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All Disney Animated Theatrical Movies Ranked by Tomatometer

Remember those shelves and shelves of Disney classics you used to have on VHS – the spines of their spongy plastic cases promising adventures with foxes and cats, lions and bears, princesses and puppets? They’re all on Disney+. (Except for Song of the South , because well, that one’s never going to see the light of zip-a-dee-ay again.) To celebrate this access to all the best Disney movies, we went ahead and compiled a list of every Disney animated film and ranked them the best way we know how, by Certified Fresh first, then Fresh, and then the Rotten ones.

We’ve been strict with our rules; we’re talking Disney animated movies, and excluding Pixar, and movies also had to be theatrically released in order to qualify. Plus, the movies had to be fully  animated, which means you won’t find live-action/animation hybrid movies like  Bedknobs and Broomsticks  nor  Song of the South  on the list. You  will  find the studio’s earliest animated offerings: the one that started it all –  Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs – and the ones whose box office receipts might have made a weaker-willed studio impresario end it quickly ( Pinocchio , Fantasia ). You’ll also find rousing adventures ( Jungle Book, Sword In the Stone ), make a foray into the experimental years ( Black Cauldron , Oliver and Company ), resurface in the second golden age ( Aladdin , The Little Mermaid , Beauty and the Beast , The Lion King ), fall back into the second dark age ( Treasure Planet , Home on the Range ), and come back up again for some digital fun ( Bolt , Big Hero 6 ) before coming full circle with the princesses ( Tangled , Frozen , Moana ). Except you won’t do it in that order, of course, because Disney’s Tomatometer highs and lows are spread across the decades.

So, Meter Meter on the wall, who’s the Freshest of them all? Find out in our guide to the Best Disney Animated Movies! — Alex Vo

Pinocchio (1940) 100%

Zootopia (2016) 98%

One Hundred and One Dalmatians (1961) 98%

Cinderella (1950) 98%

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) 97%

Moana (2016) 95%

Aladdin (1992) 95%

Dumbo (1941) 95%

Fantasia (1940) 95%

Beauty and the Beast (1991) 93%

Raya and the Last Dragon (2021) 93%

The Lion King (1994) 92%

Lady and the Tramp (1955) 93%

Encanto (2021) 91%

The Little Mermaid (1989) 91%

Bambi (1942) 91%

Frozen (2013) 90%

Big Hero 6 (2014) 90%

Winnie the Pooh (2011) 90%

Bolt (2008) 90%

Tangled (2010) 89%

Tarzan (1999) 89%

Sleeping Beauty (1959) 90%

Ralph Breaks the Internet (2018) 88%

The Jungle Book (1967) 88%

Wreck-It Ralph (2012) 87%

Lilo & Stitch (2002) 87%

The Emperor's New Groove (2000) 86%

Mulan (1998) 86%

The Princess and the Frog (2009) 85%

Hercules (1997) 82%

Fantasia 2000 (1999) 80%

Pooh's Heffalump Movie (2005) 80%

Frozen II (2019) 77%

Disney's Teacher's Pet (2004) 76%

Piglet's Big Movie (2003) 70%

The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (1977) 100%

DuckTales, the Movie: Treasure of the Lost Lamp (1990) 100%

The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad (1949) 88%

Alice in Wonderland (1951) 84%

The Rescuers (1977) 79%

Peter Pan (1953) 78%

The Great Mouse Detective (1986) 77%

Melody Time (1948) 75%

Strange World (2022) 72%

The Fox and the Hound (1981) 75%

The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996) 71%

The Rescuers Down Under (1990) 72%

Treasure Planet (2002) 69%

Meet the Robinsons (2007) 67%

Fun and Fancy Free (1947) 70%

The Sword in the Stone (1963) 66%

Dinosaur (2000) 65%

The Aristocats (1970) 64%

The Tigger Movie (2000) 62%

Recess: School's Out (2001) 60%

A Goofy Movie (1995) 59%

Make Mine Music (1946) 58%

Robin Hood (1973) 58%

The Black Cauldron (1985) 54%

Pocahontas (1995) 53%

Oliver & Company (1988) 53%

Home on the Range (2004) 52%

Wish (2023) 48%

Atlantis: The Lost Empire (2001) 49%

Return to Never Land (2002) 45%

Planes: Fire & Rescue (2014) 44%

Bambi II (2006) 44%

Brother Bear (2003) 37%

Chicken Little (2005) 37%

Doug's 1st Movie (1999) 28%

Planes (2013) 26%

The Jungle Book 2 (2003) 18%

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27 best movies on Disney Plus to watch now (April 2024)

Make some popcorn because it's Disney Plus movies night

Narrowing down the best Disney Plus movies is no easy feat. With a vast array of titles spanning over a century of cinematic history, it's natural to feel overwhelmed when navigating through their extensive library.

Disney's streaming service is home to some of the industry's biggest, most acclaimed franchises, like Star Wars , Marvel and Pixar. Disney Plus is where you go to watch the Marvel movies in order and the Star Wars movies in order .

But the streamer goes beyond those well-known brands, boasting a treasure trove of hidden gems waiting to be discovered. So, our crack team of movie lovers has dug deep into the catalog to highlight the best Disney Plus movies. Not only have we found the worthiest entries in the big franchises, but we've also found other fantastic films from the House of Mouse.

So, on top of the adventures of the Skywalker Saga and the Infinity Wars, we've got adorable family movies, excellent documentaries and absolute classics.

Here are our picks for the best Disney movies. For television, check out our list of the best Disney Plus shows .

'Encanto' (2021)

It's hard not to fall in love with the Madrigals, a family living in an enchanted casita in Columbia that all have magical powers. Or at least, everyone but Mirabel (Stephanie Beatriz). However, when her family's powers are in danger, Mirabel's the one who may actually save them all. Possibly because she's the one without magic, she's the one who will discover the truth about where her family's magical powers come from to try and save it all. 

This fantastical musical is packed with earworms from "Hamilton" creator Lin-Manuel Miranda, but there's one we have to talk about: "We Don't Talk About Bruno." This mid-tempo ensemble song effortlessly blends salsa, Broadway, pop, and hip-hop genres while its visuals borrow heavily from the quick-changing set pieces and impeccably timed choreography you'd see on the stage. No wonder it went on to become the highest-charting Disney song of all time. — Alyse Stanley

Genre: Kids & family/musical Rotten Tomatoes score: 91% Stars: Stephanie Beatriz, Maria Cecilia Botero, John Leguizamo, Mauro Castillo, Jessica Darrow, Angie Cepeda, Carolina Gaitan, Diane Guerrero, Wilmer Valderrama Director: Jared Bush, Byron Howard Watch now

'Cruella' (2021)

"Cruella," you had me at Emma (Stone and Thompson), but seeing how much fun they’re having while chewing scenery makes the movie all the more alluring. It’s an origin story nobody asked for yet is just the wild ride needed to kick off summer movie season. Stone is Estella, an orphaned street urchin who has always dreamt of working in fashion. 

She lands a job with the famous designer Baroness (Thompson), but their styles clash horribly, leading Estella to begin the transformation into the villain of "One Hundred and One Dalmatians." And what a transformation it is, one that led "Cruella" to take home the Oscar that year for Best Costume Design. — Kelly Woo

Genre: Comedy/kids & family Rotten Tomatoes score: 75% Stars: Emma Stone, Emma Thompson, Joel Fry, Paul Walter Hauser, Emily Beecham, Kirby Howell-Baptiste, Mark Strong Director: Craig Gillespie Watch now

'Fire of Love' (2022)

"Fire of Love" is a movie that you’ll be shocked exists. Not only because Katia and Maurice Krafft are a pair of volcano experts who managed to find each other and fall in love, with a match made in magma. But "Fire of Love" is an utterly impressive documentary because of its sheer amount of footage. The Kraffts, constantly documenting their own work, basically treated every trek as if they were The Beatles on tour, allowing you to see their dangerous work from angles that make you feel like you’re following them from volcano to volcano.

Miranda July’s emotive and heartfelt narration may not be for everyone (though it worked for yours truly), but "Fire of Love" is the kind of movie that could even melt an icy heart. The Kraffts dedicated their lives to studying volcanoes, doing their best to spread awareness of the danger inside these mountains. From the moment you learn that some volcanoes are basically already-lit explosives — it’s just the length of the fuse we don’t know — "Fire of Love" will have you entranced with its amazing story.  — Henry T. Casey

Genre: Documentary Rotten Tomatoes score: 98% Stars: Katia Krafft, Maurice Krafft, Miranda July (narrator) Director: Sara Dosa Watch now

'Avatar: The Way of Water' (2022)

The biggest movie of the last few years is finally streaming, as Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) and Neytiri (Zoe Saldaña) family's continuing war with the RDA pushes them to a new part of Pandora. Their latest skirmish is more complicated, as they face a group of Recombinants: Na'vi avatars with the memories of defeated soldiers — including Colonel Miles Quaritch (Stephen Lang).

While this chapter's more about being a parent and how teens socialize, the biggest revolution here is the use of high frame-rate footage. Much like how the original "Avatar" pushed 3D forward, "The Way of Water's" technological advance helps remove blur and makes its CGI characters look phenomenally real (though I argue it makes humans look worse ). – Henry T. Casey

Genre: Sci-fi adventure Rotten Tomatoes score: 76% Stars: Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña, Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang, Kate Winslet Director: James Cameron Watch now

'Black Panther: Wakanda Forever' (2022)

The tragic passing of Chadwick Boseman left a big hole in the world and in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The first "Black Panther" movie was a smash hit and a critical darling, and a lot of its success rested on Boseman’s capable shoulders. Director Ryan Coogler wanted to find a way to honor his friend and continue the franchise in the sequel, "Wakanda Forever."

Much of the film is marked by grief for King T’Challa. Queen Mother Ramonda (Angela Bassett) takes on his leadership role, while Shuri (Letitia Wright) researches a way to bring back the heart-shaped herb that can anoint a new Black Panther. But a new threat looms in the form of Namor (Tenoch Huerta Mejía), the ruler of an ancient underwater civilization. Ramonda, Shuri, Okoye (Danai Gurira) and new tech-genius ally Riri Williams (Dominique Thorne) will do whatever it takes to protect Wakanda. - Kelly Woo

Genre: Superhero action Rotten Tomatoes score: 84% Stars: Letitia Wright, Angela Bassett, Lupita Nyong'o, Danai Gurira, Winston Duke Director: Ryan Coogler Watch now

'Turning Red' (2022)

A straight-to-Disney Plus movie release often makes you wonder how good a film is going to be. Or at least it did until "Turning Red" came out. This emotionally resonant coming-of-age movie views puberty through a fantasy lens where 13-year-old Chinese-Canadian girl Meilin "Mei" Lee (Rosalie Chiang) discovers a terrible family secret. Whenever she's too flustered or emotional, she turns into a giant red panda.

This is the last thing Mei wanted to have to deal with, as she and her friends have already set their sights on going to a huge boy band concert. Unfortunately, the ritual that could free her from this curse just so happens to fall on the same evening as the big 4*Town show. As you might expect, plenty of drama ensues with Mei's parents, as her mother Ming (Sandra Oh) is protective and doesn't understand her concerns. — HTC

Genre: Coming-of-age comedy Rotten Tomatoes score: 94% Stars: Rosalie Chiang, Sandra Oh, Ava Morse, Hyein Park, Maitreyi Ramakrishnan Director: Domee Shi Watch now

'Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers' (2022)

Every now and again, we find a movie that is so much better than it has any right to be. And "Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers" fits that description perfectly. While Disney Plus gets deserved flack for reheating old nostalgia for profit, this delightful and inventive revival actually brings its old franchise to the modern era, with all the winks and nudges you could ask for along the way. 

The story is simple: Chip (voiced by John Mulaney) and Dale (voiced by Andy Samberg), stars of the titular TV show-within-a-movie, had a falling out back in the day. Now, Dale works the convention circuit and Chip has a desk job. A mystery tied to their old show, though, forces the duo to try to put their past behind them to help a friend. On top of that, a series of hilarious cameos make "Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers" one of the best movies on Disney Plus. — HTC

Genre: Comedy adventure Rotten Tomatoes score: 80% Stars: John Mulaney, Andy Samberg, KiKi Layne, Will Arnett, Eric Bana, Flula Borg Director: Akiva Schaffer Watch now

'Summer of Soul' (2021)

Part concert film, part overdue history lesson, "Summer of Soul" is important and relevant to the current cultural moment. But it’s also simply a blast, from a past most of us knew nothing about. The documentary from first-time director Questlove unearths footage from the other, less famous music festival of the summer of 1969. We’ve all heard plenty about Woodstock; it’s taken too long to learn more about the weekly concerts that took place in a Harlem park. 

The doc is a joyful celebration of Black culture and excellence, with absolutely divine performances by Stevie Wonder, Nina Simone, BB King, Gladys Knight and the Pips, Mahalia Jackson and Mavis Staples (among many others). The Harlem Culture Festival didn’t get the recognition it deserved then, but we can give it our attention now. — KW

Genre: Documentary Rotten Tomatoes score: 99% Stars: Stevie Wonder, Nina Simone, B.B. King Director: Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson Watch now

'Hamilton' (2020)

Bless Disney Plus for bringing the filmed version of award-winning Broadway musical "Hamilton" to the masses. Many theater lovers had heard about the phenomenon but couldn’t see it on stage. And let’s give thanks for creator Lin-Manuel Miranda and his astonishing, history-laden, hip-hop-influenced songs. We also can’t forget the cast’s stunning performances, led by Miranda as the Founding Father and Leslie Odom Jr. as rival Aaron Burr.

