Sometimes, despite an initial creative vision or promising team, Disney movies get shelved indefinitely or scrapped altogether. Despite the studio’s consistent releases, especially since the 90s, you might be surprised to learn Disney has quite a few projects left behind.
Here’s a look back at all of the projects that were either put on permanent hiatus or cancelled during the 1950s. In the future, it’s always possible one of these will end up in theaters!
Note: the dates listed next to each title are the dates of project cancellations.
- Don Quixote (1951) – This animation would have been faithful to the original legend, with a look and feel inspired by UPA (United Productions of America). The project never went far into development, and was eventually scrapped in the early 50s.
- Prairie Rhythm / Pretty Red Wing (1959) – This animation was intended to be a satire of Western film. The two main characters, an Indian girl and a white trapper, would embark on a journey together across the frontier. With interest in westerns subsiding in the late 50s and early 60s, the project was eventually scrapped.
This list does not include sequels or remakes of previous Disney films. For an even more comprehensive list, including animated short films, check out the Wikipedia page here.
Previous editions of this roundup:
Stay tuned for further editions with earlier decades!