Disney's Animated Classics: A Comprehensive Guide

Explores 100 years of Disney films, uncovering secrets, culture, and storytelling behind each movie.

Which Disney character is responsible for the most onscreen deaths? What are the entry requirements for becoming a Disney Princess? Why is Jiminy Cricket always breaking into people's homes?

In Disney's Animated Classics, Stephen Rötzsch Thomas explores the iconic features from the studio's first 100 years, from Snow White to Wish. A love letter to storytelling and collaboration, each chapter takes readers behind the scenes of a different movie, uncovering the hidden secrets, creative geniuses, and surprising connections that will enthral die-hard Disney fans and casual viewers alike.

Disney's Animated Classics examines how the studio's films have shaped and been shaped by the world around them and how they have attempted to reflect a changing culture. From the studio's representation of race and sexuality to its fluctuating creative fortunes through the decades, Rötzsch Thomas offers an unflinchingly funny history of one of the biggest icons in cinema.

His unauthorised deep dive is an irreverent but loving tribute to the films that have defined generations of childhoods. Whether you're a self-proclaimed Disney Adult, a film fan looking to learn about the animation behemoth, or just someone trying to understand why Robin Hood was responsible for your sexual awakening, there's something for you here.

Stephen Rötzsch Thomas grew up on the edge of the One Hundred Acre Wood, but don't worry – he’s definitely not built his entire personality around it. He runs gigs as Folkroom, writes chicken recipes for Ideas With Legs, and is getting to the point where he could use a good literary agent, if you know anybody. He lives in Nottingham with his wife and two cats.