Timeline of the Walt Disney company - wikipedia Timeline of the Walt Disney company This article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page. ( Learn how and when to remove these template messages ) This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. ( June 2016 ) This article may contain an excessive amount of intricate detail that may only interest a specific audience. Please help by spinning off or relocating any relevant information, and removing excessive detail that may be against Wikipedia 's inclusion policy. ( June 2016 ) This is a timeline of The Walt Disney Company, listing notable business events for the organization. Contents 1 1923 -- 1966 2 1967 -- 1983 3 1984 -- 2004 4 2005 -- present 5 References 1923 -- 1966 The Walt Disney Company was founded in 1923, and found much success under Walt Disney 's leadership through his death in 1966. Year Notable Business Events Notable Theatrical Releases Notable Theme Park / destination Openings Other Premieres 1923 Walt Disney signed a contract with M.J. Winkler to produce a series of Alice Comedies, beginning the Disney company under its original name `` Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio '', with brothers Walt and Roy Disney, as equal partners. First Alice 's comedy, Alice 's Wonderland, was released 1926 `` Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio '' changes name to `` The Walt Disney Studio '' shortly after moving into the new studio on Hyperion Avenue in the Silver Lake district. 1927 Oswald the Lucky Rabbit debuts. 1928 Walt loses the Oswald 's series contract. Walt and Roy come up with Mickey and Minnie Mouse. Mickey Mouse debuts in Plane Crazy Steamboat Willie ( the first synchronized sound cartoon ) 1929 On December 16, `` The Walt Disney Studio '' is replaced by `` Walt Disney Productions, Ltd ''. Three other companies, `` Walt Disney Enterprises '', `` Disney Film Recording Company '', and `` Liled Realty and Investment Company '', are also formed. The Skeleton Dance ( the first Silly Symphonies cartoon ) 1930 Distribution moved to Columbia Pictures The Mickey Mouse comic strips by Floyd Gottfredson 1931 1932 Distribution moved from Columbia Pictures to United Artists Flowers and Trees ( the first Technicolor cartoon and first animated short to win the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film of 1932 ) Mickey 's Revue ( which features the premiere of Goofy, originally called `` Dippy Dawg '' ) 1933 Three Little Pigs ( winner of Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film of 1933 ) 1934 The Wise Little Hen ( which features the premiere of Donald Duck ) The Tortoise and the Hare ( Winner of Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film of 1934 ) 1936 Distribution moved from United Artists to RKO Radio Pictures. 1937 Walt Disney 's first feature film Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was released Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs 1938 On September 29, `` Walt Disney Enterprises '', `` Disney Film Recording Company '', and `` Liled Realty and Investment Company '' and `` Walt Disney Productions, Ltd. '' are merged to form `` Walt Disney Productions ''. 1940 Studio moves to Burbank, California Company goes public Pinocchio Fantasia 1941 A bitter animators ' strike occurs The studio begins making morale - boosting propaganda films for the United States during World War II Dumbo 1942 Bambi Donald Duck comics by Carl Barks 1943 Saludos Amigos 1944 The company is short on money ; a theatrical re-release of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs generates much - needed revenue and begins a reissue pattern for the animated feature films. 1945 The Three Caballeros ( The first live action / cartoons Disney film ) 1946 Make Mine Music Song of the South 1947 Fun and Fancy Free 1948 The True - Life Adventures nature film series begins ; it lasts until 1960. Melody Time Seal Island 1949 The studio begins production on its first all - live action feature, Treasure Island The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad licensed Ice Capades Disney segment 1950 Cinderella Treasure Island ( Disney 's first live - action film ) 1951 Alice in Wonderland 1952 Uncle Scrooge comics by Carl Barks 1953 `` WED Enterprises '' is formed to control the rights to `` Disney '' and hold the Disneyland design team. It will later own and operate several attractions inside Disneyland, including the Disneyland Monorail System and the Disneyland Railroad. Disney makes the Disneyland programming deal with American Broadcasting - Paramount Theatres to fund Disneyland. Other Disneyland investors were Walt Disney / WED and Western Publishing Peter Pan 1954 The studio ends its distribution deal with RKO Radio Pictures and founds Buena Vista Film Distribution Company, Inc. to distribute its feature films. 