Sadly it was never a huge hit at the box office, which is an incredible shame because it literally gets 'right' every single element of an animated family film that most other animated family films get wrong these days. It's incredibly heartwarming, hilarious and beautiful, and leaves you with a lot to think about.
My second favorite animated film would have to be Beauty and the Beast, which honestly feels like the masterpiece of everything the Disney renaissance ever strived for. It never, ever gets old. Every single musical number is a timeless classic that illustrates and propels the story forward with beautiful perfection.
Thirdly, although not a huge fan of anime, the incredible masterpiece Spirited Away holds a special place in my heart for its warm richness and cinematic quality. This one requires more of a critical approach if you want to get past the 'weirdness' and 'spirituality' to see the beauty of it.
Of course, this list would hardly be complete without a Pixar film! It's awfully hard to pick a favorite, but between Toy Story 3, Up and The Incredibles, I'd have to say that Up is the film that always first comes to mind when I think about the magical excellence of Pixar's films. I know it will be one that I go back to when I'm old, or when a loved one dies, or for inspiration. This is truly a film for all ages.
Finally, to represent the early foundation of the Disney classics, I've selected Fantasia. No, it doesn't have a simple whimsy story like Pinocchio or Bambi, but it's simple in its own unique way... a collection of imaginative and beautiful fantasy pieces that stand as a delightful whole. It deserves this spot.
..this is only my list, of course. What are everyone else's favorites?
What do you have in mind?
I started tearing up again when Andy decided to give up his childhood memories.
