Walt Disney Home Video is a discontinued video line launched to release Disney animated features on home video. This was done by a division of the same name under the parent Walt Disney Telecommunications and Non-Theatrical Company (WDTNT). As an entity, the name Walt Disney Home Video is now known as Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment. The scope of this list is mostly limited to Disney's North American live action movie releases. Cartoon collections were concurrently released as Walt Disney Cartoon Classics which include the "Limited Gold Editions". The initial price for early Disney cassettes at the time was "prohibitory expensive" for many, this changed in the mid-1980s when VCRs became affordable.[1]
Disney started out by establishing its own video distribution operation in 1980 as part of Walt Disney Telecommunications and Non-Theatrical Company (WDTNT) with Jim Jimirro as its first president.[2] WDTNT Co. also handled marketing of other miscellaneous ancillary items such as short 8 mm films for home movies. When Disney started with video cassettes, "Home video" was not considered to be a major market by them at the time. Their first releases on videotape were 13 titles that were licensed for rental to Fotomat on March 4, 1980.[3] Disney was unusual among the major studios in offering a program for authorized rentals. Most of the other studios involved in the videocassette market at the time were trying to find ways to stop dealers from renting out their movie tapes. Magnetic Video (with titles from 20th Century Fox and others) ceased doing business with Fotomat after Fotomat began renting Magnetic Video cassettes without authorization.[4]
The switchover from rental to sales was a "thorny" issue that was solved by giving dealers an option on the type of outlet they desired.[5] For those who just wanted to rent video cassettes, a title was given (for US$52) on a 13-week cycle. The dealer could then set the price as many times as they wanted in those 13 weeks before purchasing a new title from Disney.[5] Video cassette rentals were more "functionally" packaged with a heavier box and less elaborately detailed illustrations.[5] For those who wanted to sell video cassettes, a "fairly straightforward" program involved 4 color packaging and a suggested retail price.[5] In order to separate the two mediums, the cassette either featured "FOR RENTAL ONLY/Not intended for Sale" or "FOR SALE ONLY/Not intended for Rental".[5] The 13 titles that had been licensed for rental to Fotomat subsequently became available for purchase.
Throughout their release history, "Walt Disney Home Video" cassettes were promoted by Disney. An early example is the 1981 release of "A Walt Disney Christmas" where a "Free Mickey Mouse Plush Toy" was offered as an incentive.[6] Disney later offered a promotion for Summer 1982 called "Disney's American Summer", where they sold some of their cartoon collections on cassettes for a discounted price.[7] At the time this promotion was done in an effort to make video cassettes more affordable, and boosted the video software involved.[8] Marketing included a 7 foot tall gazebo which was set up in stores and a free mug as an incentive.[9] Towards the end of 1984, Disney did a “Wrapped And Ready to Give” christmas promotion which included 7 newly released titles on video cassette.[10] Later promotions include Disney's 1986 "Wonderland Campaign" as a further attempt to bring prices down.[11]
When the Disney Channel was launched on April 18, 1983 it gave the company an opportunity to air made for TV films such as Tiger Town and Gone Are the Dayes, both of which were released to home video in 1984.[10] [12] During that same year Disney also started releasing their animated feature films under the Walt Disney Classics line starting with Robin Hood. On March 8, 1985 Disney released "Love Leads the Way" which became their first title that went straight to Home Video.[13] An end eventually came as the Walt Disney Home Video division was legally incorporated as Buena Vista Home Video on February 13, 1987.[14]