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea Disneyland anthology TV series on ABC ( First Disney TV program & Disneyland funding program ) 1955 Lady and the Tramp Disneyland opens in Anaheim, California. The Mickey Mouse Club ( ABC - TV ) Magic Kingdom ( ABC Radio ) 1957 Old Yeller Zorro ( ABC ) 1959 Sleeping Beauty The Shaggy Dog Darby O'Gill and the Little People 1960 Pollyanna Swiss Family Robinson 1961 The studio purchases the film and merchandise rights to A.A. Milne 's Winnie - the - Pooh books, which are a huge source of revenue ( as well as litigation issues ) to this day. One Hundred and One Dalmatians The Absent - Minded Professor The Parent Trap 1963 The Sword in the Stone Walt Disney 's Enchanted Tiki Room opens at Disneyland. This is the first attraction to feature audio - animatronics. 1964 Mary Poppins ( the first Disney film to receive a Best Picture Academy Award nomination ) 1965 Disney News begins publication 1966 September : Walt Disney is diagnosed with lung cancer ; died on December 15. Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree 1967 -- 1983 After Walt Disney 's death in 1966, the company began a slow decline with no clear direction, which culminated in an unsuccessful greenmail attempt to buy the company from current shareholders. Year Notable Business Events Notable Theatrical Releases Notable Theme Park / destination Openings Other Premieres 1967 Construction begins on Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando, Florida ; the underlying governmental structure, called the Reedy Creek Improvement District, is signed into law. The Jungle Book Pirates of the Caribbean opens at Disneyland 1968 Winnie the Pooh and the Blustery Day The Love Bug 1969 The Haunted Mansion opens at Disneyland 1970 The Aristocats The Mouse Factory 1971 Roy Oliver Disney dies ; Donn Tatum becomes chairman and Card Walker becomes president Eastern Airlines is branded as `` The Official Airline of Walt Disney World '' Bedknobs and Broomsticks The Walt Disney World Resort opens 1972 1973 Robin Hood Schoolhouse Rock Winnie the Pooh and Tigger Too Escape to Witch Mountain 1976 Freaky Friday 1977 Walt 's nephew Roy E. Disney, resigns from the company citing a decline in overall product quality and issues with manager. The Rescuers Pete 's Dragon The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh 1978 Return from Witch Mountain 1979 Don Bluth and 12 fellow animators leave Disney to found their own studio. The Black Hole ( the first PG - rated Disney film, reversing a G - only policy that began with the 1968 introduction of the MPAA ratings system ) 1980 1981 Plans for a cable network are announced. The first Walt Disney 's World on Ice show, produced by Feld Entertainment under license by Walt Disney Productions, tours the United States. The Fox and the Hound Dumbo is the first animated Disney home video release 1982 The Coca - Cola Company has an unsuccessful buyout attempt for Disney. Walt 's son - in - law Ron W. Miller succeeds Card Walker as CEO. Tron ( Would belatedly be hailed as a bold pioneering work with Computer Generated Imagery ) Experimental Prototype Community Of Tomorrow ( EPCOT ) Center opens at Walt Disney World Resort Disney Channel begins, while the anthology series ends. The live action studio is renamed `` Walt Disney Pictures ''. Winnie the Pooh and a Day for Eeyore Mickey 's Christmas Carol, accompanied by a reissue of The Rescuers. Tokyo Disneyland opens in Japan Good Morning, Mickey ! Welcome to Pooh Corner 1984 -- 2004 Michael Eisner is hired from Paramount to be the new CEO, along with Frank Wells as president. They bring leadership vision and place an emphasis on theme park expansion and improving the quality of film and television work. Year Notable Business Events Notable Theatrical Releases Notable Theme Park / destination Openings Other Premieres 1984 The Touchstone Films label is created to produce films aimed towards more mature audiences. The studio narrowly escapes a buyout attempt by Saul Steinberg. In its aftermath, Roy Edward Disney and his business partner, Stanley Gold, remove Ron W. Miller as CEO and president, replacing him with Michael Eisner and Frank Wells. The Walt Disney Classics video collection starts up. Splash ( first ever Touchstone film is released on the 9th of March 1984 ) Tiger Town Country 1985 In a reversal of a three - decade studio policy, the studio begins making cartoons for television beginning with Disney 's Adventures of the Gummi Bears and The Wuzzles. Touchstone Television ( producer of The Golden Girls, Home Improvement and Boy Meets World ) is founded The home video release of Pinocchio becomes a best - seller. Clarence Nash, the voice of Donald Duck for over 50 years, dies ; he is succeeded by Tony Anselmo. The animation studio is renamed `` Walt Disney Feature Animation ''. The Black Cauldron ( the first PG - rated Disney animated film ) Return to Oz Baby : Secret of the Lost Legend The Journey of Natty Gann My Science Project Mousercise Dumbo 's Circus Disney 's Adventures of the Gummi Bears The Wuzzles 1986 February 2 : The anthology series is revived on ABC. February 6 : The company 's name is changed from `` Walt Disney Productions '' to `` The Walt Disney Company ''. Bankruptcy of Eastern Airlines forces Walt Disney World to re-designate Delta Air Lines as its official airline. Eastern - sponsored `` If You Had Wings '' in the Magic Kingdom is later revamped and renamed `` Delta Dreamflight ''. Richard Rich leaves Disney to start his own studio. The distribution company 's name is changed from `` Buena Vista Distribution Company '' to `` Buena Vista Pictures Distribution ''. Disney teamed up with Studio Ghibli to distribute anime films internationally. Down and Out in Beverly Hills ( The company 's first R - rated film, released under Touchstone Pictures ) The Great Mouse Detective The Color of Money Ruthless People First Disney Store opens in Glendale, California. The company and the French government sign an agreement for the creation of the first Disney Resort in Europe : the Euro Disney project starts. The company opens up a Hall of Fame called Disney Legends with Fred MacMurray as the first induction. Touchstone Films is renamed `` Touchstone Pictures ''. Ernest Goes to Camp Good Morning, Vietnam Three Men and a Baby DuckTales Uncle Scrooge and Donald Duck comics by Don Rosa `` Walt Disney Computer Software '' founded as a video game division of The Walt Disney Company. Who Framed Roger Rabbit Oliver & Company Beaches Shoot to Kill Cocktail The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh Mickey 's 60th Birthday Disney and Jim Henson discuss the possible acquisition of Jim Henson Productions, including The Muppets. The Little Mermaid Honey, I Shrunk the Kids Dead Poets Society Disorganized Crime Turner & Hooch Disney - MGM Studios opens at Walt Disney World. Chip ' n Dale Rescue Rangers Jim Henson 's death extinguishes the deal to buy his holdings. The anthology series is canceled for the second time. The Disney Afternoon television syndication block debuts. `` Hollywood Pictures '' is created to produce films aimed towards more mature adult audiences. Disney Adventures magazine begins publication. The Rescuers Down Under Green Card Pretty Woman Dick Tracy Arachnophobia The first film by Hollywood Pictures DuckTales the Movie : Treasure of the Lost Lamp, first full - length film produced by the Walt Disney Television Animation studio. TaleSpin The Muppets at Walt Disney World 1991 December 20 : The first Disney Vacation Club Resorts opened at Walt Disney World. Beauty and the Beast, ( the first animated film to ever be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Picture ) The Rocketeer Wild Hearts Ca n't Be Broken Father of the Bride White Fang Darkwing Duck Dinosaurs The company is granted permission for a National Hockey League expansion franchise. The team is named the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim to coincide with the release of The Mighty Ducks. Disney Family Fun Magazine Begins Publication. The Mighty Ducks Aladdin Sister Act Newsies The Hand that Rocks the Cradle Euro Disney Resort opens outside Paris. Goof Troop Adventures in Wonderland ( quality of the theatrical releases ) The Little Mermaid ( TV series ) Raw Toonage Disney acquires independent film distributor Miramax Films. Winnie - the - Pooh merchandise outsells Mickey Mouse merchandise for the first time. The Anaheim Mighty Ducks play their first game at the Anaheim Arena, a brand - new arena located just three miles ( 5 km ) east of Disneyland. Homeward Bound : The Incredible Journey Cool Runnings Hocus Pocus The Nightmare Before Christmas What 's Love Got to Do with It A Far Off Place Bonkers Marsupilami Boy Meets World Bill Nye the Science Guy Frank Wells is killed in a helicopter crash. Beauty and the Beast opens on Broadway. Jeffrey Katzenberg resigns to co-found his own studio, DreamWorks SKG. Plans for Disney 's America, a historical theme park in Haymarket, Virginia, are abruptly dropped. Euro Disneyland is renamed Disneyland Paris. The Classics video line is unofficially cancelled and replaced with the Masterpiece Collection. Disney News changes its name to Disney Magazine. The Lion King The Santa Clause The Jungle Book ( 1994 ) Angels in the Outfield Blank Check Quiz Show Ed Wood Aladdin ( TV series ) Gargoyles 1995 In October, the company hires Hollywood super agent