Top Disney Movie Anniversaries to Celebrate in 2026: Explore the Magic on Disney+

Reminder: 2026 is a big year for some of your favorite Disney movies! Classics like Dumbo, Alice in Wonderland, 101 Dalmatians, The Great Mouse Detective, Beauty and the Beast, and The Hunchback of Notre Dame are all hitting major anniversaries this year, which is the perfect excuse to add them to your Watchlist on Disney+.

Dumbo, the heartwarming tale of a baby elephant with big ears, first soared into theaters in 1941, celebrating 85 years in 2026. Fun fact: it only cost $812,000 to make and won an Oscar® for Music. Alice in Wonderland, released in 1951, turns 75 this year. Did you know Walt Disney had been wanting to adapt this story since the 1930s?

101 Dalmatians, the iconic tale of Pongo and Perdita, debuted in 1961 and is celebrating 65 years of puppy-filled adventures. This movie was Disney’s first to be set in the present day and in a real-world location, London, England. The Great Mouse Detective, released in 1986, follows Basil of Baker Street as he solves a mysterious case with early uses of computer animation.

Beauty and the Beast, the beloved tale of Belle and the Beast, premiered in 1991 and celebrates 35 years in 2026. Over 600 animators and artists brought this enchanting story to life. Lastly, The Hunchback of Notre Dame swung into theaters in 1996, marking 30 years of Quasimodo’s incredible journey.

For Pixar fans, Monsters, Inc., the lovable story of Sulley and Mike Wazowski, premiered in 2001 and turns 25 this year. Directed by Pete Docter, this movie started the tradition of featuring characters from upcoming Pixar films. So, be sure to add these classics to your Watchlist and celebrate the magic of Disney!