This is a list of every animated feature released theatrically (see definition below) in the United States since 1937 to date (the sound era). This list is a work-in-progress and does not include silent features, such as THE ADVENTURES OF PRINCE ACHMED (1926). Nor does it does not include made-for-tv animated features such as THE POINT (1971) or THE FLINTSTONES MEET THE JETSONS (1987).
This list does not include people-in-costume or puppet films like THUNDERBIRDS ARE GO (1967), PUFNSTUF (1970), THE DARK CRYSTAL (1983), "Muppet" movies, THOMAS AND THE MAGIC RAILROAD (2000) and TEAM AMERICA: WORLD POLICE (2004).
Also not listed are compilation features such as HOORAY FOR BETTY BOOP (1976), THE SPEED RACER SHOW (1993), various festivals of animation, nor does this list include numerous foreign animated features which have been dubbed in English and have appeared on U.S. TV or direct-to-video tape release, such as DOT AND THE KANGEROO (Australia), KATY CATERPILLAR (Spain), THE SINGING PRINCESS (Italy), JACK AND THE WITCH and KIKI'S DELIVERY SERVICE (both Japan). Imax re-treads, such as the TV-special-turned-40-minute-featurette SANTA VS. THE SNOWMAN (2002) are not listed.
Films that are primarily live action that have animation sequences, bits, titles or computer generated characters - such as TWO GUYS FROM TEXAS (1948), SO DEAR TO MY HEART (1949), THE PINK PANTHER (1964), CASPER (1995), MONKEY BONE (2001), STUART LITTLE 2 (2002), SCOOBY DOO (2002), GARFIELD: THE MOVIE (2004) and ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS (2007) - are not included on this list.
MY THEATRICAL FEATURE FILM DEFINITION: Film must have played theatrical playdate in legitimate movie theatre (college campus, museum, and film festival showings do not count). Film must have had: Newspaper advertising, Movie Trailer, TV Spot advertising, pressbook, one-sheet movie poster (video poster does not count), a U.S. film distributor, local printed newspaper review (trade paper reviews do not count).
Any questions, comments, additions or corrections should be e-mailed to [email protected]
Special Thanks to the following for assistance in compiling this list: Rebecca Poole, Mark Kausler, Doug Ranney, Eric Lurio. 1. SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS (12/21/37) RKO - Walt Disney. 83 mins. Supervising Director: David Hand. Classic Grimm fairy tale of princess hiding from evil Queen, who finds shelter in cottage of seven distinctive little men. |
| Gulliver's Travels |
3. PINOCCHIO (2/7/40) RKO -Disney. 88 mins. Supervising Directors: Ben Sharpsteen, Hamilton Luske. Classic story by Collodi (Carlo Lorenzini) about the adventures of a puppet who comes to life, his wood-carver father and his insect companion, Jiminy Cricket.
4. FANTASIA (11/13/40) RKO - Disney. 120 mins. Directors: Samuel Armstrong, James Algar, Bill Roberts, Paul Satterfield, Hamilton Luske, Jim Handley, Ford Beebe, T. Hee, Norman Ferguson, Willfred Jackson. Seven animation sequences set to classical music, including "The Sorcerer's Apprentice", "The Rite Of Spring" and "Dance of The Hours".
5. THE RELUCTANT DRAGON (6/20/41) RKO - Disney. 72 mins. Live action Director: Alfred L. Werker. Animation Directors: Hamilton Luske, Jim Handley, Ford Beebe, Erwin Verity, Jasper Blystone. In live action sequences, Robert Benchley visits the Disney studio in hopes of interesting Mr. Disney in adapting the story of The Reluctant Dragon. Also contains: Baby Weems, and How To Ride A Horse (Goofy).
6. DUMBO (10/23/41) RKO - Disney. 64 mins. Supervising Director: Ben Sharpsteen. Baby elephant, ridiculed because of big ears, becomes a circus star.
7. MR. BUG GOES TO TOWN (12/4/41) Paramount - Fleischer. 77 mins. Director: Dave Fleischer. A community of insects, who inhabit the site of skyscraper under construction, must move. (also known as HOPPITY GOES TO TOWN)
8. BAMBI (8/13/42) RKO - Disney. 69 mins. Supervising Director: David Hand. The life of a deer, living in the forest, from childhood to adulthood.
9. SALUDOS AMIGOS(2/6/43) RKO - Disney. 43 mins. Supervising Directors: Bill Roberts, Jack Kinney, Hamilton Luske, Wilfred Jackson. Compilation of four stories with South American themes, bridged by live action footage of Walt Disney and artists visiting Latin America. Contains: Lake Titicaca, Pedro, El Gaucho Goofy, Aquarela do Brazil.
