Disney is known for its fun family adventures. Across their many animated movies, they have put together a whole host of action sequences that manage to thrill and dazzle. While not all of their movies focus on battles and huge set pieces, a fair few do have their action-packed moments.
There's so many to choose across the Disney catalog that it's difficult to know where to begin. However, the best action sequences demonstrate something about the characters, are visually striking, or signify a turning point in the film. Whether they are third act fights or huge conflicts that frame the film, there are so many exciting sequences to explore.
Mulan: Avalanche
While Disney is giving this animated classic a live-action remake, like so many other projects in their archives, one thing about the legacy of Mulan that cannot be ignored is how breathtaking its action sequences are.
A particular moment showcases that Mulan really is the best of the warriors of China, using her intelligence and skills to fire a firework and create a huge avalanche that buries their foes in a triumphant moment.
Beauty And The Beast: Kill The Beast
The beast appears to be the main foe of the film Beauty and the Beast when audiences initially meet him. The courageous Belle takes her father's place as the beast's prisoner, before eventually falling in love with this misunderstood prince.
The final beat of the film sees an angry mob, led by Gaston, swarm the palace. A huge action sequence breaks out, with an intense showdown between the hunter and the monster, as well as some amusing escapades from the various cutlery, crockery, and furniture.
Big Hero 6: Closing The Portal
Big Hero 6 is a superhero movie at its heart so it's no surprise that there's plenty of action set pieces to enjoy. The end of the film sees the stereotypical genre portal open up in the sky, with the heroes putting in their best efforts to close it.
With an emotional sacrifice from Baymax and a huge showdown between Hiro's robots and this team of teenagers, it's amazingly animated, thrilling, and genuinely heartbreaking. It's everything a Disney action sequence should be!
Incredibles: Defeating Syndrome
Speaking of superheroes, there is a family of Disney characters who has offered a fair few incredible moments when it comes to fighting crime. The Incredibles showcases the amazing powers of the Parr family, as they try to face down Bob's past.
The final showdown between Syndrome and the family is a great moment for the family coming together and the kids being able to fully utilize their powers properly. Jack-Jack even gets his own hero moment to shine, attacking Syndrome in the finale of the battle.
The Lion King: The Return Of Simba
The Lion King is an intense movie that many in many ways. Of course, a family conflict on this scale requires a final fight between the rightful heir to the throne and the usurper.
Despite his laid back attitude, upon Simba's return, he said goodbye to the Hakuna Matata life and faced his fears and his regrets. The confrontation was powerful, featuring some wicked fights, surrounded by flames and resulting in the real truth of Simba's childhood being revealed.
Moana: Battling Te Ka
Throughout Moana, there is an evil spirit rumored to be corrupting the lands. The young princess, and future leader, eventually faces Te Ka for the first time, although the conflict didn't pan out how every expected.
It was a strong character-building moment for Moana as she overcame her failures, but the reveal that the evil volcano actually had some beauty within was another powerful message, one made all the more poignant after a tense encounter.
Atlantis: Retrieving Kida
Atlantis is one of Disney's more underrated movies and actually includes many thrilling action moments, from their travels beneath the sea to the eventual confrontation between the traitors amongst the group and Milo.
As the young adventurer faces off against the general to try to retrieve Princess Kida from his capture, audiences are treated to a stunning visual display of conflict, one that demonstrates Milo's commitment to the Atlantean people and Disney's capabilities when it comes to action.
Brave: Ending Mor'du
One of the key plot points of Pixar's Brave was that a ticking time bomb was always going to go off at some stage. It was very likely that Merida's loving mother could be turned into a bear forever.
But before they could reverse the effects, a thrilling sequence happens between the Queen and Mor'du, a legendary creature with hatred in his heart. This conflict is tense and the added element of time running out showcases some fantastic storytelling.
Wreck-It Ralph: Race To The Finish
Another modern hit, Wreck-It-Ralph caught audiences by surprise because of its good humor and the amount of heart that is contained within the movie. This is no more evident than in the final action sequence, where Ralph rids Sugar Rush of its bug problem.
Racing as fast as he can to the coke volcano, he sacrifices himself to create a giant beam in the sky. The relationship between Ralph and Vanellope comes full circle though as she saves him in the nick of time.
The Hunchback Of Notre Dame: Hellfire
Notre Dame on fire is a powerful image and one that unfortunately the world has actually seen in recent times. In Disney' Hunchback of Notre Dame though, the fire was symbolic of ridding the Cathedral of Frollo's hellfire and corruption.
The attack on the Cathedral is a moving one, with the gargoyles banding together to protect Quasimodo. Esmeralda's own fate is unknown during this fight, adding an extra emotional moment to this visually stunning sequence.