Release Date | Title | Initial cost (USD) | Copies sold (Domestic) | Short summary | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | October 1, 1980[15] | The Black Hole | ||||
2. | October 1, 1980 | Davy Crockett, King of the Wild Frontier | 2nd release in March 1983[16] 3rd release on May 28, 1986. | |||
3. | October 1, 1980 | 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea | 2nd release in March 1983 3rd release on May 28, 1986. | |||
4. | October 1, 1980 | The Apple Dumpling Gang | Re-released in June 1985[17] | |||
5. | October 1, 1980 | The Love Bug | 2nd release on September 4, 1982[18] 3rd release on November 6, 1985[19] | |||
6. | October 1, 1980 | Pete's Dragon | 2nd release on September 4, 1982 3rd release on October 14, 1986[20] [21] | |||
7. | October 1, 1980 | Escape to Witch Mountain | Re-released on September 21, 1985.[22] | |||
8. | October 1, 1980 | The North Avenue Irregulars | Re-released August 1985[23] | |||
9. | October 1, 1980 | Bedknobs and Broomsticks | 2nd release on September 21, 1985 3rd release on May 28, 1986. | |||
10. | October 1, 1980 | Hot Lead and Cold Feet | Re-released in March 1983 | |||
11. | October 1, 1980 | On Vacation with Mickey Mouse and Friends | Re-released in December 1983[24] | |||
12. | October 1, 1980 | Kids is Kids starring Donald Duck | Re-released in December 1983 | |||
13. | October 1, 1980 | The Adventures of Chip 'n' Dale. | Re-released in December 1983 |
width=13% | Release Date | Title | Initial cost (USD) | Copies sold (Domestic) | Short summary | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | December 30, 1980[25] | Mary Poppins | 2nd release in November 1982.[26] 3rd release on November 6, 1985.[27] 4th release on October 14, 1986 | |||
2 | June 1, 1981[28] | A Dream Called Walt Disney World | This was offered as a souvenir to those who visited Walt Disney World in the early 1980s. A Dream Called Walt Disney World was re-released in October 1981.[29] | |||
3 | August 15, 1981[30] | The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again | Re-released in August 1985. | |||
4 | August 15, 1981 | The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh | Re-released on September 4, 1982 | |||
5 | August 15, 1981 | The Absent-Minded Professor | Re-released on May 28, 1986, as part of Disney's "Wonderland Campaign". | |||
6 | August 15, 1981 | Davy Crockett and the River Pirates | 2nd release in March 1983 3rd release in August 1985 4th release on May 28, 1986, as part of Disney's "Wonderland Campaign". | |||
7 | August 15, 1981 | Gus | 2nd release in March 1983 3rd release in June 1985 | |||
8 | August 15, 1981 | The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band | 2nd release on September 4, 1982 3rd release in August 1985 | |||
9 | August 15, 1981 | Snow White Live at Radio City Music Hall | ||||
10 | October 1981 | A Walt Disney Christmas | 2nd release in November 1982.[31] 3rd release in October 1984 4th release on October 14, 1986 | |||
11 | October 1981 | Amy | Re-released in August 1985. | |||
12 | October 1981 | Darby O'Gill and the Little People | ||||
13 | October 1981 | Old Yeller | 2nd release on November 6, 1985. 3rd release on October 14, 1986 | |||
14 | January 1982[32] | Treasure Island | Treasure Island was released on LaserDisc in October 1982, and 2nd re-release on November 6, 1985, and 3rd re-released on October 14, 1986 via VHS.[33] | |||
15 | January 1982[34] | Condorman | ||||
