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Walt Disney Platinum Editions were a line of VHS tapes, DVDs, and Blu-ray Discs released by Walt Disney (Studios) Home Entertainment between 2001 and 2009. The series featured digitally remastered versions of several of the most popular Disney animated features.

History[]

Overview[]

Originally, the line consisted of the company's ten best-selling VHS titles and would be released in October of each year. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was the first film released in the series, in 2001. The two following titles, Beauty and the Beast (1991) and The Lion King (1994) were released in IMAX and other giant screen theaters during the holiday season before their respective October DVD release. Due to underwhelming box office results, a planned IMAX release for Aladdin (1992) was scrapped and the practice was discontinued.

In May 2003, Disney announced that it would be adding the next four best-selling titles to the collection. Starting in 2005, a Platinum Edition was released twice a year, one in October and one in February or March. The first eight Platinum Editions, from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs in October 2001 to The Little Mermaid in January 2007, were also available on VHS. The last two releases in the series, Sleeping Beauty in October 2008 and Pinocchio (1940) in March 2009, were also released on Blu-ray Disc. In addition to the two discs for the movie and bonus features, the Blu-ray releases also include a DVD of the movie for travel purposes and to lure consumers without Blu-ray players into helping to boost sales.

The original plan for the Platinum Edition was that the films would be re-issued for a limited time, once every ten years. Since then, the interim between each re-issue of a particular film has been shortened to seven years. As of now, all 13 releases in the Platinum Editions line are no longer available in retail stores, and can only be found through specialized sales markets, or websites such as Amazon.com, Barnes&Noble.com, and eBay. Such out-of-print titles usually demand a significant premium given their considerable value to collectors.

Platinuns

Alice in Wonderland (1951), Dumbo (1941), and Fantasia were also originally intended to be part of the Platinum Edition line; however, due to a presumed schedule mix-up, they were all released as special editions that were not part of the Platinum Editions.

Packaging[]

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was packaged in a double-sized keepcase, and to date has been the only Platinum Edition DVD without a slip-cover. It was released on VHS in Brazil and on DVD in the UK as a Collector's gift set. From Beauty and the Beast (1991) to Cinderella (1950), Platinum Editions were packaged in a dual-disc DVD case with a slipcase, with a book-like velcro flap which, when opened, gave an overview of the DVD's special features. Lady and the Tramp (1955) was the first DVD in the series to use a more standard slipcase without a flap. The slipcase for The Little Mermaid then featured embossed character art, and the releases for Peter Pan (1953) through Pinocchio (1940) featured both holographic artwork and embossing. Only sets sold during the first few months of a Platinum Edition's window of availability are sold with a slipcover.

Discs in the collection have also gone through transformations over the years. The first few releases and One Hundred and One Dalmatians (1961) were released on standard discs. Cinderella (1950) then featured their main characters upon the discs themselves as did The Little Mermaid. The latest change has been the addition of holographic images used on Lady and the Tramp (1955), Peter Pan (1953), and The Jungle Book (1967).

Beginning with The Lion King (1994), as an option for customers, select Platinum Edition DVDs were also made available in gift set editions, which included the standard retail DVD as well as supplements such as original animation sketches, a film frame, and a companion book. Some titles featured as Collector's Gift Sets are exclusive to certain countries as well, such as The Jungle Book (1967) and One Hundred and One Dalmatians (1961) in the United Kingdom and Germany only, and Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and Peter Pan (1953) in the UK only.

The VHS releases of the first four Platinum Editions were packaged in white clamshells, while Bambi and Cinderella (1950) had cardboard cases. The Blu-ray Platinum Edition of Sleeping Beauty comes with a slipcover similar to those used from 2002-2005, with a book-like velcro flap and an overview of bonus features inside.

Restoration[]

Each film in the Platinum Edition series is given a restoration, and generally presented in their original aspect ratios, except for a few exceptions:

  • Beauty and the Beast (1991) is presented in a matted aspect ratio of 1.85:1 instead of its original 1.66:1 aspect ratio.
  • The Lion King (1994) is presented in a negative aspect ratio of 1.66:1 instead of its original 1.85:1 aspect ratio.
  • Aladdin (1992) - created in 1.66:1 and intended for exhibition in 1.85:1 - is presented in 1.66:1 aspect ratio.
  • The Little Mermaid - created in 1.66:1 and intended for exhibition in 1.85:1 - is presented in 1.78:1 aspect ratio, midway between the two ratios.
  • The Jungle Book (1967) was produced in 1.37:1 for intended exhibition in 1.75:1; it is presented in the latter ratio.
  • Lady and the Tramp (1955), produced in CinemaScope, was also presented in an alternate pan-and-scan version included in the same collection.
  • Sleeping Beauty, originally presented in 2.20:1 in theaters and previous home media releases, is presented in its full aspect ratio of 2.55:1.

