Laurie wasn't expecting to find true love on public transportation, but that's exactly what happens on a blustery day in December when she locks eyes with a man through a bus window. For Laurie, it's love at first sight, but she doesn't get the chance to find out if her mystery man feels the same way before her bus drives away.

She tries in vain to find her true love over the next year, unable to track him down until she sees him again at a party. To her dismay, she discovers that her mystery man, Jack, is actually her best friend Sarah's new boyfriend.

Josie Silver's "One Day in December" spans a decade, following Jack and Rosie as they try to navigate the reality of their relationship and what it could have been. Tender and romantic, it's a great read for fans of "When Harry Met Sally" and "Sleepless in Seattle."

Jasmine Guillory always writes swoon-worthy romance, and her festive take on the genre is no exception.

In "Royal Holiday," Vivian Forest is thrilled to go on a trip to the United Kingdom when her daughter, Maddie, gets the opportunity to style a member of the royal family. She thinks she'll spend her vacation sightseeing, but she doesn't anticipate Malcom Hudson, the Queen's private secretary, becoming her personal tour guide.

There's no denying the connection between Vivian and Malcolm, but what will they do when Vivian's holiday comes to an end?

"Royal Holiday" is the fourth installment in Guillory's "Wedding Date" series, but it can also be read as a stand-alone novel.

Ever since a coincidental seating arrangement their freshman year of college, Molly and Andrew have been flying home from Chicago to Dublin together on Christmas Eve.

For nine years in a row, the pair have traveled side-by-side, forming a friendship in the hours spent crossing the Atlantic Ocean. Even though she doesn't care about Christmas much, Molly knows Andrew loves it, so she has big plans for their 10th trip together, even upgrading them to first-class tickets.

When a snowstorm cancels their flight, there's no way Molly is giving up on getting Andrew home to his family for the holidays. Instead, she leads them on a journey to reach Ireland by Christmas, embracing all forms of transportation to make it happen.

As Molly and Andrew set off on their unexpected journey, they may find that there's more to their connection when they're out of the friendly skies. Catherine Walsh's "Holiday Romance" will speak to fans of Emily Henry's "People We Meet on Vacation," and you can read its sequel, "Snowed In," if you're left wanting more when you finish.

"Kiss Her Once For Me" by Alison Cochrun offers a fresh take on a holiday romance and the fake dating trope.

After losing her dream job at an animation studio and getting her heart broken, Ellie Oliver is working at a café, wondering if her life will ever get back on track.

When the coffee shop's landlord, Andrew, asks her to enter into a marriage of convenience to help him obtain his inheritance, Ellie agrees. She hopes that the nontraditional marriage will alleviate her financial problems and help her get her life back on track, even if it took a few too many libations for Andrew to come up with the plan in the first place.

However, when Ellie joins Andrew for his family's holiday celebration, she discovers that his sister is Jack, the woman she fell head over heels for on Christmas Eve one year earlier — and who broke her heart. Will the security Andrew offers lead Ellie to go from fiancée to wife, or will Ellie risk her heart again for another chance with Jack?

Maelyn Jones just had the worst Christmas of her life. After moving in with her parents when her career hit a standstill, Mae had hoped that spending Christmas at a cabin in Utah with her parents' lifelong friends and their kids would bring her happiness, as it does every year.

Instead, Mae drunkenly kisses Theo, her best friend and the brother of the man she's loved as long as she can remember, Andrew. Then, she finds out the cabin is being sold. It feels like everything she had dreamed of, including any shot at a future with Andrew, is disappearing.

Mae leaves the cabin feeling more despondent than ever, but when she's in a car crash on her way out of town, she wakes up to find herself back on a flight to Utah. Christmas hasn't even happened, and Mae has a chance to do everything all over again.

Before she knows it, Mae is trapped in a holiday time loop, reliving Christmas over and over again as new troubles and hijinks ensue. She has to figure out how to get back on track, and being honest about how she feels about Andrew might just be the key to unlocking her future.

"In A Holidaze," Christina Lauren's holiday spin on "Groundhog Day," is a fun, romantic, and festive read.

Casey McQuiston's debut novel isn't technically a holiday book, but it qualifies for this list thanks to an iconic New Year's party scene in the novel.

In "Red, White, and Royal Blue," Alex Claremont-Diaz's life is going great. He's the beloved son of the first female president of the United States, he's killing it at law school, and his political future looks brighter than ever.

Things hit a snag, though, when Alex causes an international incident at a royal wedding with his long-held nemesis, Prince Henry. Alex has hated Henry since the moment they met, but with their public spat causing problems for both his mother and the monarchy, Alex and Henry will have to pretend to be best friends to appease the press.

Alex thinks spending time with Henry will be torturous, but after an intimate moment at a New Year's Eve party, their connection becomes something neither of them ever expected. The unlikely pair falls into a love affair that upends everything Alex thought he knew about himself, but for Alex and Henry, romance has political ramifications. What will they be willing to risk for a chance at true love?

In B.K. Borison's "Lovelight Farms," Stella Bloom is on a mission to save her beloved Christmas tree farm from going under. She's desperate enough to enter a contest that could land her a $100,000 cash prize.

To make her application more enticing, Stella may have claimed she owns the farm with her boyfriend. And Stella may be in quite a pickle now, considering she doesn't actually have a boyfriend.

Luckily, Stella doesn't have any trouble convincing her best friend, Luka Peters, to be her fake boyfriend. For Luka, a pretend relationship with Stella may lead him to get everything he's always wanted.

