10 Disney Movie Anniversaries to Celebrate
2018 was a big year for Disney movie anniversaries. Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, and Peter Pan all have major anniversaries in the 2018 year. But what other Disney faves are celebrating this year? Let’s jump right in!
1. Finding Nemo – 15 years
Shark-bait hoo-haha! Determined dad Marlin went searching for his son Nemo on May 30, 2003. 15 years later it’s still one of the most beloved Disney/Pixar movies. A heartfelt story and loveable characters like Dory and Crush made this movie unforgettable. Not to mention the aesthetics of this movie. Finding Nemo reminded us to just keep swimming when things get scary. And it gave us the lesson that swimming outside of our anemone now and again can lead to some pretty amazing things.
2. Mulan – 20 Years
“You don’t meet a girl like that every dynasty.” Mulan saved China and her father by fighting in place of him when the army summoned him for duty. Based on a folktale, Mulan premiered on June 5, 1998, before its release across the US on June 19, 1998. The soundtrack introduced Disney hits “Reflection” and “I’ll Make a Man Out of You”. 20 years later, Mulan is still one of the best movies from the Disney Renaissance and fans haven’t forgotten about it. Mulan holds a place in Freeform’s Funday weekend and is part of Disney live-action reboot plan with a film set for 2020. There are even theories that Mulan was actually the Great Stone Dragon.
3. WALL • E – 10 Years
Wait, 10 years? Already? It seems like WALL • E just came out! June 27, 2008 marked the debut of a lonesome little robot. WALL • E, or Waste Allocation Load Lifter Earth-Class, is the last of his kind wandering around the trash-filled, abandoned Earth. When he meets EVE (Extra-Terrestrial Vegetation Evaluation), WALL • E falls in love. Space has never looked more beautiful than in this movie. This mostly wordless film is a relaxing watch on a rainy day or a cozy night in.
4. Who Framed Roger Rabbit – 30 Years
Released on June 22, 1988, Who Framed Roger Rabbit surprised audiences everywhere and made cinematic history. PI Eddie Valiant finds himself helping Roger Rabbit, a Toon framed for the murder of Toontown owner Marvin Acme. Touchstone Picture, a Disney company, partnered with Speilberg’s Amblin Entertainment to create the first movie with both Disney and Warner Brothers. Thanks to the success, Roger Rabbit became a prominent figure in Disney Parks during the 80s and 90s. It’s even responsible for many animated shows throughout the 90s. Who Framed Roger Rabbit is still a remarkable piece of cinema 30 years later. Time to dust off that VHS or head over to Hulu for a watch!
5. Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl – 15 Years
Ah, the Pearl! The most fearsome ship with black sails captained by…well, that’s complicated. Jack Sparrow–sorry, Captain Jack Sparrow– and Will Turner took off on an adventure that kickstarted a series on July 9, 2003. The film introduced us to Elizabeth Swann, Captain Barbossa, Commodore Norrington, and a slew of characters we’ve come to admire over the course of five films. And to think it all started because of a classic Disney ride. Even if Black Pearl isn’t your fave film, you can’t deny how awesome that moonlight skeleton scene was 15 years ago.
6. Hocus Pocus – 25 Years
If you didn’t feel old after finding out about the anniversary of Pirates, enter Hocus Pocus. Max lit the Black Flame Candle on July 16, 1993, and the Sanderson Sisters graced us with their glory. Hocus Pocus received a 30% from Rotten Tomatoes, and now it is a Halloween staple! This movie is a quote gold mine, and who didn’t want a cat like Thackery Binx? Celebrate Hocus Pocus with a watch this Halloween. Or, if you’re a bigger fan, Spirit Halloween has pre-orders for limited edition Funko Pops modeled after the sisters!
7. The Parent Trap – 20 Years
Hallie Parker and Annie James want their parents Nick and Elizabeth to get back together. July 29, 1993 introduced us to Lindsay Lohan. She might not have been a twin, but her performance had many of us young ones convinced for years. This remake of a Disney classic has become a Disney classic itself. The Parent Trap brought us golden moments from the summer camp prank wars to the airbed lake incident with Meredith Blake. Let’s not forget Chessy and Martin, the housekeeper and butler combo who are everything! Spend one of the last days of summer rewatching The Parent Trap!
8. The Nightmare Before Christmas – 25 Years
On October 29, 1993, Tim Burton released a movie that’s good from Halloween through the end of the holiday season. The Nightmare Before Christmas wowed audiences with its stop-motion animation based on Burton’s poem by the same name. Characters like the Pumpkin King himself Jack Skellington, Sally, Oogie Boogie, and Lock, Shock, and Barrel help make this movie seem more real than animated. Oh, and who else thinks the soundtrack is unforgettable? After 25 years, this movie has grown into an extensive franchise with an essential part in Disney Parks Halloween and Christmas decor.
9. A Bug’s Life – 20 Years
Pixar’s second full-length film premiered on November 25, 1998. In A Bug’s Life, Flik makes a big mistake with his latest invention and loses the food for grasshopper Hopper and his goons. With the whole ant colony in danger, a group of circus bugs tries to be warriors to help Flik and his colony fight back. This classic Pixar film is also the first from the company to be reformatted for standard digital definition televisions.
10. Steamboat Willie – 90 Years
As Walt said, “I hope we never lose sight of one thing—that it was all started by a mouse.” November 18, 1928 marks Mickey Mouse’s debut to the world. This monumental moment in Disney history also marks Steamboat Willie as the Disney cartoon that synced animation with sound. Without it, we wouldn’t have Disney movies as we know them today! The whistling and steering animation from Steamboat Willie is featured at the beginning of movies today by Walt Disney Animation Studios. Like Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Steamboat Willie is safely preserved in the National Film Registry for being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant” film.