16 | January 1982 | Goofy Over Sports | Re-released on May 21, 1983[35] | |||
17 | January 1982 | The Shaggy Dog | ||||
18 | January 1982 | The Devil and Max Devlin | ||||
19 | March 27, 1982 | Herbie Rides Again | Re-released November 6, 1985 | |||
20 | March 27, 1982 | Polyanna | 2nd release on November 6, 1985 3rd release on October 14, 1986 | |||
21 | March 27, 1982 | The Sign of Zorro | ||||
22 | June 12, 1982 | Swiss Family Robinson | Re-released November 6, 1985 | |||
23 | June 12, 1982 | Freaky Friday | ||||
24 | June 12, 1982 | A Day at Disneyland | This was offered as a souvenir to those who visited Walt Disney World in the early 1980s. | |||
25 | June 12, 1982 | Justin Morgan Had a Horse | ||||
26 | September 4, 1982 | Blackbeard's Ghost | ||||
27 | September 4, 1982 | Mickey Mouse & Donald Duck Cartoon Collections Volume 1 | ||||
28 | September 4, 1982 | Night Crossing | ||||
29 | September 4, 1982 | The Legend of Sleepy Hollow | Sleepy Hollow later aired on October 30, 1982 as part of Disney's Halloween Treat.[36] | |||
30 | September 4, 1982 | The Three Caballeros | Re-released under Buena Vista Home Video in October 1988. | |||
31 | September 11, 1982[37] | The Watcher in the Woods | The Watcher in the Woods was originally a "Rental only" title starting in April 1982. | |||
14 | October 1982[38] | Dumbo | Re-released on November 5, 1985, as part of Walt Disney Classics.[39] | |||
33 | November 1982[40] | Alice in Wonderland | Re-released on May 28, 1986, as part of Walt Disney Classics (Wonderland Campaign). | |||
34 | December 1, 1982[41] | Tron | Re-released November 6, 1985 | |||
35 | December 1982[42] | Babes in Toyland | Re-released November 6, 1985 | |||
36 | December 1982[43] | Fun and Fancy Free | ||||
37 | December 1982[44] | Snowball Express | ||||
38 | March 1983 | American Heros Featuring Paul Bunyan and Pecos Bill | ||||
39 | March 1983 | The Island at the Top of the World | ||||
40 | March 1983 | The Shaggy D.A. | Re-released on September 21, 1985 | |||
41 | March 1983 | The Wind in the Willows | ||||
42 | April 18, 1983[45] | Tex | ||||
43 | May 21, 1983[46] | Johnny Tremain | Re-released in December 1984[47] | |||
44 | May 21, 1983 | The Great Locomotive Chase | ||||
45 | May 21, 1983 | Trenchcoat | Re-released in December 1984 | |||
46 | August 27, 1983[48] | Something Wicked This Way Comes |
width=13% | Release Date | Title | Initial cost (USD) | Copies sold (Domestic) | Short summary | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
47 | January 14, 1984[49] | The Parent Trap | Re-released on May 28, 1986, as part of Disney's "Wonderland Campaign". | |||
48 | January 14, 1984 | In Search of the Castaways | Re-released in Late 1985 | |||
49 | April 7, 1984 | Big Red | ||||
50 | April 7, 1984 | Follow Me, Boys! | ||||
51 | April 7, 1984 | The Boatniks | ||||
52 | April 7, 1984 | The Happiest Millionaire | Re-released on May 28, 1986, as part of Disney's "Wonderland Campaign". | |||
53 | April 7, 1984 | Tiger Town | Re-released on September 26, 1985[50] | |||
54 | July 14, 1984[51] | Son of Flubber | ||||
55 | July 14, 1984 | The Castaway Cowboy | ||||
56 | November 1984 | Herbie Goes Bananas | Re-released on November 6, 1985[52] | |||
57 | November 1984 | Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo | Re-released on November 6, 1985[53] | |||
58 | December 1984[54] | Gone Are the Dayes | ||||
60 | January 1985[55] | The Blue Yonder | ||||
61 | February 26, 1985[56] | The Gnome-Mobile | ||||
62 | March 8, 1985[57] | Love Leads the Way | This is the first film by Disney that was directly released to Home Video. | |||
63 | March 24, 1985[58] | Summer Magic | ||||
64 | March 24, 1985[59] | That Darn Cat! | ||||
65 | June 1985 | Never A Dull Moment | ||||
66 | July 27, 1985[60] | The Sword and the Rose | ||||