Meghan Quinn's "How My Neighbor Stole Christmas" offers a romantic twist on Dr. Seuss' "How the Grinch Stole Christmas."

Cole King has always hated Christmas, despite everyone else in Kringletown celebrating it to its fullest every year. He's ready to continue bringing down the holiday spirit, until Storee Taylor, his longtime enemy, moves in next door to take care of her Aunt Cindy.

If there's one thing Cole hates more than Christmas, it's Storee, so when she enters the Christmas Kringle contest, he knows he can't let her win. Instead, Cole pretends he's fallen for Storee with some help from his pal Max, and she'll have to enter a fake relationship with him or risk losing the contest before it's even begun.

Despite Cole's intention to annoy Storee, they soon become smitten with each other, and their new challenge will be to keep their true feelings secret from Cindy. Full of Christmas-themed events and nods to the Grinch with some added spice, "How My Neighbor Stole Christmas" is the perfect book for the holiday season.

Cash Evans has been lusting after his barista, Bailey Cooper, for months, but he knows his longing is futile. As a broody tattoo artist, he doesn't think he has a chance with someone as kind and smart as Bailey.

Then, a twist of fate makes him Bailey's boss, and Bailey is everywhere. Still, Cash tries to keep a wall between them, but Bailey can't help but notice how dreamy Cash is, from helping people she cares about to giving her a job.

Bailey knows she's drawn to Cash, but she can't figure him out. Will either of them be willing to admit how they really feel?

"Consider Me," the first installment in Becka Mack's "Playing for Keeps" series, is perfect if you're looking for a wintry romance that isn't too focused on the holidays themselves.

Carter Beckett has loved being the NHL's playboy. He's as successful at dating as he is on the rink, but everything changes when he lays eyes on Olivia Parker. Carter knows Olivia is the one as soon as he sees her across a crowded bar, but it's going to take more than a smile for Olivia to believe Carter is ready to give up his bachelor days.

Delightfully corny and sexy, "Consider Me" is a fun entry point into the world of hockey romance.

Cat King is a fixer, as anyone who watches her home renovation reality series knows. She is ready to take on her biggest project to date in Merry, Connecticut, which is reeling after a hurricane tore through the town just weeks before its annual Christmas festival.

Cat is ready to renew the town and save the festival, but there's just one thing in her way: Noah Yates, Merry's town manager, who wants nothing to do with her. Protective of his town and his daughter, Noah is suspicious of Cat and her crew, doing everything he can to keep her at arm's length.

Cat and Noah can't stand each other, but a chance encounter unleashes sexual tension between them that threatens to change everything. Still, they'll have to work together to get Merry ready for the holiday season — and face feelings they have for each other that are much more complicated than hate.

Lucy Score's "The Christmas Fix" is the grumpy-sunshine holiday novel you've been waiting for.

"Cruel Winter With You" is Ali Hazelwood's contribution to Amazon's 2024 holiday novella collection, "Under the Mistletoe." There are five short romance stories in the collection, and each is simultaneously frosty and spicy.

In "Cruel Winter With You," Jamie Malek is perfectly happy with her life as a pediatrician, even if she's living it without Marc. She broke her best friend's brother's heart, and keeping any lingering feelings she has for him locked up just makes sense.

She sees no flaws in her plan until she needs to borrow a roasting pan from Marc for her Christmas dinner, and a freak snowstorm leaves her trapped with him. As snow falls, old feelings rise to the surface, and Jamie might realize her Christmas wish has been a second chance all along.

Abby Cohen isn't feeling very festive.

As the only Jewish person in her Vermont community, it has fallen to her to plan a brand-new Hanukkah festival, and she's having trouble getting local vendors to step outside their Christmas-oriented focus to bring her vision to life.

To her dismay, Seth, the most annoying customer at her café, offers the solution to her problem. It turns out he is Jewish too and is happy to help her with the festival — on one condition. He needs Abby to pretend to be his girlfriend when he visits his family in New York City for Hanukkah.

Abby is willing to put up with Seth's persistent optimism for the sake of her festival, but to her surprise, spending the week with Seth makes her see him in a different light.

If you're looking for the heartwarming feel of a Hallmark movie in a romance novel, "Christmas Is All Around" by Martha Waters might be right up your alley.

It might seem like Charlotte is in London to have fun with her sister for the holidays, but really, she's hiding. Charlotte starred in a beloved Christmas movie as a kid, and the film's devoted fans weren't too pleased when they found out she refused to film a reboot.

Charlotte thinks lying low in London will help, but when she's spotted by a fan checking out holiday decorations at Eden Priory, a location from the film, her cover is blown. Luckily, the property owner's son, Graham, steps in to save the day.

Soon, Charlotte, an animator in her adulthood, agrees to make holiday-themed portraits inspired by the movie to help Eden Priory stay in business, and Graham takes her around the area to bring them to life. As they work together to help the estate, it becomes harder for Charlotte and Graham to deny the sparks flying between them.

For readers who like a side of mystery with their love stories, "The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year" by Ally Carter is the perfect blend of romantic and suspenseful.

Mystery writer Maggie Chase has hated thriller author Ethan Wyatt almost since the moment they met.

However, she's willing to play nice with him for one night when they both land an invite to an elaborate Christmas party, which turns out to be hosted at an English estate by legendary mystery author Eleanor Ashler.

