Box Office Theory Forum’s Top 100 Disney Movies

[DAR]

We put Amelie over the Rock?

[The Panda]

There Will Be Blood ranking below a bunch of inferior cartoons I presume

[Eric S'ennui]

3 minutes ago, The Panda said:

There Will Be Blood ranking below a bunch of inferior cartoons I presume

Oh you’re gonna love what #80 is. I’m just gonna leave it at that.

[The Panda]

1 hour ago, Eric Argylle said:

Oh you’re gonna love what #80 is. I’m just gonna leave it at that.

[4815162342]

2 hours ago, Eric Argylle said:

#82

Jackie Brown

 

And with a great villain in Robert De Niro’s Ordell Robbie, one of his best acting performances,

 

 

 

Samuel L played Ordell. De Niro played Louis Gara

Edited February 1 by 4815162342

[TalismanRing]

On 1/30/2024 at 4:19 PM, cannastop said:

wait really just one vote?

 

Mine.  So where were you? 

[TalismanRing]

6 hours ago, DAR said:

We put Amelie over the Rock?

 

Easily but should have been a far larger margin.

[cannastop]

5 hours ago, TalismanRing said:

 

Mine.  So where were you? 

I haven't seen it. I just thought it was a well-liked movie.

[cannastop]

12 hours ago, Eric Argylle said:

#346 - Cars 2 (50 points, 3 lists)

[Eric S'ennui]

#340 - Cow Belles, The Matador (52 points, 1 list)

 

#339 - Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior (53 points, 1 list)

 

#338 - Invincible (54 points, 1 list)

 

#337 - John Carter (55 points, 2 lists)

 

#336 - Queen of Katwe, Rounders (55 points, 1 list)

 

#335 - Bringing Down the House, Ron's Gone Wrong (56 points, 1 list, avg. ranking #45)

 

#334 - Pants on Fire (56 points, 1 list, avg. ranking #18)

 

#333 - Seabiscuit, Summer of Soul (57 points, 2 lists)

 

#332 - The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again, The Haunted Mansion (2003), The Help, The Lone Ranger (57 points, 1 list)

 

#331 - Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, The Santa Clause 2 (58 points, 2 lists)

 

[Eric S'ennui]

#80

A Goofy Movie

639 points, 15 lists

"Max, look, it's the Leaning Tower of Cheesa!"

 

Box Office: 37.6M

Rotten Tomatoes: 59%

Metacritic: 53

Awards: 5 Annie Award nominations

 

Roger Ebert's Review: "How many stars would I give "A Goofy Movie?" Well, at the time they stopped the show, the star-meter was clicking at just a shade under three stars, but let's round it off to three and call it a day. That may be a goofy way to rate a movie, but goofy is as goofy does."

 

Legacy: Earned a devoted cult following in the decades since release. Served as the series finale to the Disney Afternoon hit Goof Troop. Introduced Jason Marsden as the main voice of Max Goof. Made Goofy a fan-favorite with many Disney fans. Gave us the best Tevin Campbell bops in history. Has been featured at the Disney Parks, American Idol, and FX's Atlanta. Alana Haim's favorite movie of all time. Influenced director Domee Shi for the movie Turning Red. Given a direct-to-video-sequel. Gave Bill Farmer a paycheck.

 

Commentary: Weird to think sometimes that movies become pop culture juggernauts by accident. When A Goofy Movie first came out in 1995, it was somewhat of a redheaded stepchild within Disney. It was made by some satellite studios away from the main animation department. It was made on the cheap. It was released months before Pocahontas, which was set to be Disney’s next huge moneymaker. It was basically just a series finale for the television series Goof Troop. Jeffrey Katzenberg, the only person who really seemed excited about the project, was out of Disney by the time of its release. And after the movie came and went in theaters with little fanfare, it seemed the story would be just that. A movie forgotten by the sands of time.

 

However, time can be kind to the right projects. And over the last decade or so, with strong home video sales and constant airing on TV, A Goofy Movie would earn a dedicated cult following, with tons of fan reenactments, fan art, merchandise, and much more. So much so that, these days at least, the silly low-budget feature based on Goofy is more well-regarded and celebrated than the big-budget epic romance story that Disney thought would be their next Lion King.

 

Why did this movie catch on with so many millennials and younger? In many ways, it’s just down to the simple, yet effective relationship between Goofy and Max. The former is a dad who just wants to hold onto his son, the latter is a teenage son who wants to be independent and not have his loser dad in his life. It’s a relatable issue that parent and child can identify and connect with, and one that voice actors Bill Farmer and Jason Marsden pull off expertly with their own performances. In a way, this kind of generational conflict was a precursor to recent hits like Encanto and Turning Red.

