One of the brilliant and unique features on Disney+ is the streaming service's dedication to creating a curated list of content for audiences to enjoy, based on specific themes. These collections range from Marvel projects to Disney Channel classics that fans may have forgotten about. For animation buffs, there are a lot of great options as well.
Disney+ boasts one of the richest archives for the film industry in regards to animation. There are countless releases that genuinely impacted the state of animation itself and lots of modern hits that continue to captivate audiences. These collections are thus a perfect representation of all of the beautifully animated productions available on the platform.
Disney XD/Disney Channel Collection
It's hard to ignore the impact that many of the TV shows from both Disney Channel and Disney XD had on young audiences. Amongst the two channels were a range of classic animated series, from Star Wars Rebels.
These Dinsey series are now available to binge in these two collections, hidden amongst the live-action gems that are usually given the main focus. It's no easy feat to create children's TV that somehow appeals to all ages and boasts a range of brilliant jokes that feel timeless. These collections absolutely highlight that incredible achievement.
Walt Disney Animation Studios Collection
Walt Disney Animation Studios is really the backbone of the company. It's where some of the major success of the brand began and even today audiences still anticipate the latest release from the world-renowned studio. Recent hits like Encanto demonstrate that the magic has not been lost.
The collection featuring this powerhouse of a movie-making company showcases the many films that have made this archive of material so rich. From classics made during the early days of Disney to the projects that defined the renaissance period, these films are critical to the company and have gone on to inspire Disney TV spin-offs, merchandise, parades, sequels and so much more. It's an important history lesson!
Mickey Mouse & Friends Collection
Mickey Mouse is the iconic figure that has become entrenched within Disney's legacy. The early days of the company saw countless shorts produced as the artists at Disney continued to hone their craft and change the world with their hilarious and timeless characters.
The Mickey Mouse & Friends collection highlights the modern incarnations of these brilliant concepts and takes audiences back to the original shorts and series that made Mickey, Goofy, Minnie, Daisy, Pluto, and Donald so famous to begin with. The extended Toon family are all showcased here, with their fun animated movies thrown in as well.
Toy Story Collection
Pixar broke the mold when they released the first It resonated with Disney's audiences in a way that very few other animated films could ever muster, while introducing a technological system that would revolutionize the industry moving forward. Its characters were memorable and its story was emotionally charged.
The franchise has progressed far beyond that, with TV shows, shorts, and of course three sequel hits. The Toy Story collection brings together this range of content in a celebration of Pixar's arguably best creation and indeed one of the most fundamental narratives in animation history.
SparkShorts Collection
SparkShorts was a fantastic idea from Pixar which would eventually get copied at Disney with ShortCircuit. However, these original shorts managed to allow a range of creative geniuses to come together to produce the kinds of films that they felt told their story the best.
Anyone could get involved in the process from Pixar Studios and the result is a series of gorgeously produced shorts that tell concise narratives about vitally important topics. For any young filmmaker, this is an inspiring collection that demonstrates the range of the animation format.
The Simpsons Collection
The Simpsons continue to be one of the most important parts of Disney's acquisition of FOX, thanks to the legacy that the show has left behind and the hilarious nature of its thousands of scripts. Disney didn't hold back on releasing even more Simpsons content though once they had control.
Having the height of TV animation all in one place is brilliant for anyone studying the cultural significance of the show, or perhaps just enjoying old episodes for their brilliant pacing and comedic timing. The Simpsons collection features every episode, the movie, short spin-offs and actually has mini-collections focused on particular themes!
Beasts And Monsters Collection
The Beasts And Monsters collection is an example of what Disney+ could actually do with the collection's format. It's drawing connections between movies and shows that fans might not have realized before, but narratively come together in a parallel way.
Although there are a few live-action hits thrown in, the idea of the Beasts And Monsters collection is that it shows some of Disney's most misunderstood protagonists, judged by the outside world to be malicious creatures. Sully and Mike, Luca, or the Beast himself are all in this collection of gorgeous animated projects.
Princesses Collection
What's Disney without its princesses? If the animated division of the company is its backbone then the princesses from those features are its heart. From Snow White to Cinderella, Belle to Moana, Tiana to Anna, every single one of these characters brings a little bit of joy into the world and inspires a young person.
The notion of telling fairytales is nothing new, but Disney has managed to lend its unique voice to these fables, breathing new life into familiar and original ideas. The princess collection is a parade of all the greats, with viewers both young and old surely finding something magical within this section of Disney+.
Shorts Collection
Shorts are a great way for Disney artists, writers, producers, and directors to hone their craft. It's a platform to tell stories that wouldn't fit a big feature and they are often very experimental in their style. Shorts have always been a major part of the Disney timeline, tracing their way back to early Mickey Mouse cartoons.
Today every Disney animated release is accompanied by a brand new Disney short that should capture the attention of audiences and showcase what these smaller segments can really do. The Shorts collection doesn't ignore any of Disney's brands as it jumps around from original worlds to the galaxy far far away and then back again to inside the mind of Riley.
Lilo & Stitch Collection
Lilo & Stitch is a heartwarming production produced at a time when many doubted some of Disney's capabilities within animation. The movie has lived on building a cult following and is now one of the most popular franchises from the company.
Its sequels and spin-off TV show brilliantly continue the story of this alien finding its home on Earth and each one of these projects is as funny and moving as the last. The Lilo & Stitch collection is one that all animation fans must check out as some may be surprised by the sheer variety of content launched after the initial release of the film.
