We were watching The Little Mermaid Live this week, with me and Jess singing along to the songs we love and Ollie applauding at the end of each number because this kid really loves 1) music 2) clapping. It was adorable and a fun little family time activity.

It also got me thinking about my favourite Disney movies because The Little Mermaid has always been in my Top 5. I started talking to Jess about it, going through my list, and wondering if I could get to a Top 10 instead of just my old stand-by. It turns out, I could. Partly because I had stopped adding movies to my list of personal favourites from any time after I was them in theatres as a child.

Honestly, that was kinda silly and unnecessarily nostalgic. It left a huge blindspot and discounted just how much I do love some of the Disney movies that have come out since about 1994.

As a 37-year-old dude born in 1982, my wheelhouse of Disney films released in theatres came in the time of The Little Mermaid, Beauty And The Beast, and Aladdin. I saw all three of those movies in the theatre and they have remained three of my favourites over the last 20+ years.

Below I have my personal Top 10 Disney Movie list. I’ve ranked them by personal preference and adoration. I’ve also included their Rotten Tomatoes Critics and Audience scores, and their IMDB score. And as a bonus, I’ve included a trailer for each film.

Before we get to the list though, I want to include some honourable mentions: The Jungle Book (1967), Toy Story 2 (1999), The Fox And The Hound (1981), WALL-E (2008), and Tangled (2010) which was the closest to cracking the Top 10.

Now, let’s get to the list!

Daddy’s Top 10 Disney Movies!

1. Beauty And The Beast

Release Date: November 22, 1991

Run Time: 1h 24min

Beauty And The Beast has my favourite Disney soundtrack, it has fun and serious and scary and action. It was dancing and singing. And any time of day and any time of year, I’m down to put it on and watch the heck out of it!

Rotten Tomatoes Critics Score: 94%

Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 92%

IMDB Score: 8/10

2. Robin Hood

Release Date: November 8, 1973

Run Time: 1h 23min

Ya, this is my favourite Robin Hood. Costner/Freeman comes second, but Disney’s 1973 animated classic is my top choice in the story’s lineage, and my second favourite Disney flick.

This is also the only movie on the list that I included a clip instead of a trailer – and that’s because this clip is amazing. Especially from the 2:40 mark and on.

Rotten Tomatoes Critics Score: 54%

Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 81%

IMDB Score: 7.6/10

3. Aladdin

Release Date: November 25, 1992

Run Time: 1h 30min

I can show you the world… hear those words and try not to be transported to a magical land and time with Aladdin, Jasmine, and Robin Williams as the Genie. This is a wonderfully Disney movie that checks off all the boxes in my heart.

Rotten Tomatoes Critics Score: 95%

Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 92%

IMDB Score: 8/10

4. The Little Mermaid

Release Date: November 17, 1989

Run Time: 1h 23min

This is probably my second favourite soundtrack and Part Of Your World is my favourite Disney song to sing along to at the top of my lungs every chance I get.

Rotten Tomatoes Critics Score: 93%

Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 88%

IMDB Score: 7.6/10

5. Frozen

Release Date: November 22, 2013

Run Time: 1h 42min

The first of the 21st century flicks on the list, Frozen captured my imagination and love on my first watch with friends in a condo viewing room after a lovely brunch. 10 adults sat together, watched the movie, and I’ve loved it ever since that day.

Rotten Tomatoes Critics Score: 90%

Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 85%

IMDB Score: 7.5/10

6. Moana

Release Date: November 23, 2016

Run Time: 1h 47min

Moana is the newest movie on the list and I have no regrets having it here. The Rock is great, the story is great, the songs are fun, and there’s mystic wonder for the whole family. I’m in.

Rotten Tomatoes Critics Score: 96%

Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 89%

IMDB Score: 7.6/10

7. The Sword In The Stone

Release Date: December 25, 1963

Run Time: 1h 19min

I don’t know how many of you will have The Sword In The Stone on your list, but I’m happy to. This was one of the movies that I’ve considered a favourite for the last two decades, and until I started thinking about the newer movies and how much I like them, it was in the Top 5. It’s been too long since I’ve watched it – I’m putting it on my calendar now.

Rotten Tomatoes Critics Score: 67%

Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 73%

IMDB Score: 7.2/10

https://youtu.be/KnL0rYFKuL4

8. Toy Story

Release Date: November 22, 1995

Run Time: 1h 21min

I was 13 and a half when Toy Story came out. I have a feeling that I thought I was too cool to like it, but I did. And we watched it at home on VHS and laughed and loved. And now, 24 years later we’re getting ready for Toy Story 4 to hit theatres and warm our hearts again.

Rotten Tomatoes Critics Score: 100%

Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 92%

IMDB Score: 8.3/10

9. Peter Pan

Release Date: February 5, 1953

Run Time: 1h 17min

The oldest film on my list, this is the first version of the Peter Pan story that I remember knowing when I was a kid. Peter and the Lost Boys, Wendy, Tinkerbell, Captain Hook, and yes, the crocodile all make me want to head for the second star to the right, and straight on till morning.

Rotten Tomatoes Critics Score: 80%

Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 80%

IMDB Score: 7.3/10

10. The Rescuers Down Under

Release Date: November 16, 1990

Run Time: 1h 17min

I think The Rescuers Down Under is an underrated film that gets lost in the perfection of The Little Mermaid, Beauty And The Beast, and Aladdin run Disney had from 1989 to 1992. This is also the only sequel that even comes close to being in my Top 10 or even Top 20.

Rotten Tomatoes Critics Score: 69%

Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 68%

IMDB Score: 6.9/10

https://youtu.be/bJMlNrEbk0k