 

Helps also that Goofy is just the man. He’s always been a funny, lovable klutz since his inception, and has always personally been my favorite of the Sensational Six. And this movie is a major reason. It’s fun to see him take part in goofy slapstick, but the film makes sure to emphasize how earnest and sweet he is, and how much he cares about his kid. It’s dimension that seems insane to give to a simple character, but the film pulled it off and gave me, and many others, a huge reason why we love this simple, yet sweet goof of a man...or dog...dog man?

 

Then you just add in some 90s cheese and some bops from Tevin Campbell and you have a film that is dated and corny in the best ways, but also resonant for today’s audiences. It’s pretty wild something so humble and unassuming got in the top 100, but goofier things have happened I suppose.

 

[Eric S'ennui]

#79

Captain America: The First Avenger

643 points, 15 lists

"Whatever happens tomorrow, you must promise me one thing. That you will stay who you are, not a perfect soldier, but a good man."

 

Box Office: 370.6M

Rotten Tomatoes: 80%

Metacritic: 66

Awards: 2 Teen Choice Award nominations, 1 Empire Award nomination, 1 MTV Movie Award nomination, 7 Saturn Award nominations

 

Roger Ebert's Review: "It was a pleasure to realize, once "Captain America: The First Avenger" got under way, that hey, here is a real movie, not a noisy assembly of incomprehensible special effects. Of course it's loaded with CGI. It goes without saying it's preposterous. But it has the texture and takes the care to be a full-blown film. You know, like with a hero we care about and who has some dimension. And with weight to the story. As we plunge ahead into a limitless future of comic-book movies, let this be an inspiration rather than "Thor" or "Green Lantern.""

 

Legacy: Introduced the world to Chris Evans as Steve Rogers. The last MCU movie distributed by Paramount. The first MCU screenplay by Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely. Considered one of Phase 1's best films. Then the third-highest-grossing World War II movie. Set up the Tesseract for future movies. Gave Hugo Weaving a paycheck.

 

Commentary: Phase 1 is so interesting to look back on, isn’t it? There weren’t 5 plots going on at once, there weren’t any giant 300M budgets, there weren’t a million crossover characters, there weren't multiverse shenanigans. It was just superheroes doing stuff, trying to do the right thing, and kicking the bad guy butt. And the famed debut of Steve Rogers was one of the best for Phase 1. And honestly? Even after all these years? It’s still one of the best for the MCU period.

 

Director Joe Johnston gives us an exciting, pulpy throwback to the serial adventure movies of old. Sci-fi silliness, evil Nazis to fight (well, not Nazis, but...come on), world-ending danger, and an earnest, can-do, aspirational hero in the center of it all. What resulted was an exciting period adventure story full of charm and spirit and style. And of course, being the introduction to one of, if not the most important character in the MCU’s history.

 

Serving as the contrast to the cold and calculated Tony Stark, Steve Rogers as Captain America was arguably the one character Marvel could not mess up. Steve is, in many ways, the heart and the soul of the Infinity Saga. The character who served as a beacon of optimism, a positive figure, a leader who can keep all the weirdos and egos on his team in check, while also inspiring the people, both in the movies and at home, to fight for what’s right. He’s the Superman of the Marvel Universe.

 

And sure enough, The First Avenger nailed that idea perfectly. Chris Evans was perfect casting to bring the tender-hearted, yet determined badass to life, and he and Johnston gave us a fun throwback adventure that felt fresh and exciting when every other superhero movie was either super grounded or super modern. Add on a strong screenplay written by Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeeley, both of whom would write some of the Infinity Saga’s biggest hits, and we got the film that set a lot of the groundwork for what soon became one of the biggest, most loved movie franchises of all time. I don’t know if Papa Feige and co. expected what they soon got, but in hindsight, it’s easy to think, in many respects, this future success didn’t start in 2008, but in 2011.

 

 

[Eric S'ennui]

#78

The Muppets

644 points, 14 lists

"But Kermit, what's more illegal: briefly inconveniencing Jack Black, or destroying the Muppets?"

 

Box Office: 165.2M

Rotten Tomatoes: 95%

Metacritic: 75

Awards: 1 Academy Award, 1 BAFTA Award nomination, 1 Critics Choice Award and 3 nominations, 2 Grammy Award nominations

 

Roger Ebert's Review: "The remarkable thing about the Muppets, then and now, is what distinctive personalities and presences they have. When the "The Muppet Movie," the first in the series, came out in 1979, there was astonishment that — ohmigod! — Kermit was riding a bicycle! How could a Muppet do that? Today, characters can do anything in the movies, but these Muppets are still played by Muppeteers, and they're still endearing."

 

Legacy: Revitalized the popularity of The Muppets, introducing them to a new generation of kids. Became the highest-grossing puppet movie ever made. Spawned a wide variety of new Muppet productions. Features one of the best ad campaigns in movie history. The first Muppet movie not to have Frank Oz nor Jerry Nelson. Gave Amy Adams a paycheck.