"Hamilton" isn’t merely a recording of a stage performance. Director Thomas Kail used several recordings of live performances in front of audiences, as well as sequences filmed without an audience for close-ups. The result is a gorgeous, entertaining and heartstopping movie that will leave you singing (out loud or to yourself) for some time. — KW

Genre: Musical Rotten Tomatoes score: 98% Stars: Lin-Manuel Miranda, Leslie Odom Jr., Phillipa Soo, Renée Elise Goldberry, Daveed Diggs Director: Thomas Kail Watch now

'Avengers: Endgame' (2019)

The Earth's mightiest warriors need to stop the madman known as Thanos (Josh Brolin), who just decimated life as they know it. Fortunately, there are ways to crack a man who looks like the Grimace's jacked cousin. With some ingenuity, time travel and new intergalactic friends Captain Marvel and the Guardians of the Galaxy, the Avengers have a chance at restoring their own reality.

And, sure, we could have also included the first Avengers (which created the formula) or "Avengers: Infinity War" (without which, we couldn't have "Endgame"), but this Avengers movie is the best because it's simply more dramatically interesting. This is a movie about the different ways we process grief. Oh, and its ending — that epic big battle scene — is cooler, too. — HTC

Genres: Superhero, sci-fi, action Rotten Tomatoes score: 94% Stars: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner Directors: Anthony Russo and Joe Russo Watch now

'Toy Story 4' (2019)

I can hear your complaints as I write this out — yes, the only "Toy Story" movie on this list is the most-recent. But stick with me here. "Toy Story 4," which had no right to be as excellent as it is, gave us a story that the series set up, but never delivered: what would have happened if Woody & Bo Peep had a second chance? 

It doesn't start there, though. It begins as we look at the entire concept of a toy, as young Bonnie fashions together Forky (Tony Hale), who seems like a Frankenstein's Monster of a toy. But after a family road trip goes awry, Woody has to take a strong look at what he wants to do with his life. "Toy Story 4" was a huge surprise to see in theaters, especially after "Toy Story 3" felt like a perfect (if utterly depressing at times) send-off. — HTC

Genre: Comedy adventure Rotten Tomatoes score: 97% Stars: Tom Hanks, Annie Potts, Tim Allen, Tony Hale, Keegan-Michael Key, Jordan Peele Director: Josh Cooley Watch now

'Black Panther' (2018) 

After we first met Wakanda's new king T'Challa (Chadwick Boseman) in "Captain America: Civil War," a solo film for "Black Panther" was an inevitability. And this is a very personal tale, as T'Challa's ascent to the position of Black Panther isn't a smooth process. The arrival of a hitherto unknown heir to the throne — Erik Killmonger (Michael B. Jordan in top form) — presents a difficult challenge. 

Not only does Killmonger have a valid claim to the throne, he's also better at politicking in this world than T'Challa is. The two fight for the throne and future of Wakanda, as T'Challa wants peace and Killmonger wants vengeance. However, T'Challa has one thing his rival doesn't: the support of the badass Dora Milaje (most notably Danai Gurira as Okoye) and his family. 

"Black Panther" isn't just an exceptional standalone MCU film, it's also a strong reminder of how talented Boseman was, and how tragic it is that we lost him at such a young age. "Black Panther" set a tall bar for " Black Panther 2: Wakanda Forever ." — HTC

Genres: Superhero, sci-fi, action Rotten Tomatoes score: 96% Stars: Chadwick Boseman, MIchael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong'o, Danai Gurira, Martin Freeman, Daniel Kaluuya Director: Ryan Coogler Watch now

'Free Solo' (2018)

Alex Honnold does things no mortal man, and even most Marvel heroes, even think of: He's a master of the "free solo" climb, wherein there are no ropes. Not only is Honnold on his own, but he's even challenged himself with some of the most massive rock formations, including the El Capitan summit in California (you may have seen it on your macOS wallpaper about seven years ago). And "Free Solo" shows off how wild and dangerous his pursuit is.

"Free Solo" also goes beyond the glossy. This film shows Honnold as a very driven and motivated guy who is far from normal. We see that he's put his climbing career ahead of everything, and is somewhat emotionally stunted. It shows how he's unhappy, and by not providing his answer when he's asked if he's depressed, the film basically gives us the answer. — HTC

Genre: Documentary Rotten Tomatoes score: 97% Stars: Alex Honnold, Tommy Caldwell, Sanni McCancless, Jimmy Chin Directors: Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi, Jimmy Chin Watch now

'Coco' (2017)

Young Miguel, who lives in Santa Cecilia, Mexico, only wants to be a musician when he grows up. The problem? Well, his family would accept practically any other career choice. But during the Day of the Dead, an accident sends Miguel into a state he probably never expected: interacting with those long-departed in the (rather gorgeous) Land of the Dead. Filled with emotion and humor, "Coco" is one of the best Disney Plus movies, period.

Arguably the best Disney movie if you want a cathartic ugly-cry experience (hey, no judgment, moods are moods), "Coco" is a brilliant animated feature from Disney and Pixar that you better have seen by now (seriously, finish reading this list and then go watch it). I don't often find myself watching music-driven animated films, but I strongly encourage you to try this one. — HTC

Genre: Musical drama Rotten Tomatoes score: 97% Stars: Anthony Gonzalez, Gael García Bernal, Benjamin Bratt, Alanna Ubach, Renee Victor Directors: Adrian Molina, Lee Unkrich Watch now

'Thor: Ragnarok' (2017)

Almost two movies perfectly meshed into one, "Thor: Ragnarok" helped elevate the already well-esteemed Taika Waititi to the next level. Now, big studios could give the guy behind "What We Do in the Shadows" a huge budget and expect a fun, original and entertaining action movie in return. "Ragnarok" is the third (and so-far-best) chapter of Thor's solo movies, and while it helps to have seen the previous Thor movies (also on Disney Plus), you don't need to.

This movie is a lot more self-contained, as Thor (Chris Hemsworth) is trying to protect Asgard from the apocalypse known as Ragnarok, as well as Hela (Cate Blanchett). But the other half of "Ragnarok" is much sillier, as Thor finds himself stuck on the planet of Sakaar, where he's sold to a quirky guy called The Grandmaster (an inspired Jeff Goldblum), who forces him to compete in gladiatorial games. This is when "Ragnarok" becomes the "Step Brothers" of the MCU, as Thor reunites with the Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), and it doesn't exactly go smoothly. Fortunately, this movie also introduces Tessa Thompson's Valkyrie, an instant fan-favorite. — HTC

Genres: Superhero, comedy, action Rotten Tomatoes score: 93% Stars: Chris Hemsworth, Taika Waititi, Cate Blanchett, Tessa Thompson, Jeff Goldblum, Mark Ruffalo Director: Taika Waititi Watch now

'Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi' (2017)

When you think about the third trilogy of Star Wars' Skywalker Saga, look past the one that is far too similar to "A New Hope" ("The Force Awakens") and the one that's way too obsessed with Emperor Palpatine ("The Rise of Skywalker"). While "The Last Jedi" is also rooted in the past of the movies, thanks to amazing work from Mark Hamill playing a hermit-like Luke, it's a much more fresh and original addition to the lineup.

While we appreciate the whole cast's contributions to "The Last Jedi," this was the chapter where Daisy Ridley's Rey felt most alive and vibrant and interesting. Oh, and Rian Johnson and his team contribute some of the most amazing visuals the Star Wars world has ever seen, including the red mineral-laced world of Crait. — HTC

Genres: Space opera, action adventure Rotten Tomatoes score: 91% Stars: Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Andy Serkis, Lupita Nyong'o, Domhnall Gleeson, Anthony Daniels, Gwendoline Christie, Kelly Marie Tran, Laura Dern, Benicio del Toro Director: Rian Johnson Watch now

'Hidden Figures' (2016)

"Hidden Figures" isn’t just an important film for its depiction of women of color breaking barriers in STEM fields, but it’s also a highly entertaining and thrilling one. 

The movie is based on the true story of Black mathematicians working at NASA in the 1960s. Katherine Johnson (Taraji P. Henson) calculated flight paths for Project Mercury, Dorothy Vaughn (Octavia Spencer) supervised the programming department and Mary Jackson (Janelle Monáe) was NASA’s first Black female engineer. These women were computers before computers were put into wide use. — KW

Genre: Historical drama Rotten Tomatoes score: 93% Stars: Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencter, Janelle Monáe, Mahershala Ali, Kevin Costner Director: Theodore Melfi Watch now

'Captain America: The Winter Soldier' (2014)

No conversation about ranking the best Marvel movies can truly exist without mention of Captain America's second solo adventure. Not only does this film throw a gigantic wrench in the works of one of Marvel's biggest organizations, practically blowing up definitions of good and bad, but it's simply a fantastic standalone movie on its own.

That's because Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) has yet another personal story to tell, as The Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan) is a chilling blast from Cap's past. Fortunately, our hero has some help, or at least he's got two people he may be able to trust: Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) and Natasha Romanov/Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) are both here, and both will have their allegiances tested. On top of that, this is Sam Wilson's MCU debut! — HTC

Genres: Superhero, espionage thriller Rotten Tomatoes score: 90% Stars: Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Samuel L. Jackson, Sebastian Stan, Robert Redford, Anthony Mackie Directors: Anthony and Joe Russo Watch now

'Big Hero 6' (2014)

Did you know Disney made a Marvel movie that was never supposed to be part of the MCU? It’s true, though you’d be forgiven for forgetting "Big Hero 6" was originally a short-lived Marvel comic . But barring a few names, superheroics and Stan Lee, the movie has virtually nothing in common with the source material. Instead we have a fairly typical superhero story, albeit one that’s more designed for kids and features a cuddly inflatable robot.

"Big Hero 6" is a story about loss, which is not uncommon for comic book movies, with main character Hiro (Ryan Potter) having to come to terms with the death of his brother , Tadashi (Daniel Henney). Fortunately Hiro is able to turn his brother’s final creation, the inflatable robot doctor Baymax (Scott Adsit), into a crime-fighting hero. With the help of Tadashi’s friends, they’re able to form the super-team Big Hero 6 and do what heroes do best: Save the world. — Tom Pritchard

Genres: Superhero, comedy Rotten Tomatoes score: 90% Stars: Ryan Potter, Scot Adsit, Maya Rudolph, TJ Miller, Daymon Wayans Jr, Jamie Chung, Genesis Rodriguez, Alan Tudyk, James Cromwell Director: Don Hall and Chris Williams Watch now

'Frozen' (2013)

A cultural phenomenon on a par with the very biggest Disney animations, 2013’s "Frozen" will forever cause the parents of pre-school kids to break out in paroxysms of fear. Not because it’s scary or bad — it’s not — but because of those songs. You know the ones: "Let it Go," "Do You Want to Build a Snowman," and "For the First Time in Forever." As the father of twin girls who were aged three when it came out, I must have heard them 300 times. And that’s not an exaggeration. 

Then again, they are great songs and "Frozen" is a great movie. Loosely based on Hans Christian Andersen's The Snow Queen, it does that classic Disney thing of blending a rip-roaring story with slapstick humor, mild peril and chaste romance. But this being the 21st century, the female leads are all strong characters who really don’t need saving by the men in the tale, thank you very much. It looks fantastic, too, while the voice acting (and singing) by Kristin Bell, Idina Menzel and Josh Gad is flawless. — Marc McLaren

Genre: Fairy tale, musical drama Rotten Tomatoes score: 90% Stars: Kristen Bell, Idina Menzel, Jonathan Groff, Josh Gad, Santino Fontana Director: Chris Buck, Jennifer Lee Watch now

'Avatar' (2009)

Remarkably, "Avatar" is still the highest grossing film of all time, 13 years after its release. It’s arguably not quite as special as those box-office takings might imply, but James Cameron’s sci-fi epic remains a must-watch movie if only because of its sumptuous CGI. 

Set on the lush colony of Pandora, "Avatar" follows former marine Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) as he initiates himself into the complex society of the Na’vi species by way of an ‘avatar’ — a human-Na’vi hybrid that can tolerate the moon’s toxic atmosphere. 

The story isn’t exactly groundbreaking in its originality — there’s a love interest in the form of Zoe Saldana’s Neytiri, a nemesis in the form of her jealous former boyfriend, and that’s about it — but boy does it look good. Set yourself up in front of one of the best OLED TV s, fire up one of the best soundbars and immerse yourself in a true cinematic experience. (And get ready for " Avatar 2 " and the other impending sequels.) — MMc

Genre: Sci-fi Rotten Tomatoes score: 82% Stars: Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Stephen Lang, Michelle Rodriguez, Sigourney Weaver Director: James Cameron Watch now

'Ratatouille' (2007)

Remy the rat lives a life that's very unbecoming of a rodent. This Paris-based pipsqueak has the finest taste in food, which confuses all of his fellow rats. Those two sentences don't make sense, though, do they? Or at least they wouldn't until you realize that Remy is voiced by Patton Oswalt, who brings an enthusiastic and manic energy to Remy, who dreams of a better life. And once you hear a rat voiced by Oswalt, everything kinda falls into place.

Remy stumbles into his dream when one pipe leads to another, which leads to one of Paris' finest eating establishments. There, he meets aspiring chef Linguini, who is dealing with a concern as big as Remy's appetite: a snobbish food critic named Anton Ego. Already an instant-classic, "Ratatouille" just got a little more life thanks to the references in " Everything Everywhere All At Once ." — HTC

Genre: Comedy Rotten Tomatoes score: 96% Stars: Patton Oswalt, Ian Holm, Lou Romano, Brian Dennehy, Peter Sohn, Brad Garrett Director: Brad Bird Watch now

'10 Things I Hate About You' (1999)

This modernized take on William Shakespeare’s "Taming of the Shrew" follows the romantic entanglements of teen sisters: independent, snarky Kat (Julia Stiles) and boy-crazy Bianca (Larisa Oleynik). Their strict dad’s dating rules mean Bianca can’t date anyone until Kat has a boyfriend, which seriously bums out sweet new student Cameron (Joseph Gordon-Levitt). 

