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Nov 1928

#1

Steamboat Willie (Disney)

Release date: 18 Nov 1928 | Running time: 00:07:47

Black and white Theatrical short

Although it wasn't Mickey Mouse's first appearance, it was the first film where he gained widespread recognition, thanks to its revolutionary use of synchronized sound.

Dec 1929

#2

The Haunted House (Disney)

Release date: 02 Dec 1929 | Running time: 00:07:00

Black and white

The cartoon cleverly combines elements of comedy and horror, creating an entertaining contrast that appeals to a broad audience. The use of shadows, light, and eerie sound effects all contribute to the overall mood, enriching the storytelling.

Jul 1932

#3

Flowers and Trees (Silly Simphony)

Release date: 30 Jul 1932 | Running time: 00:08:00

Theatrical short Technicolor

The first animated short to be created using the Technicolor process, bringing vibrant, full color to the screen in a way that was revolutionary at the time.

Mar 1933

#4

Snow-White (Fleischer Studios)

Release date: 31 Mar 1933 | Running time: 00:07:00

Black and white

Featuring Betty Boop and music composed by Cab Calloway.

Jul 1933

#5

Popeye the Sailor (Fleischer Studios)

Release date: 14 Jul 1933 | Running time: 00:07:37

Black and white

This short film marks Popeye's debut, featuring his distinctive humor, unique character design, and memorable catchphrases like "I yam what I yam!" It also highlights classic rivalry with Bluto and Popeye's spinach-powered strength, which became a cultural symbol.

Apr 1936

#6

The Blow Out (Looney Tunes)

Release date: 04 Apr 1936 | Running time: 00:07:30

Black and white

This is the first solo Porky Pig short, and marks the first use of the premise of a person tracking someone and always waiting for that other person wherever he turns up exaggerated by Tex Avery.

Nov 1936

#7

Popeye the Sailor Meets Sindbad the Sailor (Fleischer Studios)

Release date: 27 Nov 1936 | Running time: 00:16:33

Technicolor Theatrical short

The story features Popeye as the underdog hero, taking on the legendary Sindbad the Sailor in a thrilling adventure. One remarkable aspect of this cartoon is its length, at over 16 minutes.

Nov 1937

#8

Popeye the Sailor Meets Ali Baba's Forty Thieves (Fleischer Studios)

Release date: 26 Nov 1937 | Running time: 00:17:15

Technicolor

Historically, it stands as one of the earliest examples of theatrical cartoons being presented on a grander scale, running longer than typical shorts and offering more complex narratives. The Fleischers were competing with Walt Disney's studio, which had released Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs the same year, and while Disney’s work focused on lush, fluid animation, the Fleischers leaned into their strengths of surreal humor, gritty urban settings, and exaggerated character designs.

Dec 1937

#9

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (Disney)

Release date: 21 Dec 1937 | Running time: 01:23:00

Animated feature Technicolor

Disney's first full-length animated feature, setting the stage for a new era of storytelling. Watching "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" is not just about enjoying a classic fairy tale, it's about witnessing the dawn of a new era in animation and storytelling.

Apr 1939

#10

Aladdin and His Wonderful Lamp (Fleischer Studios)

Release date: 07 Apr 1939 | Running time: 00:21:00

Technicolor

The third and final installment of the "Popeye Color Features" series produced by Fleischer Studios, continued the use of the Fleischer’s groundbreaking Stereoptical Process.

Dec 1948

#11

Scaredy Cat (Looney Tunes)

Release date: 18 Dec 1948 | Running time: 00:07:25

Technicolor

"Scaredy Cat" is also notable for setting the tone for future cartoons in which Porky and Sylvester would team up in similarly eerie scenarios. It was followed by "Claws for Alarm" (1954) and "Jumpin’ Jupiter" (1955).

Feb 1953

#12

Duck Amuck (Looney Tunes)

Release date: 28 Feb 1953 | Running time: 00:06:53

Technicolor

One of the most innovative and iconic animated shorts, and is a brilliant showcase for Daffy’s character as well. Instead of being the arrogant, egotistical figure audiences had come to know, he’s portrayed as vulnerable and bewildered - yet still retaining his indomitable spirit.

Dec 1953

#13

The Tell-Tale Heart (Columbia Pictures)

Release date: 17 Dec 1953 | Running time: 00:07:24

Released during a time when animation was dominated by Disney’s colorful, musical storytelling, The Tell-Tale Heart used an intense, minimalist style inspired by German Expressionism, with deep shadows, exaggerated angles, and surrealistic images that evoke the narrator’s deteriorating mind.

Sep 1960

#14

The Flintstone Flyer (Hanna-Barbera)

Release date: 30 Sep 1960 | Running time: 00:30:00

The Flintstones revolutionized this by becoming the first animated series aimed at a family audience in a prime-time slot, airing alongside live-action sitcoms like The Honeymooners and I Love Lucy.

Aug 1966

#15

The Man Called Flintstone (Hanna-Barbera)

Release date: 03 Aug 1966 | Running time: 01:29:00

The Man Called Flintstone was a farewell of sorts, as it was released after the series had wrapped up its sixth and final season. Released shortly after the original series ended, it acted as a swan song for The Flintstones until their resurgence in reruns and spinoffs.

Aug 1988

#16

Tin Toy (Pixar)

Release date: 02 Aug 1988 | Running time: 00:05:00

Tin Toy is historically important not only for its technical achievements but also for its storytelling approach, which was a precursor to Pixar’s signature style. success allowed the studio to continue developing RenderMan, a pioneering software used to create realistic shading, lighting, and textures in CG animation. RenderMan became essential for Pixar’s later works and was even adopted by other major studios.