Modern-day shorts released with theatrical films
This is a list of short films from the modern era (that is, since 1970) which received theatrical release in the United States accompanying feature films. 1970 is the starting date for this list because most of the major studios had ceased to regularly release shorts with their features by then.
Some of them were released to DVD with the features as well, but not necessarily all of them.
This list is an ongoing project and is not complete. In particular, both Universal and United Artists continued to release animated theatrical shorts during the 1970s but, as far as I know, they were not paired for distribution with specific features as the shorts on this list were. At this time I am only covering U.S. releases; coverage of international releases would require significant additional research.
Some of them were released to DVD with the features as well, but not necessarily all of them.
This list is an ongoing project and is not complete. In particular, both Universal and United Artists continued to release animated theatrical shorts during the 1970s but, as far as I know, they were not paired for distribution with specific features as the shorts on this list were. At this time I am only covering U.S. releases; coverage of international releases would require significant additional research.
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- DirectorTom LeetchStarsSteve ForrestRoyal DanoPeter RenadayA look at the many attractions, resort hotels, and other amusements at Walt Disney World in its first year of operation.Released theatrically with Snowball Express (1972).
- DirectorDale Allan PeltonStarsElsa GamireDr. Elsa Gamire of the California Institute of Technology creates compelling abstract images, "creatures of light," through lasers and mirrors, set to an original musical score, in what has been called "the first laser-generated film."Released theatrically with Yessongs (1975).
- DirectorJohn LounsberyWolfgang ReithermanStarsSebastian CabotJunius MatthewsJohn FiedlerRabbit is tired of Tigger always bouncing him, so he gets Pooh and Piglet together to come up with an idea to get the bounce out of Tigger. Rabbit suggests they take him into the middle of nowhere and leave him overnight. The idea backfires and Rabbit, Piglet and Pooh find themselves lost, but Pooh's tummy guides them home. Then, Tigger and Roo go out for a bounce and get caught in a tree, which Tigger is too afraid to get out of, and Rabbit makes Tigger promise that if they help get Tigger down, that Tigger can never bounce again. So Tigger is rescued and feels sad that he can no longer bounce, but everyone, including Rabbit, agrees they liked the old bouncy Tigger better.Oscar nominee for Best Animated Short.
Released theatrically with The Island at the Top of the World (1974). - DirectorRichard BakerStarsJoe CampPaul HenningFrank InnA short documentary about Benji the dog released to accompany the theatrical release of the movie Hawmps! (1976) in 1976.Released theatrically with Hawmps! (1976).
- DirectorDon BluthJack CuttingWolfgang ReithermanStarsSean MarshallWilliam WoodsonOlan SouleOrdered by his father to sell his old, small donkey, named Small One, a boy in ancient Palestine takes the donkey to the Jerusalem market. Finding no buyers there, the boy is about to give up when he meets a kind man named Joseph.Released theatrically with the 1978 re-issue of Pinocchio (1940) and with the 1982 re-issue of Peter Pan (1953).
- DirectorJack SpeirsStarsRex AllenA wildlife adventure about a fox cub who teams with a badger to survive wilderness dangers.Released theatrically with the 1979 re-issue of One Hundred and One Dalmatians (1961).
- DirectorJerry KramerGary RocklenStarsAurora MirandaBetty Lou GersonHans ConriedOnce Upon A Mouse: 20 minute chronological retrospective of the works of Walt Disney. Played before the re-release of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs in 1981. Directed by Ken Rudolph (Kenimation Prod.) Cameraman, Raymond Wojdynski.Released theatrically with The Fox and the Hound (1981).
- DirectorRick ReinertStarsHal SmithRalph WrightLaurie MainWinnie the Pooh and friends decide to throw a birthday celebration for gloomy, old Eeyore.Released theatrically with the 1983 re-issue of The Sword in the Stone (1963).
- DirectorBurny MattinsonStarsAlan YoungWayne AllwineHal SmithThe classic Disney animated characters play the roles in this animated retelling of the Charles Dickens masterpiece.Oscar nominee for Best Animated Short.
Released theatrically with the 1983 re-issue of The Rescuers (1977). - DirectorAnne-Marie MiévilleStarsBruno CremerAurore ClémentRebecca Hampton11 year old Marie is terribly upset by her parents' separation. Her reaction is to cut herself off from the world and take refuge in books, music and dance. This short film is a complement to Jean-Luc Godard's film Je vous salue Marie.Released theatrically with Hail Mary (1985).