A senior also interested in Bianca pays rebellious outsider Patrick (Heath Ledger) to woo Kat so he can take the younger sister to the prom and have sex with her. Kat rebuffs Patrick at first, but finds herself falling for his devilishly charming ways. When the truth comes out at prom, everything falls apart. As Shakespeare himself wrote, the course of true love never did run smooth. — KW

Genre: Romantic comedy Rotten Tomatoes score: 70% Stars: Julia Stiles, Heath Ledger, Larisa Oleynik, Joseph Gordon-Levitt Director: Gil Junger Watch now

'The Lion King' (1994) 

Most '90s kids keep a place in their hearts for "The Lion King" (the 2D original, mind you), a musical drama that's as endearing as it is joyous and rewatchable. Its story follows Simba, a young lion who is the heir to the kingdom after his father Mufasa. Unfortunately, his evil uncle Scar complicates things, and Simba has to grow up and mature on his own. 

Fortunately, he makes new friends who help him discover many new things, including the motto “No worries for the rest of your days." As you might expect, though, Simba has to go back to make things right at home. Highly recommendable for most audiences across all age demographics, "The Lion King's" songs are a delight, and its characters are memorable. An experience that you should not miss. — Sanjana Prakash

Genres: Drama, comedy Rotten Tomatoes score: 93% Stars: Mathew Broderick, James Earl Jones, Jeremy Irons, Nathan Lane, Rowan Atkinson Director: Roger Allers, Rob Minkoff Watch now

'Home Alone' (1990)

If you were lucky enough to never even think about skipping a family holiday growing up, you may not be able to relate to Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin). Aside from being annoyed at being the member of the household most likely to annoy another relative, Kevin's frustrated this Christmas season because his siblings and cousins love to make him look like the bad guy.

So, wouldn't you know it, a series of accidents leaves Kev home alone for the holidays — but not for long. Before he knows it, Kevin has to deal with real bad guys: Harry (Joe Pesci) and Marv (Daniel Stern), the so-called Wet Bandits, who want to rob the McCallister household during the holiday break. These two may not be the sharpest cutlery on the counter, but they're feisty enough that they don't turn away even once they realize they're fighting a devious mind. Solid slapstick humor with a warm heart, "Home Alone" is one of the best Disney Plus movies during the holiday season. — HTC

Genre: Slapstick comedy Rotten Tomatoes score: 67% Stars: Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern, Catherine O'Hara Director: Chris Columbus Watch now

'The Princess Bride' (1987)

Not to be confused with "The Princess Diaries," which is also on Disney Plus, "The Princess Bride" is a fantasy tale that pokes fun at all the usual cliches and tropes associated with fairy tales and princess movies. You know, the kind of stuff you’d normally find on Disney Plus. 

"The Princess Bride" tells the story of Wesley and his companions as he tries to rescue his true love Buttercup from a forced marriage with the villainous Prince Humperdinck. The gimmick here is that the movie frames the story with a grandfather (Peter Falk) reading to his sick grandson (Fred Savage) — both of whom offer commentary as the movie progresses. 

Naturally, a small boy has a lot to say about what he assumes is “a kissing book”. If you found yourself balking at the title, you and Fred might have a lot in common. But like him, there’s a very good chance you’ll find yourself more and more enamored with the characters and their fate as the story progresses. — TP

Genre: Fantasy, comedy, romance Rotten Tomatoes score: 97% Stars: Robin Wright, Cary Elwes, Mandy Patinkin, Andre the Giant, Wallace Shawn, Christopher Guest, Chris Sarandon, Billy Crystal, Fred Savage, Peter Falk Director: Rob Reiner Watch now

'Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back' (1980)

Why do we think "Empire" is the best Star Wars movie of all time? Well, in part because it delivered the most drama. The big reveal at the end of the film is still one of the coolest record needle-scratch moments in the history of film. On top of that, it gave us Yoda. What is Star Wars without the diminutive Jedi? Especially when Yoda goes all roadside maintenance and helps retrieve Luke's X-Wing from the swamp. 

That said, a lot of the positivity we have for "Empire Strikes Back" comes from a couple of chilling situations. First off, the opening scenes on the ice planet of Hoth, especially with how the rebels took down the AT-AT walkers, are forever etched in our brains. Secondly, "Empire" is when we saw Han Solo frozen in carbonite, yet another truly iconic moment from the original trilogy — HTC

Genre: Space opera Rotten Tomatoes score: 94% Stars: Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Billy Dee Williams, Anthony Daniels, Frank Oz, Peter Mayhew Director: Irvin Kershner Watch now

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Alyse Stanley is a news editor at Tom’s Guide overseeing weekend coverage and writing about the latest in tech, gaming and entertainment. Prior to joining Tom’s Guide, Alyse worked as an editor for the Washington Post’s sunsetted video game section, Launcher. She previously led Gizmodo’s weekend news desk, where she covered breaking tech news — everything from the latest spec rumors and gadget launches to social media policy and cybersecurity threats.  She has also written game reviews and features as a freelance reporter for outlets like Polygon, Unwinnable, and Rock, Paper, Shotgun. She’s a big fan of horror movies, cartoons, and miniature painting.

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The 58 Best Movies on Disney+ Right Now

In the game known as the streaming wars, Disney+ came out swinging, bringing with it a massive library of movies and TV shows—with new ones being added all the time. Watched everything on Netflix ? Disney+ has a seemingly endless selection of Marvel movies and plenty of Star Wars and Pixar fare too. Problem is, there’s so much stuff that it’s hard to know where to begin. WIRED is here to help. Below are our picks for the best films on Disney+ right now.

For more viewing ideas, try our guides to the best films on Netflix , the best films on Amazon Prime , and the best shows on Apple TV+ .

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Taylor Swift: The Era's Tour (Taylor's Version)

Were you one of the lucky thousands who saw Taylor Swift 's Eras Tour? Did you see Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour in theaters? Well guess what? You can now also watch it on Disney+! Taylor Swift: The Era's Tour (Taylor's Version) is kind of like the one that played at AMC cinemas, but it's also got four new acoustic songs: “You Are in Love,” “Death by a Thousand Cuts,” “I Can See You,” and “Maroon.” It also features the folklore track “Cardigan.” So, whether you saw the tour, the movie theater experience—or neither—there's now yet another way to take in Taylor. Are you ready for it?

The Marvels

Since the release of Captain Marvel in 2019, Brie Larson has become one of the MCU’s biggest stars. Though much ado was made about The Marvels being the lowest-grossing film in the Marvel universe, that shouldn’t deter you from giving it a watch. In this sequel, Larson’s Captain Marvel joins forces with Monica Rambeau (Teyonah Parris) and Kamala Khan/Ms. Marvel (Iman Vellani) to find a way to manipulate space and time so that they can save the world—but with cats!

Any property as beloved as X-Men is bound to have more than a few detractors when it makes the leap from page to screen. But the first X-Men movie managed to impress skeptical comic book fans and newcomers to the mutant war with its compelling storyline and stellar cast, which included Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Halle Berry, Anna Paquin, and then-newcomer Hugh Jackman. The film kicked off the first in an ever-growing franchise of the battle between mutants and humans, which now totals 13 films and more than $6 billion in box office receipts. With X-Men now officially part of Marvel Studios, expect to see lots more of this expanded cast of characters—beginning with this summer’s Deadpool & Wolverine . Until then, though, go back and watch this 2000 classic, and prepare for the future.

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny

It may be impossible to reach the heights achieved by timeless classics like Temple of Doom or Raiders of the Lost Ark , but this latest installment in the Indiana. Jones franchise puts the whip back in Harrison Ford’s hands, letting him fight Nazis and finally get (maybe) some closure to his artifact-hunting life. The movie, directed by James Mangold, also gets some fantastic humor and verve from Phoebe Waller-Bridge, who plays Helena, the daughter of an old ally of Indy’s who has perhaps less-than-pure interest in the Dial of Destiny, an ancient time-travel device that Dr. Jones, of course, thinks belongs in a museum.

Spider-Man: Far From Home

Far From Home , which stars Tom Holland as the Spandex-wearing superhero, is notable for being the first film in Phase Four of the MCU—and the first character we see an Avenger attempting to pick up the pieces following the events of Avengers: Endgame . For Peter Parker, that means taking a boring old class trip to Europe, which turns into anything that but when Earth is attacked by a villainous group of Elementals, which Spidey can only fight with the help of the mysterious—and appropriately named—Mysterio (Jake Gyllenhaal).

Mrs. Doubtfire

Daniel Hillard (Robin Williams) is a lightly employed voice actor and devoted dad of three who has just been dumped by his wife and is only allowed to see his children one day per week. So he does what any rational person would do: asks his brother, who just happens to be a makeup artist, to dress him up as an older woman and applies to become a nanny working for his ex-wife Miranda (Sally Field). That Miranda doesn’t realize the person she has entrusted her children with is the man she was married to for more than a decade might speak more about her character. Ignore the ridiculous setup and instead enjoy more than two hours of Robin Williams going full Robin Williams. Bon appétit!

Teenager Josh Baskin (David Moscow) wishes on a Zoltar machine that he could grow up overnight—and comes to find his older self (Tom Hanks) staring him back in the mirror the next morning. In an effort to hide his fast-forwarded body, Baskin hides out in New York City, where he falls backward into his dream job at a toy company and meets the woman of his dreams (Elizabeth Perkins). Big is the movie that made Tom Hanks, well, Tom Hanks (it also marked his first Oscar nomination). But it’s Robert De Niro who was originally set to star; when he was forced to drop out due to scheduling conflicts, Hanks stepped in.

Finding Nemo

Nemo (Alexander Gould) is a young clown fish with an imperfect fin and a dad (Albert Brooks) who worries endlessly about his son’s safety. Which is forgivable, given that Nemo’s mom—and all his siblings—were victims of a barracuda shortly before their eggs hatched. So when Nemo is captured while the duo are swimming in the Great Barrier Reef, it’s up to Marlin to find and save his only son. With an all-star cast of voice actors—led by the always-perfect Brooks, and Ellen DeGeneres as a forgetful blue tang named Dory (who would go on to star in her own adventure)— Finding Nemo is part of the heyday of Pixar filmmaking where each film seemed to surpass the absolutely perfect one that preceded it.

The Princess Bride

Rob Reiner directs this adventure-comedy-fairytale, written by William Goldman (the legendary screenwriter who once famously said of Hollywood that “nobody knows anything”) from his own novel. The ever-quotable tale tells the story of a young woman named Buttercup (Robin Wright) who is engaged to marry a prince (Chris Sarandon) but is really in love with former farmhand Westley (Carey Elwes), who she believes was killed in a pirate attack. When Buttercup is kidnapped just days ahead of her wedding, a chain of events proceed to possibly reunite the in-love couple, or spell death for one (or both) of them. Goldman was famously critical of his own work, but didn’t mind taking credit for two of his movies. The Princess Bride was one of them ( Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid was the other).

The Little Mermaid

Does the live-action version of The Little Mermaid improve upon the beloved 1989 animated classic? Of course not. But Disney is on a tear when it comes to reimagining the movies you loved as a kid, and this is one of the Mouse House’s better efforts. Oscar nominee Rob Marshall ( Chicago , Mary Poppins Returns , Into the Woods ) is behind the camera for this tale of a young mermaid who longs to be (sing it with us) “part of your world.” Yet it’s Halle Bailey, delivering a powerhouse performance as Ariel, who truly makes The Little Mermaid worth watching.

The Nightmare Before Christmas

Whether you think of Henry Selick’s imaginative stop-motion adventure as a Halloween film or a Christmas movie doesn’t really matter, as there’s never a bad time to add The Nightmare Before Christmas to your watch (or watch-again) list. When the mischief-makers in Halloweentown, including pumpkin king Jack Skellington, discover the magic of Christmas, they decide to kidnap Santa Claus and claim both holidays for themselves. Even in today’s CGI-soaked world, the artistry behind The Nightmare Before Christmas remains painfully impressive—and the macabre yet kid-friendly tone makes it a fun watch for the entire family.

In case you don’t know the story: After Cinderella loses her beloved mother, her father marries a nasty woman with two equally nasty daughters. While they spend their days tormenting the kind-hearted Cinderella, Prince Charming, the most eligible bachelor in all the land, only has eyes for her. Nearly 75 years after its original release, Cinderella remains a Disney classic for a reason. Now it’s back with an impressive 4K restoration that has been several years in the making.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3

While no one expected James Gunn’s (presumed) MCU swan song to top the giddiness of his first entry in the series, few people expected it to be so damn depressing either. In addition to giving us Rocket Raccoon’s gut-wrenching backstory, which could have easily been set to Sarah McLachlan’s “Angel,” the third Guardians film is also one of the only Marvel movies to delve into the psychological effects Thanos’ Snap had on the universe. Enjoy!

Avatar: The Way of Water

One week before Avatar hit theaters (for the first time) in late 2009, James Cameron announced his intention to turn the movie into a full-on franchise. But the director took his sweet time in following through. Avatar: The Way of Water —which checks in on blue lovebirds Jake (Sam Worthington) and Neytiri (Zoe Saldaña), now married with children—was released in late 2022, a full 13 years after the original made its debut. But Cameron smartly bought himself some time by setting the film 16 years after the events of Avatar. And while the critical reviews were mixed, it still ended up becoming the third-highest-grossing movie of all time, proving yet again that Cameron has some sort of Midas touch at the box office.

The Incredible Hulk

To Marvel fans, Mark Ruffalo is the only Bruce Banner. But that’s only after Eric Bana tried on the supersized superhero’s tiny purple pants in 2003’s Hulk —and then passed them on to Edward Norton for this 2008 flick, which had the misfortune of hitting theaters just one month after Iron Man . The MCU has always had a messy timeline, but audiences shouldn’t be too quick to write this movie off, particularly those looking to kick back with a solid summer popcorn flick. Norton may lack Ruffalo’s effortless charm, but he’s got the Doc Green part of the character down. While the movie has largely (and wrongly) been forgotten, it’s making headlines once again, both because it recently (finally) arrived on Disney+ and because Liv Tyler will find her way back into (the new) Bruce’s arms when she reprises her role as love interest Betty Ross in 2025’s Captain America: Brave New World .

