‘Davy Crockett: King of the Wild Frontier’ (1955)
Plot: This movie is actually the first three episodes of the fivepart miniseries of Davy Crockett, a real-life frontiersman who became a legend. In these episodes, Davy Crockett (Fess Parker) fights the Creek War, is elected to Congress and fights at the Battle of the Alamo. Fair warning, this movie does show its age when it comes to Native Americans being called “Indians,” casting white actors to play Native American extras and Davy calling the Native Americans “varmints” even though he is supposed to be their friend. But this movie tells the tale of an American who befriended Native American people, instead of the typical Western movie troupe cowboys vs. Indians, as seen in films such as “The Searchers” (1956).
Why you need to watch: The Disney version of Davy Crockett has permeated pop culture for decades, with Parker appearing in the role from the 1950s through the 1970s. I found that I could sing the theme song without ever having watched a single episode, but that could be due to the number of times I have spent exploring Frontierland in Disney World.
‘The Three Caballeros’ (1945)
Plot: This live-action animated musical film brings some of the most beloved and forgotten Disney characters to life. Donald Duck joins his friends José Carioca, the Brazilian cigar-smoking parrot from “Saludos Amigos” and Mexican rooster Panchito Pistoles, who loves his pistols. Donald receives birthday presents from his Latin American friends and through song and dance — with appearances by Aurora Miranda, Dora Luz and Carmen Molina — audiences learn about the Latin American culture. The movie is a product of its time, though, with antiquated stereotypes, like Panchito, that would not fly today.
Why you need to watch: In 1941, as fear of fascism and Nazis was growing throughout the world, President Franklin Roosevelt sent Walt Disney to Latin America to spread the American capitalist spirit. Disney brought along 16 animators, where they found inspiration for this movie and “Saludos Amigos.” Today, these characters can be found on the Gran Fiesta Tour ride at Epcot. And the Latino stories Disney tells has only grown to include the “Elena of Avalor,” first Latin American princess, and the Academy Award-winning film “Coco.”
‘The Love Bug’ (1969)
Plot: The terrible race car driver Jim Douglas (Dean Jones) has been reduced to compete only in demolition derbies. One day, he comes across a white Volkswagen Beetle that seems to have a mind of its own. The car, named Herbie, and driver become friends when the car makes a point to get Jim and his new love interest, Carole (Michele Lee), to spend more time together. Together, Herbie and Jim become the best racing pair around.
Why you need to watch it: This film spawned four feature films (including a Lindsay Lohan remake), a TV series and a madefor-TV movie. Herbie the Love Bug has joined the ranks with other famous movie cars, such as the Batmobile, “The Dukes of Hazzard’s” Dodge Charger and “Magnum P.I.’s” Ferrari.
‘The Parent Trap’ (1961)
Plot: You know this one — a pair of twins are separated at birth when their parents get a divorce. The two meet at camp with the ingenious idea to get their parents back together by switching places.
Why you need to watch it: Millennials grew up with the Lindsay Lohan version in 1998. The new one was missing the adorably catchy song “Let’s Get Together,” but it did have the handshake every little girl had memorized. Why not know where the Lohan version came from?
‘Chip ’n’ Dale: Rescue Rangers’ (1989)
Plot: Chip and Dale start their very own detective agency called Rescue Rangers with their friends Gadget, Monterey Jack and Zipper. No case is too small for this team, who usually help out other animals.
Why you need to watch: These chipmunk brothers had only been known for tormenting Donald Duck and being songand-dance troublemakers before this series premiered. This show gave the pair a backstory, friends and their own villains to battle.
‘20,000 Leagues Under the Sea’ (1954)
Plot: An adaptation of the Jules Verne novel, the movie takes place in 1868 as Professor Pierre M. Aronnax, his assistant Conseil and harpooner Ned Land discover the Nautilus, a steampunk-esque submarine captained by the mysterious Captain Nemo. The team and Nemo’s crew adventure to the darkest depths of the ocean and the undiscovered corners of the world.
Why you need to watch: An attraction was built in 1971 at the Magic Kingdom in Disney World themed around taking an underwater adventure with Captain Nemo and his crew, which has since been refurbished as a ride in Disneyland themed around “Finding Nemo” — the fish, not the captain.
‘Goof Troop’ (1992)
Plot: This TV show focuses on the relationship between Fab 5 character Goofy and his son, Max. Only lasting two seasons from 1992 to 1993, the series showcases the struggles Goofy faces as a single dad and how his life compares to his high school friend and neighbor Pete’s, with his wife Peg, daughter Pistol and son P.J., who becomes Max’s best friend.
