Megan The Magical Millennial’s Top 10 Animated Disney Movies of All Time

Oh, Ariel, my fishy gal-pal. The Little Mermaid was my gateway into the world of Disney, and let’s be real, I’ve had “Under the Sea” stuck in my head since 1990. Ariel is the ultimate OG princess who defied her father’s royal rules (shocking, right?) for true love and the pursuit of a human life. Also, Ursula—a villain who truly knew how to serve up chaos with a side of sass. This movie is a musical masterpiece, so I’m putting it at a solid #10, even though part of me wants to give it the #1 spot just because of Sebastian’s “kisses the girl” jam.

Okay, I’m about to hit you with one of the most underrated Disney gems: Meet the Robinsons. Do you like time travel, quirky family dynamics, and a villain whose name is literally Doris? This movie is everything you didn’t know you needed. The heartwarming “Keep Moving Forward” message has become a personal mantra of mine, and I can’t resist Lewis’s big ol’ nerdy heart. If you haven’t seen it yet, get on it. It’s one of those movies that’ll sneak up on you and leave you with all the feels.

We all know Frozen is a cultural reset, but I’m giving the edge to Frozen II because, like Anna and Elsa, I just feel like it gets me. The soundtrack is a whole vibe (anybody else scream-sings “Into the Unknown”?), and the animation? Chef’s kiss. We got deeper character development, more Elsa magic, and a storyline that’s like ”Hey, let’s explore some sisterly trauma and elemental secrets.” Plus, the forest spirits are my new fantasy squad. No spoilers, but I’ll just say: Ahtohallan is a mood.

The moment we were all waiting for: A Disney princess who wasn’t royalty but still managed to charm the world. Enter Tiana, one of the most hardworking and grounded princesses Disney has ever given us. Her journey to her dreams is a beautiful, inspiring story, and who can forget the legendary Dr. Facilier? His “Friends on the Other Side” song is basically a Broadway hit in Disney form. Oh, and did I mention Ray the firefly? Pure comedy gold.

Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your hair… and get ready for an adventure! Tangled is one of the best “Let’s go on a road trip” movies, and it’s got that Disney magic—romance, humor, action, and some truly epic hair flips. Flynn Rider is a classic charming rogue (also, can we talk about how he got a magical, golden-haired princess to fall for him?), and the lantern scene is nothing short of stunning. Plus, Pascal the chameleon is the unsung hero of the movie.

Ah, Beauty and the Beast. The tale as old as time. This movie has it all: A bibliophile princess, an enchanted castle full of talking furniture (I would 100% let Lumière serve me dinner), and a romance that honestly makes you believe in true love. The music is iconic, the animation is timeless, and the message that “beauty is found within” is something I will never, ever get tired of. Oh, and Be Our Guest is still a banger.

This one is a bold pick, I know, but hear me out: The Hunchback of Notre Dame is one of Disney’s most underrated masterpieces. The soundtrack is hauntingly beautiful, the themes are surprisingly deep (hello, religious commentary), and Quasimodo’s character arc? Chef’s kiss again. You’ve got the lovable, misunderstood bell-ringer; a strong female lead in Esmeralda (who deserves better, btw); and Frollo, one of Disney’s most twisted villains. And can we talk about how Hellfire should be illegal to sing in front of children? That’s high-key a mood.

Hercules is the ultimate underrated action-comedy Disney flick, hands down. First off, the music? “Go the Distance” is basically my life anthem, and “Zero to Hero” is one of the catchiest songs in the Disney catalog. The comedic sidekicks (hello, Phil the Satyr and Pain and Panic) are legendary. Plus, Hercules has all the best Greek mythology references, and I’m lowkey convinced Megara might be one of the most badass Disney characters ever created. She was not having it with anyone’s drama, and we stan that level of self-respect.

Girl power? Oh, it’s Mulan. If you don’t feel empowered by the time “I’ll Make a Man Out of You” plays, then we can’t be friends. Mulan is the ultimate story of courage, self-discovery, and never letting anything get in the way of your dreams. And let’s not forget Li Shang… his charisma is legendary (and his “A Girl Worth Fighting For” is so iconic that I’ve had to delete it from my phone playlists because it’s always on repeat). I also just feel like Reflection hit me in my soul before I even knew who I was. Can I get a “This is what’s wrong with me” in the chat?

I know you saw this one coming. But hear me out—The Emperor’s New Groove is perfection. It’s like if a Disney movie and a buddy comedy had a hilarious baby. The humor is sharp, the characters are ridiculous in the best way, and the soundtrack? If you don’t know “Perfect World” and “Walk the Llama Llama,” we can’t be friends. Kuzco is the epitome of chaotic energy, Pacha is the best dad in Disney history, and the whole plot is basically one big goofy adventure that somehow never loses its charm. It’s been 25 years, and I’m still quoting it with my besties. No touchy!