1. Toy Story (1995)
For a girl who still loves her teddy bear, this film is eternally magical to me. Such as simple premise based on a thought that every child has, about their toys coming to life when they're not around, it is difficult to believe this film would be the phenomenon it is. Toy Story is quintessentially Pixar due to its heart, comedy, creativity and celebration of childhood. I hope every parent is, at some point, sitting their child down and watching Toy Story with them because every child needs this film in their life. It's happy and heart-felt and perfect.
2. Anastasia (1997)
The greatest Princess who sadly wasn't immortalised by Disney, and I wish she had been because I would love some Anastasia merchandise and rides in Disneyland. I always forget that she was actually complicit in a con before accidentally discovering her own authenticity, so you can't say any of these characters are role models, but they are loveable. This film can also boast about having, what I consider, one of the greatest song with Once Upon a December, it's so hauntingly beautiful and a bit of a change for a children's film. I like a film with a non-talking animal side-kick (Pooka the dog) but also a talking animal which is explained by magic (Bartok) because it adds a little of realism but also emphasises the magic of the film. It's another film that all children need to see because it teaches you how to be plucky, confident and that maybe (just maybe) you could be royalty.
3. Truman Show (1998)
The only live action film that made this list! It's a cautionary tale for the TV obsessed masses and for those who just keep going through the day-to-day motions rather than 'living'. Although I'm not entirely behind these messages (and I'm not normally a Jim Carrey fan) I do love this film. Carrey's much subtler than normal performance as Truman shows what a good actor he really is. You'll look at the moon a little differently after seeing this film.
4. Mulan (1998)
Possibly the most marvellously feminist Disney film with a warrior woman who is better than the men, lovely. One truely spectacular thing about Mulan is that she isn't a typical 'strong female character', she isn't overly cocky and self-assured (which seems to be the more common form floating around) but instead is unsure of everything expect her desire to help her family and therefore she has to work for her success, (again) lovely! Mulan is a role model because she shows that you can defy expectation (from your parents' to strangers') and if you work hard you can achieve anything, which a lot of 'strong female characters' don't necessarily show, because they often show a woman who is naturally dominant rather than one who must improve and try. Other than being feminist, this film is beautiful, from the animation to the soundtrack, and balances funny and heart-felt with the skill of the best Pixar films (helped by great actors like Eddie Murphy). I've said it before but, I hope every child is shown this film because it's important and amazing.
5. Hercules (1997)
An underrated Disney film, or at least one I rarely see referenced, but it is one of the stories that is most easy to relate to for a lot of this generation (similar to Mulan about a misfit to finds his place) but also has some of the best and most unique songs because of the singing Muses as narrators. It was one of the Disney films that I just watched on repeat, again falling in love with the idea that if you try hard and persevere you can achieve great things. We have another feminist character in Meg who is a damsel in distress but she can handle it, lovely!! This film is also fun to introduce you into (inaccurate) Greek mythology, and that's never a bad thing to know about. An animation heavy period of time but these are some of the greats.
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