Victory Through Air Power
10. VICTORY THROUGH AIR POWER (7/17/43) United Artists - Disney. 65 mins. Live Action Director: H.C. Potter. Supervising Animation Director: David Hand. Timely World War II propaganda about how the war can end sooner with strategic air power. Animated sequences include The History of Aviation.11. THE THREE CABALLEROS (2/3/45) RKO -Disney. 70 mins. Director: Norman Ferguson For his birthday, Donald Duck, and friends Jose Carioca and Panchito, tour South America. Contains: The Flying Gauchito and Pablo The Penguin.
12. MAKE MINE MUSIC (8/15/46) RKO - Disney. 74 mins. Production Supervisor: Joe Grant. Compilation of ten segments: Johnny Fedora and Alice Blue Bonnet, The Martin & the Coys, Blue Bayou, All The Cats Join In, A Ballad In Blue, Casey At The Bat, Two Silhouettes, Peter And The Wolf, After You've Gone, and The Whale Who Wanted To Sing At The Met.
13. SONG OF THE SOUTH (11/1/46) RKO - Disney - (partially live action) 94 mins. Cartoon Director: Wilfred Jackson. Troubled young boy escapes his cares through the stories of Uncle Remus. Three significant animated sequences star Br'er Rabbit, Br'er Fox and Br'er Bear.
14. FUN AND FANCY FREE (9/27/47) RKO - Disney. 73 mins. Production Supervisor: Ben Sharpsteen. Jiminy Cricket cheers up some dolls by presenting the story of Bongo, then crashes a party given by Edgar Bergan, as he recounts the tale of Mickey And The Beanstalk.
15. MELODY TIME (5/27/48) RKO - Disney. 75 mins. Production Supervisor: Ben Sharpsteen. Compilation of seven segments: Johnny Appleseed, Pecos Bill, Blame It on The Samba, Little Toot, Bumble Boogie, Once Upon A Wintertime, and Trees.
16. THE MAGIC HORSE (4/18/49) Artkino (Russian) 60 mins. Director: Ivan Ivanov-Vano. A magical flying horse takes young Ivan to a castle where he saves a Princess. Released in 1949 dubbed. Re-Dubbed in 1977 and released to video as "The Magic Pony". Also known as "Over The Rainbow"
17. THE ADVENTURES OF ICHABOD AND MR. TOAD (10/5/49) RKO - Disney. 68 mins. Production Supervisor: Ben Sharpsteen. Directors: Jack Kinney, Clyde Geronimi, James Algar The stories of two fabulous characters: Basil Rathbone tells the story of Mr. Toad in The Wind In The Willows and Bing Crosby narrates The Legend Of Sleepy Hollow.
18. CINDERELLA(2/15/50) RKO - Disney. 74 mins. Production Supervisor: Ben Sharpsteen. Directors: Wilfred Jackson, Hamilton Luske, Clyde Geronimi. Girl, abused by wicked step-sisters and step mother, is aided by fairy godmother, attends the palace ball and wins the heart of the Prince. Subplot with mice versus evil cat.
19. THE EMPEROR'S NIGHTINGALE (5/25/51) New Trends Associates. (Czech) 75 mins. Director: Jiri Trnka. A little boy (in live action) dreams of his toys come to life. His dream, told with stop-motion animated puppets, concerns an Chineses Emperor who enjoys the song, and friendship, of a nightingale. Narrated by Boris Karloff.
20. ALICE IN WONDERLAND (7/28/51) RKO - Disney. 75 mins. Production Supervisor: Ben Sharpsteen. Directors: Wilfred Jackson, Hamilton Luske, Clyde Geronimi. Day-dreaming girl chases rabbit, falls into underground wonderland where everything is reverse and strange characters, talking flowers, and mad tea parties defy logic.
21. PETER PAN (2/5/53) RKO - Disney. 77 mins. Directors: Wilfred Jackson, Hamilton Luske, Clyde Geronimi. A girl and her two younger brothers follow Peter Pan and pixie Tinkerbell to Never Never Land and aid his battle against evil Capatain Hook.
Animal Farm
22. JOHNNY THE GIANT KILLER (6/5/53) Lippert Pictures. (French) 62 mins. Directors: Jean Image, Charles Frank. Group of boys explore a castle and are captured by giant. Johnny escapes, becomes allies with swarm of bees, help boys escape.23. HANSEL AND GRETAL (12/24/54) RKO. 72 mins.(puppet animation) Directed by John Paul. Witch tricks two children into candy house and attempts to eat them. Kids push witch into oven.