- DirectorJohn LasseterA larger lamp watches while a smaller, younger lamp plays exuberantly with a ball but doesn't pick up the knack of correct handling.
- DirectorFrank MarshallRob MinkoffStarsCharles FleischerApril WinchellLou HirschBaby Herman swallows his rattle, and Roger has to take him to the hospital to get it out.Released theatrically with Honey, I Shrunk the Kids (1989).
- DirectorJohn LasseterA snow globe snowman wants to join the other travel souvenirs in a hot party, but the glass dome that surrounds him gets in his way, despite all his efforts.Released theatrically with Finding Nemo (2003).
- DirectorFrank MarshallRob MinkoffStarsCharles FleischerKathleen TurnerApril WinchellRoger Rabbit struggles to keep wandering Baby Herman safe in an amusement park where the usual havoc ensues.Released theatrically with Dick Tracy (1990).
- DirectorGeorge ScribnerStarsWayne AllwineBill FarmerArthur BurghardtA poor boy and a prince exchange identities and lives while the villainous Captain of the Guard plots to take advantage of this.Released theatrically with The Rescuers Down Under (1990).
- DirectorDarrell Van CittersStarsJeff BergmanJim CummingsTress MacNeilleWhen a 100 screen cineminium is built over Bugs Bunny's rabbit hole, he invades the complex to investigate but is quickly pursued when usher Elmer Fudd finds that he has no ticket.Released theatrically in 1991 with The NeverEnding Story II: The Next Chapter (1990).
- DirectorDavid BlockStarsJeff BennettRodger BumpassNancy CartwrightA delivery cat struggles against time to meet a five minute deadline.Released theatrically with 3 Ninjas (1992).
- DirectorBarry CookThe story of an old fashioned rocking horse who tries to regain the affection of a boy whose attention has turned to video games.Released theatrically with Honey, I Blew Up the Kid (1992).
- DirectorMatthew O'CallaghanStarsJim CarreyAndrea MartinThora BirchDuring a piano lesson, a music teacher discovers a harmless spider, so she calls in The Exterminator.Released theatrically with Bebe's Kids (1992).
- DirectorBarry CookStarsCharles FleischerKathleen TurnerApril WinchellDuring a picnic, Baby Herman follows a beaver into a perilous sawmill - with Roger Rabbit in frantic pursuit.Released theatrically with A Far Off Place (1993).
- DirectorRich AronsDavid MarshallAudu PadenStarsRob PaulsenJess HarnellTress MacNeilleThe Warner Brothers, Yakko and Wakko, and their sister Dot star in their first theater short. Yakko and Dot are constantly bickering while Wakko is complaining during a car ride with their psychiatrist Dr. Otto Scratchansniff. A mostly musical cartoon.Released theatrically with Thumbelina (1994).
- DirectorChuck JonesStarsChuck JonesPaul JulianChariots of Fur is a seven-minute Looney Tunes short released in 1994 by Warner Bros. It features Wile E. Coyote and the Road Runner and was directed by Chuck Jones, who introduced the pair in 1949. the first time a new short of Wile E. Coyote and Road Runner had been released theatrically since 1966. This was the final Coyote/Road Runner short to be directed by Jones.Released theatrically with Richie Rich (1994).
- DirectorChris BaileyStarsWayne AllwineRussi TaylorKelsey GrammerIn an attempt to convince Minnie that he hasn't forgotten to buy her an anniversary present, Mickey Mouse ends up promising to take her to Hawaii. Funds being short, he applies for a job as lab assistant to the sinister Dr. Frankenollie, who happens to be searching for a donor to provide his monstrous creation with a brain...Oscar nominee for Best Animated Short.
Released theatrically with A Kid in King Arthur's Court (1995). - DirectorMitch McCabeStarsMitch McCabeThis angst-ridden yet humorous portrait of the filmmaker's efforts to confront her family redefines the coming of age story in the form of a hilarious documentary.Released theatrically with Only the Brave (1994) in 1995.
- DirectorJan PinkavaStarsBob PetersonGeri sets up a chess game to play his greatest opponent - himself.