Hero's Journey

 When it comes to the studying the Hero's Journey, often the works of fiction that most resemble the classic format are those of ancient myth. Elements of the cycle can be seen in almost every story, such as the refusal of the journey, the mentor, the leaving of home, the animal/strange companion, the belly of the beast, the boon, and the return. Disney films, often rooted in mythology, in general tend to follow these elements to a point. Hercules for example; refuses to leave for Olympus out of social pressure and fear, his father guides him to a fighting mentor and introduces his flying horse companion, Hercules nearly meets his end, overcomes the challenges of the underworld, returns and lives happily ever after with Meg. Another genre beyond Disney that follows the cycle of the classical hero is high fantasy. The Hobbit is a fairly accurate example.
  The protagonist Bilbo shares a lot in common with the classical hero, primarily in his reluctancy to go on his journey, relevant more so in the recent films. The book and film both share Bilbo's early unpleasantry with his dwarves guests and shudders at the thought of adventure. In the books, Bilbo wakes the next morning pleased thinking the Dwarves left him behind, but Gandalf returns eager to push Bilbo forward. In the films, Bilbo instead turns down the Dwarves offer but decides on his own to join their quest. Gandalf of course fills the role of the mentor, guiding and educating Bilbo through his own experience and insight. After a long hard journey, Bilbo returns to his home with his new boon, treasure and experience. One of the elements, only considered optional by most but most certainly common in almost all Disney films, is the animal/non-human companions. Beorne in a way fills the role, being a man in form of a bear, but he is not around long enough to be considered a true companion. Either way, when it comes down to heroes and the classical cycle of the journey, few match the elements and tropes better than the Hobbit.