Her plan goes awry, though, when a snowstorm keeps them at the estate overnight, and they discover in the morning that Eleanor has disappeared from a locked room.

Unsure if Eleanor is truly in danger or if the elusive author has concocted a strange challenge for her party guests, Maggie has no choice but to team up with Ethan to try to unravel the mystery. Working with her nemesis should be a nightmare, but Maggie may discover the line between love and hate is thinner than she imagined.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 36%

Based on the folk tale of the same name, "Chicken Little" is about a fearful little chicken who becomes convinced the sky is falling. While the adults in his life dismiss him, it becomes clear that something is certainly afoot in his small town.

"When Disney can't hit a tried-and-true fairy-tale adaptation out of the park, maybe it's time to give up the ghost and get Pixar back on the phone," wrote the Orlando Sentinel's Roger Moore.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 38%

After the success of the studio's 1999 movie "Tarzan" and its soundtrack, which featured Phil Collins, Disney attempted to recapture that magic with "Brother Bear," a story of brotherly love that also included Collins' music.

However, Nell Minow of Common Sense Media called this film a "lackluster story only for kindergarteners."

Rotten Tomatoes score: 48%

"Wish" is filled to the brim with Easter eggs referring to Disney's 100 years of magic, but the studio seems to have forgotten to add a compelling story, lovable characters, or well-written songs.

Asha had the potential to be an all-time Disney princess, but the rules of this universe are confusing, and Magnifico's heel turn seemingly comes out of nowhere.

"This fairy tale feels more like a corporate product than a magical event; it's a limp dissertation on Disney's motto that, 'When you wish upon a star, your dreams come true,'" wrote The Boston Globe's Odie Henderson.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 48%

There's not a cute animal sidekick or a show tune to be found in "Atlantis." Instead, Milo, a passionate archaeologist, unwittingly exposes the people of Atlantis to the corporate greed of the surface world in this slightly depressing story.

"It's so oppressively tedious at times that you almost wish the cast would break into a chorus of 'Under the Sea,'" wrote Lou Lumenick for The New York Post.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 51%

"Home on the Range" is a simple story of three cows who decide to take matters into their own hands (hooves?) to save their farm by collecting a bounty put on the head of Alameda Slim, a cattle rustler and thief.

Richard Roeper called it "a serviceable time-killer" on "At the Movies."

Rotten Tomatoes score: 52%

This cartoon is a loose adaptation of the Charles Dickens story "Oliver Twist," but instead of a down-on-his-luck orphan, Oliver is an adorable stray kitten.

For most people, this is remembered as the Disney movie with songs by Billy Joel.

"With its captivating characters, sprightly songs and zap-happy animation, 'Oliver & Company' adds up to a tip-top frolic," wrote Peter Travers for People.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 56%

"The Black Cauldron" is based on Welsh mythology — hence why characters have names like Princess Eilonwy and Fflewddur Fflam. It tells the story of a teenager named Taran who longs to become a hero. He gets his chance when he sets out to prevent the Horned King from using the Black Cauldron to raise an evil army.

"This is the 25th full-length animated feature from Walt Disney studios, and professionally put together as it is, many of the ingredients may seem programmed to those who have seen some of the others," wrote Walter Goodman of The New York Times.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 58%

Pocahontas was a real Native American woman. but her life did not follow the fairy tale story put forth by Disney. No matter how good "Colors of the Wind" is, this film is flawed and best left in the past.

"All Disney has really done in its disappointing 33rd animated feature is revive the stereotype of the Noble Savage," wrote Rita Kempley for The Washington Post.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 58%

In this version of the classic tale, Robin Hood and Maid Marian are foxes, his best friend Little John is a bear — who looks suspiciously like Baloo from "The Jungle Book" — and the dastardly Sheriff of Nottingham is a wolf.

"The washed-out, muted colors are a mistake, and if Robin Hood is sometimes hilarious, it has little memorable magic," wrote Alan R. Howard of The Hollywood Reporter.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 60%

You'll find "Moana 2's" predecessor much higher on this list.

"Moana 2" sees the return of Moana, a newly minted wayfinder, as she tries to reconnect the people of her island, Motunui, with their ancestors from other islands. To do this, she reunites with demigod Maui on a new adventure across the sea.

"Much like the hermit crab who kicks things off by attempting to trade in his new shell for an ill-fitting larger one, there's simply not enough to fill out 'Moana 2,'" wrote Andrea Thompson for the Chicago Reader.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 64%

"The Aristocats" is essentially the tale of "Lady and the Tramp," but this time with cats. Duchess, a pristine cat and mom of three precocious kittens, meets the alley cat Thomas O'Malley and falls in love.

"Before the disastrous aughts, was there a worse decade for Disney animated features than the 1970s?" asked Matt Brunson of View From the Couch.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 65%

"Dinosaur" is the story of Aladar, a dinosaur who was orphaned and then raised by lemurs. Aladar and his adopted family join up with other dinosaurs to find a safe place after a natural disaster devastates their home.

If this sounds just like the other animated dinosaur film, "The Land Before Time," to you, you're not alone.

Michael Sragow of Salon wrote, "Well, Bambi meets Godzilla again in the new computer-cartoon epic 'Dinosaur,' but the results aren't so witty."

Rotten Tomatoes score: 65%

Notably, this was the last Disney film to be released before Walt Disney's death in 1966.

"The Sword in the Stone" is King Arthur's origin story — he meets legendary sorcerer Merlin and pulls out Excalibur, the sword lodged inside the stone.

