With kids out of school and in need of entertainment, many have turned to their favorite Disney movies for enjoyment. By now, they have probably watched Frozen II and Onward a dozen times, making parents hunt for different options. Now is the perfect time to introduce kids to some of the classic Disney animated films.

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

In 1937, Disney released their first full-length animated film with Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Snow White is a lonely princess living with her jealous stepmother, a queen who constantly asks her magic mirror who is the fairest one of all. Constantly angered when the answer is Snow White, the queen orders her death.

Snow White escapes from being killed and moves in with seven dwarfs living in a cottage in the woods. They live in relative harmony until the queen discovers that Snow White’s still alive and plans to curse the young woman.

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs introduced many staples that would develop a loyal audience for Disney movies. The protagonist is pure, the villain is unredeemable, the dwarfs add fun and comic relief, there are fun songs, and a dependable hero. As the movie nears its 100th anniversary, it’s clear why this film is a favorite for several generations.

Pinocchio

Disney’s next full-length animated film was 1940’s Pinocchio in which Geppetto, an old woodcarver, creates a wooden puppet named Pinocchio. The blue fairy brings the puppet to life and tells him that he could become a real boy if he proves that he can be “brave, truthful, and unselfish.”

Excited by the prospect, and naïve to the world, Pinocchio meets a host of unsavory characters that lead him astray. He is held captive, manipulated, and misbehaves, but is guided toward being a better boy by his pal Jiminy Cricket.

A story of adventure and whimsy, with a dash of thrills, there are many life lessons nestled in Pinocchio. For one thing, when Pinocchio lies, his nose grows. He also discovers how hard and scary life can be for a mischievous boy, which has encouraged countless kids to think twice before behaving badly.

Lady and the Tramp

Disney movies have often put animals in the starring roles and one of the best early efforts was 1955’s Lady and the Tramp. Lady, a sweet cocker spaniel joins the family of Darling and Jim Dear while across town, a stray mutt named Tramp lives on his own.

But Lady’s life of domestic comfort takes a turn for the worse when Jim Dear and Darling go on vacation and leave their home in the care of the dog hating Aunt Sarah. After Lady flees the mean woman, she is rescued by the street smart Tramp and the pair of pups fall in love.

With a cast of loveable dogs, Lady and the Tramp puts the focus on the animals rather than using them as sidekicks or pets. There are chase scenes (it is a dog movie, after all), the value of friendship is explored, and it has a sweet romance. That central romantic storyline is beloved by audiences, particularly the spaghetti scene that has become one of the most memorable in film history.

The Sword in the Stone

In 1963, Disney dove into magic and lore with The Sword in the Stone by telling the story of fabled king Arthur as a boy. When the King of England dies without leaving an heir, a sword appears wedged in an anvil with a message declaring that whoever can remove the sword will be the rightful king.

The story picks up years later when Arthur, a 12-year-old orphan, meets the elderly wizard Merlin. As Merlin begins educating Arthur, which includes turning them into fish so he can learn about physics, a tournament is announced to crown the next king. As his bully of a foster brother enters the tournament, Arthur is finally faced with his own destiny.

The Sword in the Stone is a wonderful swords and sorcery story for kids. Merlin’s magic is imaginative and silly, harkening back to Disney’s classic Fantasia. Throughout the movie, Arthur learns the valuable lesson that knowledge can overcome bullying strength, while viewers get to imagine what it’d be like to fly like a bird or even be king.

Robin Hood

One of the most popular stories in literature is that of Robin Hood – the thief who steals from the rich and gives to the poor. Disney’s 1973 version of Robin Hood reimagined Robin, Little John, Prince John, and Maid Marian as a cast of animals.

Robin Hood and Little John live in Sherwood Forest where they rob from the rich and give to the poor people of Nottingham. As the greedy Prince John assigns the Sheriff to collect more taxes, Robin and Little John lead a resistance, all the while Robin and Maid Marian become smitten with each other.

Robin Hood is a lighthearted fairy tale with a loveable scamp who lets kids know that sometimes it’s okay to misbehave. It is charming and upbeat with some slapstick humor that entertains kids and adults alike.