Despite this, these widescreen films are however presented as cropped pan-and-scan versions as opposed to keeping their widescreen formats (with letterboxing) on their VHS counterparts. Most of the films in the collection are digitally restored from their original negatives, undergoing digital clean-up processes to remove dust, dirt, and scratches. Snow White and Bambi have featurettes detailing the restoration process included on the set as bonus features.

Three of the Platinum Edition releases - Beauty and the Beast (1991), Aladdin (1992), and The Lion King (1994) - were produced using Disney's Computer Animation Production System (CAPS), and were instead sourced straight from the digital masters used to create the film. Each of these three films also featured retouched and re-cleaned-up animation, alterations done to prepare the films for IMAX release.

Each film's soundtrack is also remixed into Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound. Earlier films in the series such as Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs were originally released with monaural soundtracks (Lady and the Tramp (1955) and Sleeping Beauty were recorded and released with stereophonic soundtracks, and One Hundred and One Dalmatians (1961) and The Jungle Book (1967)'s music scores were also recorded stereophonically), and the new mixes created for Platinum Edition releases featured a combination of uses of original sound elements used in the original mix and rechanneling techniques. Later films in the series (including two, Aladdin (1992) and The Lion King (1994), which were originally produced in 5.1) featured surround sound mixes specifically tailored to home theater audiences, branded by the company as "Disney Enhanced Home Theater Mixes". For the most part, the original mixes are also included.

Special features[]

DVDs in this series typically contain a significant amount of bonus material, primarily housed on the second disc of the set so as to allow for a high-bitrate transfer of the feature. Many of the titles feature "making-of" documentaries that run from as little as a half-hour to an hour in length. The three exceptions are The Lion King (1994), Aladdin (1992), and Peter Pan (1953). The Lion King (1994) and Aladdin (1992) both utilize a navigation system of multiple featurettes that can be played individually or together, while Peter Pan (1953) simply re-uses a brief 15-minute documentary from 1998.

Other typical features include audio commentaries (not available on Bambi, Cinderella (1950), Lady and the Tramp (1955), or One Hundred and One Dalmatians (1961)), art and image galleries, deleted scenes, early storyboard reels, and bonus Disney short subjects. Contemporary publicity material available on each set may include trailers, music videos, radio programs, newsreel footage, and episodes of the Disney anthology television series, although the exact features included vary from set to set. Features aimed at more general family audiences and children are also included, such as set-top games and music video renditions of Disney songs by contemporary pop artists and/or Disney Channel stars.

Music videos[]

List of Walt Disney Platinum Editions[]

# Film Release Date Moratorium Notes
1 Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)

October 9, 2001 (DVD)
November 27, 2001 (VHS)

January 31, 2002 Collector's Gift Set (UK only). First DVD release to contain the 2001-07 Disney DVD logo.
2 Beauty and the Beast (1991) October 8, 2002 (DVD and VHS) January 31, 2003 Trilogy box set with Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas and Beauty and the Beast: Belle's Magical World.
3 The Lion King (1994) October 7, 2003 (DVD and VHS) January 31, 2005 Collector's Gift Set.
Trilogy box set with The Lion King II: Simba's Pride and The Lion King 1½.
4 Aladdin (1992) October 5, 2004 (DVD and VHS) January 31, 2008 Collector's Gift Set.
Trilogy box set with The Return of Jafar and Aladdin and the King of Thieves.
5 Bambi (1942) March 1, 2005 (DVD and VHS) January 31, 2007 First Platinum film released in Spring instead of Fall.
Last Platinum film to be THX-Certified.
6 Cinderella (1950) October 4, 2005 (DVD and VHS) January 31, 2008 Last Platinum film released on VHS for the public.
Collector's Gift Set. Final Platinum Edition release to contain the 2001-07 Disney DVD logo.
Trilogy box set with Cinderella II: Dreams Come True and Cinderella III: A Twist in Time (Japan only).
7 Lady and the Tramp (1955)

February 28, 2006 (DVD)
May 16, 2006 (VHS)

January 31, 2007 First Platinum film released on VHS for Disney Movie Club members.
First Platinum film released with Fast Play. First Platinum Edition release to contain the 2005-07 Disney DVD logo.
8 The Little Mermaid (1989)

October 3, 2006 (DVD)
January 3, 2007 (VHS)

January 30, 2009

Second and last Platinum film released on VHS for Disney Movie Club members and the last Platinum film released on VHS. Second and last Platinum Edition release to contain the 2005-07 Disney DVD logo.
Trilogy box set with The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea and The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning.