"There is still some life in the characterizations, though the animation is turning stiff and flat," wrote Chicago Reader's Dave Kehr.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 68%

In "Meet the Robinsons," Lewis is desperate to find his birth mother, who gave him up for adoption. Instead, he's brought to the future by the mysterious Wilbur, who claims he's a time cop.

"Charming as all these surface layers are — and even in 2D, it's more than passable family fare — 'Meet The Robinsons' really flowers with the extra dimension, which makes an already neato cinematic universe feel palpably inhabitable," wrote Scott Tobias for the AV Club.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 68%

"Treasure Planet" updates the setting of the famed pirate story "Treasure Island" to the future. Instead of hitching a ride on a pirate ship, Jim Hawkins hops on a spaceship — and instead of looking for buried treasure, Jim and his friends are searching for a missing planet made entirely of treasure.

"Akin to an extremely well-made Saturday morning cartoon — great for hyperactive four-year-olds or hungover students, not worth a trip to the pictures," wrote Nev Pierce for the BBC.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 72%

Not even the A-list voice talent of Jake Gyllenhaal, Dennis Quaid, Jaboukie Young-White, Gabrielle Union, and Lucy Liu could save this movie — which isn't bad! — from flopping.

"Strange World" is about the Clades, a family of legendary explorers who must venture into a subterranean world to see if they can save their planet.

"So much of 'Strange World's' audaciousness is front-loaded into its concept, and so little of it comes through in the execution," wrote Alison Willmore for Vulture.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 75%

"The Fox and the Hound" is one of the rare Disney movies that doesn't have a totally happy ending. Tod, a fox, and Copper, a bloodhound, meet when they're young and become best friends. But when they grow up, they learn they're natural enemies.

It ends on a bittersweet note, as the two friends acknowledge that they probably won't see each other again, but are at peace in the forest.

"All charmingness aside, this cute but rather thinly plotted yarn exposes the cracks that were present in the pre-renaissance Disney empire," wrote William Thomas of Empire.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 77%

"Frozen II" picks up soon after where "Frozen" left off — Elsa is now queen and in control of her ice powers, Anna and Kristoff are in love, and Olaf is just happy he's not melting.

But when Elsa begins to hear a mysterious voice calling out to her, our characters leave Arendelle behind to discover the source of Elsa's power.

"The songs, perhaps not as compelling as in the original, still make the heart beat faster now and then," wrote Stephen Romei for The Australian.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 78%

"Peter Pan" is based on the 1904 play of the same name by J.M. Barrie.

In it, the Darling children are whisked away to Neverland, a magical world where children never grow up, fairy dust lets you fly, and an evil captain with a hook for a hand terrorizes the seas.

But Neverland is also home to Tiger Lily and her tribe, who are drawn in the most stereotypical way possible — so much so that Disney has added an apology before the film plays on Disney+.

"It is still a lush, bright feature that happily clicks along with rollicking songs by Sammy Cahn, Sammy Fain, and others," wrote Dolores Barclay for the Associated Press.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 78%

In this story, Basil and Dawson are the mice stand-ins for Sherlock and Watson, while Professor Ratigan (a rat) is based on Sherlock's arch-nemesis Professor Moriarty.

"'The Great Mouse Detective' reflects the energy and enthusiasm of a talented group of young artists stretching their wings for the first time," wrote Charles Solomon for the Los Angeles Times.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 79%

"The Rescuers" focuses on Bernard and Bianca, two mice who are sent to help Penny, a young orphan who has been kidnapped by the evil Madame Medusa, who plans to use her to steal a precious jewel.

"Although not one of the studio's classics, it has warmth, humor and delightful characterization," wrote Victoria Mather for The Daily Telegraph.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 80%

Based on the 1831 Victor Hugo novel of the same name, "Hunchback" centers on sweet Quasimodo, a physically deformed man who is orphaned after the villainous Judge Frollo murders his mother.

To atone for his sins, Frollo adopts Quasimodo but keeps him hidden atop Notre Dame's bell tower. But when Quasimodo catches sight of Esmeralda, he vows to enter the world below.

"You're quickly won over by the movie's subversive wit, swept along by its narrative bravado and its enormous visual energy. This new 'Hunchback' is a triumph on its own terms, and on any other terms that might come to mind." wrote Joe Morgenstern of The Wall Street Journal.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 83%

"Hercules" is a loose re-telling of the Greek myth of the hero Heracles. After getting kidnapped and turned (almost) mortal by Hades' henchmen, Hercules goes on a quest to prove to his father, Zeus, and the rest of the gods that he's worthy of immortality and godhood.

"Jumps into the ancient legends feet-first, cheerfully tossing out what won't fit and combining what's left into a new look and a lighthearted style," wrote Roger Ebert.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 84%

Based on Lewis Carroll's 1865 novel "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland," this adaptation follows Alice as she falls down the rabbit hole and meets unforgettable characters like the Cheshire Cat, the Mad Hatter, Tweedledee and Tweedledum, and the Queen of Hearts.

"If you are not too particular about the images of Carroll and [illustrator John] Tenniel, if you are high on Disney whimsy, and if you'll take a somewhat slow, uneven pace, you should find this picture entertaining," wrote Bosley Crowther for The New York Times.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 85%

At the time, "The Rescuers" was one of Disney's most popular films (even if its reputation has been somewhat diminished since its release in 1977), which is why our two favorite mice, Bernard and Bianca, returned for this film — the first sequel ever theatrically released by Disney.

