Disney animation on Blu-ray

[JadedRaverLA]

Many people have asked about when Disney's Blu-ray support would pay off with the release of their animated classics on the Blu-ray format. I figured it would be good to have a thread dedicated to the Disney release schedule in terms of their animated features.

A couple of terms to understand:

• Disney animated classics - the films that make up the Walt Disney Feature Animation canon -- currently at 46 films (from 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs' through 'Meet the Robinsons')
• Other disney animated features - all other animated titles produced or distributed by Disney -- includes titles by Pixar and DisneyToon Studios
• 'Matte' OAR - Disney animated titles released between 1961 and 1981 have a disputed original aspect ratio -- they appear to have been animated to a full 1.33:1 frame but intended for a 1.66 - 1.85:1 theatrical exhibition
• Platinum series - the top 14 Disney animated classics -- these titles are currently scheduled on a 7 year rotating basis with an extended moratorium period between releases

Released and announced Disney animated classics:

Title                    Year     OAR        Released on BD
Chicken Little           2005     1.78:1     3/20/07
Meet the Robinsons       2007     1.78:1     10/23/07
Sleeping Beauty          1959     2.35:1     10/??/08

Released and announced other Disney animated features:

Title                    Year     OAR        Released on BD
Dinosaur                 2000     1.78:1     9/19/2006
The Wild                 2006     1.78:1     11/21/2006
Cars                     2006     2.35:1     11/6/2007
Ratatouille              2007     2.35:1     11/6/2007
Pixar Shorts, Vol. 1     2007     ???        11/6/2007

Anticipated Release schedule for 'Platinum collection' titles:

These are Disney's top 14 animated classics, which are currently scheduled to be released at 2 per year, on an ongoing 7 year rotation. Of course this could change, but for now that's the plan.

Title                    Year     OAR        Last Release    Next anticipated release
Sleeping Beauty          1959     2.35:1     9/9/2003        October 2008
Snow White               1937     1.33:1     10/9/2001       2009/2010*
Pinocchio                1940     1.33:1     10/26/1999      2009/2010*
Fantasia                 1940     1.33:1     11/14/2000      2009/2010*
Beauty and the Beast     1991     1.66:1     10/8/2002       2010
The Lion King            1994     1.66:1     10/7/2003       2011
Aladdin                  1992     1.66:1     10/5/2004       2011 
Bambi                    1942     1.33:1     3/1/2005        2012
Cinderella               1950     1.33:1     10/4/2005       2012
Lady and the Tramp       1955     2.35:1+    2/28/2006       2013
The Little Mermaid       1989     1.66:1     10/3/2006       2013
Peter Pan                1953     1.33:1     3/6/2007        2014
The Jungle Book          1967     Matte^     10/2/2007       2014
101 Dalmations@          1961     Matte^     03/?/2008       2015

* -- The 2009/2010 order hasn't yet been confirmed by Disney
+ -- Lady and the Tramp was simultaneously filmed in Cinemascope and Academy ratio, thought the Cinemascope print seems to be preferred
^ -- The aspect ratio for these films is disputed. They seem to have been animated at 1.33:1, but intended for theatrical presentation at 1.66:1 through 1.85:1
@ -- 101 Dalmations is the next Disney platinum release, though Disney has announced that Sleeping Beauty will be the first released on Blu-ray, somewhat confirming their plans to continue the Platinum collection release schedule onto Blu-ray


All other Disney animated titles (including those by Pixar) aren't on a fixed release schedule, and could potentially be released at any time. Also, while Disney released a limited edition of many of their best animated titles on DVD in the fall of 1999, they seem to be presently committed to following their Platinum collection release schedule for those titles on BD (as indicated by their press release announcing Sleeping Beauty.) The anticipated release year for Platinum collection titles is unofficial, and based on past Disney statements regarding their plans for the series. Disney could, of course, change their plans at any time.

Hope this post helps some people understand Disney's "logic" regarding releases.