What was the first feature length animated film

January 14, 1938

THE NEW YORK TIMES, from New York, dated January 14, 1938 

* Walt Disney's first animated movie : Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

"Sheer fantasy, delightful, gay and altogether captivating, touched the screen yesterday when Walt Disney's long-awaited feature-length cartoon of the Grimm fairy tale, "Show White and the Seven Dwarfs" had its local premiere at the Radio City Music Hall. Let your fears be quieted at once: Mr. Disney and his amazing technical crew have outdone themselves..." with more (photos show portions).

wikipedia notes: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is a 1937 American film based on the eponymous German fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm. It was the first full length animated feature to be produced by Walt Disney, and the first American animated feature film in movie history. Walt Disney's Snow White premiered at the Carthay Circle Theater on December 21, 1937, and the film was released to theaters by RKO Radio Pictures on February 4, 1938. The story was adapted by storyboard artists Dorothy Ann Blank, Richard Creedon, Merrill De Maris, Otto Englander, Earl Hurd, Dick Rickard, Ted Sears and Webb Smith from the German fairy tale Snow White by the Brothers Grimm. David Hand was the supervising director, while William Cottrell, Wilfred Jackson, Larry Morey, Perce Pearce, and Ben Sharpsteen directed the film's individual sequences. Snow White was one of only two animated films to rank in the American Film Institute's list of the 100 greatest American films of all time in 1997 (the other being Disney's Fantasia), ranking number 49. It achieved a higher ranking (#34) in the list's 2007 update, this time being the only traditionally animated film on the list. The following year AFI would name the film as the the greatest animated film of all time In 1989, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was added to the United States National Film Registry as being deemed "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant."

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January 14, 1938

THE NEW YORK TIMES, from New York, dated January 14, 1938 

* Walt Disney's first animated movie : Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

"Sheer fantasy, delightful, gay and altogether captivating, touched the screen yesterday when Walt Disney's long-awaited feature-length cartoon of the Grimm fairy tale, "Show White and the Seven Dwarfs" had its local premiere at the Radio City Music Hall. Let your fears be quieted at once: Mr. Disney and his amazing technical crew have outdone themselves..." with more (photos show portions).

wikipedia notes: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is a 1937 American film based on the eponymous German fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm. It was the first full length animated feature to be produced by Walt Disney, and the first American animated feature film in movie history. Walt Disney's Snow White premiered at the Carthay Circle Theater on December 21, 1937, and the film was released to theaters by RKO Radio Pictures on February 4, 1938. The story was adapted by storyboard artists Dorothy Ann Blank, Richard Creedon, Merrill De Maris, Otto Englander, Earl Hurd, Dick Rickard, Ted Sears and Webb Smith from the German fairy tale Snow White by the Brothers Grimm. David Hand was the supervising director, while William Cottrell, Wilfred Jackson, Larry Morey, Perce Pearce, and Ben Sharpsteen directed the film's individual sequences. Snow White was one of only two animated films to rank in the American Film Institute's list of the 100 greatest American films of all time in 1997 (the other being Disney's Fantasia), ranking number 49. It achieved a higher ranking (#34) in the list's 2007 update, this time being the only traditionally animated film on the list. The following year AFI would name the film as the the greatest animated film of all time In 1989, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was added to the United States National Film Registry as being deemed "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant."

From Cinderella to Toy Story, we grew up watching many animated movies. If you ever wondered what the first full-length animated movie was and how they created it, then this blog covers all the information to satisfy your hunger. Here we covered some interesting facts about the first full-length animated movie.

What was the first feature-length animated film? The honor goes to Walt Disney Animation Studios for making the first feature-length animated movie. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs hold the ret fully animated feature film record, released in 1937.

It’s been eight decades, but Snow White is the fairest among all.

What Was the Disney First Animated Feature Film?

• A. The Princess and the Frog
• B. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
• C. Hercules
• D. Lion King

What Is an Animation Movie?

Animated movies are types of movies in which individual drawings, illustrations, sketches, paintings are used to make them appear to move. It appears like they are moving on the screen, but it actually gives an illusion when frames are shown in rapid sequence. For example, 24 frames are projected in each second. Animations are considered a film technique that also consists of genre-like elements. Animation, stop-motion, and fairytales became popular among children. They are often called “children’s entertainment.”

Animation has come a long way. It is considered one of the most famous and all-permeating forms of visual communication. But where did the idea come from? Here is a brief history of the first animated movie.

Important Facts about the First Animated Feature Film

With its unique and exquisite artistry, brilliant storytelling and groundbreaking technology, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was known as the highest-grossing film in movie history until “Gone with the Wind” was released. The movie premiered on Dec. 21, 1937.

The movie took approximately 3 years to produce from 1934 to 1937, and is recognized as the first feature-length animated film in US history.

Did you know? More than 750 artists worked to complete over 2 million sketches. The movie used 250,000 drawings.

There was a song called “Music in Your Soup.” was prepared for the movie but never made it on-screen.

Walt Disney provided a menagerie of animals in the studio as a reference for animators during production.

Snow White is one of the famous Disney characters who have been honored on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, following Winnie the Pooh, Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck.

The Voice of the queen and the witch was created by removing Lucille La Verne’s false teeth before she read the lines.

Spirit of the Magic Mirror’s voice was created by Moroni Olsen while wearing a box with a drum over his head.

The film’s initial budget was estimated at $250,000, due to multiple delays, it extended to$1.5 million which was a huge amount at the time.

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was once referred to as Walt Disney’s folly by several critics.

​​​​​​Strange World journeys deep into an uncharted and treacherous land where fantastical creatures await the legendary Clades, a family of explorers whose differences threaten to topple their latest—and by far— most crucial mission.

Release Date November 23, 2022

Each individual at our Studio contributes to the creation of our films. Be a part of our rich legacy of storytelling.

Production, Technology, and Studio teams collaborate closely throughout the filmmaking process. Learn more about each area of the Studio and the role they play within Disney Animation.

From sequence to shot to frame, the film comes together through the deep collaboration between everyone at the studio.

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Why was Elsa born with magical powers? What truths about the past await Elsa as she ventures into the unknown to the enchanted forests and dark seas beyond Arendelle? The answers are calling her but also threatening her kingdom. Together with Anna, Kristoff, Olaf and Sven, she'll face a dangerous but remarkable journey. In Frozen, Elsa feared her powers were too much for the world. In Frozen 2, she must hope they are enough.

Directed By

Chris Buck, Jennifer Lee

Produced By

Peter Del Vecho, p.g.a.