 

Commentary: The Muppet characters have never really been the cream of the crop in pop culture, at least since the 70s. But this was especially true once the 21st century rolled around. Disney acquired the property in 2004, but never really figured out how to get this property fresh and hip with today’s kids. Thankfully, avid Muppet fanboy Jason Segel, alongside other great comedy filmmakers, knew how to make these characters shine for today’s audience. Simply put, by just letting them be themselves.

 

This film captured a lot of the charms of the classic Muppet adventures through a lot of sly comedy, fun characters, both human and Muppet, a great deal of emotional heart, great songs, and way too many cameos to count. It was reminiscent of The Muppet Movie or The Muppets Take Manhattan, while making sure it fit with modern sensibilities all at the same time. And sure enough, while not the biggest box office hit in the world, it was a clear box office success story and was a film that, for many, made them Muppet fans for life.

 

What happened to the property since then has not sadly not been as rosy. Every other attempt to make a new Muppet movie or show or special never really brought in the crowds, still resulting in the property being kind of niche. But in the end, they’re still around, Disney’s willing to throw money at them every few years, and there’s still a dedicated fanbase of Muppet nerds who love these characters to bits. And I don’t think that would happen if this movie didn’t exist.

 

 

[Eric S'ennui]

#330 - Leroy and Stitch, Tarzan II, Underwater (58 points, 1 list)

 

#329 - Million Dollar Arm (59 points, 2 lists)

 

#328 - The Apple Dumpling Gang, The Hand That Rocks the Cradle, Snow White: The Fairest of Them All (60 points, 1 list)

 

#327 - High School Musical 2 (61 points, 3 lists)

 

#326 - Pete's Dragon (62 points, 3 lists)

 

#325 - Three Fugitives (62 points, 1 list)

 

#324 - The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (63 points, 3 lists)

 

#323 - The Eyes of Tammy Faye, Swiss Family Robinson (63 points, 2 lists)

 

#322 - Four Days in September (64 points, 1 list)

 

#321 - Encino Man, The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (65 points, 1 list, avg. ranking #36)

[Eric S'ennui]

#320 - D2: The Mighty Ducks (65 points, 1 list, avg. ranking #8)

 

#319 - Amsterdam (66 points, 1 list)

 

#318 - The Program (67 points, 1 list)

 

#317 - Casanova, Life-Size (68 points, 1 list)

 

#316 - The Lizzie McGuire Movie (70 points, 1 list, avg. ranking #31)

 

#315 - Tin Men (70 points, 1 list, avg. ranking #7)

 

#314 - The Queen (71 points, 3 lists)

 

#313 - Solo: A Star Wars Story (72 points, 3 lists)

 

#312 - Little Buddha (73 points, 2 lists)

 

#311 - Dead Presidents (73 points, 1 list)

[Eric S'ennui]

#77

Incredibles 2

661 points, 15 lists

"Math is math, math is math!"

 

Box Office: 1.243B

Rotten Tomatoes: 93%

Metacritic: 80

Awards: 1 Academy Award nomination, 2 Annie Awards and 9 nominations, 1 BAFTA Award nomination, 1 Golden Globe Award nomination

 

Roger Ebert's Review: N/A

 

Legacy: Became the second highest-grossing animated film ever made and fifteenth highest-grossing film ever. Spawned The Incredicoaster at Disney California Adventure. Pixar's highest-grossing film ever. Accidentally caused epileptic seizures. Cited as one of the best animated movies of the year. Was one of the highest-viewed movies on Netflix in 2019. The Best Animated Film of 2018 by the National Board of Review. Gave Holly Hunter a paycheck.

 

Commentary: Like the other Pixar sequels that came out around this time, Incredibles 2 had a lot of odds stacked against it compared to fan expectations. And this film might have dealt with it the worst. Since Day 1, people were clamoring, demanding, begging for a second Incredibles movie. The world and characters and concept was just so cool and interesting and well-developed that you could easily make tons of sequels. Have more heroes, have the characters grow up and develop, bring more interesting commentary about superheroism, show off that awesome 60s-style retrofuturism.

 

Well, it took a while for that to happen. But after 14 years, we got it. And the wait, while didn't lead to a film as iconic as its predecessor, was certainly worth it. With over a decade of innovations and upgrades, the animation was on another level. In terms of designs, expression, and character movement. It’s some of Pixar’s most visually stunning work, as well as some of their best setpieces ever. Elastigirl is now the focus, and the way her elastic body moves and stretches is stunning to behold, with incredible action scene after incredible action scene.

 

Add on a great subplot with Mr. Incredible learning to bond with his kids and being a better dad, we get to thus enjoy seeing the family act more like a unit and a team, with the whole cast being just as likable and fun as they were way back in 2004. There’s great comedy, great action, great suspense, great animation. It’s just a great time all around, and quickly became one of the highest-grossing animated films in history and yet another reason why Brad Bird’s one of the best animation directors working today.

