On October 16, 1923, the history of entertainment was forever changed when Walt Disney and his older brother Roy O. Disney founded Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio in Burbank, California. Since starting out with their very first animation, a short called Steamboat Willie, it's become one of the world's oldest-running animation studios with 59 feature films under its belt.

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The 20th century was a pivotal period of time for Disney Animation, as the company struggled to develop its brand in a burgeoning market highly affected by an unstable social climate. Even so, the years between 1937 and 2000 brought a host of classic films that continue to touch the lives of millions.

40 Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, 1937

Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfts.

On December 21, 1937, Walt Disney Animated Studios debuted its first feature film, Snow White and the Seven DwarfsBased on the classic Brothers Grimm fairy tale, it follows an ousted princess as she thwarts her evil stepmother.

39 Pinocchio, 1940

Disney's Pinocchio Poster

Debuting on February 7, 1940, Pinocchio is Dinsey's second animated featured film. Based on an Italian novel, The Adventures of Pinocchio by Carlo Collodi, it follows a puppet's journey to becoming a real boy.

38 Fantasia, 1940

Disney's Fantasia.

On November 13, 1940, Disney mascot, Mickey Mouse, made his comeback in the animated musical, Fantasia. Based on Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's The Sorcerer's Apprentice, it features eight theatrical segments conducted by Leopold Stokowski.

37 Dumbo, 1941

Disney's Dumbo

Premiering on October 23, 1941, Dumbo tells the story of a young outcast circus elephant.

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It is based on the story Dumbo, The Flying Elephant by Helen Aberson and Harold Pearl and, at 64 minutes, is one of Disney's shortest features.

36 Bambi, 1942

Disney's Bambi.

On August 13, 1942, the iconic animated film, Bambi, debuted following the life of a young orphaned deer and his friends. Based on the story Bambi, A Life in the Woods by Felix Salten, it received three Academy Awards nominations.

35 Saludos Amigos, 1942

Disney's Salud Amigos.

On August 24, 1942, Saludos Amigos premiered in Rio de Janeiro. Spanish for "Greeting Friends," the film is set in South America and features segments starring Donald Duck and Goofy in addition to debuting the character Jose Carioca. It is Disney's shortest film at 42 minutes.

34 The Three Caballeros, 1944

The Three Caballeros Raise Their Hats on title screen

Premiering on December 21, 1944, The Three Caballeros followed the international success of Salud Amigos. Marking Donald Duck's 10th anniversary, the musical follows his adventures through Latin America. It is the first film to feature a mix of animated and live-action characters.

33 Make Mine Music, 1946

Disney's Make Mine Music

Releasing on April 20, 1946, Make Mine Music is the third of six in a series of package films consisting of short story segments set to music, while Disney employees were preoccupied with WWII. It includes a short based on Sergei Prokofiev's fable Peter and the Wolf.

32 Fun and Fancy Free, 1947

Disney's Fun and Fancy Free

Released on September 27, 1947, Fun and Fancy Free is the fourth of Disney's 1940s package films. It features two stories— Bongo, based on Sinclair Lewis' Little Bear Bongo; and Mickey and the Beanstalk, based on Benjamin Tabart's Jack and the Beanstalk.

31 Melody Time, 1948

Disney's Melody Time

Disney's fifth WWII-era package film was Melody Time, released on May 27, 1948. Consisting of seven segments, the musical comedy featured a range of popular and folk musical scores. The success of these package films kept Disney afloat during the war and helped fund their upcoming iconic hits.

30 The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad, 1949

Disney's Ichabod and Mr. Toad

On October 5, 1949, Disney premiered the final of their 1940s package films, The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad. It consisted of two stories: The Wind and the Willows and The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, based on the literary works of Kenneth Grahame and Washington Irving, respectively.

29 Cinderella, 1950

Disney's Cinderella.

On February 15, 1950, Disney released its most iconic film, Cinderella, the success of which helped the company bounce back from losses incurred by WWII, as well as a string of box office flops. Cinderella became the first hit feature since Snow White and the Seven Dwarves and serves as the basis for Disney's logo to this day.

28 Alice in Wonderland, 1951

Disney's Alice In Wonderland.

On July 28, 1951, Alice in Wonderland debuted to critical failure before quickly gaining a cult following among fans.

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Based on Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, the movie  follows a young girl's travels through a fantastical dimension.

27 Peter Pan, 1953

Disney's Peter Pan.

On February 5, 1953, Peter Pan debuted as Disney's 14th feature film. Based on Peter and Wendy by J. M. Barrie, it follows a group of siblings who meet Peter Pan and follow him on adventures through his home of Neverland while facing off against Captain Hook.

26 Lady and the Tramp, 1955

Disney's Lady and the Tramp.

On June 22, 1955, Lady and the Tramp debuted to mixed reviews. Inspired by a story published in Cosmopolitan magazine, "Happy Dan, The Cynical Dog," it follows a street mutt and his romance with a high-society purebred cocker spaniel.

25 Sleeping Beauty, 1959

Disney's Sleeping Beauty.

January 29, 1959 saw Disney's next princess-centric feature, Sleeping Beauty. Based on the classic fairy tales Sleeping Beauty by Charles Perrault and Little Briar Rose by the Brothers Grimm, it follows a princess affected by a curse set about by the evil Maleficent.

24 101 Dalmatians, 1961

Disney's One Hundred Dalmatians

On January 25, 1961, 101 Dalmatians released to commercial success. Inspired by The Hundred and One Dalmatians by Dodie Smith, it follows a family rescuing a ton of Dalmatian puppies from being turned into coats by Cruella De Vil.

23 The Sword in the Stone, 1963

Disney's The Sword in the Stone.

Debuting on December 25, 1963, The Sword in the Stone released to box-office success. Based on the titular novel by T. H. White, it reimagines the origin story of King Arthur with a kid in the lead role.

22 The Jungle Book, 1967

Disney's The Jungle Book.

On October 18, 1967, The Jungle Book debuted as Walt Disney's final film, with his passing occuring during its production.

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Based on the classic novel of the same name by Rudyard Kipling, it follows a young feral boy raised by animals in the Indian jungle.

21 The Aristocats, 1970

Disney's The Aristocats Poster

On December 24, 1970, The Aristocats debuted as the final project Walt Disney would officially approve prior to his death. Inspired by The Secret Origin of The Aristocats by Tom McGowan and Tom Rowe, the film follows a street-wise alley tomcat who helps a family of stranded high-society cats.