-
Disney Brothers Studio is Founded
Walt Disney and Roy O. Disney established the Disney Brothers Studio in Hollywood. Their first major project was the Alice Comedies, a series of shorts mixing live-action and animation. -
Mickey Mouse Debuts in Steamboat Willie
After losing the rights to Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, Walt Disney and animator Ub Iwerks created Mickey Mouse. Steamboat Willie was one of the first cartoons with synchronized sound, making it revolutionary. -
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Becomes the First Full-Length Animated Feature
Many doubted the film’s success, calling it “Disney’s Folly.” Snow White became a massive box-office hit, proving animated films could be profitable. It even won an honorary Academy Award -
The Releases of Fantasia and Pinocchio
Pinocchio was one of the most expensive films ever made at the time, featuring groundbreaking animation techniques. Fantasia introduced stereophonic sound and abstract animation, though it initially struggled at the box office. -
Cinderella Saves Disney from Financial Struggles
Disney was in deep financial trouble after WWII, but Cinderella became a blockbuster. The film’s success funded Disney’s next big ventures, including Disneyland. -
Disneyland Opens in Anaheim, California
Walt Disney’s dream of a theme park where families could enjoy immersive storytelling became a reality. Despite construction delays, the park became a massive success and introduced Tomorrowland, Fantasyland, Adventureland, and more. -
Mary Poppins Becomes Disney’s Biggest Live-Action Film
This film combined live-action with animation and featured legendary songs. It won 5 Academy Awards, including Best Actress for Julie Andrews. -
Walt Disney Passes Away
Walt Disney died of lung cancer at age 65. His death put the future of Walt Disney World and EPCOT in question. His brother, Roy O. Disney, took over to ensure Walt’s vision continued. -
Walt Disney World Opens in Florida
After Walt’s death, Roy O. Disney completed the Florida project. The park opened with Magic Kingdom and became even bigger than Disneyland. -
Tokyo Disneyland Opens as Disney’s First International Park
The first Disney park outside the U.S. wasn’t even owned by Disney—it was licensed to the Oriental Land Company. It became wildly popular, proving that Disney’s appeal was truly global. -
Michael Eisner Becomes CEO, Reviving Disney
Disney was struggling in the early 1980s, with flops and financial trouble. Eisner shifted focus to blockbuster animated films and theme park expansion. -
The Little Mermaid Kicks Off the Disney Renaissance
After years of weak animated films, The Little Mermaid brought Disney back. The movie’s music (by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman) won two Academy Awards. -
The Lion King Becomes a Cultural Phenomenon
The film made over $1 billion worldwide, becoming Disney’s biggest animated hit. Its soundtrack, including "Circle of Life" and "Can You Feel the Love Tonight," became legendary. -
Toy Story Becomes the First Fully CGI-Animated Film
Pixar and Disney collaborated on Toy Story, revolutionizing animation. It was the first movie ever made entirely with computer-generated imagery (CGI). -
Monsters, Inc. Proves Pixar’s Continued Success
With hits like Monsters, Inc., Pixar showed that CGI animation wasn’t a fluke. Disney soon realized that acquiring Pixar might be the best move for the future. -
Disney Buys Pixar for $7.4 Billion
Steve Jobs (CEO of Pixar) became a Disney board member after the acquisition. This deal brought films like Finding Nemo and The Incredibles under Disney’s control. -
Disney Buys Marvel for $4 Billion
Disney saw the potential of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). The deal led to billion-dollar hits like The Avengers, Black Panther, and Avengers: Endgame. -
Disney Buys Lucasfilm for $4.05 Billion
This acquisition gave Disney control of Star Wars and Indiana Jones. The Force Awakens (2015) became one of the highest-grossing films ever. -
Disney+ Launches, Transforming the Streaming Industry
Disney+ debuted with instant success, gaining over 10 million subscribers on Day 1. Shows like The Mandalorian and WandaVision made it a key streaming competitor. -
Disney Acquires 20th Century Fox for $71.3 Billion
This massive deal brought The Simpsons, X-Men, Avatar, and more into Disney’s empire. It also expanded Disney’s influence in streaming and television.