To say that Mickey Mouse is a film icon would be a ludicrous understatement. Disney's resident rodent has been permanently ingrained in popular culture since his first debut in 1928. Over 90 years later, Mickey and all his friends still continue to entertain and delight audiences around the globe. But which of his animated outings are truly the best of the best?
There are volumes of Mickey cartoons in Disney's library, but as for the toons that tower as high as Mickey's pristine reputation, it can be hard to choose. Consider this list a recommendation of some of the mouse's most prestigious and praised productions from the era of ink and paint to a more thoroughly modern Mickey.
Steamboat Willie
What better way to begin the list than with the mouse's own very beginnings in Steamboat Willie? Right out of the gate, Mickey made a splash with his cartoon debut.
The short in question not only marked the first Mickey Mouse appearance, but also one of the first animated cartoons to feature both music and sound. Whether Walt Disney knew it or not, this cartoon would set the modern animated industry in motion.
The Karnival Kid
This cartoon gets an honorable mention for one simple reason. Where the previous entry was the first Mickey cartoon to feature both music and sound, The Karnival Kid Had the game-changing idea to give Mickey a voice.
Mickey's first words onscreen were "Hot dogs! Hot dogs!" as he worked as a snack vendor at an outlandish cartoon carnival. The rest of the short is pretty much fair game for early Mickey, but it was still one that helped shape the character's career.
The Band Concert
Yet another first for Mickey, this time a short film made entirely in color. That being said, it was also responsible for one of the mouses most famous looks, the bandleader uniform.
The short in which Mickey constantly attempts to conduct an outdoor orchestra with Donald meddling in the background would go on to be one of his most memorable, but the role would eventually evolve from leader of the band to leader of the Mickey Mouse Club.
Lonesome Ghosts
Of course, Mickey isn't one to hog the spotlight. His antics get more and more enjoyable when accompanied by his pals, Donald and Goofy. While there were many considered for this spot, Lonesome Ghosts gets the pick simply because of the harmony of humor presented by the three characters' different comedic styles.
With Mickey's brave yet foiled attempts, Donald's spiteful yet silly style, and Goofy's appetite for slapstick, it's a recipe for success against the forces of the supernatural.
Mickey And The Beanstalk
This Mickey, Donald, and Goofy segment from Fun and Fancy Free puts all three of them in the role of Jack from Jack and the Beanstalk, but Mickey definitely has the starring role.
It was one of Mickey's most daring and adventurous performances to date, and would later shape his character as the decades rolled on. An additional and important point to mention is that this feature would mark one of the last times his creator provided his voice.
Mickey's Christmas Carol
Although Scrooge McDuck might lead the short in the role of Ebeneezer Scrooge, this Mickey Mouse feature is a piece of true Disney history. This festive film marked the first theatrically released Mickey Mouse cartoon since the '50s and helped establish Mickey as fans know him today.
Disney's take on Dickens' A Christmas Carol not only featured Disney characters in the main roles, but also the last appearance of Clarence Nash as Donald Duck and the first appearance of long-time Mickey performer, Ray Allwine.
The Prince And The Pauper
In the same vein of Mickey's Christmas Carol, The Prince and the Pauper featured the mouse in two literary roles as a poor street urchin who swaps places with a pampered prince.
Although it's not exactly the Mark Twain classic, it still has that same breed of Disney fun. Plus, kudos to Ray Allwine for a distinctly different version of Mickey as the Prince. Who knew the mouse could have such vocal range?
Croissant De Triomphe
2013 saw Mickey get quite the impressive upgrade. Disney's Mickey Mouse series of short films served as a return to formula for Mickey, Minnie, and all their friends.
Although he was given a fresh coat of paint in Paul Rudish's comic book art style, the series still feels like the Mickey everyone knows and loves. And it all started with this first episode, putting Mickey and friends on a stylistic ride through the beautiful city of Paris.
Get A Horse!
Get a Horse is the marriage of two different visual mediums. It's a Mickey Mouse cartoon that blends the traditional with the modern, the classic and the innovative, and 2D and 3D animation.
Mickey and Friends practically ripped themselves from the silver screen in this modern adaptation of a black and white cartoon. Not only does it feature Walt Disney reprising his role of Mickey from years past, but blends his past and modern stylings seamlessly together.
The Sorcerer’s Apprentice
If there's one Mickey cartoon everyone should know, it's "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" from Fantasia. This role not only brought Mickey back to the big screen after the turmoil of WWII, but established the mouse as we know him today.
Mickey in his wizard's regalia is one of the most recognizable images of the character, but his redesign courtesy of Fred Moore continues to be the standard by which all reinterpretations are made. It's still magical, even to this very day.