This time, Bernard and Bianca are sent to Australia by the Rescue Aid Society to help a young boy who's been kidnapped.

"A gorgeously drawn myth made for plucky children and very brave mice," wrote The Washington Post's Rita Kempley.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 86%

"The Princess and the Frog" updates the setting of the Brothers Grimm fairytale "The Frog Prince" to 1920s New Orleans. Tiana is a determined young woman who wants more than anything to open her own restaurant.

When she kisses prince-turned-frog Naveen to revert him back to humanity, the opposite happens: Tiana turns into a frog, too.

"This has a lot to commend it, and it isn't just nostalgia for the Disney past. It's a visual treat," wrote The London Evening Standard's Derek Malcolm.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 86%

In "The Emperor's New Groove," David Spade stars as Kuzco, the self-absorbed, clueless Incan emperor, who is turned into a llama by his evil advisor Yzma, who wants to steal the throne for herself. To get his throne back, Kuzco must team up with the kindly peasant Pacha, whose house he has marked for destruction.

CNN's Paul Tatara called Kuzco's tale "a silly little movie that's smarter than most of the self-important features that came out this year."

Rotten Tomatoes score: 86%

Newly orphaned sisters Lilo and Nani are struggling to adjust to their new normal when Lilo adopts Stitch, a rambunctious alien who she thinks is just a weird dog. When two agents of the Galactic Federation come looking for Stitch, chaos erupts on Kauai.

"It's one of the most charming feature-length cartoons of recent years — funny, sassy, startling, original, and with six songs by Elvis," wrote Roger Ebert.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 87%

"Wreck-It Ralph" is the story of Wreck-It Ralph, the villain in the classic arcade game "Fix-It Felix Jr." But when Ralph is sick of being the bad guy in everyone's story, he goes on an epic journey visiting other video games to become a hero.

"'Wreck-It Ralph' is a must-see for anyone who grew up playing 1980s arcade games — and their kids will love it too," wrote Larushka Ivan-Zadeh for Metro UK.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 88%

This film is based on the Rudyard Kipling book of the same name, published in 1894 — and was the last film Walt Disney himself worked on. He died during its production.

It's the simple story of Mowgli, an orphaned human raised by wolves. But when it becomes clear that the evil tiger Shere Khan will stop at nothing to kill Mowgli, a panther named Bagheera and a bear Baloo agree to take Mowgli back to the human village he came from.

"It's a slight tale, of course, and incredibly short, but the characters and songs are pretty much perfect viewing time and again," wrote Empire's Ian Nathan.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 88%

Six years after "Wreck-It Ralph," in which Ralph discovers that even though he's a villain in his game, he doesn't have to be a bad guy; he's on another adventure with his friend Vanellope. This time, our duo heads to the internet to find a part that's needed to fix Vanellope's game, "Sugar Rush."

"'Ralph Breaks the Internet' works because it doesn't pander, and it doesn't simplify," wrote Brian Tallerico for RogerEbert.com.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 89%

Running at just 68 minutes long, this is an anthology film. First up is "The Wind in the Willows," which is the story of J. Thaddeus Toad, who is trying to save his home from bankruptcy.

The second story is "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow," in which Ichabod Crane arrives in Sleepy Hollow and is stalked by the terrifying Headless Horseman.

Chicago Reader's Jonathan Rosenbaum called this film "engaging and lively."

Rotten Tomatoes score: 89%

"Tangled" is a classic Disney princess film, but made with modern 3D animation, a first for the studio. It tells the tale of Rapunzel, a teenager with magical hair who longs to see the world outside her tower — and when the charming thief Flynn Rider happens upon her home, she seizes the chance to break free.

"If this is what old-fashioned means, then bring it on," wrote Derek Malcolm of The London Evening Standard.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 89%

While it doesn't seem like it now, a Disney princess story where the true love story is between two sisters was groundbreaking. Add in some of the catchiest songs ever written by the House of Mouse and a lovable (if somewhat grating) snowman, and you have one of the studio's biggest and most beloved films, raking in more than $1.3 billion at the worldwide box office.

"'Frozen' feels like it's breaking new ground in telling a story where the women are actually in control, and where the clichés of their narratives are turned inside out, almost as a sly commentary on what has come before," wrote Jason Bailey for Flavorwire.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 90%

Based on the 1912 novel "Tarzan of the Apes" by Edgar Rice Burroughs, "Tarzan" tells the story of the titular character being raised by apes after his parents are killed. Although he feels out of place, he doesn't know any different until Jane and her crew of explorers arrive at Tarzan's jungle and begin to show him a different way.

"Tarzan" is a fun time at the movies, but its lasting legacy is the multiple songs on the soundtrack written and performed by Phil Collins.

In June 1999, Peter Stack of The San Francisco Chronicle called it "so far, the most entertaining film of the year."

Rotten Tomatoes score: 90%

For all the talk about how poorly this relationship has aged — sure, it's true love's kiss, but can someone under a sleeping curse really consent? — this movie is a wonder to look at. Maleficent, the evil witch, remains a high point of Disney's character designs.