9 Peter Pan (1953) March 6, 2007 (DVD) January 30, 2009 Collector's Gift Set (UK only). First Platinum Edition released with Disney Movie Rewards and the first DVD to contain the 2007-14 Disney DVD logo.
Trilogy box set with Return to Never Land and Tinker Bell.
10

The Jungle Book (1967)

October 2, 2007 (DVD) January 30, 2010 The final Platinum Edition release to contain the 2001-08 Walt Disney Home Entertainment logo.
11 One Hundred and One Dalmatians (1961) March 4, 2008 (DVD) January 30, 2010 Collector's Gift Set (UK, Germany and Brazil). The first Platinum Edition release to contain the “There is only one Disney” promo.
Ultimate 4-Movie Collection box set with 101 Dalmatians II: Patch's London Adventure, 101 Dalmatians (1996), and 102 Dalmatians.
12 Sleeping Beauty (1959) October 7, 2008 (DVD and Blu-ray) January 30, 2010 Collector's Gift Set (UK and Germany only).
First Platinum film released on Blu-ray Disc.
13 Pinocchio (1940) March 10, 2009 (DVD and Blu-ray) April 30, 2011 Second and last Platinum film released on Blu-ray Disc.

Cover galleries[]

Platinum Edition VHS tapes[]

Platinum Edition DVDs[]

Platinum Edition Blu-rays[]

Collector's Gift Sets/Trilogy Box Sets[]

Trailers[]

See also[]


