Ranker FilmList RulesVote up your favorite animated films that were released in the 1940s
What’s up, doc? The Golden Age of Animation from the mid-1920s to the mid-1960s gave us some of the most iconic cartoon characters in film history. This list of the greatest ‘40s cartoon movies contains classic figures like Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, and the ubiquitous Bugs Bunny. Many of these characters were voiced by acting legend Mel Blanc, who brought a unique, radio-trained sensibility to Warner Bros.
Also on this list, you'll find some of the first instances of an animated Superman. The Superman short films of the ‘40s propelled the Man of Steel to new cultural heights. Famous directors like Tex Avery, and Looney Tunes creator, Chuck Jones, have numerous entries on this list. Other top ‘40s cartoon movies include Fantasia, featuring Mickey Mouse in one of his last major appearances until the mid-’50s. Other classic tales like Bambi, Dumbo, and Pinocchio are also featured.
Vote up the best '40s cartoon movies, and let us know which ones are your favorites in the comment section!
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7613Pinocchio
Mel Blanc, Cliff EdwardsReleased: 1940
Directed by: Wilfred Jackson, T. Hee, Bill Roberts, Hamilton Luske, Ben Sharpsteen
Pinocchio is a 1940 American animated musical fantasy film produced by Walt Disney Productions... more on Wikipedia
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6917Bambi
Sterling Holloway, Sam EdwardsReleased: 1942
Directed by: James Algar, Samuel Armstrong, Paul Satterfield, Bill Roberts, Norman Wright
Bambi is a 1942 American animated drama film directed by David Hand, produced by Walt Disney... more on Wikipedia3
6721Fantasia
Walt Disney, Corey BurtonReleased: 1940
Directed by: Wilfred Jackson, James Algar, Samuel Armstrong, T. Hee, Ford Beebe
Fantasia is a 1940 American animated film produced by Walt Disney and released by Walt Disney... more on WikipediaIs this the best Mickey Mouse movie ever?
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5919Baseball Bugs
Mel Blanc, Bea BenaderetReleased: 1946
Directed by: Friz Freleng
Baseball Bugs is a Warner Bros. Looney Tunes theatrical cartoon short released on February 2,... more on Wikipedia
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5216Bugs Bunny and the Three Bears
Mel Blanc, Stan FrebergReleased: 1944
Directed by: Chuck Jones
Bugs Bunny and the Three Bears is a Warner Brothers Merrie Melodies theatrical cartoon short... more on Wikipedia6
5116Rhapsody Rabbit
Mel BlancReleased: 1946
Directed by: Friz Freleng
Rhapsody Rabbit is a 1946 Merrie Melodies animated short subject, featuring Bugs Bunny and... more on Wikipedia7
In this episode, Tom plays as a concert pianist who plays beautifully, but keeps getting... more on Wikipedia51188
4615Der Fuehrer's Face
Clarence NashReleased: 1943
Directed by: Jack Kinney
Der Fuehrer's Face is a 1943 American animated propaganda short film produced by Walt Disney... more on Wikipedia9
4615Donald's Snow Fight
Clarence NashReleased: 1942
Directed by: Jack King
Donald's Snow Fight is an animated short film featuring classic cartoon character Donald Duck... more on Wikipedia10
5019The Three Caballeros
Sterling Holloway, Pinto ColvigReleased: 1944
Directed by: Harold Young, Norm Ferguson
The Three Caballeros is a 1944 American animated musical film produced by Walt Disney... more on Wikipedia11
5123The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad
Bing Crosby, Basil RathboneReleased: 1949
Directed by: James Algar, Clyde Geronimi, Jack Kinney
The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad is a 1949 animated package film produced by Walt Disney... more on Wikipedia12
4923Fun and Fancy Free
Walt Disney, Dinah ShoreReleased: 1947
Directed by: Bill Roberts, Hamilton Luske, William Morgan, Jack Kinney
Fun and Fancy Free is a 1947 animated feature produced by Walt Disney and released by RKO... more on Wikipedia13
4722Saludos Amigos
Walt Disney, Milton BerleReleased: 1942
Directed by: Wilfred Jackson, Bill Roberts, Hamilton Luske, Norm Ferguson, Jack Kinney
Saludos Amigos is a 1942 animated feature package film produced by Walt Disney and released by... more on Wikipedia14
3819A Wild Hare
Mel Blanc, Arthur Q. BryanReleased: 1940
Directed by: Tex Avery
A Wild Hare is a 1940 Warner Bros. Merrie Melodies animated short film. It was produced by... more on Wikipedia15
3214Daffy Duck Hunt
Mel BlancReleased: 1949
Directed by: Robert McKimson
Daffy Duck Hunt is a 1949 animated Warner Bros. Looney Tunes cartoon, directed by Robert... more on Wikipedia16
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2912The Screwball
Mel Blanc, Harold PearyReleased: 1943
Directed by: Alex Lovy
The Screwball is the seventh animated cartoon short subject in the Woody Woodpecker series.... more on Wikipedia18
6149Dumbo
Sterling Holloway, Cliff EdwardsReleased: 1941
Directed by: Wilfred Jackson, Samuel Armstrong, Bill Roberts, Ben Sharpsteen, Norm Ferguson
Dumbo is an American animated film produced by Walt Disney Productions and premiered on... more on Wikipedia19
3217The Great Piggy Bank Robbery
Mel BlancReleased: 1946
Directed by: Bob Clampett
The Great Piggy Bank Robbery is a Warner Brothers Looney Tunes theatrical cartoon short,... more on Wikipedia20
2915Bugs Bunny Gets the Boid
Mel Blanc, Sara BernerReleased: 1942
Directed by: Bob Clampett
Bugs Bunny Gets The Boid is a 1942 Merrie Melodies cartoon, directed by Bob Clampett, produced... more on Wikipedia21
3118Hair-Raising Hare
Mel BlancReleased: 1946
Directed by: Chuck Jones
Hair-Raising Hare is a Warner Bros. Merrie Melodies cartoon, released in 1946. It was directed... more on Wikipedia22
2716The Heckling Hare
Mel Blanc, Tex AveryReleased: 1941
Directed by: Tex Avery
The Heckling Hare is a Merrie Melodies cartoon, released on July 5, 1941 and featuring Bugs... more on Wikipedia23
4437Wabbit Twouble
Mel Blanc, Arthur Q. BryanReleased: 1941
Directed by: Bob Clampett
Wabbit Twouble, as referred to Elmer Fudd's speech impediment, is a Merrie Melodies cartoon... more on Wikipedia24
3935Yankee Doodle Daffy
Mel Blanc, Billy BletcherReleased: 1943
Directed by: Friz Freleng
Daffy Duck, agent to the stars, complete with business card that flashes like a theater... more on Wikipedia25
2518Fast and Furry-ous
Paul JulianReleased: 1948
Directed by: Chuck Jones
Fast and Furry-ous is a Warner Bros. Looney Tunes cartoon, released on September 17, 1949,... more on Wikipedia
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