The Skeleton Dance

Fans of classic animation got some stellar news in 2023 when Disney announced it would be adding more than two dozen freshly restored old shorts to the Disney+ library. One of the most exciting titles among them is The Skeleton Dance , which revolutionized cartoon culture in 1929. Walt Disney himself wrote, directed, and produced this macabre comedy in which a group of resurrected skeletons rise from their graves and, yep, dance. This is actually much funnier and/or more impressive than it sounds.

Easily the most recognizable name in comics, Stan Lee has had an impact on the medium—and on pop culture broadly—that simply can’t be overstated. Director David Gelb’s documentary about “The Man” delves into not only his legacy, but also his history. Tracing the comics maestro’s life from his early years in New York City to his work cocreating iconic characters like Spider-Man and Black Panther to his time as everyone’s favorite Marvel movie cameo, Stan Lee is essential viewing for any fan.

Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark

After you’ve seen The Dial of Destiny , go back and witness Indy’s origins in Steven Spielberg’s classic 1980s adventure film, which sprang partly from the mind of George Lucas. The film, set in 1936, sees a seemingly quiet archaeology professor turned adventurer duking it out with Nazis in an attempt to recover the Ark of the Covenant. Indy’s follow-up adventures— The Temple of Doom (1984),  The Last Crusade (1989), and (if you must)  The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008)—are all available too.

While Sam Raimi’s Tobey Maguire-starring Spider-Man movies predate the official MCU, the famed director really set the stage for what that future universe would look like, with its mix of solid storytelling, genuine laughs, and impressive visuals. Maguire is perfectly cast as the awkwardly charming Peter Parker, who—having just discovered his superhero powers—is learning to harness them.

Venom  may not have been a hit with critics, but WIRED senior editor Angela Watercutter nailed exactly what the movie was when  she called it “a bad movie with great cult-movie potential.” While it rivals  Doctor Strange  for its stacked cast of serious talent—Tom Hardy in the lead, with Michelle Williams and Riz Ahmed costarring, plus  Zombieland ’s Reuben Fleischer as director—the end result was, well, a bit of a jumbled mess. Nonetheless, it somehow manages to be compelling, even if you just turn it on to watch Hardy mumble, eat Tater Tots, and almost literally chew scenery for 112 minutes.

The Original Star Wars Trilogy

Naturally,  Star Wars is one of the big attractions on Disney+. And it goes without saying, or at least it should, that the films that comprise the original trilogy are the best of the bunch—and the only Star Wars movies you should watch if you’re opting not to binge all dozen or so features. The caveat for pickier fans is that these are the versions that have been messed with by George Lucas post-release. Some things, like the improved visuals in and around Cloud City, are thoughtful additions, but others are more controversial.

The  Star Wars Prequel Trilogy

More than 20 years after  Star Wars: Episode IV—A New Hope (aka simply  Star Wars ) helped to define the Hollywood blockbuster, George Lucas returned to the space opera well with an all-new trilogy for an all-new generation of moviegoers. It went about as well as you’d expect. We won’t pretend that  The Phantom Menace (1999),  Attack of the Clones (2002), and/or  Revenge of the Sith (2005) have even an ounce of the heart, humor, or heroism of the original films. But they’ve become essential pop culture viewing, and a rite of passage for sci-fi fans, if only to get what all the Jar Jar Binks hate is about.

The  Star Wars  Sequel Trilogy

When Disney purchased Lucasfilm for $4 billion in 2012, it was essentially George Lucas handing over the keys to the Millennium Falcon. While fans were rightly skeptical about whether the Mouse House would be able—or even want—to recapture the slightly countercultural environment in which the series was originally created, one hopeful thought united them all: Whatever Disney concocted could  not  be worse than the Prequel Trilogy. And they were right. By giving the reins to J.J. Abrams ( The Force Awakens ), Rian Johnson ( The Last Jedi ), then Abrams once again ( The Rise of Skywalker ), the series became more of a love letter to the original films and the generations of filmmakers—and fans—they inspired. Happily, actors Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, and Adam Driver proved worthy successors to the smugglers, scavengers, Jedi masters, and Sith Lords who preceded them.

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

As WIRED senior writer Jason Parham wrote in his review of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever , this movie is haunted by the absence of Chadwick Boseman, the Marvel Cinematic Universe's original King T’Challa who died following a battle with colon cancer in 2020. To that end, writer-director Ryan Coogler had to make a much different kind of superhero film, one that addressed the loss of its main character while also pushing Marvel's cinematic storyline forward into its next phase. “It's rare for MCU films to channel the turbulence of grief with such unflinching focus,” Parham wrote. “Coogler has equipped his sequel with a changed vocabulary: It speaks equally from a place of loss as it does triumph. Grief is its mother tongue.” To that end, the director uses the death of T'Challa to usher in a new Black Panther as well as new heroes (Ironheart) and adversaries-turned-allies (Namor).

Turning Red

Mei Lee is a 13-year-old with a problem: Whenever she’s overcome with any sort of overwhelming emotion, which is just about every emotion at that age, she transforms into a giant red panda. Eventually, Mei comes to learn that it’s an inherited family trait. And while there are people who would like to exploit her supernatural powers, she slowly learns that only she has the power to control them. Think of this as a spiritual sequel to 2015’s Inside Out , which explored the complex inner workings of an 11-year-old’s constantly changing emotions.

If These Walls Could Sing

Abbey Road Studios is best known as the place where the Beatles recorded some of their most iconic albums, including 1969’s  Abbey Road . But the hallowed halls of this legendary music studio have played a much bigger role in the music industry, as it has hosted the likes of everyone from Elton John, Pink Floyd, and Aretha Franklin to Amy Winehouse, Lady Gaga, Radiohead, Adele, Oasis, Kate Bush, and Frank Ocean. This documentary, which comes on the heels of Peter Jackson’s docuseries  The Beatles: Get Back (which is  also streaming on Disney+ and is highly recommended), is directed by Mary McCartney—daughter of Sir Paul—who practically grew up in the studio and, as such, is able to treat her subject with the reverence it deserves.

James Cameron’s  Avatar  was all anyone could talk about when it was released in theaters in 2009 and promptly went on to make more than $1 billion, becoming the cinematic iceberg that sank another Cameron epic, 1997’s  Titanic , from its place as the highest-grossing movie of all time. For a movie that made so much bank, it never occupied a huge space in the cultural conversation about movies. Like so many of Cameron’s works, much of its innovation came from the technology that essentially had to be invented to make it possible.

The MCU has released nearly three dozen films since 2008, yet the very first of them— Iron Man —remains one of the best. It’s almost hard to believe how hard director Jon Favreau had to fight to get Robert Downey Jr. the leading role, as he’s arguably one of the MCU’s most beloved figures. Before there was a whole franchise plus a shared TV universe, Downey, as Tony Stark/Iron Man, was just allowed to do his thing. It was a gamble that paid off for all involved.

West Side Story

From Martin Scorsese to Spike Lee, pretty much every great director has made—or at least tried to make—a grand Hollywood musical, perhaps one of the toughest genres to successfully pull off. Steven Spielberg made the task even more difficult when he decided to adapt Jerome Robbins, Leonard Bernstein, Stephen Sondheim, and ​​Arthur Laurents’ West Side Story —which Robert Wise already did to great acclaim in 1961. But, Spielberg (being Spielberg) managed to create an updated take on the story of Tony (Ansel Elgort) and Maria (Rachel Zegler), two love-struck teens caught in the middle of an escalating rivalry between two street gangs, the Sharks and the Jets. The update gives nods to the original (like casting Rita Moreno, who won an Oscar for her role as Anita in Wise’s film) while improving on some of its controversial aspects (like casting Natalie Wood in the role of a Puerto Rican teen).

Lady and the Tramp

Sure, you can watch the live-action/CGI version that Disney+ released shortly after it launched, but why bother when the 1955 original is here too? Put aside the rather vulgar stereotypes that were common at the time (the movie now comes with a warning) and Lady and the Tramp remains one of the most iconic Disney animations, and a love story for the ages. When a spoiled cocker spaniel named Lady finds herself competing with a new baby for the attention of her parents, she ends up getting loose and befriending a mangy but charming mutt named Tramp. Ultimately, Lady needs to choose the pampered life she’s always known with Jim Dear and Darling, or a life of spaghetti dinner discards with the hopelessly romantic Tramp—unless there’s another way.

The Muppet Movie

Between The Muppet Show and The Muppet Movie , Jim Henson and the Muppets were everywhere in 1979. Their first big-screen outing serves as more of a prequel, as it follows Kermit the Frog’s journey from a swamp in Florida to Hollywood, where he’s headed to pursue his dreams of becoming a movie star. Along the way, we get to witness where and how he meets the fellow members of his felt-made crew, from Fozzie Bear to Miss Piggy. Hijinks ensue when a restaurateur named Doc Hopper doesn’t take too kindly to Kermit turning down his offer to serve as the official legs of his chain’s famous fried frog legs, and follows the frog in order to seek revenge.

Enrico Casarosa’s Luca earned an Oscar nomination for Best Animated Feature in 2022 for its sweet and soulful story about a young boy named Luca who is hiding a dark secret: He's a sea monster living in a town on the Italian Riviera that absolutely despises his kind. Ultimately, Luca is a moving coming-of-age film about friendship, family, and overcoming our own prejudices—and truly one of Pixar’s best features.

Captain Marvel

Marvel's biggest mistake in the entire MCU canon (so far) was not commissioning Captain Marvel sooner. The film, set in the past, sees the rise of Marvel (Brie Larson) as she discovers her origin story and develops her powers. The film, the first entry in the Marvel universe with a female lead, channels the spirit of the 1990s both in its setting and in style, with heaping spoonfuls of Samuel L. Jackson and all the plot and subtlety of a blockbuster action movie. Larson adds a healthy dose of sarcasm to undercut her character’s immense power, and Jackson is eerily brilliant, making for a super fun 123 minutes.

Who doesn’t love a heist movie? Paul Rudd’s MCU debut acted as something of a palate cleanser after the heavy, literally Earth-shattering events of Age of Ultron . Rudd plays Scott Lang, a reformed criminal who teams up with Hank Pym (Michael Douglas) and his daughter (Evangeline Lily) to keep Pym’s shrinking technology from falling into the wrong hands. The film’s depiction of quantum physics wouldn’t hold much water at CERN, but it’s terrific fun—thanks in part to Michael Peña’s star turn as Lang’s former cellmate Luis and, of course, Rudd’s legendary likability. If you want to make it a Rudd-athon, both  Ant-Man and the Wasp and last year’s  Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania are streaming, too.

In the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic and its shutdown of almost the entire movie industry, Disney decided to try something new with its live-action version of Mulan by making it available to Disney+ subscribers instead of releasing it in theaters. The film itself is one of the latest in Disney’s recent string of live-action remakes and sees Liu Yifei in the title role, with reviews praising the cast, visuals, and action sequences.

Avengers: Endgame

There's a moment in the event-movie-to-endgame-all-event-movies when you realize that writers Stephen McFeely and Christopher Markus have gone full Harry Potter and the Cursed Child all over the MCU. Once you get past the rather glum beginning, you can settle in for what you have come to expect from any Avengers movie: Tony Stark cracking wise; Doctor Strange doing weird things with his hands; Professor Hulk explaining the science of what’s going on; and Black Widow and Captain Marvel kicking ass, both emotionally and physically. It's a messy but epic baton-pass in the form of an angsty portal-powered mega-battle. And we're not going to lie: We've watched those audience reaction videos, and they too are a thing of joy.

This foul-mouthed superhero movie marks a definite departure from the vanilla content that was available on Disney+ in its first couple years of operation. Ryan Reynolds plays Deadpool, who has the ability to heal from pretty much any injury—and is an angry, violent, wisecracking mercenary tasked with protecting a young mutant from a time-traveling soldier.

If you only know Lin-Manuel Miranda's musical from the obscenely high ticket prices and snippets of the soundtrack, here’s your chance to find out what all the fuss is about. A version of the production, recorded via a six-camera setup over two performances by the original Broadway cast, was put on Disney+ after plans to release it in cinemas were scrapped. Aside from a couple of censored swear words and the fact that it's directed (by Thomas Kail), it's essentially the same show—an energetic, empathetic, witty, quippy hip-hop musical about US founding father Alexander Hamilton.

All the Pixar Shorts

Now's the time for a Pixar short sesh. You could do as the studio intended and pick out the correct short to watch before the main animated showing, or you could head to the Shorts tab and go wild with Pixar, Disney, and new Sparkshorts. WIRED's faves are Lava (8 minutes), Bao (7 minutes), Purl (12 minutes), Smash and Grab (8 minutes), La Luna (6 minutes), Sanjay's Super Team (7 minutes), and Day and Night (7 minutes). Out (9 minutes) is one of the latest, and for a slice of Pixar history, check out 1997's Geri's Game (4 minutes) and see if you recognize the chess player.

One of the potential answers to “What, oh, what to put on after Frozen and Frozen 2 ?” Moana is in fact better than Frozen . By that we simply mean better soundtrack, better heroine, better visuals, and better side quests. There's also 100 percent more Dwayne Johnson as a tattooed demigod and Jemaine Clement as a giant crab doing a Bowie impression. Set thousands of years ago on the fictional, Polynesia-inspired island of Motunui, Moana's hero's journey is fairly classic, but the sumptuous animation and Lin-Manuel Miranda tunes are top-tier Disney. (Sure, we'd love to see Taika Waititi's original script, but we can live without it.)

If your friend told you they'd decided to solo-climb up the sheer 3,000-foot granite El Capitan wall in Yosemite, California, with no rope, you’d think they had gone mad. But that’s exactly what Alex Honnold set out to do back in 2017. Honnold’s quest to climb the vertical wall was documented by his two director friends, Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin, as he took on the ascent to become the world’s first person to free-climb El Capitan. But it’s not just about the ascent, it’s also about Honnold’s complicated life, his emotional issues, and all the things that have driven him to pursue one of the most dangerous missions ever attempted by any free climber. The cinematography in Free Solo is also dizzyingly beautiful, and the entire thing will have you gripping the arm of your chair in terror.