 

 

[Eric S'ennui]

#76

Kill Bill: Volume 2

661 points, 14 lists

"The lioness has rejoined her cub, and all is right in the jungle."

Box Office: 152.2M

Rotten Tomatoes: 84%

Metacritic: 83

Awards: 4 Empire Award nominations, 2 Golden Globe Award nominations, 1 MTV Movie Award and 2 nominations, 4 Satellite Award nominations, 3 Saturn Awards and 4 nominations

 

Roger Ebert's Review: "Quentin Tarantino's "Kill Bill, Volume 2" is an exuberant celebration of moviemaking, coasting with heedless joy from one audacious chapter to another, working as irony, working as satire, working as drama, working as pure action. I liked it even more than "Kill Bill, Volume 1" (2003). It's not a sequel but a continuation and completion, filmed at the same time; now that we know the whole story, the first part takes on another dimension. "Vol. 2" stand on its own, although it has deeper resonance if you've seen "Kill Bill," just released on video."

 

Legacy: Solidified and justified splitting Kill Bill. Opened higher than Volume 1. Soldified The Bride as one of the best action heroines ever. Earned the biggest opening weekend in Miramax history. Earned a Norwegian parody in 2007. Popularized the Ironside theme song for a new generation. Gave David Carradine a paycheck.

 

Commentary: It’s kinda hard to really talk about Volume 2 when I haven't even mentioned Volume 1 (did it make the list??????????????) Yet if you’ve seen both movies, you know what each film’s strengths are. While Volume 1 is a nonstop thrill ride, with action scene upon action scene upon action scene, Volume 2 is the film that offers the more contemplative and story-driven take on the material. It’s the film that gives more insight to The Bride and who she actually is, more insight into our antagonist Bill, and gives us one bombshell of a third act that could, frankly, only come from Tarantino.

 

In a way, it was kind of anticlimactic to have the big final feature be more story-driven and not as action-heavy. Yet it’s necessary, not just because of Tarantino’s usual subversions, but also makes the final confrontation a lot more complex and a lot more fascinating. Of course, it’s hard to really say one is better than the other, as this all comes down to preference. But is this the one you guys like more? Well...just wait and see.

 

 

[cannastop]

I watched the two Kill Bills on Network TV once. TBS. That might not count as watching them.

[Eric S'ennui]

#75

Alice in Wonderland

682 points, 13 lists

"It would be so nice if something would make sense for a change."

Box Office: 5.9M

Rotten Tomatoes: 84%

Metacritic: 68

Awards: 1 Academy Award nomination

 

Roger Ebert's Review: N/A

 

Legacy: Walt Disney's least favorite film of his. Became one of the first Disney films to air on television and release on VHS. Has a massive presence in every Disney park with at least one attraction. The best showcase of Mary Blair's talents. Turned into a stage show for children's theaters. Appeared in Kingdom Hearts. Spawned a Disney Junior spin-off series in 2022. Got a remake in 2010, kicking off the modern live-action remake trend. Very popular with hippies and stoners. Gave Ed Wynn a paycheck.

 

Commentary: Who needs drugs when Disney can help you experience being high? The classic Lewis Carroll book had been a favorite of Walt’s for ages. Even back in the 1920s, when he was still figuring out this new animation medium thing, he created his own series of Alice in Wonderland shorts with the Alice Comedies. It’s actually some of the earliest works Walt ever did as a filmmaker, and an early instance of live-action/animation hybridness.

 

And frankly, this seemed like the best way to adapt the original story. As shorts. How can you take something so episodic and absurdist as Alice in Wonderland and make a whole feature out of it? The answer, shockingly, was embracing the absurdism, embracing the surrealism, and embracing the odd structure. While audiences and critics found themselves frustrated with this film’s off-kilter nature compared to the previous animated films from Walt and company, it thankfully found its audience thanks to television reruns and the rise of psychedelia in the 70s.

 

While it’s easy to understand why there were criticisms over the episodic storytelling and lack of a strong narrative drive, it’s even easier to understand why it became so popular decades later. With the incredible art direction courtesy of Mary Blair, we are given a fantastical fantasia of colors and visuals, creating something that is otherworldly, yet entrancing to watch. Alongside the beautiful animation are fantastic setpieces anchored by hilarious characters, memorable tunes, surreal imagery, and a very endearing protagonist in Alice to keep us engaged. It was in many ways ahead of its time and has been around long enough to be recognized as an all-time Disney classic. An important piece of the animation studio’s history, a defining aspect of all the Disney parks, and the film that spawned the live-action remake trend, which...well, some people like those movies.

 

 

[The Panda]

I assume this just means Air Bud is in the top 75 then