The 1980s was a largely fallow period for Disney animation, but the studio closed out the decade in high style with "The Little Mermaid." It boasted an irresistible recipe which mixed a classic fairy tale (altered to include a more family-friendly ending), the studio's leading animation techniques, and Broadway-style show tunes, courtesy of Howard Ashman and Alan Menken. Although the formula eventually wore thin ("Hunchback of Notre Dame," "Pocahontas"), "The Little Mermaid" reinvigorated both theatrical animation and the movie musical and still stands as one of the studio's best films. Things really are better under the sea.

- Dave Lewis