Disney is a massive enterprise. From the production studio and massive catalog of movies and shows to its meticulously designed theme parks, Disney is a well-established machine with a lot of moving parts. The Walt Disney Company was founded in 1923 and has been making strides both on and off-screen ever since. With so many years of work under its belt and new projects and improvements constantly in development, there are rightfully a lot of questions about how the giant works and has been on top for so many years.
Luckily, there are plenty of great documentaries out there to answer some of those questions, and they’re all available to stream on Disney+. If you’re looking to learn more about the ins and outs of Disney, check out these 10 documentaries.
Update November 29, 2023: In honor of Disney's 100th Anniversary Celebration, this article has been updated with even more great documentaries that dig into the rich history of Disney.
11 The Most Magical Story on Earth: 50 Years of Walt Disney World (2021)
The Most Magical Story on Earth: 50 Years of Walt Disney World is a two-hour special hosted by Whoopi Goldberg that takes you on a journey through Walt Disney World's 50-year history for its anniversary in 2021. The special also featured musical performances from artists like Halle Bailey, Christina Aguilera, and the 50-piece Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra and interviews with various celebrities, Disney executives and imagineers.
What Makes it Great
It's essentially a massive spectacle of a celebration, complete with extravagant lighting, fireworks, and meticulous design — all in true Disney fashion. But it's not just about watching the grandeur that is The Cinderella Castle, there's also behind-the-scenes looks at plans and developments at Disney World over the years, including sneak peeks at plans for the future of the park. This special is a must-watch for fans of the mega vacation destination and those who are dreaming of going there one day. It's also a very heartwarming watch, as it highlights Disney's 40-year partnership with the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Stream on Disney +
10 Behind the Attraction (2021)
Behind the Attraction
- Release Date
- July 21, 2021
- Cast
- Paget Brewster
- Genres
- Documentary
- Main Genre
- Documentary
Behind the Attraction is another Disney docuseries that takes you behind the scenes of some of the most notable rides and attractions at the Disney theme parks, like the Haunted Mansion ride, It's a Small World and Space Mountain. In terms of style, it's a lot like The Toys That Made Us or The Movies That Made Us on Netflix — which is fitting, seeing as both those shows and Behind the Attraction were created by the same person, Brian Volk-Weiss.
What Makes it Great
Behind the Attraction is very fast-paced and focuses on fun imagery and stories about your favorite rides. It also shows how major Disney attractions have changed over time and how they are still alluring despite the changes. It's a good watch, especially for children as it is an imformative but fun series. It's recommended to watch the Imagineering Story first because it provides in depth insight and context about the attractions and the imagination and work it took to realize them, which could serve as a colourful addition to this documentary.
Stream on Disney +
9 One Day at Disney (2019)
One Day at Disney follows several Disney employees, from acclaimed animators to actors, and details a day in their lives working for Disney. There are two different variations of One Day at Disney. There's the feature-length documentary narrated by Sterling K. Brown (This Is Us), as well as a series of One Day at Disney Shorts, which are episodes less than 10 minutes long that explore individuals on the job, from reporters to members of the Disney World construction team.
What Makes it Great
Both versions of One Day at Disney are a fun look at what it's like to work there — something many people likely dream about doing. The documentary mainly focuses on the "fun" jobs, like being a chocolatier at Magic Kingdom or designing costumes for characters. It would be interesting if they interviewed or followed around someone who works on the park cleaning team, ensuring trash is disposed of and the park maintains a certain appearance, or even the people who work the rides. Regardless, it's still a great documentary to watch if you have ever wondered what a Disney job looks like. It's feel-good and the people who appear in the documentary seem very passionate about their job.
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8 The Boys: The Sherman Brothers' Story (2009)
Behind every great Disney movie is often an equally great score or soundtrack. Richard and Robert Sherman, dubbed The Sherman Brothers, were the minds behind many of Disney's great musical works including Mary Poppins, The Jungle Book and The Aristocats, as well as the classic "It's a Small World (After All)." The Boys: The Sherman Brothers' Story intimately delves into the lives of the two brothers and how they came together, working with Walt Disney himself to become known as one of the most prolific songwriting duos ever.
What Makes it Great
If you're a music lover, The Boys: The Sherman Brothers' Story is a great documentary for you. It's very well done, featuring interviews from both the brothers and actors they worked with, like Dick Van Dyke (Mary Poppins), talking about their work and legacy. It also pairs well with another title on this list, Howard, as two documentaries that focus on legendary figures who define the sound of Disney.
Stream on Disney +
7 Mickey: The Story of a Mouse (2022)
Mickey: The Story of a Mouse
- Director
- Jeff Malmberg
- Release Date
- November 18, 2022
- Cast
- Walt Disney, Andy Warhol, Robert A. Iger
- Runtime
- 1hr 29min
- Genres
- Documentary, Biography
- Main Genre
- Documentary
Mickey: The Story of a Mouse is all about the round-eared Disney mascot, Mickey Mouse. Mickey is arguably one of the most recognizable symbols across the globe — whether you're a Disney fan or not. This documentary, which premiered on Disney+ in 2022, follows the history of Mickey from his 1928 debut in Steamboat Willie throughout his many evolutions over the years. The documentary also shows up in the new short Mickey in a Minute, which showcases all the versions of Mickey, side by side over the years.