"'Sleeping Beauty' is a masterpiece. In my opinion, it's not just the best animated film to ever come out of Walt Disney Studios, but it is also the finest animated motion picture I've ever seen, period," wrote Sara Michelle Fetters for MovieFreak.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 90%

In the 16 years since its release, it seems like "Bolt" has been somewhat forgotten. But it's fun! It stars John Travolta as the voice of Bolt, the star of a hit TV series who doesn't realize his superpowers on the show aren't real. When he believes his owner is kidnapped — but really, it's just a cliffhanger in the show — he embarks on a cross-country journey to rescue her.

"While it may lack a certain amount of bite, there's plenty of bark to recommend this winning animated adventure," wrote The Sydney Morning Herald's Eddie Cockrell.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 90%

Everyone's favorite honey-loving bear, who starred in 1977's "The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh," returned to the big screen in "Winnie the Pooh."

This time, Pooh and the rest of the Hundred Acre Wood crew team up to save Christopher Robin from a monster they're calling the Backson — in reality, Christopher Robin is just at school and will be "back soon."

"It's a pleasure to sink into an animated family movie from Disney that radiates charm with a gentleness that seems damn near revolutionary," wrote Peter Travers for Rolling Stone.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 91%

After years of criticism regarding its Disney princesses and their lack of agency, audiences were given Mulan, a young woman who secretly takes her father's place in the Chinese Imperial Army by disguising herself as a boy.

Mulan is a warrior through and through. No one could ever call her a typical damsel in distress.

"Overall, this is a lovely film, ranking with the best of Disney's animated features while taking on rather serious issues of war, honor, gender roles and family pride," wrote Moira MacDonald for The Seattle Times.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 91%

"Bambi" is a straightforward story about a young deer growing up in the forest and learning how to protect the forest creatures from hunters known only as Man.

But this film's lasting legacy is the death of Bambi's mother, which remains tear-inducing to this day, even 82 years later.

The New York Times' Theodore Strauss wrote, "In colors that would surprise even the spectrum itself, Disney's cartoon craftsmen have re-created a woodland that shimmers and glows and darkens altogether magically."

Rotten Tomatoes score: 91%

"Lady and the Tramp" is another Disney film that now comes with a disclaimer due to the problematic nature of its two Siamese cats, Si and Am.

If you're able to move past that, though, "Lady and the Tramp" is simple and sweet. Lady is a dog who's barely left her house, but due to a misunderstanding, she ends up on the street and meets the stray Tramp.

Their spaghetti kiss is still being referenced to this day.

"The quintessential American love story — the one between the spoiled heiress and the spontaneous, fun-loving guy from the wrong side of the tracks — has seldom been more elegantly and entertainingly told," wrote The Chicago Tribune's Dave Kehr.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 92%

Disney went through a rough period in the '70 and '80s — when "The Little Mermaid" was released in 1989, it was a return to form for the studio. It's a classic love story with beloved songs like "Part of Your World," "Under the Sea," and "Kiss the Girl."

"'The Little Mermaid' — impudent, grandiose, a multilevel crowd-pleaser — almost returns the Disney animated features to their glory traditions of the '30s and '40s," wrote the Los Angeles Times' Michael Wilmington.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 92%

"Encanto" is about the Madrigal family, who each receives a magical power when they turn 5 — all except Mirabel, who was mysteriously skipped over. When the magic in their home starts failing, Mirabel makes it her mission to save her family, powers or not.

"You will be humming 'Welcome to the Family Madrigal' — expositional but infectious — all the way home. The characters are infectious, too, and well-drawn, enriching 'Encanto's' world with gifts that extend far beyond their bestowed powers," wrote Time Out's Whelan Barzey.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 92%

"The Lion King" combined breathtaking visuals, amazing songs composed by Elton John, Tim Rice, and Hans Zimmer, and an epic coming-of-age story to cruise to $978 million at the box office.

Jay Carr wrote in The Boston Globe, "Make no mistake, the magnitude of the achievement here far outweighs any shortcomings. 'The Lion King' is both populist blockbuster and royal treat."

Rotten Tomatoes score: 93%

Kelly Marie Tran stars as Raya, a young woman who goes on a quest to find the last dragon to reunite her fractured country, Kumandra.

"As an overall throwback, and as a return to the streamlined storytelling upon which Disney built its supremacy, 'Raya and the Last Dragon' is a welcome expansion of the Disney universe," wrote Pajiba's Roxana Hadadi.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 93%

Viewers return to the animal city of Zootopia in this sequel … but this time, there are snakes.

Judy (Ginnifer Goodwin) and Nick (Jason Bateman) team up on a case to prove that reptiles don't deserve the reputation that precedes them with the citizens of Zootopia.

"'Zootopia 2' ventures into new territory without losing its emotional footing. It shows us how trust and cooperation often hinge on small, brave choices made over and over again," wrote the San Francisco Chronicle's Zaki Hasan.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 95%

"Beauty and the Beast" is based on, well, a tale as old as time: a French fairy tale from the 1700s. In it, Belle is taken hostage by a prince-turned-beast who lives in a castle filled with talking furniture.

When you take it out of context, as with many animated films, it's … weird. But songs like "Be Our Guest," "Beauty and the Beast," "Gaston," and "Belle" are all-time favorites. And the Academy agreed — it was the first animated movie to ever be nominated for best picture.

"The set pieces are narcotically pleasing, especially the Busby Berkeley-style dancing-kitchenware spectacular, 'Be Our Guest,' and the romantic ballroom centerpiece that brings Beauty and her Beast together," wrote Lisa Schwarzbaum for Entertainment Weekly.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 95%

"Dumbo" has some problematic elements, including a flock of stereotypical crows — one of whom was originally named Jim Crow — a drunk baby elephant, and "Song of the Roustabouts."

