Overview
A mesmerizing journey through animated artistry set to classical music, enchanting audiences of all ages.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Mild
- whimsical
- comic
- majestic
- family movie night
- classical music listening
What critics said
Critics broadly regard Fantasia as an ambitious landmark that expands animation into an immersive fusion of classical music, color, movement, and imaginative cinema.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The film presents multiple self-contained segments built around pieces including The Sorcerer's Apprentice, The Rite of Spring, Dance of the Hours, and Night on Bald Mountain.
Each sequence turns Western classical compositions into animated narratives or visual forms, making sound the primary storytelling engine.
Leopold Stokowski, the Philadelphia Orchestra, and narrator Deems Taylor are shown in interludes that frame the animated performances.
Mickey Mouse's apprentice in The Sorcerer's Apprentice uses enchanted tools beyond his competence and creates comic disorder.
Films like Fantasia, and why
The Yellow Submarine
Shared use of animation, music visualization, fantasy imagery, and anthology structure to create a whimsical audiovisual experience.
Allegro Non Troppo
Shared blend of musical performance and imaginative animated sequences, with a strong emphasis on visual interpretation rather than conventional plot.
The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad
Shared family-friendly animated anthology format, playful animal characters, and inventive fantasy worlds.
Movie Details
- Directors
- Bill Roberts, Paul Satterfield, Wilfred Jackson, Ben Sharpsteen, James Algar, T. Hee, Hamilton Luske, Samuel Armstrong, Jim Handley, Norman Ferguson, David Hand, Ford Beebe Jr.
- Release Date
- 1940-11-13
- Runtime
- 124 min
- Rating
- 7.3 / 10 (3407)
Cast
- Deems Taylor
- Walt Disney
- Julietta Novis
- Leopold Stokowski
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Disney Plus
- Rent
- Apple TV Store
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Fantasia about?
- An audacious animated concert transforms classical compositions into whimsical, comic, cosmic, and mythic moving images.
- What is Fantasia like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Fantasia as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Fantasia violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Fantasia as mild.
- What did critics think of Fantasia?
- Critics broadly regard Fantasia as an ambitious landmark that expands animation into an immersive fusion of classical music, color, movement, and imaginative cinema.
- Which films are like Fantasia?
- Films with a similar feel include The Yellow Submarine, Allegro Non Troppo, and The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad.
- How long is Fantasia?
- Fantasia runs 124 minutes.
- Where can I watch Fantasia?
- In United States, Fantasia streams on Disney Plus.
