Here we have a list of films by Disney across its various production units over the years that have combined live action footage with 2D animation. All movies listed here qualified through having some degree of interaction between the live actors and their animated counterparts.
- Song of the South (1946) – produced by Walt Disney Productions and distributed by RKO Radio Pictures. Popularized song “Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah”; never released on home format.
- So Dear to My Heart (1949) – produced by Walt Disney Productions and distributed by RKO Radio Pictures
- Mary Poppins (1964) – produced by Walt Disney Productions and distributed by Buena Vista Distribution. Starred Julie Andrews and Dick van Dyke; popularized “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious”, “Chim-Chim-Cher-ee” and “Let’s Go Fly a Kite”.
- Bedknobs and Broomsticks (1971) – produced by Walt Disney Productions and distributed by Buena Vista Distribution; starred Angela Lansbury and David Tomlinson.
- Pete’s Dragon (1977) – produced by Walt Disney Productions and distributed by Buena Vista Distribution; starred Sean Marshall, Helen Reddy, Jim Dale and Mickey Rooney. Had the song “Candle on the Water” nominated for a Best Song Oscar.
- Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988) – co-produced by Touchstone Pictures and Amblin Entertainment, and distributed by Buena Vista Distribution; starred Bob Hoskins, Christopher Lloyd and Charles Fleischer. It’s notable for interaction between Disney cartoon characters and the Looney Tunes of Warner Bros., with iconic voice talents like Wayne Allwine, Tony Anselmo and Mel Blanc.
Contrary to belief, the 2007 film Enchanted, produced and distributed by Walt Disney Pictures, is not eligible for this listing. The 2D animated and live-action sequences never cross over – Giselle and Philip going from Andalasia to New York City makes them “real” while Nancy going the reverse way renders her animated. The dragon form of Queen Nerissa is of course, modern CGI.
