Disney is basically a giant now. It’s hard to remember they started with a mouse and a dream when you look at the massive list of disney films that exists today. Honestly, trying to keep track of every single title is like trying to count every star in the sky—or at least every Hidden Mickey in Orlando. From the hand-drawn nostalgia of the 1930s to the tech-heavy 2026 slate like Avengers: Doomsday, the sheer volume of content is staggering.
But it’s not just about quantity.
People care about this list because it’s the soundtrack to their childhoods. You’ve probably got a favorite. Maybe it’s a Pixar tear-jerker or a classic princess flick. Whatever it is, the "Disney Vault" isn't really a vault anymore; it’s a living, breathing digital library that keeps expanding every few months.
The 2026 Disney Slate: What’s Actually Coming?
We are currently in a wild year for movies. If you look at the list of disney films scheduled for 2026, the studio is leaning hard into sequels and big-budget franchise returns. It’s a mix of "safe bets" and a few weird, original projects that might just surprise us.
- Send Help (January 30): A 20th Century Studios survival thriller. Not your typical "magic castle" vibe.
- Hoppers (March 6): This is Pixar’s big original swing for the year. The plot? Scientists "hop" human consciousness into robotic animals. It stars Jon Hamm and Bobby Moynihan.
- The Devil Wears Prada 2 (May 1): Yes, it’s happening. Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway are back. Groundbreaking.
- The Mandalorian & Grogu (May 22): Baby Yoda is finally hitting the big screen. Directed by Jon Favreau, this is the first Star Wars theatrical release since 2019.
- Toy Story 5 (June 19): Woody and Buzz return to fight the "iPad generation." It sounds a bit like an old-man-yells-at-cloud premise, but Pixar usually finds the heart in it.
- Moana (July 10): Not the animated one—this is the live-action remake. Catherine Laga’aia is taking over the title role from Auli’i Cravalho, though Dwayne Johnson is back as Maui.
- Avengers: Doomsday (December 18): This is the massive one. Robert Downey Jr. is returning to the MCU, but not as Iron Man. He's Dr. Doom. Fans are still arguing about whether this is a stroke of genius or a desperate move.
The Original 100: How We Got Here
Before they owned Marvel and Star Wars, the list of disney films was much tighter. It started with Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs in 1937. People called it "Walt’s Folly" because they thought nobody would sit through a feature-length cartoon. They were wrong. It made over $8 million during its initial run, which was an insane amount of money back then.
The studio went through distinct "eras." You had the Golden Age (Pinocchio, Bambi), then the "Package Film" era during World War II where they just bundled shorts together because they were broke. Then came the Silver Age with Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty.
Most 90s kids live for the Disney Renaissance. The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, and The Lion King saved the studio from a pretty dark period in the 80s. Without that 90s boom, we probably wouldn't have the Disney+ we know today.
Why Do People Still Obsess Over These Lists?
It’s nostalgia. Plain and simple. But it's also about "completionism."
Collectors often look for the "Disney Legacy Animated Film Collection"—that massive 100-film box set that retails for about $1,500. It includes everything from Steamboat Willie (the first synchronized sound cartoon) to modern hits like Wish.
There’s a weird comfort in knowing the order.
Did you know Dumbo was only 64 minutes long? Or that The Black Cauldron (1985) almost killed the animation department because it was so expensive and dark? These little details are why the list of disney films is more than just a catalog; it's a map of how pop culture has shifted over a century.
Sorting the Giants: Pixar vs. Walt Disney Animation
One thing that confuses people is the difference between "Disney Animation" and "Pixar."
Pixar started as a tech company. Toy Story changed everything in 1995. Now, they are both under the same umbrella, but they have different vibes. Disney Animation usually handles the musicals and fairy tales (Frozen, Encanto). Pixar handles the existential crises and talking objects (Inside Out, Wall-E).
Both are heavy hitters on any list of disney films, but they compete for the same Oscars every year.
Moving Beyond the Classics
Disney is more than just cartoons now. The purchase of 20th Century Fox added movies like Avatar and Alien to their roster. That's why the 2026 list looks so varied. You've got Avatar: Fire and Ash (technically late 2025) and The Dog Stars sitting alongside Mickey Mouse content.
It’s a lot to digest.
If you're trying to navigate this massive library, start by picking an era. Don't try to watch it all at once. You'll get "magic fatigue." Instead, look at the transition points. Watch Snow White, then jump to The Little Mermaid, then Frozen. You’ll see exactly how storytelling has evolved from "saving the princess" to "the princess saving herself."
Next Steps for Fans and Collectors
If you want to stay ahead of the curve, keep an eye on the D23 announcements later this year. They usually drop the titles for the 2027 and 2028 list of disney films then. For those building a physical collection, watch for the limited edition 4K steelbooks of the "Signature Collection"—they tend to go out of print fast and triple in price on eBay. If you’re a streamer, check the "Disney Through the Decades" tab on your app; it's the easiest way to see the chronological progression without having to cross-reference a wiki.