Honey, I Shrunk the Kids

Wayne Szalinski (Rick Moranis) is an experimental inventor who creates an electromagnetic shrinking machine. Naturally, he accidentally shrinks his own children (if you didn’t already guess that from the title), plus the kids from next door, then unwittingly throws them in the trash. To have any chance of becoming their normal size again, the teeny tots must navigate their way across the family's (now seemingly gigantic) yard and back to the house. It's something fraught with peril when you're half the size of an aspirin.

Toy Story (All of Them)

While it might have seemed that Pixar could never make anything as good as the original 1995 Toy Story , each of the three subsequent films add depth to the franchise's canon. All of the movies are critically acclaimed—and they're all available on Disney+. When combined, the four films tell a story about growing up and how everything in life, inevitably, changes. Woody (Tom Hanks) and the gang go from learning how to deal with new people to understanding loss. It's something that's also followed the cast: In Toy Story 4 , the voice of Mr. Potato Head was created through archive recordings after Don Rickles, as the man behind the voice, died ahead of the film's release.

The Lion King

Remember the terrifying wildebeest stampede in the 1994 version of The Lion King ? That was actually computer animated, because drawing them by hand would have taken a long, long time. Special attention was taken to blend it into the cel-shaded backgrounds, and this was all before Toy Story came out the following year. Which is all to say that not only is the '90s version a perfect movie that had absolutely zero need for a charm-deficient 2019 remake (which is also streaming on Disney+ in case you want to compare), it’s also the best Lion King to use CG animation.

10 Things I Hate About You

Heath Ledger singing “Can’t Take My Eyes off You” on the bleachers. That’s the iconic scene in this top-caliber high school romcom. The plot is taken from The Taming of the Shrew , the cast—including Ledger, Julia Stiles, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt—are all adorable, and the late '90s nostalgia is potent. Offering some much-needed variety from the sci-fi and animation that dominates the Disney+ launch catalog, 10 Things I Hate About You is as good as comfort-food movies get.

Tron & Tron: Legacy

Tron and its modern sequel, Tron: Legacy , aren't your typical Disney films. The original sees a programmer (Jeff Bridges) become trapped inside a computer system where he meets and befriends programs, including the eponymous hero Tron, who are resisting the power of a growing artificial intelligence, the Master Control Program. It became a sci-fi cult classic, leading to the creation of a modern sequel that continues the story and features an epic score cowritten by Daft Punk. Both are watchable distractions, even if the sequel feels a little thin in places.

Another nostalgia fest, this time for fans of '80s fantasy. Willow is a family-friendly, mythic quest that’s best seen as George Lucas and Ron Howard’s fun, $35 million Tolkien fan fiction. The story of a farmer tasked with protecting a magic baby from an evil queen is not exactly the most original story in the world, but that hasn’t stopped this from becoming a classic, with Warwick Davis as Willow Ufgood and Val Kilmer waving a sword around. Classic Sunday afternoon fare.

Wreck-It Ralph

This sugary sweet animation tells the story of Ralph, a villain from an 1980s arcade game who wants to be something more than just the bad guy throwing debris off the top of an 8-bit building. One day, he goes AWOL from his game and ventures into the wider arcade—encountering a mish-mash of video game characters loosely based on your childhood favorites—from Hero’s Duty (a combination of Halo and Call of Duty , so basically Gears of War ) to Sugar Rush (a weird mash-up of Mario Kart and Candy Crush ), where he strikes up a friendship with a young girl racer.

Captain America: The Winter Soldier

Winter Soldier is among the best Marvel movies. It makes time for quieter character moments, and the action, while still spectacular, feels a little more grounded and real than the CGI-fueled shock and awe of the mainline movies. In this outing, Captain America faces off against a rogue element of SHIELD led by Robert Redford's Alexander Pierce.

Thor: Ragnarok

The first two Thor films were among the worst in the whole series—Chris Hemsworth’s thunder god was dour and charmless. But here, director Taika Waititi injected some much-needed color into the proceedings, borrowing heavily from the Planet Hulk storyline from the comics. Thor finds himself stranded on a bizarre planet, ruled over by Jeff Goldblum (who is pretty much playing himself). There, he crosses paths with Bruce Banner’s Hulk, who has been missing since the events of Civil War . It’s hugely funny, and arguably the best film of the series.

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

The newer Star Wars one-off films attract strong opinions, and Rogue One is no different. But while it has its issues, it fills an important hole in the universe and features some of the best action sequences in the entire saga. Its main black mark is the rather iffy CGI recreation of Peter Cushing's Grand Moff Tarkin, but it's still a fun romp that lacks the narrative baggage of the new trilogy.

Black Panther

Black Panther had a huge cultural impact. It was refreshingly unusual to see a blockbuster superhero film with such a diverse cast—and the Afrofuturist setting was unlike anything Marvel had ever done before. Michael B. Jordan steals the show as Killmonger, who returns to his father’s home to claim the throne from T’Challa (the late Chadwick Boseman).

Released in 2008, a time when, for many, the climate crisis felt like a distant, abstract threat, WALL·E is classic Pixar. It’s a love story—sort of—that focuses on two robots. But it’s also a story about survival, believing in yourself, and dancing through the vacuum of space propelled by a fire extinguisher. The animation, especially on the desolate, barren Earth, is a sight to behold. The opening scenes of the film are also basically a silent film, with the score and robotic sound effects doing a fantastic job bringing out the emotion and drama of what’s happening.

Don’t cry. But also cry. A lot. Inside Out is the perfect realization of what every Pixar film strives to achieve. On the surface, it’s a comedic look at human emotion, the complexity of a child growing up, and the delicate balance of family life. But by literally getting inside the head of 11-year-old Riley, the film finds a way to bring emotion to life in a way that is at once comedic, profound, and often ingenious. A sequel, featuring a new slate of emotions, is scheduled for release in June 2024.

Pixar's Up can claim one of the most moving opening scenes of any movie. Despite being released more than a decade ago, in 2009, the animation hasn't aged or lost any of its charm. In a little over 90 minutes, director Pete Docter takes us on the journey of Carl, an old widower who is seeking out Paradise Falls. Carl's trip in his flying house is made in memory of his wife, Ellie, who had always wanted to visit the falls. The film won two Oscars—Best Animated Feature and Best Original Score—but was also nominated for three more. These included Best Picture, which at the time made it only the second animated film to have received the nomination (1991’s Beauty and the Beast —which is also streaming on Disney+, and most definitely worth a rewatch—was the first).

The Straight Story

David Lynch has built a career on being wonderfully bizarre and surreal. But the strangest thing he might have ever done was to make this G-rated family drama for Disney, which seemed to fly  way  under the radar. Richard Farnsworth earned a well-deserved Best Actor Oscar nomination for his role as stubborn—and ailing—old man Alvin Straight, who decides to reconnect with his estranged brother (Harry Dean Stanton) after a decade of not speaking. So Alvin hits the road, on his riding lawn mower, to make the 300-mile journey.

The Jungle Book

Whatever mood you're in, Disney+ has The Jungle Book to suit it. The streaming service has both the 1967 animated classic, with its catchy soundtrack and moments of humor, plus the live-action version released in 2016. The two films couldn't be more different. If you want to go for full family entertainment, pick the original, but if you're after something a little darker, the modern remake is where you should head. (Bonus fact: The entire live-action film was shot in a warehouse.)

Guardians of the Galaxy

The first volume of Guardians of the Galaxy didn't burst into the MCU until 2014, which is relatively late considering Phase One began with Iron Man in 2008. However, it's become a firm fan favorite, providing some of the Universe's most memorable (and important) characters. Quill, Rocket, Groot, Gamora, and Nebula are all distinctive and in many ways more likable than other key MCU characters. Guardians is worth returning to if you want to remember a slightly simpler time before Thanos' Snap.

Jason Parham

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50 of the Best Disney Movies of All Time

The studio is brimming with quality fare, but these films are the cream of the happiest crop on earth

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

The first fully animated Disney feature film, Snow White and Seven Dwarfs sees a lovely princess exiled by her evil stepmother to the woods where she meets a band of archetyped miners who invite her to live in their abode. There are wicked forces, poisoned fruits, and true love’s kisses—every trope that both gives the House of Mouse its praise and its criticism. But, hey, it was 1937, and outdated happily ever after or not, this superb animated feat is a cornerstone picture for Disney.

One Hundred and One Dalmatians

Our favorite part of Disney’s 1961 doggie delight comes early when the skilled animators pair pup breeds with look-alike owners—because it’s so true. The similarities between canines and their owners can’t be denied. The best part of Dalmatians, however, has to be the villainess. Cruella de Vil, a monster dog-napper who turns adorable critters into outerwear, is what nightmares are made of. Can’t wait to see what Emma Stone does with her origin story.

Not so much a winner with the little ones, Fantasia is an orchestral treat for their parents and anyone who appreciates the works of virtuoso composers including Bach, Beethoven, and Tchaikovsky. A euphonic cartoon starring, of course, Disney’s most famous mouse, it blends classic music with eight sequences of innovative animation, concluding with a moody Chernabog in “Night on Bald Mountain”—who, by the way, has his own live-action adaptation in the works.

No matter how many decades or feminist values we put between ourselves and the fairytales brimming with antiquated ideologies, we can’t help but remain under the spell of the centuries-old tale of Cinderella and the bibbidi-bobbidi-boo enchantment of Disney’s animated masterpiece. A three-time Oscar nominee in 1950, it’s only about an hour long and stars some of the Walt’s most adorable creatures akin to Mickey and Minnie.

Beauty and the Beast

We could get all technical and speak to the game-changing ballroom feat, blending hand-drawn animation with computer-generated technology as seamlessly as our storied heroine glides through the scene with her petulant man-beast, as the reason for this 1992 Best Picture nominee making it onto our list. But, really, the vocational accomplishments take a backseat to the grandeur sing-alongs and inner-beauty love story that bolster this tale as old as time.

The Lion King

Mel Gibson , Kenneth Branagh , Simba: When it comes to celebrated Hamlet adaptations , we’ll take our Shakespearean tragedy served by a cartoon lion and his jocular warthog and meerkat buddies. Voiced by vocal duo Jonathan Taylor Thomas and Matthew Broderick, Simba comes of age and kinghood in the African Pride Lands after learning his Uncle Scar killed his father to obtain the proverbial throne. A two-time Oscar winner for its original music and score, the film still has The Best opening sequence of any Disney film.

The Little Mermaid

Disney music writing duo Alan Menkin and Howard Ashman secured a pair of Academy statues for their work on the underwater fairy tale about an unapologetic, rebellious mermaid named Ariel who not only has the most beautiful singing voice, but also is willing to trade it for a pair of legs to walk on land with the prince she’s loved from below sea level. Conflict comes courtesy of Ursula, an evil sea witch who imprisons merfolk in a polyps garden, and who has cast a spell we’re still under today. We can’t not watch it if it’s on.

The Princess and the Frog

In a departure from the computer-generated animation our senses have been conditioned to perk up to, the 2009 production of The Princess and the Frog saw Disney revert back to its time-tested 2D hand-drawn technique, and with an African-American princess for the first time ever. A twist on the Brothers Grimm’s The Frog Prince , it follows Tiana, an aspiring New Orleans chef who kisses a frog and becomes one herself, and has more flavor in a single scene than some movies have in their entire reels.

Chang Can Dunk

Chang is a 16-year-old band dude who believes that learning to dunk will elevate his status. Egged on by his schoolmates and coached by a former baller, Chang sets out to make his dream a reality. But this isn't your typical underdog redemption tale. Sporting a narrative zhooshed up with elements of the immigrant experience and scoring Lena Waithe as a producer, writer/director Jingyi Shao's debut takes home the W.

Not all of Disney's offerings star chatty critters or angsty teens. In fact, this gem features Luce 's Kelvin Harrison Jr. as Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges, the first African composer to attain widespread fame. A virtuoso of the violin and master of the fencing foil, this 18-century French Renaissance man left an indelible mark on both the world of music and the art of dueling. Throw in an ill-fated affair and costumes with swagger, and you have a winner.

Flamin' Hot

Eva Longoria makes her feature debut behind the camera with a zesty comedy about a Frito-Lay janitor who sets the industry ablaze with his idea for a certain spicy finger food known as Flamin' Hot Cheetos. Eager to reach the brand's underserved Latino population and inspired by the flavor-dust bomb on Mexican street corn, family man Richard Montañez goes from rags to riches. Now, the snack food's facts are fuzzy , but Longoria's vision is as sharp as a chef's knife.

Anya Adam's prom-com grows on you. That's because the director, whose credits include Black-ish, Ginny & Georgia , and Roar , knows how to balance humor with heart while also offering a fresh spin on a well-tread genre. Starring Peyton Elizabeth Lee, Milo Manheim, and Margaret Cho, this teen dream follows Mandy, a senior whose Harvard future is begrudgingly linked to her plans for prom. And, of course, there are plenty of '80s-inspired promposals on display.

World's Best

When it comes to solving for X, Prem Patel is a whiz. But when he finds out he has hip-hop in his DNA, this little math whiz drops his pencil and picks up a mic. Turning the halls of his school into a rap video that would make Missy Elliott proud, Prem and the ghost of his rapper dad (who died when he was five) set the tempo and unleash the verses. Let's just say the probability of you and your kiddos digging this Hamilton producer-approved comedy is 100%.

The Mighty Ducks

Something happened in 1992 when Emilio Estevez signed on to play Coach Bombay, the crabby leader of a peewee ice hockey team that included a young Josh Jackson. And that something is: magic. Though this underdog tale about a crew of shabby misfits who quack-attack their opponents with flying V formations and other slick tricks is arguably derivative, the instant classic struck a chord with audiences and remains a bona fide addition to the canon of sports films.