What Makes it Great
This documentary is both informative and likely full of nostalgia for those who grew up with the character. At several points, Disney animator Eric Goldberg and others quote Walt Disney by saying, "It all started with a mouse", which, when watching the documentary and seeing how not only Mickey but the entirety of Disney has evolved, goes to show just how far the mouse and the giant he represents have come. Interestingly, the documentary also touches upon what Mickey meant to different people around the globe by touching upon different cultures, all while being candid about it.
Stream on Disney +
6 The Pixar Story (2007)
For fans of Pixar Animation Studios, The Pixar Story takes viewers on a journey into how the company started, the behind-the-scenes of the corporation, and the ways it was able to achieve massive success. Pixar has created some of the most beloved animated movies of all time, some of which are Toy Story, Ratatouille, and Finding Nemo. The documentary explores the early years of the studio, from its inception up until it's acquisition by Disney in 2006, where it has since become one of the company's most important subsidiaries.
What Makes it Great
Some of the best animators and computer engineers from Pixar are interviewed, giving insight into their creative process and the ongoing problems that pop up when making a film. They also showcase how they come together as a team to solve problems so that these wonderful productions can grace the screen. Being an animator is far from an easy job, with films taking an enormous amount of effort and patience to complete. The office space, technological tools, the changing nature of animation, and the constant desire to improve quality and not settle for mediocre work are also portrayed to show the work culture at the studio. This is one of two great works of Leslie Iwerks on this list.
Stream on Disney +
5 Waking Sleeping Beauty (2009)
Waking Sleeping Beauty
- Release Date
- September 5, 2009
- Director
- Don Hahn
- Cast
- Tim Burton, John Lasseter, Don Bluth, Jeffrey Katzenberg, Ron Clements, Rob Minkoff
- Runtime
- 86
- Genres
- Documentary
Waking Sleeping Beauty tells the story of Disney Animation Studios between 1984 and 1994 and the inner workings behind that process. It looks at how Disney almost completely fizzled out during a dark period in the company's history only to come back stronger, launching their Disney Renaissance. It was thanks to films such as The Lion King, The Little Mermaid, and Beauty and the Beast that revolutionized the studio and allowed it to be what it is today.
What Makes it Great
The film uses a lot of archived material, interviews, and news pieces to highlight how Disney had not to remain stagnant but had to be fluid so that it could survive, which included lots of tension and hard decisions involving the employees and their creative direction. It's honest, open, and realistic about the studio's dark days, including the box-office slump that Disney once faced. The documentary would be of interest to anyone looking to know how the studio rescued itself from being a mere memory of something that was once great.
Stream on Disney +
4 Into The Unknown: Making Frozen II (2020)
Frozenwas one of the most commercially successful films by Disney animated studios and with its massive success, so there was no doubt that Frozen II would happen. Into The Unknown: Making Frozen II allows viewers to watch the magic that is behind the scenes of making an animated film through all its stages. It dives into the world of animators, filmmakers, editors, artists, songwriters, and cast to give a comprehensive look into their creative world while also highlighting the pressuring reality of deadlines so that the team is able to meet the goal of the release date of the film.
What Makes it Great
One downside to the streaming revolution has been the lack of bonus material about the making of movies that used to be commonplace on DVDs and Blu-rays. Disney+ has been looking to give audiences a greater look behind the scenes, and Into the Unknown: Making Frozen II is a great full-scale look at the development process of an animated film. Anyone who has an interest in animation or movie-making should check it out as it shows all the hurdles and victories of the creative process. It will give you more appreciation for the craft and will give more meaning to the movie.
Stream on Disney+
3 Howard (2018)
Howard Ashman is one of the most important figures in Disney's history. He was one of the driving creative forces of the Disney Renaissance, and his songs for The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, and Aladdin changed the company forever and helped set a template that Disney still follows to this day. This documentary follows the criminally short life of Howard Ashman from his early career to his time at Disney to his tragic passing at the age of 40 due to AIDS.
Why It's Great
Howard is a documentary that all Disney fans are required to view. Not only does it give insight into a man who made some of the most beloved music in the company's history, but also is a frank discussion about peoples treatment of people with AIDs and HIV during the 1980s and 90s. It is a great documentary about a man who gave a mermaid her voice and a beast his soul.
Stream on Disney+
2
1 The Imagineering Story (2019)
The Imagineering Story
- Release Date
- November 12, 2019
- Cast
- Angela Bassett, Kurt Russell, Walt Disney
- Genres
- Documentary
- Main Genre
- Documentary
- Seasons
- 1
The Imagineering Story is a six-part docuseries narrated by Angela Bassett (9-1-1, American Horror Story) that premiered in 2019 and was created by Leslie Iwerks. This docuseries provides a very in-depth look at both the history and creation of the Disney theme parks and their unique rides and attractions. The Imagineering Company is a group of people who work on the concepts, designs, and construction of Disney theme parks around the world.
What Makes it Great
It's almost like a backstage pass to all the inner workings and moving parts of Disney, making it a must-watch for fans of the parks. It also shines a spotlight on the people who work tirelessly to bring the magic of Disney to life in a memorable way. In it, there is priceless archived footage of Disneyland and of Walt that is hard to find. For those who have been to Disneyland before and have collected beautiful things, the documentary will feel like a celebration of this entertaining hub and will bring back so many great times to the forefront. All in all, The Imagineering Story is whencreativity meets dedication and innovation!
Stram on Disney +
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