v - e - dWalt Disney home video releases
Editions
Walt Disney ClassicsWalt Disney Masterpiece CollectionWalt Disney Limited IssuesWalt Disney Gold Classic CollectionWalt Disney Platinum EditionsWalt Disney Diamond EditionsWalt Disney Signature CollectionDisney Special Edition releasesDisney 2-Movie CollectionsDisney 3-Movie CollectionsDisney 4-Movie CollectionsDisney Movie Club DVDsWalt Disney TreasuresDisney Blu-ray 3DDisney·Pixar ClassicsDisney Legacy Animated Film CollectionGhibli ga Ippai CollectionStudio Ghibli Collection (North America)Collection Studio Ghibli (France)
Animated Films
Walt Disney Animation Studios films Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) • Pinocchio (1940) • Fantasia (1940) • Dumbo (1941) • Bambi (1942) • Saludos Amigos (1942) • The Three Caballeros (1944) • Make Mine Music (1946) • Fun and Fancy Free (1947) • Melody Time (1948) • The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad (1949) • Cinderella (1950) • Alice in Wonderland (1951) • Peter Pan (1953) • Lady and the Tramp (1955) • Sleeping Beauty (1959) • One Hundred and One Dalmatians (1961) • The Sword in the Stone (1963) • The Jungle Book (1967) • The Aristocats (1970) • Robin Hood (1973) • The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (1977) • The Rescuers (1977) • The Fox and the Hound (1981) • The Black Cauldron (1985) • The Great Mouse Detective (1986) • Oliver & Company (1988) • The Little Mermaid (1989) • The Rescuers Down Under (1990) • Beauty and the Beast (1991) • Aladdin (1992) • The Lion King (1994) • Pocahontas (1995) • The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996) • Hercules (1997) • Mulan (1998) • Tarzan (1999) • Fantasia 2000 (1999) • Dinosaur (2000) • The Emperor's New Groove (2000) • Atlantis: The Lost Empire (2001) • Lilo & Stitch (2002) • Treasure Planet (2002) • Brother Bear (2003) • Home on the Range (2004) • Chicken Little (2005) • Meet the Robinsons (2007) • Bolt (2008) • The Princess and the Frog (2009) • Tangled (2010) • Winnie the Pooh (2011) • Wreck-It Ralph (2012) • Frozen (2013) • Big Hero 6 (2014) • Zootopia (2016) • Moana (2016) • Ralph Breaks the Internet (2018) • Frozen II (2019) • Raya and the Last Dragon (2021) • Encanto (2021) • Strange World (2022) • Wish (2023)
Pixar films Toy Story (1995) • A Bug's Life (1998) • Toy Story 2 (1999) • Monsters, Inc. (2001) • Finding Nemo (2003) • The Incredibles (2004) • Cars (2006) • Ratatouille (2007) • WALL-E (2008) • Up (2009) • Toy Story 3 (2010) • Cars 2 (2011) • Brave (2012) • Monsters University (2013) • Inside Out (2015) • The Good Dinosaur (2015) • Finding Dory (2016) Cars 3 (2017) • Coco (2017) • Incredibles 2 (2018) • Toy Story 4 (2019) • Onward (2020) • Soul (2020) • Luca (2021) • Turning Red (2022) • Lightyear (2022) • Elemental (2023)
Disney Princess films Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) • Cinderella (1950) • Sleeping Beauty (1959) • The Little Mermaid (1989) • Beauty and the Beast (1991) • Aladdin (1992) • Pocahontas (1995) • Mulan (1998) • The Princess and the Frog (2009) • Tangled (2010) • Brave (2012) • Moana (2016) • Raya and the Last Dragon (2021)
Disney Fairies films Tinker Bell (2008) • Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure (2009) • Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue (2010) • Secret of the Wings (2012) • The Pirate Fairy (2014) • Tinker Bell and the Legend of the NeverBeast (2015)
Blue Sky Studios films Spies in Disguise (2019)
Other Animated films A Christmas CarolA Goofy MovieThe Jungle Book 2The Nightmare Before ChristmasPiglet's Big MovieThe Pirate FairyPooh's Heffalump MoviePlanesPlanes: Fire & RescueReturn to Never LandSecret of the WingsThe Tigger MovieTinker BellTinker Bell and the Great Fairy RescueTinker Bell and the Legend of the NeverBeastTinker Bell and the Lost TreasureThe Wild
Direct-to-Video films 101 Dalmatians II: Patch's London AdventureAladdin and the King of ThievesAtlantis: Milo's ReturnBambi IIBuzz Lightyear of Star Command: The Adventure BeginsBeauty and the Beast: Belle's Magical WorldBeauty and the Beast: The Enchanted ChristmasBrother Bear 2Cinderella II: Dreams Come TrueCinderella III: A Twist in TimeAn Extremely Goofy MovieThe Fox and the Hound 2The Hunchback of Notre Dame IIKronk's New GrooveLady and the Tramp II: Scamp's AdventureLeroy & StitchLilo & Stitch 2: Stitch Has a GlitchThe Lion King 1½The Lion King II: Simba's PrideThe Little Mermaid: Ariel's BeginningThe Little Mermaid II: Return to the SeaMickey's Once Upon a ChristmasMickey's Twice Upon a ChristmasMickey, Donald, Goofy: The Three MusketeersMulan IIPocahontas II: Journey to a New WorldPooh's Grand Adventure: The Search for Christopher RobinPooh's Heffalump Halloween MovieThe Return of JafarStitch! The MovieTarzan IIWinnie the Pooh: A Very Merry Pooh YearWinnie the Pooh: Seasons of GivingWinnie the Pooh: Springtime with Roo
Non-Disney films The Brave Little ToasterValiantThe Bob's Burgers Movie