Michael Ovitz to be president. On October 1, Disney Channel ( UK and Ireland ) launches at 6 : 30pm DIC Entertainment became part of The Walt Disney Company after the acquirement of Capital Cities / ABC. Pocahontas Crimson Tide Man of the House A Goofy Movie Toy Story Runaway Brain The Shnookums and Meat Funny Cartoon Show Timon & Pumbaa The company takes on the name of `` Disney Enterprises, Inc. '' and acquires the Capital Cities / ABC group renaming it ABC, Inc., both as subsidiaries under a new parent company named `` The Walt Disney Company '' Disney acquires Jumbo Pictures, producer of the Nickelodeon animated series Doug. To celebrate the pairing, ABC 's first Super Soap Weekend is held at Walt Disney World. Disney makes deal with Tokuma Shoten for dubbing and releasing of Studio Ghibli films in the U.S. In December, Michael Ovitz, president of the company, leaves `` by mutual consent ''. The Hunchback of Notre Dame The Rock James and the Giant Peach Ransom 101 Dalmatians ( 1996 ) Quack Pack Mighty Ducks ( TV series ) Doug Flash Forward Jungle Cubs September 28 : The anthology series is revived for a third time. The home video division releases its first DVDs. Disney takes control of the Major League Baseball franchise the California Angels of the American League, renaming the team the Anaheim Angels in order to coincide with Disney 's hockey team the Mighty Ducks and to draw more tourism to Anaheim and nearby Disneyland. The Lion King ( musical ) opens on Broadway. Hercules Flubber Air Bud Con Air George of the Jungle Recess 101 Dalmatians : The Series Pepper Ann Bear in the Big Blue House 1998 Disney and the Hong Kong Government announced a new resort in Hong Kong. Disney Cruise Line sets sail with its first ship. Toon Disney begins. Mulan Armageddon A Bug 's Life Mighty Joe Young The Parent Trap Disney 's Animal Kingdom opens. Disney Magic launched. PB&J Otter Hercules ( 1998 TV series ) The Famous Jett Jackson Out of the Box Rolie Polie Olie 1999 Tarzan Inspector Gadget Toy Story 2 Fantasia 2000 The Sixth Sense The Insider Disney Cruise Line ship Disney Wonder sets sail. The Weekenders Mickey Mouse Works 2000 Robert Iger becomes president. Disney - owned TV channels including, owned - and - operated ABC stations, are pulled from Time Warner Cable briefly during a dispute over carriage fees. Disney begins its Gold Classic Collection DVD line. Disney shuts down Jumbo Pictures, forcing Jim Jinkins and David Campbell to found Cartoon Pizza in 2001. Disney sold DiC Entertainment to Andy Heyward, the then - CEO of DiC Entertainment. Dinosaur Remember the Titans The Emperor 's New Groove 102 Dalmatians Unbreakable Even Stevens Teacher 's Pet Buzz Lightyear of Star Command Disney buys Fox Family Network including Saban Entertainment, owner of entertainment juggernaut Power Rangers, for $3 billion in July, giving Disney programming and cable network reaching 81 million homes. Disney changes Fox Family Network to ABC Family. Fort Worth billionaire Sid Bass is forced to sell his Disney holdings due to a margin call caused partially by the stock market fall that followed the 9 / 11 attacks. Disney begins its Platinum Edition DVD line with Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, as well as the Walt Disney Treasures DVD box set line for the collector 's market. Atlantis : The Lost Empire Monsters, Inc. Pearl Harbor The Princess Diaries Disney California Adventure Park opens on February 8. Tokyo DisneySea opens on September 4. Lizzie McGuire House of Mouse The Book of Pooh Lloyd in Space The Legend of Tarzan The Proud Family Stanley 2002 Miramax acquires the USA rights to the Pokémon movies starting with the fourth movie. Miramax also acquire the distribution rights of the first three Bionicle movies. Disney teams up with famous video game company Square ( later known as Square Enix ) to release their first ever role - playing game with various Disney characters, Kingdom Hearts. Disney releases Spirited Away in the United States, which goes on to be the first anime film to win an Oscar for Best Animated Film. Disney begins joint venture business with Sanrio for Sanrio 's greeting cards. Lilo & Stitch Snow Dogs The Santa Clause 2 Tuck Everlasting Reign of Fire Signs Treasure Planet Walt Disney Studios Park opens. Teamo Supremo Kingdom Hearts Kim Possible Fillmore ! 