Queen of Katwe

Ten years old and already a vital member of her family, helping her mother (Lupita Nyong’o) care for their kin in the slums of Kampala, Uganda, Phiona Mutesi (Madina Nalwanga) finds her release when she’s making moves on the chess board. Convinced by her coach (David Oyelowo) that she’s good enough to be a champion, she just may be able to call checkmate on a life of poverty for her and her family. It’s beautiful and touching addition to director Mira Nair’s film trove.

Remember the Titans

Denzel Washington stars as Coach Herman Boone in this true-story sports flick about football, unity, and racial harmony. The drama follows the T.C. Williams Titans over the course of their first season as an integrated squad in 1970s Virginia, with stars including Ryan Gosling, Donald Faison, and Wood Harris suiting up to play. Hayden Panettiere, Kate Bosworth, and Will Patton round out the starry cast. Also worth noting: the triumphant soundtrack bopping to The Temptations, Marvin Gaye, and more.

The Parent Trap

The original Parent Trap , a rosy rom-com about reconciliation after divorce, stars Hayley Mills as unknowing twin sisters Susan and Sharon. And though the bright-eyed, blonde-topped actress who we’ll forever be grateful to for giving us Pollyanna is fantastic in the dual role, we can’t help but divert our appreciation to Maureen O’Hara, who plays the girls’ mother, when viewing the 1961 film in adulthood. O’Hara’s crazy, sexy, cool performance just gets better with age.

Mary Poppins

Mary Poppins trumps every queen, king, princess, and Prince Charming in Disney’s magical kingdom. She can fly, do spells, and dance with cartoon penguins—no true love’s kiss necessary. A timeless classic about an enchanting nanny adored by critics and fans alike, it stars Julie Andrews in an inimitable performance only Emily Blunt could complement , and Dick Van Dyke in a role that’s comfort food for the soul.

To us, Old Yeller —Disney’s family frontier classic that packs an emotional wallop of a climax—conjures memories of hiding a tear-stained face from classmates in grade school on movie day. Perhaps, it reminds you of childhood movie nights spent nuzzling with your parents. But no matter how old we get and no matter how many times we watch the tale about a teen and the stray yellow pup he grows to love, based on the seminal novel by Fred Gipson, Old Yeller just. Destroys. Us.

Ratatouille

Look, no one asked for rats playing with their food, but the animators at Pixar know what they’re doing. Skilled manipulators of the head and heart, the clever animation studio known for stunning toons ingrained with a depth of humor and emotion delivered on both fronts with Ratatouille . A Parisian feast for the senses, it’s a *chef’s kiss* of a watch about a vermin named Remy who lends his foodie talents to a cook trying to impress a girl and a food critic. Pop open a bottle of Bordeaux with this one.

DeAnna Janes is a freelance writer and editor for a number of sites, including Harper’s BAZAAR, Tasting Table, Fast Company and Brit + Co, and is a passionate supporter of animal causes, copy savant, movie dork and reckless connoisseur of all holidays. A native Texan living in NYC since 2005, Janes has a degree in journalism from Texas A&M and  got her start in media at US Weekly before moving on to O Magazine, and eventually becoming the entertainment editor of the once-loved, now-shuttered DailyCandy. She’s based on the Upper West Side.

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The best Disney Plus movies: 39 great films to stream in April 2024

The best Disney Plus movies on the streaming service right now

This selection of the best Disney Plus movies is packed with crowd-pleasers. After all, the platform is home to the Marvel , Star Wars, and Pixar back catalogues, as well as decades of Disney classics and the vast 20th Century Fox archive. No wonder it's established itself as a mainstay among the best streaming services on the planet.

We've picked out 39 of the best Disney Plus movies available on the platform right now, an eclectic mix of smash-hit franchise blockbusters and critically acclaimed standalones – including recent Oscar-winner Poor Things . And because quality new films are added to the streamer regularly, we'll be updating this guide regularly, so be sure to keep checking back. If you don't currently subscribe, our comprehensive guide to Disney Plus includes loads of useful information on pricing and how to sign up.

Release date: 2009 Age rating: PG-13 (US) / 12 (UK) Rotten Tomatoes score: 82%

You generally have to wait more than a decade for a new James Cameron movie to come along, but luckily everything the Terminator / Aliens director makes is worth talking about. So while the plot of his 2009 record-breaker is a tad forgettable – a human soldier falls in love with a giant blue alien on the distant moon of Pandora – it remains a thoroughly entertaining technical marvel. 

Fifteen years later, no film has surpassed its incredibly detailed 3D visuals, and even without the third dimension, watching on the  best 4K TV you can find makes you feel as if you've been transported to another world. Long-awaited sequel  The Way of Water  is similarly spectacular and also available on Disney Plus.

In the mood for more from the most successful director in history? Check out our guide to every James Cameron movie ranked .

Avengers: Infinity War / Avengers: Endgame

Release date: 2018 ( Infinity War ), 2019 ( Endgame ) Age rating: PG-13 (US) / 12 (UK) Rotten Tomatoes score: 85% ( Infinity War ), 94% ( Endgame )

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The two-part culmination of the Marvel’s original 23-movie odyssey was more than worth the wait, as Avengers, Guardians of the Galaxy and various superpowered hangers-on joined forces to thwart Thanos’s quest to obtain all six Infinity Stones. 

With Infinity War delivering one of cinema’s greatest cliffhangers, and Endgame going to some surprisingly dark places, the two films feature many of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s boldest and most epic moments – not to mention some of the most unashamedly triumphant.

And don't forget that one of the best things about Disney Plus is that you can relive most of the journey before and after Endgame whenever you want – including the latest MCU movie, The Marvels . 

Release date: 2014 Age rating: PG (US) / PG (UK) Rotten Tomatoes score: 90%

The Ghostbusters said you should never cross the streams, but Disney had massive success when its animation division adapted a little-known Marvel comic. As in many classic Disney animations, the plot is driven by the tragic death of a parent, but what Bambi and The Lion King lacked in robots and sci-fi action, Big Hero 6 delivers in spades. 

The San Fransokyo setting is a wonderfully inventive fusion of East and West, while inflatable robot Baymax instantly earned himself a place alongside R2-D2 and WALL-E in the pantheon of all-time great droids. And yes, even though you have to keep your eyes peeled to spot it, the regulation Stan Lee cameo is all present and correct.

Release date: 1988 Age rating: PG (US) / 12 (UK) Rotten Tomatoes score: 98%

Tom Hanks won successive Oscars in the ’90s for Philadelphia and Forrest Gump but it was this 1988 comedy-drama that bagged him his first nomination. Indeed, the star’s arguably never been better than he is here, playing a 12-year-old boy whose wish to be “big” comes true. Of course, the kid soon discovers that being a grown-up isn’t all it’s cracked up to be – despite his remarkable success at a major toy company – but Hanks keeps you rooting for Josh with a performance of believable naivety.

The Black Hole

Release date: 1979 Age rating: PG (US) / PG (UK) Rotten Tomatoes score: 43%

The Black Hole isn’t technically one of the best Disney Plus movies but this 1979 space opera is undeniably one of the most interesting. A long-gestating script was given the greenlight by a Disney management team still reeling from Walt’s death a decade earlier, but eager to capitalize on the recent success of Star Wars . Unfortunately, they didn’t quite know what they were making…

The Black Hole is a unique mess of cute robots, megalomaniac villains, and 2 001: A Space Odyssey -style hard sci-fi. Meanwhile, its weird metaphysical ending must have left 1970s cinemagoers – who were presumably expecting to see the further adventures of Luke Skywalker – thoroughly baffled. When they say they don’t make them like they used to, this is what they mean.

Black Panther

Release date: 2018 Age rating: PG-13 (US) / 12 (UK) Rotten Tomatoes score: 96%

Until Spider-Man: No Way Home reignited the post-Covid box office, Black Panther was Marvel’s best performing solo superhero. It’s not hard to see why, because while the story – King T’Challa, aka Black Panther, fights off rival Erik Killmonger’s claim to the throne of Wakanda – is fairly standard superhero fare, director Ryan Coogler’s presentation lifts it to another level. 

The futuristic African kingdom of Wakanda is a truly magnificent creation – a world where advanced technology meets weaponized rhinos – while the late Chadwick Boseman’s performance as the eponymous hero is one of dignity and power. 

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

Release date: 2022 Age rating: PG-13 (US) / 12 (UK) Rotten Tomatoes score: 83%

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is the second instalment in the series, and it's safe to say it had some big shoes to fill. After the unexpected death of Chadwick Boseman, Black Panther 2 could have floundered, but Marvel did an astonishing job of continuing the story in an emotionally-charged and totally respectful way. It even earned a rare five stars in our Black Panther: Wakanda Forever review .

The story begins one year after the end of the original movie, following the death of King T'Challa. With those closest to the king struggling to move forward, Wakanda is left vulnerable and without a Black Panther as protector. Queen Ramonda (an Oscar-nominated Angela Bassett) is left to lead the nation through a turbulent time, and to try to fend off world powers that want to get hold of her country's much-coveted vibranium.

The Creator

Release date: 2023 Age rating: PG-13 (US) / 12 (UK) Rotten Tomatoes score: 67%

Gareth Edwards’ first film since 2016’s Rogue One: A Star Wars Story sees the British director returning to the guerrilla ethos of his acclaimed sci-fi debut, Monsters . Filming on location in Thailand with minimal crew, he creates a stunning near-future world where sophisticated, lifelike AI find themselves under threat from humanity, and a US soldier (played by Tenet ’s John David Washington) goes rogue to protect a one-of-a-kind robot kid.

The money Edwards saved on sets and A-list stars is cannily invested in flawless visual effects, which transport you to a spectacular future world. Accepting that humans and simulants live side by side requires some suspension of disbelief, but the unlikely father-daughter bond between Washington’s Joshua Taylor and android Alphie (newcomer Madeleine Yuna Voyles) keeps things grounded.

The Creator is available on Disney Plus in the UK and Australia, and Hulu in the US.

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe 

Release date: 2005 Age rating: PG (US) / PG (UK) Rotten Tomatoes score: 75%

One of the best things about the CG revolution has been the way it’s tranformed works of literary fantasy previously deemed unfilmable into viable movie options. Following in the footsteps of the grander The Lord of the Rings , Shrek director Andrew Adamson’s take on CS Lewis’s classic opened the wardrobe door to Narnia in style, with beautiful snowy landscapes, a memorable menagerie of creatures, and – in Tilda Swinton’s White Witch, Jadis – a genuinely hissable villain. Follow-ups Prince Caspian and The Voyage of the Dawn Treader are less worthwhile, though that may owe something to the fact the source novels aren’t as good, either.  

Release date: 2016 Age rating: R (US) / 15 (UK) Rotten Tomatoes score: 85%

The Wade Wilson Ryan Reynolds played in X-Men Origins: Wolverine was definitely not Deadpool. The star remained committed to a more accurate screen version of Rob Liefeld’s Marvel antihero, however, and after massively positive fan reaction to leaked test footage in 2014, 20th Century Fox gave this film a long-awaited greenlight. 

Reynolds was born to play the fourth wall-breaking “merc with a mouth”, while the script (from Zombieland writers Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick) nails the character’s famously self-aware brand of humor. The movie was followed by a 2018 sequel, and Deadpool will make his MCU debut in July 2024 (alongside Hugh Jackman’s Logan) in Deadpool & Wolverine .

Release date: 2007 Age rating: PG (US) / PG (UK) Rotten Tomatoes score: 93%

Disney has its cake and eats it with a post-modern movie that pokes fun at the clichés of its animated classics, while also being a magical fairytale in its own right. Amy Adams is typically brilliant as Giselle, a traditional cartoon Disney Princess who finds herself transported to a place way scarier than any magical kingdom – the real world. 

Both the animated and live-action segments are flawlessly executed, as the self-aware script seamlessly blends comedy, an evil queen (played by Susan Sarandon), and a romance with a down-on-his-luck lawyer (Patrick Dempsey) who doesn’t necessarily believe in happily ever afters. Long awaited sequel Disenchanted was released on Disney Plus in 2022.

Freaky Friday

Release date: 2003 Age rating: PG (US) / PG (UK) Rotten Tomatoes score: 88%

Disney loves the premise of this bodyswap comedy so much it’s made three versions of Freaky Friday – and they're all available on Disney Plus. It’s the 2003 version that’s the standout, however, as Jamie-Lee Curtis’s uptight mom and Lindsay Lohan’s rebellious teen swap places thanks to magical fortune cookies .

The secret of the movie’s success is the casting, with both leads displaying an uncanny talent for role-reversal comedy, playing their opposite number with all the relish of John Travolta and Nicolas Cage in Face/Off . Made a year before M ean Girls , this is the movie that marked out Lohan as one of the most talented actors of her generation – it’s a shame her subsequent career has (so far) rarely hit these heights again.

Frozen / Frozen 2

Release date: 2013 ( Frozen ), 2018 ( Frozen 2 ) Age rating: PG (US) / PG (UK) Rotten Tomatoes score: 90% ( Frozen ), 77% ( Frozen 2 )

If you have kids of a certain age, the thought of ice princesses, talking snowmen and letting it go may be enough to bring you out in very cold sweats. But if you look past the relentless, heavily merchandised juggernaut surrounding the original Frozen , it’s actually one of Disney’s best fairytale retellings (it's based on Hans Christian Andersen's The Snow Queen ), with a pair of inspiring female leads, spectacular animation and, yes, some killer songs. 

The long-awaited sequel lives up to the hype and – though the tunes aren’t quite so memorable – actually enhances the mythology of its predecessor.

Release date: 2020 Age rating: PG-13 (US) / 12 (UK) Rotten Tomatoes score: 98%

Okay, it’s not technically a movie but in the absence of a proper big-screen adaptation of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s smash-hit musical, this recording of the Broadway show fits the bill perfectly. 

Featuring Miranda in the lead role of Alexander Hamilton, one of the founding fathers of the United States of America, it’s one of the most invigorating history lessons you’ll ever see. The hip-hop influenced songs sound amazing coming out of your TV, while the inventive cinematography brings the immediacy of the stage show into your living room. A sing-along version of the film is also available if you can't resist the urge to join in.