Studio Ghibli films Nausicaä of the Valley of the WindCastle in the SkyMy Neighbor TotoroKiki's Delivery ServicePorco RossoPom PokoWhisper of the HeartPrincess MononokeMy Neighbors the YamadasSpirited AwayThe Cat ReturnsHowl's Moving CastleTales from EarthseaPonyoThe Secret World of ArriettyThe Wind RisesMiscellaneous
Live-action feature films
20,000 Leagues Under the SeaAlexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad DayAlice in Wonderland (2010 film)Aladdin (2019 film)Alice in Wonderland (2010 film)Alice Through The Looking GlassA Wrinkle in TimeBeauty and the Beast (2017 film)Bedknobs and BroomsticksThe BFGBedtime StoriesBeverly Hills ChihuahuaBridge to TerabithiaChristopher RobinThe Chronicles of Narnia: Prince CaspianThe Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the WardrobeThe Country BearsCinderella (2015 film)CruellaThe Devil and Max DevlinDumbo (2019 film)EnchantedEscape to Witch MountainThe Finest HoursFreaky Friday (2003 film)G-ForceThe Game Plan The Greatest Game Ever PlayedThe Haunted MansionHaunted Mansion (2023 film)HolesInto the WoodsJames and the Giant PeachJohn CarterThe Jungle Book (2016 film)Jungle CruiseThe Lion King (2019 film)The Little Mermaid (2023 film)The Lone RangerThe Love BugHerbie Rides AgainHerbie Goes BananasMaleficentMaleficent: Mistress of EvilMary PoppinsMary Poppins ReturnsMax Keeble's Big MoveMcFarland, USAMillion Dollar ArmMulan (2020 film)The MuppetsThe Muppet Christmas CarolMuppets Most WantedMuppet Treasure Island National Treasure National Treasure: Book of SecretsThe Nutcracker and the Four RealmsOld YellerOz the Great and PowerfulThe Parent TrapThe Parent Trap (1998)Pete's DragonPete's Dragon (2016 film)Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's EndPirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's ChestPirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No TalesPirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger TidesPirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black PearlPollyannaPrince of Persia: The Sands of TimeThe Princess DiariesThe Princess Diaries 2: Royal EngagementQueen of KatweThe Santa ClauseThe Santa Clause 2The Santa Clause 3: The Escape ClauseSaving Mr. BanksSnowball ExpressSo Dear To My HeartThe Sorcerer's ApprenticeSwiss Family RobinsonThe Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie MenTomorrowlandTronTron: LegacyWho Framed Roger Rabbit
Disneynature films African CatsBearsBorn in ChinaChimpanzeeThe Crimson Wing: Mystery of the FlamingosMonkey KingdomOceansWings of Life
Disney Channel Original Movies Camp RockThe Cheetah GirlsDescendantsHalloweentownHigh School MusicalTwitchesZombiesMiscellaneous
Lucasfilm films Rogue One: A Star Wars StorySolo: A Star Wars StoryStar Wars: The Force AwakensStar Wars: The Last JediStar Wars: The Rise of SkywalkerIndiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny
Marvel Cinematic Universe films Ant-ManAnt-Man and the WaspAnt-Man and the Wasp: QuantumaniaThe AvengersAvengers: Age of UltronAvengers: EndgameAvengers: Infinity WarBlack PantherBlack Panther: Wakanda ForeverBlack WidowCaptain America: Civil WarCaptain America: The Winter SoldierCaptain MarvelThe MarvelsDoctor StrangeDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of MadnessEternalsGuardians of the GalaxyGuardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten RingsSpider-Man: Far From HomeSpider-Man: HomecomingSpider-Man: No Way HomeIron Man 3Thor: The Dark WorldThor: Love and ThunderThor: Ragnarok
20th Century Studios films X-Men: Dark PhoenixThe Art of Racing in the RainAd AstraFord v FerrariUnderwaterThe Call of the WildThe CreatorThe New MutantsFree GuyWest Side StoryDeath on the NileAvatar: The Way of WaterA Haunting in VenicePoor Things
Animated shorts
Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck Cartoon CollectionsCartoon Classics (Limited Gold Editions) • Mini ClassicsFavorite Stories (UK Equivalent: Storybook Favorites) • Classic Cartoon FavoritesMickey and Friends' Greatest Hits (Outside USA) • Funny FactoryIt's a Small World of Fun!Timeless Tales (UK Equivalent: Walt Disney's Fables) • Walt Disney Animation Collection: Classic Short FilmsHave a Laugh!MiscellaneousPixarDisney Cartoon Festival (Japan only)
Television shows
Animated shows 101 DalmatiansAdventures of the Gummi BearsAladdinBonkersChip 'n Dale Rescue RangersDarkwing DuckDougDuckTalesElena of AvalorGargoylesGoof TroopGravity FallsJungle CubsKim PossibleThe Little MermaidThe New Adventures of Winnie the PoohPhineas and FerbThe Proud FamilyQuack PackRapunzel's Tangled AdventureRecessStar Wars RebelsTaleSpinTimon & PumbaaW.I.T.C.H.
Live-action shows DinosaursGood Luck CharlieHannah MontanaLizzie McGuireThe Mickey Mouse ClubThe Suite Life of Zack and Cody/The Suite Life on DeckThat's So RavenWalt Disney anthology seriesWelcome to Pooh CornerWizards of Waverly PlaceYou and Me, Kid
Playhouse Disney/Disney Junior Doc McStuffinsHandy MannyJake and the Never Land PiratesThe Lion GuardLittle EinsteinsMickey and the Roadster RacersMickey Mouse ClubhouseMy Friends Tigger & PoohSofia the FirstThe Book of Pooh
Compilation videosOther shows
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