Disney Animated Classics watch order

Disney Animated movies in order, release and chronological. Updated October 20, 2026.

The Disney animated classics don't share a story, so watch them in release order to see the Disney Renaissance unfold, from The Little Mermaid (1989) to Tarzan (1999) and the experimental films after it.

How to watch the Disney Animated movies in order: the full guide

All 20 films and series in the Disney Animated Classics franchise, in release order and in chronological (story) order. The first in release order is The Little Mermaid (1989); the first in chronological order is Dinosaur (set in The Cretaceous).

Release order

The Little Mermaid (Movie, 1989): Ariel, and the start of the Disney Renaissance.
The Rescuers Down Under (Movie, 1990): The Rescuers in the Australian outback.
Beauty and the Beast (Movie, 1991): The first animated Best Picture nominee.
Aladdin (Movie, 1992): Robin Williams' Genie.
The Nightmare Before Christmas (Movie, 1993): Tim Burton's stop-motion Halloween King.
The Lion King (Movie, 1994): Simba's story; the Renaissance high point.
A Goofy Movie (Movie, 1995): Goofy and Max on a road trip.
Pocahontas (Movie, 1995): Jamestown in 1607.
The Hunchback of Notre Dame (Movie, 1996): Quasimodo and Notre Dame.
Hercules (Movie, 1997): From zero to hero.
Mulan (Movie, 1998): Mulan takes her father's place in the army.
Tarzan (Movie, 1999): Raised by gorillas; the last Renaissance film.
Fantasia 2000 (Movie, 1999): Animation set to classical music.
Dinosaur (Movie, 2000): Photoreal dinosaurs; Disney's CG experiment.
The Emperor's New Groove (Movie, 2000): An emperor turned into a llama.
Atlantis: The Lost Empire (Movie, 2001): An expedition to the lost city.
Lilo & Stitch (Movie, 2002): Experiment 626 in Hawaii.
Treasure Planet (Movie, 2002): Treasure Island in space.
Brother Bear (Movie, 2003): A young man turned into a bear.
Home on the Range (Movie, 2004): Three cows save their farm.

Chronological order

Dinosaur (set in The Cretaceous): Photoreal dinosaurs; Disney's CG experiment.
Brother Bear (set in The end of the Ice Age): A young man turned into a bear.
Hercules (set in Ancient Greece): From zero to hero.
Mulan (set in Imperial China): Mulan takes her father's place in the army.
The Emperor's New Groove (set in The Inca Empire): An emperor turned into a llama.
Aladdin (set in Agrabah): Robin Williams' Genie.
The Hunchback of Notre Dame (set in 1482): Quasimodo and Notre Dame.
Pocahontas (set in 1607): Jamestown in 1607.
Beauty and the Beast (set in 18th-century France): The first animated Best Picture nominee.
The Little Mermaid (set in A kingdom by the sea): Ariel, and the start of the Disney Renaissance.
Home on the Range (set in The Old West): Three cows save their farm.
Tarzan (set in The jungle): Raised by gorillas; the last Renaissance film.
Atlantis: The Lost Empire (set in 1914): An expedition to the lost city.
The Lion King (set in The Pride Lands): Simba's story; the Renaissance high point.
The Nightmare Before Christmas (set in Halloween Town): Tim Burton's stop-motion Halloween King.
The Rescuers Down Under (set in The Australian Outback): The Rescuers in the Australian outback.
A Goofy Movie (set in 1995): Goofy and Max on a road trip.
Lilo & Stitch (set in Hawaii): Experiment 626 in Hawaii.
Treasure Planet (set in The far future): Treasure Island in space.
Fantasia 2000 (set in Anthology): Animation set to classical music.

Common questions

What order should I watch the Disney Animated movies in?

How many Disney Animated movies and shows are there?

There are 20 titles in the Disney Animated Classics franchise: 20 films and 0 series, released from 1989 to 2004.

How long does it take to watch all the Disney Animated movies?

About 28 hours for all 20 titles, counting every episode.

What is the first Disney Animated title in chronological order?

Dinosaur, set in The Cretaceous. In release order the first is The Little Mermaid (1989).