Top 10 Most Rewatched Animated Movie Moments
#10: All the Princesses “Ralph Breaks the Internet” (2018)
Top 10 Animated Movie Moments That Broke The Internet
From Aladdin and Hercules’ historic meeting to Rapunzel and Flynn’s “Frozen” cameo, everyone loves a Disney crossover. The sequel to “Wreck it Ralph” really delivered on this front. When Vanellope travels to the realm of Oh My Disney to do a bit of advertising, she bumps into the Princesses, who soon accept her as one of their own. They teach her the art of the “I Want Song” and she inspires them to invest in some loungewear. The scene gently pokes fun at the Disney princess trope, but the real fun is in watching them all interact with each other. You have to see it more than once just to catch all the references!
#9: “Once Upon a December” “Anastasia” (1997)
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“Anastasia” is an animated musical with some great set pieces. The traveling scenes are especially memorable for their sense of threat. But, the movie’s most breathtaking moment has to be the “Once Upon a December” sequence, which takes place in the palace at St. Petersburg. Anya returns to her family home with no memory of her life before the orphanage; however, as she walks the empty rooms bits of her past begin to come back to her. The lullaby starts slowly and wistfully, building to the dramatic moment when the guests come bursting from the walls. The scene is suddenly a riot of color as Anya, now dressed as the grand duchess, dances alone with her memories.
#8: The Leap of Faith “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” (2018)
Top 10 Most Relatable Animated Movie Moments
As the first animated movie in the franchise, “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” did something entirely new. The likeable characters, dynamic animation, and engaging plot won praise from critics and fans alike. It even earned an Oscar for Best Animated Feature. Miles Morales takes center stage as the New York teen who - in time-honored Spidey tradition - gets bitten by a radioactive spider. Preparing to take on Spider-Man’s legacy is no easy task and it’s marked by the stunning scene where Miles takes that leap of faith. The moment is beautifully crafted and we feel for the character as he prepares for the terrifying jump. The joyful aftermath is great too, making this one of the film’s most stunning sequences.
#7: Married Life “Up” (2009)
If you only watch one scene from Pixar’s “Up” it should be this one. The film is great all around, but that first sequence is like a perfect short film in itself. It follows Carl and Ellie through their life together, both the highs and the challenges. We watch their first meeting as children, their marriage, and, later, their attempts to build a home. They have big dreams but sometimes life has other plans. They eventually grow old and Ellie passes away, leaving Carl all alone. It’s devastating and an all-too-real part of life for so many. And the music! The second we hear it, muscle memory has us sobbing. It’s rare to find anyone who can watch this scene to its emotional conclusion without welling up.
#6: The First Flight “How to Train Your Dragon” (2010)
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First flight scenes in movies usually share a common feeling: fear at the beginning, then pure unbridled joy. And, of course, they absolutely must be accompanied by a beautiful orchestral theme. There’s Harry Potter’s ride on Buckbeak in “The Prisoner of Azkaban” and Cody’s journey on Marahute in “The Rescuers Down Under.” But, the most iconic fantasy flight stars Hiccup Haddock III, the hapless hero of Dreamworks studios’ “How to Train Your Dragon.” His first flight with Toothless not only reveals the viking’s mounting confidence, but also that his bond with his dragon is growing stronger too.
#5: “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” “Encanto” (2021)
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“Encanto” was a big hit with audiences across the board and the movie was immediately accepted into the studio’s canon of beloved classics. There are plenty of great numbers, but “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” definitely stole the show. It was actually the first song from a Disney feature to hit the Billboard Top 100 since “A Whole New World.” It’s an ensemble piece, sung by members of the Madrigal family. With catchy rhythms inspired by Columbian cha-cha-chá music, multiple character verses, and an intriguing story, it’s hard not to love this scene. Bruno himself is a bit of a fan favorite and we can all probably agree that he was hard done by. Still, it’s fun to hear the tales of his prophecies.
#4: Belle & the Beast’s First Dance "Beauty and the Beast" (1991)
“Beauty and the Beast” was the first animated feature to be nominated for Best Motion Picture at the Academy Awards. When you watch that ballroom scene, you can understand why. It’s such a beautiful sequence, both in terms of animation and character development. Brand new 3D technology was used to render the ballroom and every detail is incredible, from the painted ceiling to the vast windows looking out into the starry sky. This is also a pivotal moment in the relationship between the two central characters. Belle is opening up and beginning to trust the Beast and he has begun to realize just how much he cares about her. To top it all off there’s Belle’s stunning dress and Angela Lansbury’s dulcet tones singing the title track.
#3: “All Star” Shrek (2001)
Top 10 Most Rewatched Movie Musical Moments
The “Shrek” movies have plenty of scenes that stick in our memories, from The Fairygodmother’s rendition of “Holding Out for a Hero” to Shrek’s legendary fight with Lord Farquad’s guards. The first film is also bookended with two of the most iconic musical sequences in the franchise. It wraps up with a little bit of swamp karaoke, featuring Eddie Murphy’s Donkey taking the mic to bring us a memorable cover of “I’m a Believer.” The definitive image of the eponymous ogre has to be that opening scene, though. When he slams open the outhouse door and “All Star” kicks in, we know we’re in for one hell of a ride.
#2: “Let It Go” “Frozen” (2013)
Top 10 Most Heartbreaking Animated Movie Moments
You know that a Disney film is a runaway success when parents can’t hear the songs without begging for them to stop. Back when “Frozen” was first released, Elsa’s transformation scene - and the accompanying song - captured the hearts of kids on a grand scale. For adults, too, it was hard not to feel excited when Elsa let her magic go wild. The song starts slow, building to a crescendo as she casts off the girl she used to be and fully accepts her powers, transforming into the glamorous snow queen she was always meant to be. Idina Menzel’s soaring vocals and the gorgeous animation create a magical movie moment that has undoubtedly gone down in Disney history. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. Mulan Preparing for War, “Mulan” (1998) Mulan Cuts Her Hair & Rides Off “The Sorcerer's Apprentice,” “Fantasia” (1940) Mickey Loses Control of the Brooms in This Magical Sequence The Genie’s Impressions, “Aladdin” (1992) Robin Williams Does What He Does Best The Ocean Chooses Baby Moana, “Moana” (2016) The Scene ‘Shore’ Is Beautiful Rattlesnake Jake, “Rango”, (2011) His Rattle Is Gone but His Tail Doubles as a Machine Gun
#1: The Transformation “Cinderella” (1950)
Top 10 Most Rewatched Disney Movie Scenes
Much replicated but never outmatched, Walt Disney’s favorite bit of animation has got to be the most iconic and rewatchable moment of the Disney canon. We’ve seen it done a hundred times in the world of live-action. But, the transformation scene in the 1950 animated movie remains as moving and impressive as it was when audiences first marveled at it. The Fairy Godmother finds Cinderella sobbing in the garden and, determined to have her attend the ball, she transfigures the ragged remains of Cinderella’s mother’s dress into a shimmering, sparkling, silver-blue vision. The music, animation, and voice acting are all on point, creating the perfect magical atmosphere for such a special scene.
