What to Give Kids (and Adults) Based on Their Favorite Disney Movie

Disney animated films are timeless treasures. We all have our favorites. Maybe yours are the ones that came out when you were a kid. Maybe they're the glorious hand-drawn works of art that broke new ground as the first-ever animated feature films in the early half of the 20th century. Or maybe they're the brilliantly funny Pixar collaborations that have been wowing kids and adults alike over the last several decades. In any case, we've put together this roundup of gifts for kids of all ages based on their favorite Disney animated films.

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)

As the first-ever Disney animated feature film, this adaptation of the classic Brothers Grimm fairy tale established the blueprint for future success with gorgeous animation, powerful songs, enchanting characters, and a terrifying villain.

• This picture book offering a retelling of the classic fairy tale features gorgeous illustrations by Nancy Ekholm Burkhert.
• Disney Showcase Snow White Glitter Lantern: This enchanting keepsake emits magical glittery light.
• Snow White fans will love this book of 100 Mazes for Kids based on fairy tales.

Cinderella (1950)

After several box-office flops during the 1940s, this classic rags-to-riches fairy tale put Disney back on top. The hit film's innovative animation techniques and appealing musical score charmed audiences and critics alike.

• The 2015 live version stars Lily James and Cate Blanchett!
• Yeh Shen: A Cinderella Story from China: Told with beauty and grace by Ai-Ling Louie, this volume is graced by Caldecott-winner Ed Young's soft, glowing illustrations.
• Have you seen Disney's Cinderella sequels: Dreams Come True and A Twist in Time?

The Jungle Book (1967)

Based very loosely on the Mowgli stories from Rudyard Kipling's classic book, this was the last animated feature film to be produced by Walt Disney, who died during its production.

• Jon Favreau directed the 2016 live version starring Idris Elba!
• This Jungle Coloring Book takes you on a vibrant journey into the lush rainforests teeming with incredible animals and birds.
• This Jungle Adventure Activity Book offers a variety of fun activities for kids ages 4–8 years old.

The Little Mermaid (1989)

With iconic songs from lyricist Howard Ashman and composer Alan Menken, plus unforgettable characters, and lush underwater animation, this film about the plucky mermaid princess from a Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale is one of the greats.

• Directed by Rob Marshall, the 2023 live version stars Halle Bailey and Melissa McCarthy.
• Get an illustrated volume of the Hans Christian Andersen classic tale.
• Kids will have a great time adding their own shades to this Little Mermaid Coloring Book.
• The Big Book of Blue: Everything a young oceanographer needs to know. Yuval Zommer's charming illustrations bring underwater animals to life. (This would also be a great gift for fans of Finding Nemo and Moana!)

Beauty and the Beast (1991) 

Bringing back the winning team of Howard Ashman and Alan Menken, gave this sweeping romance its musical magic. It was also the first animated film to be nominated for Best Picture at the Academy Awards.

• The 2017 live version with Emma Watson and Ewan McGregor!
• This Beauty and the Beast Coloring Book is great for all ages.
• Lost in a Book: This YA novel by Jennifer Donnelly expands the smart bookish Belle's story when she comes across an enchanted book that transports her to another world.

Aladdin (1992)

With brilliant voicework from Robin Williams as the Genie, Jonathan Freeman as Jafar, and Gilbert Gottfried as Iago, this lively film energized and entertained. The story is based on an Arabic folktale from One Thousand and One Nights.

• The 2019 live version is directed by Guy Ritchie and stars Will Smith.
• Aladdin's Travels: This coloring book will take kids on a magic carpet ride.
• A Whole New World: This YA novel is a part of the Disney Twisted Tale series imagining a darker twist on the story. What if Aladdin had never found the lamp?

The Lion King (1994) 

Inspired by Shakespeare's Hamlet and Disney's own Bambi, this epic features original songs from Elton John and brilliant voicework from Jeremy Irons, Matthew Broderick, and James Earl Jones.

• The 2019 photorealistic remake was directed by Jon Favreau.
• Check out sequels Simba's Pride and Hakuna Matata.
• Kids and adults can enjoy this beautiful Lion Coloring Book.
• We All Went on Safari takes kids on a horizon-expanding counting journey through the grasslands of Tanzania.

Toy Story (1995)

This hilarious and moving film about the secret lives of toys was the first of its kind—the first feature film to be entirely computer animated. It also marked the beginning of an enduring collaboration between Disney and Pixar.

• Get your own copies of Toy Story 2, Toy Story 3, and Toy Story 4.
• The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane: Kate DiCamillo's middle grade novel is another charming story about toys coming to life.
• This Coloring Book for Toys of the Future looks perfect for fans of the movie.

Mulan (1998)

Based on the Chinese legend of Hua Mulan, this is the story of a young woman who disguises herself as a man and joins the Imperial Army to protect her elderly father from the ravages of war.

• The 2020 live version stars Yifei Liu, Donnie Yen, and Jet Li.
• Get both Mulan and Mulan II in this 3-Disc Special Edition.
• The Mad Wolf's Daughter is a middle-grade novel about another girl warrior who must come to the rescue of her family.
• Discover the history of Imperial China with this spectacular and informative guide to Ancient China.

Lilo & Stitch (2002)

In this film, Disney gave us a new kind of protagonist in Lilo, a lonely oddball of a girl who finds an unlikely friend/pet in an alien who has been genetically engineered to cause chaos and destruction. It's a funny and deeply moving story.