Why you need to watch: A series that was part of Disney’s push for more presence on TV, this show inspired two beloved Disney movies, 1995’s “A Goofy Movie” and a direct-to-video sequel “An Extremely Goofy Movie” in 2000. Imagine a world without the sultry sounds of fictional pop star Powerline?
‘The Reluctant Dragon’ (1941)
Plot: The film comprises two parts. First, Robert Benchley (“Jaws”) is persuaded by his wife to present the Walt Disney Studios with an idea for a new movie based on a children’s storybook called “The Reluctant Dragon.” Mrs. Benchley drops her husband off at the studio’s front gate, and Mr. Benchley makes his way around the grounds on the hunt to find Walt Disney, while dodging security guards and discovering how an animated film is made. He runs into familiar faces such as Clarence Nash, the original voice of Donald Duck, and sees the famous multiplane camera in action. Second, the animated film “The Reluctant Dragon” tells the story of The Boy who meets The Dragon who would rather recite poetry than barbecue knights.
Why you need to watch: Gone are the days of hand-drawn animation. What took whole departments of people months to produce is now able to be accomplished with a few clicks. Although we fans appreciate any Disney film put in front of us, there are some who long for the art form of hand-drawn animation. Disney nerds can relive the nostalgia and get a behind-thescenes look at the moviemaking process of old with this film.
‘The Muppets – Series’ (2015)
Plot: In this mockumentarystyle TV show, audiences take a behind-the-scenes look at the Muppets’ personal and professional lives as they produce the fictional late-night talk show “Up Late With Miss Piggy,” starring the fabulous pig herself.
Why you need to watch: This series wasn’t a huge success with fans or critics — only lasting 17 episodes — but it came on the coattails of the first Muppets movie we had in a long time: “The Muppets” came out in 2011, which was 12 years after “Muppets in Space” in 1999. Of course the poorly received “Muppets Most Wanted” (2014) sequel probably didn’t help, but it was clearly made for the adult Disney fan. There were plenty of cameos by forgotten Muppet characters, including Big Mean Carl, Uncle Deadly and Foo-Foo. And there were many jokes that would go right over younger audience’s heads: “The band. They’re always happy. Legally now.”
‘Belle’s Magical World’ (1998)
Plot: This movie is made up of three episodes of an unreleased TV show woven together to create one movie. It features favorite characters as well as a few new ones, including Webster the dictionary. Disney did make a “Beauty and the Beast” live-action TV series, which used a live actress as Belle and puppets to introduce animated shorts. In this version, Belle owned and operated a bookshop in the village filled with curious live-action children always coming to her with their problems.
Why you need to watch: This direct-to-video did not have all of the original voice talents — Anne Rogers replaced Angela Lansbury as Mrs. Potts — so I know it’s not as good as “Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas” (1997), a must-watch for me every Christmas. But it’s a “Beauty and the Beast” movie, my favorite movie of all time, and I haven’t seen it yet nor is it available on any streaming service. I know it’s bad. But I have to see it.
‘DuckTales’ (1987)
Plot: For six seasons, Donald Duck’s three nephews Huey, Dewey and Louie roamed around their wealthy Uncle Scrooge’s mansion looking for new adventures and getting into trouble.
Why you need to watch: This TV show sparked a movement with merchandise, video games, comic books, a feature film and a spinoff series “Darkwing Duck.” This series convinced Disney that weekday cartoons could work, paving the way for “Chip ’n’ Dale: Rescue Rangers” and more. In 2017, Disney revived the show with the voice talents of David Tennant as Scrooge, Danny Pudi as Huey, Ben Schwartz as Dewey, Bobby Moynihan as Louie and Kate Micucci as Webby.
‘One Day at Disney’ (2019)
Plot: This behind-the-scenes series showcases all of the jobs the Walt Disney Co. encompasses, from the costumed cast members at Disneyland and Disney World, the TV hosts of “Good Morning America” to the actors in the Disney Broadway stage productions.
Why you need to watch: This is a show for the ultimate Disney fan, a category that I identify with. I was never able to work for the Mouse at any point in my life — not yet at least — but there are many out there who get to say they work for a company that was started with a mouse. What’s it like to drive the Cinderella carriage in Disney World? What’s it like to be a Disney animator? Produce an ABC-TV show? Dress a doll in the “It’s A Small World” ride? This series gives us wannabe Mouseketeers a look into their everyday lives.