2003 Roy E. Disney resigns as the chairman of Feature Animation and from the board of directors, citing similar reasons to those that drove him off 26 years earlier. Fellow director Stanley Gold resigns with him. They establish a group called `` Save Disney '' to apply public pressure to oust Michael Eisner. Talks to extend distribution agreement with Pixar break down, and Pixar announces plans to seek a new distribution partner. Disney sells the Angels to billboard magnate Arturo Moreno. Disney released their first ( non-Touchstone / non-Miramax / non-Dimension / non-Hollywood ) PG - 13 rated film under the regular Walt Disney Pictures label was Pirates of the Caribbean : The Curse of the Black Pearl. Release of Toontown Online Finding Nemo Pirates of the Caribbean : The Curse of the Black Pearl Brother Bear Holes Freaky Friday That 's So Raven The Even Stevens Movie The Cheetah Girls Lilo & Stitch : The Series JoJo 's Circus Inspector Gadget 2 Bionicle : Mask of Light Power Rangers Ninja Storm Digimon Frontier Comcast makes an unsuccessful and hostile $54.1 - billion bid in stock for the company, plus the assumption of $11.9 billion in Disney debt, $66 billion in total. Eisner is replaced by George J. Mitchell as chairman of the board after a 43 % vote of no confidence. Disney turns down distributing controversial documentary film Fahrenheit 9 / 11. On February 17, Disney buys The Muppets, excluding the Sesame Street and Fraggle Rock characters, from The Jim Henson Company for $75 million. Disney renames oveerseas Fox Kids channel / blocks to Jetix, with it appearing as a children 's block on ABC Family and Toon Disney. Disney Store chain sold and licensed to The Children 's Place. Home on the Range Hidalgo King Arthur The Incredibles The Princess Diaries 2 : Royal Engagement National Treasure Dave the Barbarian Phil of the Future Brandy & Mr. Whiskers Higglytown Heroes Kingdom Hearts : Chain of Memories Power Rangers Dino Thunder 2005 -- present After becoming CEO, Robert Iger begins to rebuild the Disney brand by redirecting focus on core assets, such as feature animation and the theme parks. One early accomplishment was repairing the Disney - Pixar relationship, resulting in Disney 's purchase of Pixar for $7 billion. Year Notable Business Events Notable Theatrical Releases Notable Theme Park / destination Openings Other Premieres 2005 Disney signs the Cheetah Girls on as a recording act. Disney sells the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim to Henry Samueli of Broadcom, who changes the team name to Anaheim Ducks. On July 8, Roy E. Disney rejoins the company as a consultant with the title of Director Emeritus. Disneyland celebrates its 50th anniversary on July 17. Bob Iger replaces Eisner as CEO. Disney Magazine ceases publication. The Pacifier Chicken Little Sky High Herbie : Fully Loaded The Chronicles of Narnia : The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe Hong Kong Disneyland opens. Power Rangers S.P.D. American Dragon : Jake Long The Suite Life of Zack & Cody Club Penguin The Buzz on Maggie Life Is Ruff Kingdom Hearts II Pokémon : Destiny Deoxys Bionicle 3 : Web of Shadows Charlie and Lola Little Einsteins The Muppets ' Wizard of Oz 2006 Disney 's most successful tour The Party 's Just Begun tour by The Cheetah Girls brings in USD $43 million. The tour was amongst the top 10 tours of 2006 coming in at number 3. Disney acquires Pixar Animation Studios. Disney Cinemagic launched on 16 March 2006 in United Kingdom. Disney re-acquires the rights to Oswald the Lucky Rabbit from NBCUniversal, in exchange for ABC letting commentator Al Michaels work on NBC Sunday Night Football. Disney introduced its current logo in Pirates of the Caribbean : Dead Man 's Chest. The Wild Cars Pirates of the Caribbean : Dead Man 's Chest The Santa Clause 3 : The Escape Clause High School Musical The Emperor 's New School Yin Yang Yo ! Power Rangers Mystic Force Hannah Montana Mickey Mouse Clubhouse The Cheetah Girls 2 The Replacements Handy Manny Wondertime magazine 2007 Acquires New Horizon Interactive along with Club Penguin. ABC Radio Networks along with 22 non-Radio Disney and ESPN Radio affiliates are sold to Citadel Broadcasting. Disney Adventures magazine ceases publication. The company 's flagship animation studio is renamed from Walt Disney Feature Animation to `` Walt Disney Animation Studios ''. The company begins to drop the Buena Vista brand from its division ( e.g. Buena Vista Pictures Distribution is renamed `` Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures '' ). Meet the Robinsons Pirates of the Caribbean : At World 's End Ratatouille The Game Plan Enchanted National Treasure : Book of Secrets Cory in the House Power Rangers Operation Overdrive Bunnytown My Friends Tigger & Pooh Kingdom Hearts : Re : Chain of Memories Phineas and Ferb High School Musical 2 Wizards of Waverly Place Digimon Data Squad 2008 The anthology series is canceled for the third time. Disney Store chain is reacquired from The Children 's Place. The subscription Disney Family Movies service launches, which uniquely returns uncut classic Disney films and shorts to television viewers among other offerings. Control of The Muppets franchise is transferred from Disney Consumer Products to the Walt Disney Studios. December 23 -- Disney declines the option on the next film in The Chronicles of Narnia series with Walden Media. The Chronicles of Narnia : Prince Caspian WALL - E Beverly Hills Chihuahua High School Musical 3 : Senior Year Bolt Bedtime Stories Camp Rock Power Rangers Jungle Fury The Cheetah Girls : One World Kingdom Hearts Coded Studio DC : Almost Live The Suite Life on Deck Imagination Movers Cars Toons : Mater 's Tall Tales The Little Mermaid opens on Broadway. 