Hidden Figures

Release date: 2016 Age rating: PG (US) / PG (UK) Rotten Tomatoes score: 93%

It was the astronauts who grabbed the headlines after the USA's pioneering early space flights, but it took a cast of thousands to make their giant leaps a reality. Hidden Figures puts a belated spotlight on three African-American women whose incredible skills with numbers were pivotal to the success of Nasa's first trips to outer space. 

In the movie (based on Margot Lee Shetterly's non-fiction book), Taraji P Henson, Octavia Spencer and Janelle Monáe play real-life mathematicians Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson. Despite having the ability to carry out complex calculations that would later be managed by computers, they're held back by the racist and sexist attitudes of ’60s America. But for all the adversity the brilliant trio face, director Theodore Melfi ensures Hidden Figures is also a story of triumph – and even pulls off the unlikely feat of making math cinematic.

Honey, I Shrunk the Kids

Release date: 1989 Age rating: PG (US) / U (UK) Rotten Tomatoes score: 76%

He’s rarely been sighted on the big-screen over the last couple of decades, but for a period in the late-’80s and early-’90s, Rick Moranis was one of the most bankable stars on the planet. His most famous lead role arguably came in this 1989 comedy where the title tells you everything you need to know.

Moranis plays an inventor whose prototype shrink ray reduces his kids – and the neighbors – to microscopic size. Director Joe Johnston has lots of fun creating a miniature world, and ensures the laughs come with plenty of added peril. Subsequent movies in the franchise – also on Disney Plus – involved blowing up the kid and shrinking ourselves.

The Incredibles

Release date: 2004 Age rating: PG (US) / U (UK) Rotten Tomatoes score: 97%

By the time The Incredibles arrived in 2004, Pixar had seemingly stumbled on a formula, in which two chalk-and-cheese characters would be thrown together on some kind of quest – see Toy Story, Monsters, Inc and Finding Nemo . When The Iron Giant and The Simpsons director Brad Bird entered the fold, however, he shook things up with a hilarious, action-packed story about an (otherwise) ordinary family with superpowers.

Thanks to Marvel, there’s no shortage of superhero movies on Disney Plus, but few are as smart, funny and inventive as The Incredibles . Set in a timeless alternative USA, the movie’s visuals are stylish and beautiful to look at, while the fact that the movie is more interested in the Parr family than their superhero alter-egos sets it apart from the herd.

How does The Incredibles compare with the animation studio's best? Check out our guide to Pixar movies ranked .

Release date: 2015 Age rating: PG (US) / U (UK) Rotten Tomatoes score: 98%

Pete Docter is now the chief creative officer of Pixar and his qualifications for the job have long been clear – as director he’s been responsible for some of the biggest, boldest storytelling ideas in the studio’s glorious history. 

Despite Up ’s powerful opening and Soul ’s intelligent examination of the afterlife, however, Inside Out is his true masterpiece, a trip inside a girl’s mind that turns her emotions into fully rounded characters. This being Pixar – a studio so successful it could easily fill a lot more slots on this list of the best Disney Plus movies – the characterization and storytelling are second-to-none. But even more impressive is the way the film translates a kid’s subconscious into a fully functioning society. Movies – animated or otherwise – don’t get much smarter than this.

The Lion King

Release date: 1994 Age rating: G (US) / U (UK) Rotten Tomatoes score: 92%

The 1980s were a dark time for Disney’s animation division, but the studio rediscovered its mojo with the triple whammy of The Little Mermaid , Beauty and the Beast , and Aladdin during the decade that followed. The highlight of the renaissance shifted away from Disney’s traditional fairytales to tell the Hamlet -inspired story of an exiled lion cub returning to reclaim his throne. 

Packed with memorable songs, built around some stunning set-pieces, and impeccably cast – who’d have thought of casting James Earl Jones as an absent father? – it stands up as one of 2D animation’s finest hours. The photo-real ‘live-action’ remake is also available on Disney Plus. 

Release date: 2017 Age rating: R (US) / 15 (UK) Rotten Tomatoes score: 93%

While Apocalypse , Dark Phoenix and The New Mutants meant the X-Men franchise mostly lost its way after 2014’s Days of Future Past , 2017's Logan is arguably the best X-movie of them all. Designed as Hugh Jackman’s swansong as Wolverine (at least, it was until he signed up for the aforementioned Deadpool & Wolverine ), it’s a bleak but perfectly crafted study of a hero whose best days are behind him. Reunited with Patrick Stewart’s Professor Xavier (now struggling to control his psychic gifts), Logan finds new purpose protecting young mutant Laura ( His Dark Materials ’ Dafne Keen), in a movie that pushes the boundaries of superhero stories on screen.

Mary Poppins

Release date: 1964 Age rating: G (US) / PG (UK) Rotten Tomatoes score: 97%

Pop quiz! For which movie did Julie Andrews win her Best Actress Oscar? While The Sound of Music would be a reasonable guess, she actually struck gold with this tale of a magical nanny. She’s a revelation as the stern but inspiring Ms Poppins, utterly in tune with the character whether she’s dealing with humans or the assortment of cartoon characters seamlessly integrated with the live-action. 

Songs like ‘Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious’, ‘A Spoonful of Sugar’ and ‘Feed the Birds’ have crossed over into the collective pop-culture consciousness, and the movie’s so good that the weirdness of Dick Van Dyke’s cockney accent barely even registers. 

Mary Poppins Returns , which gifted Emily Blunt the unenviable task of emulating Andrews, arrived in 2018 and is also available on Disney Plus.

Release date: 2016 Age rating: PG (US) / PG (UK) Rotten Tomatoes score: 95%

The massive success of Encanto hit ‘We Don’t Talk About Bruno’ has got everyone talking about Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda again, but his first Disney collaboration is the better movie. Assisted by Miranda’s ear for a hit tune, the eponymous Moana is undoubtedly one of the studio’s great characters, the daughter of a Polynesian island chief who learns a lot of life lessons when she takes to the high seas to save her community. The movie also earns extra credit for showing that, among all his other skills, Dwayne Johnson can hold a tune. 

Mrs Doubtfire

Release date: 1993 Age rating: PG-13 (US) / 12 (UK) Rotten Tomatoes score: 70%

Another iconic nanny makes the best Disney movie grade, but Mrs Doubtfire offers a very different spoonful of sugar to the aforementioned Mary Poppins . The late Robin Williams takes on one of the most iconic roles of his career as a recently divorced dad who goes undercover as an eccentric Scottish housekeeper in order to spend time with his estranged kids.

Williams is in his element in the movie's more slapstick moments, but he also delivers a performance of warmth and pathos as a man trying to do the best for his family. Director Chris Columbus (then hot property off the back of Home Alone , one of our best family movies ) keeps things (just) the right side of schmaltzy to deliver one of the biggest crowd-pleasers of the era. Indeed, Euphegenia Doubtfire still lives on three decades later, courtesy of a Broadway/West End musical.

The Muppets

Release date: 2011 Age rating: PG (US) / U (UK) Rotten Tomatoes score: 95%

Disney’s big-money acquisitions of Pixar, Marvel and Lucasfilm are the purchases that made everyone sit up and take notice, but they also had the smart business sense to nab the rights to Jim Henson’s enduring felt-covered creations. Numerous brilliant Muppet movies are available on Disney Plus – as well as TV classic The Muppet Show – but we’ve plumped for this 2011 comeback. 

As Jason Segel’s Gary and his Muppet brother Walter try to save a theater from developers, the story is witty, heartfelt and every bit as self-aware as we’ve come to expect from Kermit and co. And thanks to showstopping song ‘Man or Muppet’ – written by Flight of the Conchords ’ Bret McKenzie – the movie even bagged itself an Oscar.  

No One Will Save You

Release date: 2023 Age rating: PG-13 (US) / 16+ (UK) Rotten Tomatoes score: 82%

Once upon a time, going to direct-to-video was an almost surefire sign that a movie wasn't much good. In the streaming age, however, the likes of Netflix , Prime Video and Max routinely debut quality films that have never had the chance to grace the big screen. This quality Hulu horror (available on Disney Plus in the UK) is a case in point.

Writer/director Brian Duffield (whose previous scripting credits include Underwater , Netflix cartoon Skull Island and the fun Love and Monsters ) shows off his genre knowledge by ingeniously recycling tropes from numerous classics. But the movie's smartest move is arguably the decision to tell this story of alien invaders with minimal dialogue, as Duffield delivers a masterclass in tension.

Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl 

Release date: 2003 Age rating: PG-13 (US) / 12 (UK) Rotten Tomatoes score: 80%

Neither movies about pirates nor movies based on theme park attractions were considered a recipe for success back in 2003. Nonetheless, the original Pirates of the Caribbean managed to surprise everyone by becoming one of the standout blockbusters of the era.

The film’s crowd-pleasing mix of romance, ghosts and swashbuckling action on the high seas proved infectious, but it was the wonderfully eccentric Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp based his performance on Rolling Stone Keith Richards) that lifted The Curse of the Black Pearl to the next level. Just pretend the four disappointing sequels – also available on Disney Plus – didn’t happen.

Poor Things

Release date: 2023 Age rating: R (US) / 18 (UK) Rotten Tomatoes score: 92%

Director Yorgos Lanthimos has a habit of making films that defy classification (see also The Lobster and The Killing of a Sacred Deer ), and he manages it again with the brilliant Poor Things . Reuniting with The Favorite star Emma Stone, his adaptation of Alasdair Gray’s novel is an extraordinary tale told with spectacular invention.

While it would be accurate to describe Poor Things as an update of the Frankenstein myth – Bella, played by the Oscar-winning Stone, is a corpse reanimated by an eccentric scientist (Willem Dafoe) ­– there’s also much more to it than that. As Bella embarks on a globe-trotting, sex-filled journey of personal discovery, the film uses its endlessly original steampunk world to hold a mirror up to sexual politics in the 21st century. A true one-off.

Poor Things is available on Hulu in the US.

The Princess Bride

Release date: 1987 Age rating: PG (US) / PG (UK) Rotten Tomatoes score: 96%

Disney’s 2019 purchase of 20th Century Fox meant that The Princess Bride belatedly found its way to the spiritual home of the Hollywood fairytale. Rest assured, however, that this self-aware story from a land far, far away is very, very different to traditional Disney fare. It has a princess, of course, as well as a brave hero eager to win her heart and some suitably hissable villains. But the genius of William Goldman’s knowing, subversive script is that it has its magical cake and eats it, poking fun at the genre while also being an utterly delightful adventure in its own right.

Rob Reiner (who was on something of a golden run at the time, thanks to This is Spinal Tap and Stand By Me ) directs with style, while the script remains endlessly quotable. Indeed, it’s “inconceivable” that you’d want to miss this classic – whether you’re left-handed or not. 

The Princess Bride is not available to Disney Plus viewers in the UK, but you can catch the movie on ITVX.

Raiders of the Lost Ark

Release date: 1981 Age rating: PG (US) / 12 (UK) Rotten Tomatoes score: 93%

There’s a reason this 1981 classic tops our list of Steven Spielberg movies ranked . When the director teamed up with the Star Wars duo of producer George Lucas and star Harrison Ford, they unearthed cinematic treasure every bit as valuable as the artefacts Indiana Jones collects.

While Raiders of the Lost Ark was loosely inspired by the James Bond movies , 007’s adventures have rarely been as fun or beautifully choreographed as the legendary archaeologist’s race to beat the Nazis to the Ark of the Covenant. Indeed, the Raiders posters weren't lying when they declared it to be “the return of the great adventure”, because this is undoubtedly one of the very best Disney Plus movies.

Follow-up Indiana Jones adventures The Temple of Doom , The Last Crusade, The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull and The Dial of Destiny are also available to stream on the platform.

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

Release date: 2016 Age rating: PG-13 (US) / 12 (UK) Rotten Tomatoes score: 84%

The Force Awakens proved Disney knew how to make a Star Wars film, albeit one that closely followed the beats of George Lucas's original movie. This brilliant standalone pips it to a place on our list of the best Disney Plus movies by showing that unfamiliar characters, a war-movie vibe, and a mission whose success was never in doubt are no barrier to success. 

Based on a couple of lines from A New Hope ’s opening crawl, it sees a brave group of Rebels going behind enemy lines to recover plans to the first dreaded Death Star. The final act is surprisingly bleak, but it’s also one of the most accomplished in the entire franchise. There’s also something rather wonderful about seeing original trilogy X-wings back in action, powered by 21st century CG magic.

It's also been confirmed that Andor : season 2 – one of the most best new Star Wars TV shows – will lead directly into the events of Rogue One .

Spider-Man: Homecoming

Release date: 2017 Age rating: Rotten Tomatoes score: 92%

While there haven’t been quite as many live-action Spider-Men as there have Batmen or James Bonds, Marvel’s iconic webslinger has been through plenty of screen incarnations since the turn of the century. Tom Holland’s Marvel Cinematic Universe version is arguably the best, simultaneously a convincing update of the geeky teen superhero of Stan Lee and Steve Ditko’s original comics, and a character capable of going toe-to-toe with Tony Stark, Steve Rogers and the rest of the Avengers.

Homecoming is a fun coming-of-age adventure that takes the MCU back to high school. Former screen Batman Michael Keaton gives good villain as the Vulture, while the decision to stage most of the superheroics outside Spider-Man’s traditional Manhattan skyscraper stomping ground keeps things fresh.

UK viewers will have to swing by Netflix to watch Tom Holland's Spider-trilogy, but this first outing and follow-up Far From Home are both available on Disney Plus in the US. 

The original Star Wars trilogy 

Release date: 1977 ( A New Hope ), 1980 ( The Empire Strikes Back ), 1983 ( Return of the Jedi ) Age rating: PG (US) / U ( A New Hope ), PG ( The Empire Strikes Back , Return of the Jedi ) (UK) Rotten Tomatoes score: 93% ( A New Hope ), 95% ( The Empire Strikes Back ), 83% ( Return of the Jedi )

What’s left to say about three movies that changed cinema forever, and spawned a franchise that’s still the size of a Death Star 47 years later? George Lucas discovered some strange but potent alchemy when he mixed together Samurai-inspired warriors, old Westerns and mystical mumbo-jumbo – and then set the concoction in a galaxy far, far away. 

