Continuing my countdown of favorite Disney Animation movies following my marathon viewing of all 64…
My Top Ten Disney Animation Movies
#8 – Tangled (2010)
I’m keeping it in the 21st century for the third pick in a row, though this movie came out a full decade before the last two.
Tangled was originally titled Rapunzel after its long-locked heroine, but studio execs asked for the change because they were afraid young boys would be turned off by another princess movie. That sentiment also resulted in adventurer Flynn Rider becoming a co-lead and the film’s narrator.
That sounds like the stuff of a filmmaker’s nightmares, but in this case the result was a fabulous musical romcom everybody can love. The cocksure Flynn is a perfect foil for the bright-eyed, curious Rapunzel, and their journey is both hilarious and romantic.
Tangled also boasts an excellent villain in Mother Gothel, one of the most amusing animal sidekicks in the chameleon Pascal, and a great batch of songs with music by Alan Menken (returning to the Disney fold after a six-year absence).
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Rapunzel and Flynn are one of my two or three favorite romantic pairs in Disney’s animated catalog. Here are some others:
Disney Animation – Best Couples
5. Duchess ad Thomas O’Malley in The Aristocrats
4. Jasmine and Aladdin in Aladdin
3. Anna and Kristof in Frozen
2. Lady and the Tramp in Lady and the Tramp
1. Tiana and Naveen in The Princess and the Frog
All those days watching from the windows
All those years outside looking in
All that time never even knowing
Just how blind I’ve been
Now I’m here blinking in the starlight
Now I’m here suddenly I see
Standing here it’s all so clear
I’m where I’m meant to be
And at last I see the light
And it’s like the fog has lifted
And at last I see the light
And it’s like the sky is new
And it’s warm and real and bright
And the world has somehow shifted
All at once everything looks different
Now that I see you
[FLYNN]
All those days chasing down a daydream
All those years living in a blur
All that time never truly seeing
Things, the way they were
Now she’s here shining in the starlight
Now she’s here suddenly I know
If she’s here it’s crystal clear
I’m where I’m meant to go
[FLYNN & RAPUNZEL]
And at last I see the light
[FLYNN]
And it’s like the fog has lifted
[FLYNN & RAPUNZEL]
And at last I see the light
[RAPUNZEL]
And it’s like the sky is new
[FLYNN & RAPUNZEL]
And it’s warm and real and bright
And the world has somehow shifted
All at once everything is different
Now that I see you
Now that I see you
Meet Me In Montauk 
I enjoyed Tangled, but doubt it would crack my top 10 Disney movies.
Meanwhile, I would add Mr. And Mrs. Incredible from the Incredibles and Woody and Jessie from Toy Story on my favorite couple list.
I’m covering only the Disney Animation catalog, so Pixar isn’t eligible.
Ah, ok. Was wondering why no Pixar films were on your list.
This is one of those Disney movies that was on heavy rotation for many years in Maddie and I’s weekly Friday film viewing. It is a classic. It’s infectious. Mandy Moore and Zachary Levi turn in top tier vocal performances. There’s just as much humor as there are touching moments. This song and its accompanying scene are one of the most iconic, magical Disney moments. Tangled would without a doubt be in my top 5 and it’s no surprise to see it included here.
Woo – also very happy to see Tangled here. A well earned spot. Huge shout out to Dan Fogelman who’s writing voice is all over this in a really positive way.
I do think Eugene would be disappointed in his voice actor these days, which is a bit sad.
I’m also surprised by some of the Disney couple faves, but that’s a fun exercise! I’ll list my faves 🙂
-Tarzan and Jane
-Mulan and Shang
-Tiana and Naveen
-David and Nani
-Anna and Kristof