 Minutes
- Director
- Ron Clements, John Musker
Cast
Jodi BensonAriel / Vanessa-
Samuel E. WrightSebastian
WHERE TO WATCH
The Little Mermaid is an animated fantasy film that follows the tale of Ariel, a mermaid princess who dreams of life on land. She falls in love with Prince Eric and makes a daring pact with the sea witch Ursula to become human, risking everything for love.
The gorgeous and vibrant underwater setting of The Little Mermaid, combined with the catchy soundtrack, high-stakes plot, thrilling romance, and compelling characters make the film a memorable adventure. Ariel's fascination with the human world is both endearing and hilarious, and her scenes with the yellow fish Flounder (Jason Marin) and the crab Sebastian (Samuel E. Wright) are guaranteed to make audiences laugh.
3 Tangled (2010)
Based On "Rapunzel" By The Brothers Grimm
The fantasy adventure film Tangled is loosely based on the German fairytale "Rapunzel" by Brothers Grimm. The movie follows Rapunzel (Mandy Moore), a young princess with magical hair who is trapped in a secluded tower by Mother Gothel (Donna Murphy) and is unaware that she is the lost princess who was stolen from her home and family. She embarks on an adventure with the outlaw Flynn Rider (Zachary Levi) to explore the world she is isolated from.
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Tangled
- Release Date
- November 24, 2010
- Runtime
- 100 minutes
- Director
- Byron Howard, Nathan Greno
Cast
-
Donna Murphy
WHERE TO WATCH
An adaptation of the fairytale of Rapunzel, Disney's Tangled follows the long-haired princess as she journeys to discover her real identity. Kidnapped as a child by the evil Mother Gothel in order to exploit the healing properties of her magical hair, Rapunzel (Mandy Moore) has lived her whole life isolated in a tower. A chance encounter with a smooth-talking fugitive called Flynn Ryder (Zachary Levi) sees Rapunzel venture out into the dangerous world to find the kingdom of Corona and unlock the secrets of her past.
Similar to Aladdin, Tangled features a flawed yet lovable hero in the form of Flynn, making the dynamic between Rapunzel and Flynn entertaining. The reimagination of the classic fairytale won hearts with the adorable growing bond and the chemistry between Rapunzel and Flynn, jaw-dropping and beautiful visuals and animation, and captivating songs.
2 The Princess And The Frog (2009)
Based On "The Frog Prince" By The Brothers Grimm
The Princess and the Frog is a fantastical romantic comedy Disney movie inspired by the folktale "The Frog Prince" by the Brothers Grimm. Set in New Orleans in the 1920s, The Princess and the Frog follows the hardworking waitress Tiana (Anika Noni Rose) and in unexpectedly turned into a frog after she kisses Prince Naveen (Bruno Campos), who was turned into a frog by Dr. Facilier (Keith David).
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The Princess and the Frog
- Release Date
- December 10, 2009
- Runtime
- 97minutes
- Director
- John Musker
Cast
Anika Noni Rose-
John Musker
WHERE TO WATCH
Based on the classic fairytale, The Princess and the Frog follow Tiana, a hardworking New Orleans waitress in the 1920s who has big dreams of opening her own restaurant. When she becomes involved in a curse set upon a foreign prince by a witch doctor, however, Tiana must figure out a way to help the prince break the curse before time runs out. The film features the voices of Anika Noni Rose, Bruno Campos, Jim Cummings, Jennifer Cody, and John Goodman.
- Writers
- John Musker
The Princess and the Frog follows the duo of Tiana and Naveen as frogs as they embark on a mission to turn back into humans and put an end to Dr. Facilier's evil plans. The animation shines in the film's depictions of the vibrant New Orleans in the 1920s, and Tiana's ambition makes her a strong and beloved Disney princess. While the movie didn't achieve the commercial success of other Disney films, it cemented its status as a powerful Disney fairytale adaptation.
1 Mulan (1998)
Based On The Ancient Chinese Poem, "The Ballad of Mulan"
The coming-of-age action adventure movie Mulan is inspired by the Chinese folktale of Hua Mulan. The Disney movie follows Fa Mulan (Ming-Na Wen), the daughter of an elderly warrior, Fa Zhou (Soon-tek Oh,) who pretends to be a man so she can be conscripted in his place. Aided by the small red dragon Mushu (Eddie Murphy), Mulan begins training and uses her wits and bravery to become a formidable warrior.
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Mulan
- Release Date
- June 19, 1998
- Runtime
- 87 Minutes
- Director
- Barry Cook, Tony Bancroft
Cast
Ming-Na Wen
WHERE TO WATCH
To save her father from death in the army, a young single woman secretly goes to replace him, wearing a disguise, and becomes one of China's greatest heroes in the process.
The chilling scene of Captain Li Shang's (BD Wong) men marching and happily singing "A Girl Worth Fighting For" before the music suddenly cuts off as they witness the devastation caused by the war is unforgettable. The film's compelling plot, strong leads, and incredible romance make Mulan one of the best Disney animated films. Mulan earns her title as one of the most heroic Disney princesses.
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