1940

Movies

 * February 7 - Pinocchio
 * November 13 - Fantasia

Shorts

 * March 15 - The Riveter
 * April 5 - Donald's Dog Laundry
 * April 26 - Tugboat Mickey
 * May 17 - Billposters
 * June 7 - Mr. Duck Steps Out
 * June 28 - Bone Trouble
 * July 19 - Put-Put Troubles
 * August 9 - Donald's Vacation
 * August 30 - Pluto's Dream House
 * September 1 - The Volunteer Worker
 * September 20 - Window Cleaners
 * November 1 - Mr. Mouse Takes a Trip
 * November 22 - Goofy's Glider
 * December 13 - Fire Chief
 * December 27 - Pantry Pirate

Comics

 * The first issue of Walt Disney's Comics and Stories is published.

Character debuts

 * February 7 - Pinocchio, Gepetto, Stromboli, Monstro, J. Worthington Foulfellow & Gideon, Cleo, The Coachman, Jiminy Cricket, Figaro
 * June 7 - Daisy Duck
 * October - Grandma Duck
 * November 13 - Chernabog, Yen Sid

Births

 * Monica Evans
 * January 22 - John Hurt (actor)
 * March 25 - Anita Bryant (singer)
 * March 27 - Austin Pendleton (actor)
 * April 25 - Al Pacino (actor and director)
 * May 5 - Lance Henriksen (actor)
 * June 1 - Rene Auberjonois (actor)
 * June 20 - John Mahoney (voice artist)
 * July 13 - Patrick Stewart (actor)
 * September 5 - Raquel Welch (actress)
 * September 19 - Paul Williams (actor and songwriter)
 * November 5 - Elke Sommer (actress)
 * November 21 - Dr. John (singer, pianist and guitarist)

Deaths

 * January 21 - Otis Harlan (voice artist)