• Charm your friends with this set of Lilo & Stitch Salt and Pepper Shakers.
• The Lilo & Stitch Little Golden Book is a great way to introduce the story to young readers.
• Experience the traditional flavors of Hawai'i with an extra-terrestrial twist with the official Lilo & Stitch Cookbook.

Finding Nemo (2003)

With iconic voice work from Albert Brooks, Ellen DeGeneres, and Willem Dafoe this Disney-Pixar collab was widely praised for its true-to-life animation and catchy music by Thomas Newman. The Oscar-winning film was also notable for its ability to amuse both young moviegoers and their parents.

• The Ultimate Finding Nemo Sticker Book will thrill young fans of the film.
• The sequel, Finding Dory, brings back the two beloved main characters and adds new star power to the voice cast with Diane Keaton and Eugene Levy.
• Little Ellen: DeGeneres's joyful picture book is perfect for kids with big imaginations and even bigger hearts.

The Incredibles (2004)

This comedic Pixar project, another Oscar winner, features a family of undercover superheroes who are forced into action to save the world. It stars the voices of Craig T. Nelson, Holly Hunter, and Samuel L. Jackson, among others.

• See what's next for the magical clan in Incredibles 2.
• The Incredibles Ultimate Sticker Book offers more than 100 vibrant stickers featuring the entire superhero family.
• Cape is book one in an exciting historical middle-grade series about tween superheroes battling Nazis. Or pick up a boxed set of the full trilogy.

The Princess and the Frog (2009)

This glorious hand-drawn film set in New Orleans is inspired by the middle-grade novel The Frog Princess, itself an adaptation of a German folk tale. Tiana is a waitress dreaming of opening her own restaurant when she gets mixed up with a frog (or is he a prince?).

• Tiana's Perfect Plan: This sweet picture book adding to Tiana's story was written by Anika Noni Rose, the actress who voiced her.
• Young chefs can get busy in the kitchen with Tiana's Cookbook, a kid-friendly collection of recipes inspired by the movie.
• Learn a little bit about how Tiana became a chef in Tiana's Best Surprise, part of the Disney Princess Beginnings series.

Winnie the Pooh (2011)

This isn't the first feature film based on A. A. Milne's beloved stories, but it is our favorite. The animation, Disney's last hand-drawn feature to date, is absolutely wonderful and it captures the sincerity, humor, and compassion of the source material perfectly.

• Get the beautiful gold-foiled Centenary Edition of When We Were Very Young, A. Milne's classic book of poetry, introducing Winnie-the-Pooh to the world.
• Winnie-the-Pooh's Giant Lift-the-Flap Book: This interactive treasure is packed with fun, educational surprises for readers ages 3 years and under.
• For older readers (aged 6 and up), this beautiful comprehensive volume offers the unabridged Winnie-the-Pooh tales with original illustrations by H. Shepard and resources offering historical context for Pooh's adventures.

Frozen (2013)

Inspired by a Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale, this phenomenal hit centers on sisters, Anna and Elsa, the princesses of Arendelle, as they try to free their kingdom from eternal winter.

• Frozen II: The 2019 sequel is set three years after the events of the first film as Anna and Elsa set off on a quest to understand Elsa's powers.
• This collection of 12 Five-Minute Frozen Stories is the perfect fit for bedtime, storytime, or anytime.
• Frozen fans will love exploring magical places from Arendelle Castle to the Enchanted Forest in this Where's Olaf: Look-and-Find Activity Book.
• Both Frozen stars, Kristen Bell and Idina Menzel, are children's book authors!

Inside Out (2015)

Kids and adults alike loved the novel concept of creating a cast of entertaining characters who personified the array of emotions that make us tick. And hilarious voice performances by the likes of Amy Poehler and Tony Hale doesn't hurt.

• With this Inside Out Graphic Novel, fans can enjoy the stories from both movies anytime they want.
• This Inside Out 2 Coloring Book, filled with all the fun characters from the movies, is perfect for creative kids of all ages.
• Check out our blog post about Inside Out 2, released this past June for more Inside Out treasures, plus books for all the feels featured in the films.

Moana (2016)

Set in ancient Polynesia, this is the story of a strong-willed young girl who is charged with saving her village by reuniting a mystical relic with the goddess Te Fiti. The sequel, Moana 2 just came out! Both films feature Dwayne Johnson and Auli'i Cravalho in starring roles.

• The Art of Moana is part of an exceptional series showcasing the artwork from Disney animated films.
• Get the Ultimate Moana Sticker Book packed with charming characters and exciting scenes from the film.
• Fearless Girls, Wise Women, and Beloved Sisters: Heroines in Folktales from Around the World: The title of this book says it all.

Encanto (2021)

With original songs  by Lin-Manuel Miranda, this Oscar-nominated film follows a magical family living hidden in the mountains of Colombia. Featured stars include Stephanie Beatriz, John Leguizamo, and Wilmer Valderrama.

• Family is Everything: This book for new readers focuses on the important role Mirabel plays in protecting her extraordinary family.
• Travel to Colombia with the Ultimate Encanto Sticker Book featuring beautiful artwork from the film.
• Get the Encanto Graphic Novel and relive the heartwarming story whenever you wish.
• Kids who loved the magic and adventure of Encanto will enjoy Lotería, an enchanting middle-grade novel based on Mexican folklore.

What's your favorite Disney film? Here's hoping this post gives you some good ideas for satisfying your Disney itch this holiday season.

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Read more by Ashly Moore Sheldon