The Canadian Encyclopedia — neutral, cited, updated
July 27, 2026Sources cited
Canadianwire.
Canada’s encyclopedia & explainer
Home›Entertainment›Film›Bambi
Entertainment • Film

Bambi

Bambi is a 1942 American animated feature film produced by Walt Disney Productions and released by RKO Radio Pictures.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Bambi is a 1942 American animated feature film produced by Walt Disney Productions and released by RKO Radio Pictures. It follows a young deer, Bambi, as he grows up in the forest with his friends and encounters loss, danger, and maturity. The film is based on Felix Salten’s 1923 novel Bambi: A Life in the Woods.

Plot

The film follows Bambi from childhood to adulthood in a forest community. Major events include his relationships with his mother, father, and friends, as well as the death of his mother and a destructive forest fire.

Production and release

Bambi was produced by Walt Disney Productions and directed under David Hand’s supervision. It premiered in London on August 9, 1942, and opened in the United States on August 13, 1942.

Source material

The film adapts Felix Salten’s novel Bambi: A Life in the Woods, first published in 1923. Disney’s version is a simplified and more family-oriented adaptation of the original book.

Reception and legacy

Bambi is regarded as one of Disney’s most celebrated animated films and a landmark in animation. It was later selected for preservation in the National Film Registry in 2011.

Key facts

  • Bambi was Walt Disney’s fifth animated feature film.
  • The film is based on Felix Salten’s 1923 novel Bambi: A Life in the Woods.
  • It was released in the United States on August 13, 1942.
  • The story follows Bambi, a young deer, and woodland characters including Thumper and Flower.
  • Bambi was added to the United States National Film Registry in 2011.
🍁
Canadian context

Bambi has been widely screened and distributed in Canada as a classic Disney film, and it remains familiar to Canadian audiences through television, home video, and streaming-era Disney distribution.

Frequently asked questions

What is Bambi?
Bambi is a 1942 Disney animated feature film about a young deer growing up in the forest.
Who directed Bambi?
Bambi was directed by David Hand, with multiple supervising directors credited in some sources.
What is Bambi based on?
It is based on Felix Salten’s 1923 novel Bambi: A Life in the Woods.
When was Bambi released?
It was released in the United States on August 13, 1942.
Was Bambi preserved by the National Film Registry?
Yes. The Library of Congress added Bambi to the National Film Registry in 2011.
Did Bambi have a sequel?
Yes. Bambi II was released in 2006 as a direct-to-video sequel.

References

  1. D23 — https://d23.com/from-the-archives-walt-disneys-bambi/
    Supports: Film identification, Disney's fifth animated feature, source novel, National Film Registry listing
  2. Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/Bambi-American-animated-film-1942
    Supports: Release year, adaptation from Felix Salten novel, plot summary, classic status
  3. D23 — https://d23.com/a-to-z/bambi-film/
    Supports: Premiere and release dates, plot summary, source novel
  4. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0034492
    Supports: Country of origin, language, release date, alternate title
  5. EBSCO — https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/film/bambi-film
    Supports: Fifth feature, adaptation, release year, reception, sequel
  6. Kiddle — https://kids.kiddle.co/Bambi
    Supports: Release date, fifth full-length Disney film, Academy Award nominations, National Film Registry mention