Disney: The 10 Best ‘60s Movies (According To IMDb)

Though the 1960s wasn’t Walt Disney Pictures’ biggest decade, the entertainment company still created several hits during this era. From classic animations to memorable live-action installments, we’re here to look at the greatest films to be released between 1960 and 1969. To do so, we’ll be looking at the star score on IMDb.

These ratings are based on the votes of registered users on a scale of 1 to 10. Those with the highest scores will be showing up here.

With that said, it’s time to hop back a handful of decades and take a look at some of the best; Here are the greatest Disney films of the 1960s.

10 The Sword In The Stone (1963): 7.2

Though The Sword in the Stone isn’t Disney’s most talked about animation, it is nonetheless a visually impressive and immersive film.

The 1963 fantasy comedy tells of a young King Arthur who, as a child, meets the wizard Merlin. He tells the boy of the greatness that lies ahead of him.

Though the narrative was simplistic, the imaginative characters and sparkly animations were applauded. A live-action remake is currently in development. While no firm release date has been announced, it is set to premiere on the Disney+ streaming service.

9 Swiss Family Robinson (1960): 7.2

In 1960, Disney released this adventure about a family that gets shipwrecked on an island on their way to New Guinea. Here, they build a treehouse and enjoy the wild while figuring out what lies in their future.

The film became an instant classic, with many praising the strong theme of family, the thrilling sense of adventure, and the delightful and funny script.

If you want a taste of Swiss Family Robinson in real life,  you can visit the Swiss Family Treehouse attraction at the Tokyo Disneyland, Disneyland Park, and Magic Kingdom theme parks across the world.

8 101 Dalmations (1961): 7.2

As a man and a woman fall in love in this Disney classic, so do their pet Dalmatians. It’s not long before dogs Pongo and Perdita end up with a litter of 15 puppies. However, keeping the pups safe turns out to be a challenge as the villainous Cruella De Vil plots to kidnap them for their fur.

The 1961 adventure boasted a classic animated feel that left viewers content. The vibrant story received a live-action remake in the late ’90s and is set to get another live-action spin-off in 2021.

7 The Three Lives Of Thomasina (1963): 7.2

Though you might not have heard of The Three Lives of Thomasina, its humorous story resonated with those who have seen it.

The American-British fantasy tells of a girl who lives in Scotland with her vet father and her cat, Thomasina. Though Thomasina is supposed to be put down after an injury, she is rescued by an animal healer. The problem? Thomasina’s memory is wiped and restoring it will prove to be a challenge.

The lead girl was played by Karen Dotrice, who is better known for playing Jane Banks in Mary Poppins. Her charm helped keep this movie sweet.

6 Follow Me, Boys! (1966): 7.2

This 1966 family film, based on the novel God and My Country by MacKinlay Kantor, follows a saxophonist, who falls for a bank clerk in the town of Hickory. The man chooses to leave his band for love but soon learns that this choice isn’t as easy as it seems.

Though some critics thought the movie was littered with too many clichés, it helped bring life to ’30s rural America setting. Viewers remained enchanted by the tale.

5 Greyfriars Bobby (1961): 7.3

In Greyfriars Bobby, two Scottish men fight over the attention of a small Skye Terrier.

Though the story was entertaining, what really won the film was the adorable dog at the center of it all. Additionally, the cast gave a strong performance and the story was bright, heartwarming, and full of that classic Disney warmth.

4 Pollyanna (1960): 7.4

Based on the novel of the same name by Eleanor H. Porter, this live-action drama tells of a 12-year-old orphan who faces life with a positive attitude. Though the people in her town are disheartened, she helps turn around the mood in spite of the conflicts on the horizon.

Though Pollyanna didn’t bring in the type of box office funds Disney anticipated, it was nonetheless brimming with spirit thanks to Hayley Mills’ performance in the lead role. Mills went on to star in a handful of other Disney hits including The Parent Trap the next year in 1961.

3 Jungle Cat (1960): 7.4

While Disney is best known for its fictional tales, the company managed to successfully bring a documentary to life in 1960. This one follows a female spotted jaguar, who roams the Amazon jungle.

Though Jungle Cat wasn’t jam-packed with entertainment, it was interesting and well-made. Additionally, the meticulous and up-close camera work had viewers feeling like they were getting a front-row seat to the mysteries of the wild.

2 The Jungle Book (1967): 7.6

Far before Disney turned Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book into a live-action adventure, the film studio created an animated classic based on the story.

The narrative tells of Mowgli, a child raised by wolves in the jungle, who must venture back to the other humans after an evil tiger threatens his existence.

The movie was filled with detailed animations, interesting characters, and catchy songs. Despite the decades since its release, The Jungle Book‘s life has aged well.

1 Mary Poppins (1964): 7.8

Topping off the list as the highest-rated Disney film of the ’60s is none other than Mary Poppins.

This musical fantasy, based on the book series by P.L. Travers, tells of a magical British nanny who goes to the wealthy Banks household to care for Jane and Michael.

With a charming cast led by Julie Andrew and Dick Van Dyke, a sentimental story, lively musical numbers, and vibrant animation, Mary Poppins had a lot going for it. Julie Andrews ended up winning Best Actress in a Leading Role at the Academy Awards for her performance as the titular nanny. The film additionally scored Best Film Editing, Best Visual Effects, Best Score, and Best Original Song for “Chim Chim Cher-ee.”

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