67 | September 21, 1985 | The Moon-Spinners | ||||
68 | October 19, 1985[61] | |||||
69 | October 19, 1985 | The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes | ||||
70 | October 19, 1985 | Those Calloways | ||||
71 | March 1986[62] | Escapade in Florence | Released as part of "Annette Month" honoring Annette Funicello. | |||
72 | March 1986 | Lots of Luck | Released as part of "Annette Month" honoring Annette Funicello. | |||
73 | March 1986 | The Horsemasters | Released as part of "Annette Month" honoring Annette Funicello. | |||
74 | March 1986 | The Misadventures of Merlin Jones | Released as part of "Annette Month" honoring Annette Funicello. | |||
75 | March 1986 | The Monkey's Uncle | Released as part of "Annette Month" honoring Annette Funicello. | |||
76 | June 22, 1986[63] | Charley and the Angel | ||||
77 | July 26, 1986[64] | Lt. Robin Crusoe, U.S.N. | ||||
78 | July 26, 1986 | Moon Pilot | ||||
79 | July 26, 1986 | One of Our Dinosaurs Is Missing | ||||
80 | July 26, 1986 | Unidentified Flying Oddball | ||||
81 | October 1986[65] | Down and Out in Beverly Hills | Also released under Touchstone Pictures. | |||
82 | October 1986 | No Deposit, No Return | Also released under Touchstone Pictures. | |||
83 | October 1986 | Ten Who Dared | ||||
84 | October 1986 | The Fighting Prince of Donegal | ||||
85 | October 1986 | The World's Greatest Athlete | ||||
86 | October 1986 | Third Man on the Mountain | ||||
87 | November 26, 1986[66] | Menace on the Mountain | ||||
88 | November 26, 1986 | The Adventures of Bullwhip Griffin | ||||
89 | December 20, 1986[67] | |||||
90 | December 20, 1986 | The Horse in the Gray Flannel Suit |
Title | Short summary | |
---|---|---|
Mickey Mouse & Donald Duck Cartoon Collections Volume 2 | These collections were released via LaserDisc on June 12, 1982. | |
Mickey Mouse & Donald Duck Cartoon Collections Volume 3 | These collections were released via LaserDisc on June 12, 1982. | |
Million Dollar Duck | Possibly re-released on April 29, 1986 |
Disney first offered Dumbo, Mary Poppins, Mi Amigo El Dragon (Pete's Dragon), Su Mas Fiel Amigo (Old Yeller), La Montana Embrujada (Escape to Witch Mountain), Los Tres Caballeros (The Three Caballeros), Mickey's Christmas Carol, and 2 cartoon collections in Spanish on November 30, 1985[68] In the United Kingdom, titles from the "Walt Disney Home Video" product line such as Mary Poppins, Pete's Dragon and Bedknobs and Broomsticks were not released to video cassette until November 26, 1988. Additional VHS releases in other countries under the "Walt Disney Home Video" are possible, but need further sourcing.
In terms of consignment, Heritage Auctions has placed in their "Vintage VHS Tapes Value Guide" that the most desirable VHS tapes released between 1979 and 1990 are still in their original factory shrink wrap.[1] When VCRs were first released in 1977, they were priced between $1,000 to $1,400 which would roughly equal $4,900 to $6,900 in 2023 USD.[1] As this amount was initially unattainable for most homes fewer people were buying VHS tapes, which in turn meant fewer copies being produced. A "likely sum of money for a video cassette at the time was between $80 and $100 or $400+ in 2023 USD. These higher costs lasted until 1985 when VCRs finally began dropping in price.[1] While this meant more tapes were produced, it did not mean that they became any less of a rarity.
In regard to Disney "Only the earliest of Disney VHS cassettes produced prior to 1985 hold any value to most collectors."[1] Titles such as "Tron" which remains "elusive" for early copies have sold for high amounts in mint condition.[69] Things to look for in general include a sealed tape, a studio logo on the shrink-wrap, and if the latest year listed on the back of the cover is prior to 1986.[1]