2009 Wayne Allwine, who had voiced Mickey Mouse starting with Mickey 's Christmas Carol, dies ; he is succeeded by Bret Iwan. Disney XD and DisneyXD.com are launched, replacing Toon Disney and Jetix. Disney announces the formation of D23, an official fan community. Walt Disney Studios enters a distribution deal with DreamWorks Pictures, wherein upon DreamWorks ' films will be distributed through Touchstone Pictures. Wondertime magazine ceases publication. December 16 -- Director Emeritus Roy E. Disney dies of stomach cancer. December 31 -- Disney acquires Marvel Entertainment and its properties. Race to Witch Mountain Hannah Montana : The Movie Up Disney 's A Christmas Carol The Princess and the Frog Wizards of Waverly Place : The Movie Kid vs. Kat Zeke and Luther I 'm in the Band Jimmy Two - Shoes Have a Laugh ! Kingdom Hearts 358 / 2 Days Princess Protection Program Power Rangers RPM Sonny with a Chance Jonas L.A. Special Agent Oso Jungle Junction Disney twenty - three magazine begins publication. March 12, 2010 -- Disney annonuces the closure of ImageMovers Digital for January 2011. Disney sells the Power Rangers franchise to Saban Brands for USD $100 million. Disney lost the rights of Digimon in May 2010. Disney sells Miramax Films to Filmyard Holdings for $660 million. Disney Channel ends one of its most successful television series, Hannah Montana. Alice in Wonderland Prince of Persia : The Sands of Time Toy Story 3 The Sorcerer 's Apprentice Tangled Tron : Legacy Good Luck Charlie Kick Buttowski : Suburban Daredevil The Avengers : Earth 's Mightiest Heroes Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep Pair of Kings Camp Rock 2 : The Final Jam Shake It Up Take Two with Phineas and Ferb Kingdom Hearts Re : coded Epic Mickey Fish Hooks The Octonauts 2011 Disney Wonder repositioned to the West Coast. Disney licenses global theme park rights to the Avatar franchise from James Cameron and Lightstorm Entertainment, and announces the first Avatar - themed project at Animal Kingdom in Walt Disney World. Playhouse Disney on Disney Channel rebrands as Disney Junior. Pirates of the Caribbean : On Stranger Tides Cars 2 Winnie the Pooh The Help Real Steel The Muppets War Horse The Disney Dream ship sets sail. Jake and the Never Land Pirates The Suite Life Movie Lemonade Mouth Phineas and Ferb the Movie : Across the 2nd Dimension Good Luck Charlie, It 's Christmas Minnie 's Bow - Toons Sharpay 's Fabulous Adventure Once Upon a Time Disney Universe Geek Charming Lego Pirates of the Caribbean : The Video Game Jessie So Random ! Kinect Disneyland Adventures Kickin ' It Fort Boyard : Ultimate Challenge A.N.T. Farm Austin & Ally 2012 March 23 : The anthology series is revived for a fourth time. Disney Channel ends Wizards of Waverly Place, now beating That 's So Raven as the longest running Disney Channel Original Series to date. Disney Junior launches its own spin - off channel, replacing SoapNet on some providers, but not on all providers. Rich Ross resigns as Chairman of The Walt Disney Studios, and is replaced by Alan F. Horn. Disney acquires Lucasfilm from George Lucas, including its Star Wars and Indiana Jones properties for approximately $4.06 billion. John Carter Marvel 's The Avengers Brave Frankenweenie Wreck - It Ralph Lincoln Disney California Adventure is re-dedicated. The Disney Fantasy ship sets sail Frenemies Radio Rebel Let It Shine Lab Rats Kingdom Hearts 3D : Dream Drop Distance Epic Mickey 2 : The Power of Two Gravity Falls Code : 9 Dog With a Blog Tron : Uprising Crash & Bernstein Randy Cunningham : 9th Grade Ninja Epic Mickey : Power of Illusion Doc McStuffins Sofia the First Ultimate Spider - Man ( TV series ) 2013 Disney Cinemagic replaced with Sky Movies Disney at 18 : 00 on 28 March 2013 in United Kingdom. Disney Interactive Studios shuts down development studio Junction Point Studios following the disappointing sales of Epic Mickey 2 : The Power of Two. Lucasfilm closes its video game division LucasArts. Frozen became the highest grossing animated feature, passing both The Lion King and Toy Story 3 Oz the Great and Powerful Iron Man 3 Monsters University Thor : The Dark World Frozen Saving Mr. Banks Mystic Point opened at Hong Kong Disneyland Disney Infinity Liv and Maddie Teen Beach Movie DuckTales : Remastered Mickey Mouse ( 2013 TV series ) Henry Hugglemonster Wander Over Yonder Avengers Assemble Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H. Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 Remix The Wizards Return : Alex vs. Alex Mighty Med 2014 Frozen wins the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature at the 86th Academy Awards, becoming the first win in the category for Walt Disney Animation Studios. Big Hero 6 is the first Disney animated feature to use the in - credit text that it was created and produced at Walt Disney Animation Studios. Disney acquired Maker Studios for $500 million. Muppets Most Wanted Captain America : The Winter Soldier Maleficent Guardians of the Galaxy Big Hero 6 Into the Woods The 7D Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 Remix Fantasia : Music Evolved I Did n't Do It Kirby Buckets Star Wars Rebels Win, Lose or Draw Girl Meets World Sheriff Callie 's Wild West Disney Magical World Disney Infinity : Marvel Super Heroes 2015 Big Hero 6 wins the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature at the 87th Academy Awards. Disney combines its Consumer Products and Interactive Media divisions into one unified segment, Disney Consumer Products and Interactive Media. Marvel Studios is reorganized under the Walt Disney Studios. Cinderella Tomorrowland Avengers : Age of Ultron Inside Out The Good Dinosaur Ant - Man Bridge of Spies Star Wars : The Force Awakens Penn Zero : Part - Time Hero Star vs. the Forces of Evil K.C. Undercover Miles From Tomorrowland Best Friends Whenever Gamer 's Guide to Pretty Much Everything BUNK 'D Descendants We Love Disney Disney Infinity 3.0 Pickle and Peanut Guardians of the Galaxy The Muppets Gravity Falls : Legend of the Gnome Gemulets The Lion Guard Star Wars : Battlefront 2016 January 12 : ABC Family changes its name to Freeform. April 14 : Construction on a 14 - acre Star Wars - themed land begins at Disneyland and Disney 's Hollywood Studios. DreamWorks ends its film distribution deal with Disney. May 10 : Disney Interactive Studios exited from publishing its own games in order to focus on third - party development of video game adaptations of its franchises by other developers. Zootopia The Jungle Book Captain America : Civil War Finding Dory Doctor Strange Moana The BFG Rogue One : A Star Wars Story Shanghai Disneyland opens on June 16 Stuck in the Middle Elena of Avalor Adventures in Babysitting Lab Rats : Elite Force Disney Art Academy Kingdom Hearts χ Disney Magical World 2 Backstage ( 2016 TV series ) Bizaardvark Walk the Prank Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue Lego Star Wars : The Force Awakens Lego Star Wars : The Freemaker Adventures Future - Worm ! Milo Murphy 's Law Mech - X4 2017 Zootopia wins the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature at the 89th Academy Awards. Disney ends its deal with Netflix beginning in 2019. Disney announces that it had exercised an option to increase its stake in BAMTech to 75 %, and would launch a subscription video - on - demand service featuring its entertainment content in 2019, which will replace Netflix as the subscription VOD rightsholder of all Disney theatrical film releases. Disney announces its acquisition of key assets and businesses of 21st Century Fox from Rupert Murdoch. Beauty and the Beast Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 Cars 3 Pirates of the Caribbean : Dead Men Tell No Tales Thor : Ragnarok Coco Star Wars : The Last Jedi Pandora -- The World of Avatar opens at Disney 's Animal Kingdom DuckTales Mickey and the Roadster Racers Big Hero 6 : The Series Tangled : The Series Puppy Dog Pals Andi Mack Cars 3 : Driven to Win Billy Dilley 's Super-Duper Subterranean Summer The Disney Afternoon Collection Raven 's Home Star Wars Battlefront II 2018 A Wrinkle in Time Black Panther Avengers : Infinity War Incredibles 2 Christopher Robin Ralph Breaks the Internet : Wreck - It Ralph 2 Mary Poppins Returns Toy Story Land will open at Disney 's Hollywood Studios Big City Greens Muppet Babies Fancy Nancy Kingdom Hearts III Lego The Incredibles Zombies Footnotes Notable Theatrical Releases are films that were the first to use a particular technology ( sound, color, etc. ), received major award nominations ( Academy Award, Golden Globe, etc. ), or are otherwise historically significant to The Walt Disney Company. Not all films released by Disney appear in this list ; please see Lists of films released by Disney for a complete company listing. Theme Park / destination Openings indicate when Disney theme parks open. The opening of attractions and park name changes will not appear in this