Disney turns 100: A look back at the studio’s most successful animated films
Jack Birle
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One of Hollywood’s most iconic companies turns 100 years old in 2023, with the “House of Mouse” planning a high-profile celebration for its anniversary.
Disney will mark the centennial with a celebration in its theme parks, with the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, serving as the centerpiece, according to the company. The celebration will also tie into the animated film Wish set to release in November.
Since 1937, the company has released beloved feature-length films from Walt Disney Animation Studios. These are the five most financially successful of those films by box office gross adjusted for inflation, according to Box Office Mojo.
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#1: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)
The first feature-length animated film, Snow White has grossed $1,021,330,000 domestically when adjusted for inflation. The movie won an honorary Oscar that featured a regular statuette accompanied by seven smaller statuettes.
The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences says the honorary Oscar was “for Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, recognized as a significant screen innovation which has charmed millions and pioneered a great new entertainment field for the motion picture cartoon.”
The film follows Snow White as she lives with seven dwarfs after the evil queen attempts to kill her because she is preventing her from being the “fairest one of all.” The evil queen attempts to kill Snow White with a poisoned apple, but the queen is killed and the curse is broken by a prince.
#2: One Hundred and One Dalmatians (1961)
One Hundred and One Dalmatians follows the fur-obsessed Cruella de Vil attempting to steal dalmatians from Roger Radcliffe and his wife Anita, with de Vil wishing to make dog-skin fur coats.
The film grossed $936,225,101 domestically when adjusted for inflation and has become a classic in the Disney movie catalog.
#3: The Lion King (1994)
One of Disney’s most celebrated films, The Lion King follows the story of the lion Simba avenging his father’s death and taking the throne from his murderous uncle, Scar.
The film won Oscars for Best Original Song, for “Can You Feel the Love Tonight,” and for Best Original Score. Over its theatrical run, the movie grossed $835,301,768 domestically when adjusted for inflation.
#4: Fantasia (1941)
Fantasia is a compilation of eight segments backed by classic musical scores. During its theatrical run, the film grossed $778,117,595 domestically when adjusted for inflation.
The movie won an honorary Oscar “for their outstanding contribution to the advancement of the use of sound in motion pictures through the production of Fantasia,” according to the Academy.
It also spawned a sequel, Fantasia 2000, which was released nationwide in 2000 after a limited debut in 1999.
#5: The Jungle Book (1967)
The last film to be produced by Walt Disney himself, The Jungle Book follows the human Mowgli, raised by animals who try to convince him to leave the jungle as an evil tiger looms.
The film was nominated for an Oscar for the song “The Bare Necessities” and grossed $690,380,663 domestically when adjusted for inflation.
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The Walt Disney Company celebrates its 100th anniversary on Oct. 16, 2023, with the company teasing celebrations in several of its divisions.