One Hundred and One Dalmatians (1961)

One Hundred and One Dalmatians is a 1961 American animated adventure produced by Walt Disney Productions, directed by Clyde Geronimi, Hamilton Luske, and Wolfgang Reitherman. The film follows Pongo and Perdita, two Dalmatian dogs living in London with their human "pets" Roger and Anita, whose litter of 15 puppies is stolen by the fur-obsessed villainess Cruella de Vil, who plans to skin them along with 84 other stolen Dalmatian puppies to make a spotted fur coat. Pongo and Perdita must lead a daring rescue across the English countryside using the "Twilight Bark," a network of dogs who relay messages across the country.

One Hundred and One Dalmatians saved Walt Disney Productions from potential financial ruin — the studio had lost money on Sleeping Beauty's expensive production, and this film's use of Xerox technology to transfer animators' pencil drawings directly to cels dramatically reduced costs while creating a distinctive, sketchy visual style. Cruella de Vil, with her skeletal frame, two-toned hair, extravagant fur coat, and maniacal driving, became one of Disney's most iconic and enduring villains. The film earned $303 million in cumulative worldwide releases and directly inspired the 1996 live-action adaptation starring Glenn Close.