IDS 009

Disney and Pixar Animated Movies


JMP platforms and statistical methods

Graph Builder:
Scatter plot, comparative dot plots

Formula Editor:
Creating new variables

Objective

Use data visualization and exploratory data analysis techniques to evaluate Disney and Pixar animated films from 1937–2025. Analyze relationships among audience scores, critic reviews, Academy Award recognition, production costs, and revenue performance to identify key factors associated with financial success and critical acclaim. Develop visual insights highlighting top- and bottom-performing films across multiple performance metrics.

Problem statement

Animation has long been a major medium used in movies. Disney’s “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” (1937) was the first full-length animated feature. This film kicked off what is now known as the Golden Age of Animation, with the creation of classic films such as “Pinocchio” (1940) and “Bambi” (1942), all done from hand-drawn techniques.

The 1980s and 1990s marked another renaissance for animation, driven by Disney’s resurgence with hits like “The Little Mermaid” (1989) and “The Lion King” (1994), which combined traditional hand-drawn techniques with compelling storytelling and memorable music.

The advent of CGI (computer-generated imagery) revolutionized the creation of animated movies. Pixar's “Toy Story” (1995) was the first feature-length film created entirely with CGI. This technological leap allowed for greater creativity and realism in animation, leading to an explosion of visually stunning films and new studios.

Initially, animation was primarily seen as a medium for children. This perception has shifted dramatically, as animated films often address complex themes, layered storytelling, emotional depth, and sophisticated humor, allowing them to be appreciated by all ages.

Data on critic and audience ranking, Academy Awards, and financial metrics (budget and box office revenues) have been gathered to make comparisons, explore trends, and identify most/least popular and successful movies.