Disney Animation Movie Marathon – Pre-Renaissance Era

The Disney Animation Studios pre-renaissance era stretched from 1937 until 1988. This era produced many of the classics we remember, and some that we do not. If you’d like a little more info on Disney eras, check out my earlier post on the subject.

Picking the best movies out from this era results in an astounding 16-movie 24-hour Disney animation movie marathon. A typical 24-hour movie marathon has eleven, maybe twelve movies in it. This movie marathon wins the “most feature films in one 24 hour movie marathon” award. The schedule even includes copious breaktimes!

So if you want to see the best classic animated films Disney has to offer, and only have a day to do it – have I got the movie marathon schedule for you!

Disney Pre-Renaissance Era Movies

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

Snow White and the Seven DwarfsMy take: A wicked queen attempts to murder Snow White several times because Snow is prettier than the queen. Wouldn’t it have been less of a hassle for the Queen to use one of her appearance-altering potions to make herself prettier? That seems like a more direct route to acheive her goal.

Pinocchio

My take: Pinocchio the puppet comes alive, but to become a real boy, he must prove himself brave, truthful and unselfish. Man, the standards for boys made the old-fashioned way sure are low.

Fantasia

My take: A series of short animated stories set to classical music, including Mickey Mouse casting spells to infuse broomsticks with demonic cleaning powers. A kids classic!

Dumbo

DumboMy take: Dumbo the elephant has big ears and is a little awkward, so he is mercilessly teased and exploited by members of the circus. Then he learns how to fly, and is no longer teased. The exploitation continues, but in a good way. The end.

Bambi

BambiMy take: A coming of age story of Bambi: the Great Prince of the Forest. His name and title aren’t quite as impressive as Simba: The Lion King, but I suppose even forests need kings too.

The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad

The Adventures of Icabod and Mr. ToadMy take: Not exactly a feature film, but two short stories packaged together. Hey – everyone was busy for a while with World War II!

Cinderella

CinderellaMy take: Cinderella is emotionally abused by her step-mother and step-sisters. But, because she is pretty, she is saved from her crummy life by some standard-issue prince she knows nothing about. Second-wave feminism this a’int.

Alice in Wonderland

Alice In WonderlandMy take: The ultimate “and it was all a dream” story.

Peter Pan

Peter PanMy take: Peter Pan brings Wendy Darling (and her brothers) to Never Never land, where where a pixie, mermaids, and a pirate captain promptly attempt to murder her. A whimsical classic!

Lady and the Tramp

Lady And The TrampMy take: “And they called it….puppy love.” – a little Paul Anka for you there. Hope you enjoyed it.

Sleeping Beauty

Sleeping BeautyMy take: A titanic struggle between Maleficent, the evil fairy / dragon / hellbeast and three good fairies. Other characters like Sleeping Beauty exist too, but they are pretty much puppets manipulated by the real power-holders in this kingdom.

101 Dalmatians

101 DalmatiansMy take: Cruella De Vil really, really wants a Dalmatian fur coat. I wonder if her psychological problems started with her parents, who gave her an anti-virtue name. Maybe if she was named “Charity De Vil” she would have started an animal shelter.

The Sword in the Stone

The Sword In The StoneMy take: A dramatic enactment of the old moral: leaders are chosen through divine right, not through piffle like democratic elections or talent.

The Jungle Book

The Jungle BookMy take: A kid is raised by wolves and has lots of animal friends. He instantly forgets all that the second he sees a pretty girl. Men! So predictable!

The Aristocats

AristocatsMy take: Does everybody want to be a cat? The movie’s answer, is an emphatic “Yes!”. In song form!

The Rescuers

The RescuersMy take: This movie follows the adventures of agents of an international mouse organization dedicated to helping abduction victims around the world. Its like Taken, but with mice, and less brutal violence.

Disney Pre-Renaissance Era Movie Marathon Schedule

So now you know all about the movies, but how do they fit into a 24-hour movie marathon schedule? Lucky for you, I have pre-packaged the 24-hour disney movie marathon schedule for you below. Do you think you can relive your childhood in 16 movies in 24 hours? There is only one way to find out!

Start TimeTitle
12:00 PMSnow White and the Seven Dwarfs
01:45 PMPinocchio
03:15 PMFantasia
05:30 PMDumbo
06:45 PMBambi
08:15 PMThe Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad
09:30 PMCinderella
11:00 PMAlice in Wonderland
12:30 AMPeter Pan
02:00 AMLady and the Tramp
03:16 AMSleeping Beauty
04:31 AM101 Dalmatians
06:00 AMThe Sword in the Stone
07:30 AMThe Jungle Book
09:00 AMThe Aristocats
10:30 AMThe Rescuers
12:00 PMFinish