list. Other Premieres are the premiere dates for other notable Disney products, such as TV franchises ( The Cheetah Girls, Hannah Montana, The Jonas Brothers ), consumer products, video games ( Kingdom Hearts ), or home media premieres that were the first to use a particular technology. Other notability requirements include major award nominations ( Emmy Award, Grammy Award ), or are otherwise historically significant to The Walt Disney Company. Not all Disney products, TV programs, video games, or home media releases appear in this list. References Jump up ^ `` Company History ''. Corporate Information. The Walt Disney Company. Retrieved 2008 - 08 - 30. Jump up ^ Korkis, Jim ( September 13, 2005 ). `` Wednesdays with Wade : 25 years of `` Disney on Ice '' ``. JimHillMedia. Retrieved July 30, 2015. Jump up ^ Aberdeen, J.A. ( 2000 ). `` Disneyland ''. Hollywood Renegades. Cobblestone Entertainment. ISBN 1 - 890110 - 24 - 8. Retrieved May 5, 2015. Jump up ^ `` Disneyland Tabs $2.29 Per Capita ; See Small Net First Yr ''. Billboard. January 28, 1956. p. 69. Retrieved May 6, 2015. Jump up ^ `` Annual Report 1955 '' ( PDF ). University of Penn. American Broadcasting - Paramount Theatres, Inc. pp. 21, 27. Retrieved April 8, 2015. ^ Jump up to : Leonard, Devin ; Burke, Doris ( January 20, 2003 ). `` The Curse of Pooh ''. Fortune. Time, Inc. Retrieved July 11, 2016. Jump up ^ `` Pixar dumps Disney ''. CNN. 2004 - 01 - 30. Retrieved 2008 - 08 - 30. Jump up ^ New service is the first of its kind in family entertainment Retrieved December 19, 2008 Jump up ^ `` Now available On Demand : Disney Family Movies ''. Cox San Diego. Archived from the original on July 25, 2011. Retrieved 21 June 2012. Jump up ^ Barnes, Brooks ( 18 September 2008 ). `` Fuzzy Renaissance ''. The New York Times. Retrieved 29 December 2012. Jump up ^ `` Disney jumps ship on next ' Narnia ' ''. Holywood Reporter. Archived from the original on December 25, 2008. Retrieved 21 June 2012. Jump up ^ Disney launches Disney XD network, Web site Jump up ^ Marvel Shareholders OK Disney Acquisition, Marketwatch, December 31, 2009 Jump up ^ `` Disney Completes Marvel Acquisition ''. Marvel. Retrieved 21 June 2012. Jump up ^ New York Times March 15, 2010 Jump up ^ IGN July 30, 2010 Jump up ^ The Deadline Team ( December 21, 2012 ). `` Disney Completes Acquisition Of Lucasfilm ''. Deadline.com. Archived from the original on September 14, 2013. Retrieved September 14, 2013. The Walt Disney Company Company timeline Retlaw Enterprises Criticism Company officials Founders Walter Elias Disney Roy Oliver Disney Executives Bob Iger ( CEO ) Alan N. Braverman ( SEVP / GC ) Christine McCarthy ( CFO ) Board of directors Susan E. Arnold ( Independent Lead ) Mary T. Barra Safra Catz John S. Chen Francis A. deSouza Bob Iger ( Chairman ) Maria Elena Lagomasino Fred H. Langhammer Aylwin B. Lewis Mark G. Parker Walt Disney Studios Walt Disney Animation Studios Walt Disney Pictures Distribution Touchstone Pictures Disney Music Group Disney Theatrical Group Disneynature Lucasfilm Marvel Studios Pixar Media Networks Disney -- ABC TV Group ABC Entertainment Group ABC TV Stations Disney Channels US ESPN ( 80 % ) A&E Networks ( 50 % ) Parks, Experiences and Consumer Products Parks and Resorts Adventures by Disney Disney Cruise Line Walt Disney Imagineering Disneyland Resort Disney Vacation Club Disneyland Paris Walt Disney World Resort Hong Kong Disneyland Resort Shanghai Disney Resort Consumer Products and Interactive Media Licensing Disney Store Disney Publishing Worldwide Disney English Disney Online Games and Interactive Experiences Disney Mobile The Muppets Studio Direct - to - Consumer and International BAMTech ( 75 % ) Disney Digital Network Disney -- ABC Domestic Television Disney Channels Worldwide Disney Media Distribution ESPN+ Hulu ( 30 % ) Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment Movies Anywhere Streaming service International Argentina CIS France India UTV Software Communications Italy Latin America Germany Super RTL RTL II Other assets Buena Vista Marvel Entertainment Reedy Creek Energy See also : Acquisition of 21st Century Fox ( pending ) Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_The_Walt_Disney_Company&oldid=833518741 '' Categories : The Walt Disney Company Business timelines Hidden categories : Articles needing additional references from June 2016 All articles needing additional references Wikipedia articles needing style editing from June 2016 All articles needing style editing Articles with multiple maintenance issues Talk Contents About Wikipedia Add links This page was last edited on 1 April 2018, at 02 : 16. 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Question: when did the first disney movie come out
Answer: 1937