But Dumbo's design makes him one of the cutest characters in the Disney canon, and "Baby Mine" is a tearjerker.

"Perfection, thy name is Dumbo," wrote Slant Magazine's Rob Humanick.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 95%

"Moana" is another modern Disney princess film that eschews a love story for a story of personal growth. Moana ventures out to the sea to save her island and, along the way, learns that she's capable of leading her people and exploring the open ocean.

Victoria Luxford called "Moana" "great fun" and "a traditional Disney Princess film but with a little more depth to it, being about personal discovery and bravery" for BBC CWR.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 95%

"Cinderella" is one of the most frequently adapted fairy tales of all time, but Disney's animated version of the rags-to-riches story is the most beloved. And it's been said that Cinderella's transformation was one of Walt Disney's favorite pieces of animation.

"The musical numbers woven into the fantasy are generally solid, with at least two or three likely hit tunes standing out in the half-dozen songs," Variety wrote in 1949.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 96%

"Aladdin" is anchored by the iconic voiceover performance by Robin Williams as the Genie. But there's lots of other stuff to love, like Princess Jasmine and her pet tiger Rajah, the bumbling Sultan, and the sweet "street rat" Aladdin.

While its depiction of the Middle East has been criticized, as the BBC noted, "Aladdin" remains one of the most loved Disney films of the last 40 years.

"The magical, the mystical, the mysterious — all those powers that lurk within movies but are rarely tapped are unleashed in Disney's latest magnificent animation, 'Aladdin,'" wrote Duane Byrge for The Hollywood Reporter.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 97%

Almost 90 years later, the tale of Snow White, her seven dwarf friends, the Evil Queen, the Huntsman, and her handsome (unnamed) prince, remains the blueprint — it was the first Disney movie, after all.

"It was the dearest picture I have ever seen. The characters were so sweet that I just wanted to hug them," wrote the Miami Herald's Elizabeth Hemphill.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 98%

This movie did more for Dalmatians than any best-in-show title could — and its villain, the puppy-napping, fur-obsessed Cruella de Vil, is still one of Disney's best-known villains.

"Among the many contributions of Disney and his team to the cinema, this is perhaps the strangest: they have made us watch with heart in mouth the adventures of beings who exist only as the projection of photographs and colored drawings," wrote Dilys Powell for the Sunday Times.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 98%

"Zootopia" takes place in a world without humans, where anthropomorphic mammals have built their own society, complete with laws, organized crime, and tax evaders like Nick Wilde (a fox voiced by Jason Bateman).

"The fictional universe it presents — a human-free world where mammals have evolved into a bustling, civilized society — is vividly realized, richly detailed, and very funny," wrote John Nugent for Empire.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 100%

"The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh" is three shorts starring Pooh as he combats a blustery day, bees, Heffalumps, and Tigger's inability to stop bouncing.

"You'll enjoy reuniting with childhood friends, and for the next-generation fans of The Book of Pooh, this batch of honey couldn't be sweeter," wrote Entertainment Weekly's Dalton Ross.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 100%

"Pinocchio" is based on an Italian children's story from 1883. It's a heartwarming (if a bit creepy) story of a wooden puppet who comes to life after its creator, Gepetto, wishes upon a star.

Why has "Pinocchio" remained at the top of the pack? Well, "When You Wish Upon a Star" is Disney's official theme, distilling everything we love about Disney movies into a 3-minute and 15-second song.

Otis Ferguson wrote in The New Republic that "Pinocchio" is "a delight and at times will take your breath away, for the limits of the animated cartoon have been blown so wide open that some of the original wonder of pictures — wonder and terror too, as when that train roared up into the camera — is restored."

Billboard 200 peak: No. 5

Swift's self-titled debut is the only studio album in her catalog that hasn't reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200.

"Taylor Swift" debuted at No. 19 and scaled the chart for more than a year, peaking at No. 5 in 2008.

Billboard 200 peak: No. 1 for one week

Swift's seventh studio album was the first one that she owned outright, thanks to her new label contract with UMG.

"Lover" was promoted by several singles, including "You Need to Calm Down," "The Archer," and "The Man." Four years later, once Swift kicked off The Eras Tour, "Cruel Summer" climbed to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and remained there for four weeks, becoming the album's biggest hit.

Billboard 200 peak: No. 1 for one week

The extended tracklist for "Red (Taylor's Version)" included the storied extended cut of "All Too Well," a longtime fan-favorite song in Swift's catalog.

"All Too Well (10 Minute Version)" was released alongside a short film directed by Swift and promoted by a convention-breaking performance on "Saturday Night Live." It became the longest song to reach No. 1 in the history of the Hot 100.

Billboard 200 peak: No. 1 for two weeks

"Fearless" was the first rerecorded album that Swift ever released.

The "Taylor's Version" series was inspired by the sale of Swift's masters to Scooter Braun in 2019, which she described as her "worst case scenario" in a passionate open letter. Swift decided to remake and rerelease her first six albums in a bid to reclaim ownership of her life's work. (Braun later sold Swift's masters to a private-equity company.)

In addition to faithfully recreating each tracklist, Swift decided to add never-before-heard songs "from the vault" that were written during the album's original creative process but cut from the final product.

"I've spoken a lot about why I'm remaking my first six albums, but the way I've chosen to do this will hopefully help illuminate where I'm coming from," Swift explained. "Artists should own their own work for so many reasons, but the most screamingly obvious one is that the artist is the only one who really knows that body of work."

