Video After initial reticence to release its films on video cassette for home usage, Disney finally released its first videos, for rental and sale, in both Beta and VHS format, in October 1980. Besides some cartoon compilations, among the ten features released that month were The Apple Dumpling Gang, The Black Hole, The Love Bug, and Escape to Witch Mountain. Dumbo was the first of the animated classics to be released, in June 1981, for rental only. Alice in Wonderland followed, for rental only, in October 1981. Both films were released for sale in 1982, but, it was not until July 1985 that Disney dipped into its library of top-ranked animated features, with the release of Pinocchio. Following the success of that film on video, other animated features followed on a regular basis. Each film would be available for a limited time only, then would go into a moratorium period with plans made to re-release it at a future date. While the earliest video releases were expected to be primarily for rental through video dealers, the desire of consumers to actually own private copies of Disney films moved the company to offer selected videos at a sell-through price. With its growing acceptance, some features have been produced directly for video, bypassing a theatrical or television release. The direct-to-video features have been:
1. Breakin’ Through (1985)
2. The Return of Jafar (1994)
3. Aladdin and the King of Thieves (1996)
4. Honey, We Shrunk Ourselves (1997)
5. Mighty Ducks the Movie: The First Face-Off (1997)
6. Pooh’s Grand Adventure: The Search for Christopher Robin (1997)
7. Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas (1997)
8. Belle’s Magical World (1998)
9. Air Bud: Golden Receiver (1998)
10. Pocahontas II: Journey to a New World (1998)
11. The Jungle Book: Mowgli’s Story (1998)
12. The Lion King II: Simba’s Pride (1998)
13. The Wonderful Ice Cream Suit (Touchstone)(1999)
14. Hercules: Zero to Hero (1999)
15. Belle’s Tales of Friendship (1999)
16. Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas (1999)
17. Winnie the Pooh: Seasons of Giving (1999)
18. An Extremely Goofy Movie (2000)
19. Buzz Lightyear of Star Command: The Adventure Begins (2000)
20. The Litle Mermaid II: Return to the Sea (2000)
21. Air Bud: World Pup (2000)
22. Lady and the Tramp II: Scamp’s Adventure (2001)
23. The Book of Pooh: Stories from the Heart (2001)
24. Cinderella II: Dreams Come True (2002)
25. The Hunchback of Notre Dame II (2002)
26. Air Bud: Seventh Inning Fetch (2002)
27. Tarzan and Jane (2002)
28. Winnie the Pooh: A Very Merry Pooh Year (2002)
29. 101 Dalmatians II: Patch’s London Adventure (2003)
30. Inspector Gadget 2 (2003)
31. Atlantis: Milo’s Return (2003)
32. Air Bud Spikes Back (2003)
33. Stitch! The Movie (2003)
34. Kim Possible: The Secret Files (2003)
35. George of the Jungle II (2003)
36. The Lion King 1½ (2004)
37. Winnie the Pooh: Springtime with Roo (2004)
38. The Three Musketeers (2004)
39. Mickey’s Twice Upon a Christmas (2004)
40. Mulan II (2005)
41. Tarzan II (2005)
42. Lilo & Stitch 2: Stitch Has a Glitch (2005)
43. Pooh’s Heffalump Halloween Movie (2005)
44. Kronk’s New Groove (2005)
45. Bambi II (2006)
46. Leroy & Stitch (2006)
47. Brother Bear 2 (2006)
48. Air Buddies (2006)
49. The Fox and the Hound 2 (2006)
50. Cinderella III: A Twist in Time (2007)
51. Snow Buddies (2008)
52. The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Beginning (2008)
53. Space Buddies (2009)
54. Santa Buddies (2009)
55. The Crimson Wing: Mystery of the Flamingos (2010)
56. The Search for Santa Paws (2010)
57. Beverly Hills Chihuahua 2 (2011)
58. Sharpay’s Fabulous Adventure (2011)
59. Spooky Buddies (2011)
60. Treasure Buddies (2012)
61. Beverly Hills Chihuahua 3: Viva la Fiesta! (2012)
62. Santa Paws 2: The Santa Pups (2012)