"For example, only I know which songs I wrote that almost made the 'Fearless' album," she continued. "Songs I absolutely adored, but were held back for different reasons."

Many were skeptical that the "Taylor's Version" project would be embraced by fans, let alone achieve commercial success.

Those skeptics were forced to eat their words when "Fearless (Taylor's Version)" began to outpace the original on streaming platforms. According to Billboard, "Fearless (Taylor's Version)" earned more equivalent album sales in its first week of release than "Fearless" earned over the entire next year.

Four years later, in May 2025, Swift announced that she bought back her masters from Shamrock Capital, giving her complete control over her musical catalog and rendering her "Taylor's Version" project moot.

Billboard 200 peak: No. 1 for two weeks

The rerecorded version of Swift's third album featured six songs from the vault, including two duets with Fall Out Boy and Hayley Williams.

Billboard 200 peak: No. 1 for four weeks

"Reputation" arrived after an extended period of silence. Swift's longtime feud with Ye (then known as Kanye West) and Kim Kardashian had reached a fever pitch; in response to a massive social media hate campaign, Swift decamped to London and withdrew from the public eye.

She returned with a new snake-infested aesthetic and "Look What You Made Me Do," a cheeky lead single that poked fun at her own persona — and quickly shot to No. 1 on the Hot 100.

Swift also declined to participate in interviews or media appearances while promoting her sixth album. Instead, she relied on a simple tagline: "There will be no further explanation. There will just be reputation."

Billboard 200 peak: No. 1 for four weeks

"Evermore" was surprise-released just five months after Swift's previous album, "Folklore." The two were billed as "sister albums," created under near-identical conditions with the same team of collaborators.

"To put it plainly, we just couldn't stop writing songs," Swift explained on social media.

"Evermore" was nominated for album of the year at the 2022 Grammys, but lost to Jon Batiste's "We Are."

Billboard 200 peak: No. 1 for six weeks

Swift's third album had a lot to live up to, following the blockbuster success of "Fearless."

In response to skeptics — who questioned whether the teen phenom was relying too heavily on her collaborators — Swift decided to write "Speak Now" entirely by herself. She is the only songwriter credited on the standard tracklist.

Billboard 200 peak: No. 1 for six weeks

Swift's 10th studio album sold over 1 million copies in its debut week, the first to cross that seven-figure threshold since Swift's own "Reputation." (She has now achieved the feat on eight different occasions.)

"Midnights" also won album of the year at the Grammys, joining "Fearless," "1989," and "Folklore" in the prestigious group of victors. Swift is the only artist in history to win album of the year four times.

Billboard 200 peak: No. 1 for six weeks

The rerecorded version of "1989" was released nine years after the original. Swift added five vault songs to the tracklist, including the fan-favorite closer "Is It Over Now?"

Billboard 200 peak: No. 1 for seven weeks

"Red" is Swift's fourth studio album. It featured a mishmash of Max Martin-produced pop bangers ("We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together," "I Knew You Were Trouble") and country-rock breakup anthems ("State of Grace," "Holy Ground").

Billboard 200 peak: No. 1 for seven weeks

Cowritten and co-produced with Max Martin and Shellback, "The Life of a Showgirl" was described by Swift as a snapshot of "everything that was going on behind the curtain" during the Eras Tour.

The album's seven-week reign at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 brought Swift's total sum atop the chart to 93, extending her record among solo artists.

Since the Billboard 200 was launched in 1956, only The Beatles have logged more weeks at No. 1 than Swift.

Billboard 200 peak: No. 1 for eight weeks

"Folklore" marked a sonic departure for Swift, stripping down her favored synth-pop production to reveal introspective reflections and intricate narratives.

The pandemic-era album was co-produced by Swift, Jack Antonoff, and Aaron Dessner of The National. It received rave reviews from critics and is widely considered her best work to date.

Billboard 200 peak: No. 1 for 11 weeks

Swift's sophomore effort had the longest run at No. 1 of any album in the 2000s. "Fearless" has since been certified diamond by the RIAA.

Billboard 200 peak: No. 1 for 11 weeks

Swift's fifth album marked her official pivot from country to pop music, a move that Swift said she had to "really fight — and I mean aggressively fight — to have happen."

In addition to its double-digit streak atop the Billboard 200, "1989" yielded several hit singles on the Hot 100, including "Shake It Off," "Blank Space," and "Bad Blood."

Billboard 200 peak: No. 1 for 17 weeks

Swift's 11th studio album, "The Tortured Poets Department," did not leave the No. 1 slot for 12 straight weeks after its debut in April 2024, fending off new releases from stars like Dua Lipa, Billie Eilish, and Zach Bryan.

The uninterrupted reign of "Poets" was rare for a streaming-era release. It became the first album ever by a female artist to spend its first 12 weeks atop the chart, surpassing a record previously held by Whitney Houston's 1987 blockbuster "Whitney." (The all-time record for a consecutive streak among women is held by Carole King's "Tapestry," which spent 15 weeks at No. 1 in 1971.)

Swift briefly yielded the top spot to Eminem and Stray Kids before "Poets" notched 13th, 14th, and 15th consecutive weeks atop the chart.

The album eventually fell to lower positions, but then in December of that same year, it returned for two more weeks at No. 1 after Swift released physical versions of the album's deluxe version, "The Anthology," for Black Friday.