If you pressed us, we’d say The Empire Strikes Back is the best of the trilogy – it’s more sophisticated, is home to cinema’s most celebrated big reveal, and boasts AT-ATs and asteroids in its first act – but the Force is still strong with all three of these timeless classics.

10 Things I Hate About You

Release date: 1999 Age rating: PG-13 (US) / 12 (UK) Rotten Tomatoes score: 71%

Turning literary classics into high school movies was all the rage back in the 1990s. So, just as Clueless reworks Jane Austen’s Emma and She’s All That reinvents George Bernard Shaw’s Pygmalion , 10 Things I Hate About You tackles William Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew with extra cheerleaders and teen angst. It’s one of the best of this short-lived sub-genre, with a smart script, era-appropriate soundtrack, and winning performances from leads Julia Stiles and Heath Ledger.

Thor: Ragnarok

Release date: 2017 Age rating: PG-13 (US) / 12 (UK) Rotten Tomatoes score: 93%

If Thor had hung up his hammer for good after the plodding Thor: The Dark World , few tears would have been shed. Then Taika Waititi – at the time best known for the brilliant Hunt for the Wilderpeople – came along and reinvented Odin’s firstborn as a comedy god. 

Not only does Chris Hemsworth’s Asgardian deity finally get to step out of the shadow of little brother Loki (a typically watchable Tom Hiddleston), every supporting player is given a scene-stealing moment, whether it’s Cate Blanchett’s wonderfully arch villain, Hela, Mark Ruffalo’s newly sensitive Hulk or Jeff Goldblum’s sublimely kooky despot the Grandmaster. Waititi saved the best role for himself, however, as Korg, a soft-spoken revolutionary quite literally hewn from rock.

Unfortunately the director was unable to recapture the same magic with sillier, less-smartly plotted follow-up Thor: Love and Thunder .

The Toy Story series

Release date: 1995 ( Toy Story ),1999 ( Toy Story 2 ), 2010 ( Toy Story 3 ), 2019 ( Toy Story 4 ) Age rating: G (US) / PG ( Toy Story ), U ( Toy Story 2 , Toy Story 3, Toy Story 4 ) (UK) Rotten Tomatoes score: 100% ( Toy Story ), 100% ( Toy Story 2 ), 98% ( Toy Story 3 ), 97% ( Toy Story 4 )

As the first ever entirely computer-generated movie, Toy Story was always going to grab headlines. The fact we’re still talking about it more than 25 years later, however, shows that Pixar struck storytelling gold when it united an insecure cowboy with an action figure who believes he’s a real-life space ranger. 

In a movie where the dialogue sizzles, every single toy in Andy’s playroom could be worthy of a spin-off – indeed, Buzz Lightyear got one in the form of Lightyear – while the gags and surprisingly complex themes ensured grown-ups were just as captivated as their kids. The three sequels are similarly brilliant, which is a truly incredible accomplishment, possibly unparalleled in recent Hollywood history.

X2: X-Men United

Release date: 2003 Age rating: PG-13 (US) / 12 (UK) Rotten Tomatoes score: 85%

In the early ’00s, Hollywood studios were still figuring out how to make the best superhero movies . After the first ­ X-Men movie (released in 2000) had proved that Marvel heroes could hit big at the box office, this follow-up (titled X-Men 2 outside the US) became one of the early classics of the 21st century comic-book blockbuster boom.

With most of the ensemble established first time out, X2 expands the scope of the storytelling with the X-Men on the run, and dodgy military guy Colonel Stryker (future Succession star Brian Cox) initiating a plan to wipe out all mutants. Along the way Wolverine learns about his origins, new characters (most notably Alan Cumming's Nightcrawler) come to the fore, and heroes and villains are forced to work together, in a first class Marvel adventure.

Release date: 2008 Age rating: G (US) / U (UK) Rotten Tomatoes score: 95%

In the first decade of the 21st century, Pixar was on the sort of golden run most studios – live-action or animated – could only dream of. Having tackled insects ( A Bug’s Life ), fish ( Finding Nemo ) and superheroes ( The Incredibles ), the CG pioneers turned their attentions to space, and the results were truly out of this world. 

It’s difficult to pinpoint what’s boldest about this futuristic tale: is it the bleakness of a future Earth that’s become so polluted that the human race has left for the stars? Or is it that the first act is largely wordless, as the eponymous robot trundles along, carrying out his never-ending clean-up operation? Either way, WALL-E is undoubtedly one of the best Disney Plus movies, a bona fide classic from a studio that specializes in classics.

West Side Story

Release date: 2021 Age rating: PG-13 (US) / 12 (UK) Rotten Tomatoes score: 92%

Steven Spielberg didn’t make life easy for himself with his first ever musical – by remaking Robert Wise’s 1961 take on Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim’s song-and-dance hit, the director was inviting comparisons with a beloved movie that won a shed-load of Oscars.

Luckily, he was more than up to the task, and his powerful retelling brings a very modern edge to a love story set against the backdrop of rival gangs in New York. The choreography is electric and the cinematography expands way beyond the musical's theatrical origins. But Spielberg also deserves credit for accentuating the still-relevant race politics the original brushed over. An instant classic.

Who Framed Roger Rabbit

Release date: 1988 Age rating: PG (US) / PG (UK) Rotten Tomatoes score: 96%

A black-and-white Judy Garland walking into Technicolor in the original Wizard of Oz is rightly hailed as one of the greatest moments in cinema but, for a younger generation, Baby Herman storming out of a cartoon onto an actual movie set had the same effect. 

The way Back to the Future director Robert Zemeckis brought animated characters into a live-action world is an incredible technical achievement, but even beyond the ‘how did they do that?’ magic, it’s a hell of a movie. Who Framed Roger Rabbit is a family-friendly take on classic film noir, with a stuff-of-nightmares villain and – in Londoner Bob Hoskins – one of cinema’s great hard-boiled PIs.

For more Disney Plus coverage, read our round-up of the best Disney Plus shows , our Disney Plus price guide, and whether there's a free Disney Plus trial available.

Richard is a freelance journalist specialising in movies and TV, primarily of the sci-fi and fantasy variety. An early encounter with a certain galaxy far, far away started a lifelong love affair with outer space, and these days Richard's happiest geeking out about Star Wars, Star Trek, Marvel and other long-running pop culture franchises. In a previous life he was editor of legendary sci-fi and fantasy magazine SFX, where he got to interview many of the biggest names in the business – though he'll always have a soft spot for Jeff Goldblum who (somewhat bizarrely) thought Richard's name was Winter.

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The 30 best Disney films, from Aladdin to The Emperor’s New Groove

From the old classics to the disney renaissance of the 1990s, plus a few gems from the modern era, clarisse loughrey ranks the house of mouse’s best films, article bookmarked.

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[This article was originally published in March 2021]

It’s an almost impossible task to rank Disney films. These are the stories that, in so many instances, helped shape our childhoods.

They’re the VHS copies we wore out from watching and rewatching them, our noses nearly pressed up against the TV in wonder.

We fell in love with these characters, dressed up as them for Halloween, and play-acted their adventures with our friends. And now, perhaps, they’re the films we’ve shared with our children and young relatives.

Any attempt to pit these films against each other, then, will be filled with favouritism and illogical decision making. But that hasn’t put us off trying. So here is our take on the top 30 Disney films of all time.

NB: this only includes films produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios, so that means no Pixar films and none of those direct-to-DVD films palmed off to a smaller studio either – not that any of those would ever merit inclusion.

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30. The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (1977)

Although the film may feel relatively slight compared to the other titans of animation on this list, there is something so wonderfully zen about this Pooh, filtering the wise words of AA Milne through the slow, thoughtful tones of Sterling Holloway.

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29. Bambi (1942)

Bambi isn’t exactly the most action-packed Disney film around, and it’s hard to imagine many people are getting a kick out of the singalong version to “April Showers”. But is there any bigger shock to the system for a child at the movies than the sudden, ruthless slaughtering of Bambi’s mother?

28. Pocahontas (1995)

Of the Disney Renaissance offerings, Pocahontas stumbles in its messy handling of history, since turning any interaction between white colonisers and indigenous people into a fluffy romance arguably whitewashes the brutal reality of what happened. But there are plenty of positives to be found, since Pocahontas was such a huge influence in Disney’s later portrayals of strong, independently minded women.

27. The Aristocats (1971)

The film may be relatively light on story (it’s basically Lady and the Tramp , but there’s an added kidnap element), but who cares, when the film features the hottest party of the entire Disney franchise? It’s true what they say: “Everybody wants to be a cat.”

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26. Robin Hood (1973)

In a way, Robin Hood is the ultimate Disney film of the 1970s. It’s a folksy, low-key entry into the canon that’s all about keeping the peace and spreading good vibes. Just ignore the fact that it recycled several pieces of animation from the likes of Snow White and The Jungle Book .

25. Zootopia (2016)

It may not have spawned the same level of craze as Frozen did, but Zootopia doesn’t deserve to become another forgotten Disney film. Although it’s as funny as you’d hope from a film about animals with jobs, it also offers parents an easy entry point to talk to their kids about racism and xenophobia. And that’s something that shouldn’t be taken for granted.

24. Dumbo (1941)

Dumbo demonstrates the two gifts of early Disney films. There’s the capacity for moments that are pure and heartrending, as seen in “Baby Mine” (a scene that’s almost impossible to watch without welling up). Then there’s the ability to descend into the totally bizarre, as characterised by the downright scary “Pink Elephants on Parade” sequence.

23. Tangled (2010)

Tangled finds fun, humour and adventure in its re-imagining of the Rapunzel tale, but what’s crucial to its success is how it anchors the entire film around a single, showstopping sequence: “I See the Light”, where Rapunzel watches hundreds of paper lanterns float up into the skies. It’s, quite simply, a beautiful piece of filmmaking.

22. The Princess and the Frog (2009)

Disney’s brief return to traditional animation reminded us what had been lost in the switch to 3D animation. There’s a wonderful sense of artistry to how The Princess and the Frog renders New Orleans during the Jazz Age, especially in the Art Deco-stylised number “Almost There”. And a Disney princess working hard to make her dreams come true? That’s something to celebrate.

21. Cinderella (1950)

Although Cinderella is a central member of the Disney princesses, her film hasn’t aged quite as well as the rest of the early Disney films. There’s an odd amount of time spent on Lucifer the cat, and relatively little time spent at Cinderella’s magical soiree.

20. One Hundred and One Dalmatians (1961)

Cruella de Vil may have committed attempted puppy murder, but there’s still something irresistibly delightful about her “Patsy from Ab Fab” combination of luxury goods and frightening taste. Only Cruella could answer a simple “How are you?” with the line: “Miserable darling, as usual, perfectly wretched.”

19. Lady and the Tramp (1955)

One of several films on this list containing problematic material, Lady and the Tramp certainly isn’t a faultless film. However, given that the central courtship is between two dogs, the film boasts a surprisingly elegant love story. Not only is there the famous “Bella Notte” scene and its accidental spaghetti kiss, but the crooning Pekingese, voiced by Peggy Lee, is simply sublime.

18. Moana (2016)

Disney took the straightforward path to making a hit musical for today: they hired Lin-Manuel Miranda. The Hamilton composer and lyricist is a maestro when it comes to cranking out the hits. Opetaia Foa’i helped create the soundtrack’s South Pacific touches, while Dwayne Johnson even wheeled out some light rapping for his performance as the demigod Maui. Moana tells a culturally specific story with spirit, heart, and humour – more of this in the future please, Disney.

17. The Emperor’s New Groove (2000)

The Emperor’s New Groove never quite got the appreciation it deserved when it was first released, largely because, like Lilo & Stitch , it’s been tossed aside as another forgettable post-Disney Renaissance entry. Not so fast: though it may not have the epic scale of Mulan or Beauty and the Beast , The Emperor’s New Groove is a funny, endlessly quotable (“Pull the lever, Kronk!”) Disney film that – most importantly – finally let Eartha Kitt voice a Disney villain.

16. Frozen (2013)

It may be every modern parent’s least favourite Disney film, but Frozen is actually pretty great if you’ve not been forced to watch it five times a day, seven days a week. On top of a moving central story about self-acceptance and sisterly love, Idina Menzel’s rendition of “Let it Go” is a showstopper tune that demands to belted at least once at every karaoke night.

15. Peter Pan (1953)

​A flight of fancy that celebrates the power of imagination, JM Barrie’s Peter Pan was always an obvious fit for Disney. The film presents an uplifting and limitless world to younger audiences, while letting the adults pretend miserable things like taxes and divorce don’t exist for a precious hour and a bit. Plus, Tinker Bell seems like a vicious gossip and the ideal person to go for a drink with, even if she doesn’t quite speak our language.

14. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)

It’s the film that started it all. Although Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs has since been overshadowed by its successors to some degree, it still has its fair share of magical moments. There’s the small army of birds and rodents that come to Snow White’s aid during “Whistle While You Work”, and the Evil Queen, gone full Joan Crawford, delivering her oft misquoted line: “Magic mirror on the wall, who is the fairest one of all.”

13. Hercules (1997)

​A round of applause for John Musker, who had the idea of telling the Greek myth of Hercules through a chorus of gospel singers. They are, without a doubt, the true heroes of this film, thanks to the insanely catchy “Zero to Hero”. That said, Megara’s definitely a close runner-up for the title, since her “I’m a damsel. I’m in distress. I can handle this” routine made her the go-to Disney princess for the cool kids.

12. Mulan (1998)

Let them deny it all they want, but you’ll be hard-pressed to find a Nineties kid who hasn’t secretly put “I’ll Make a Man Out of You” on their workout playlist. The whole film, in fact, is a power anthem, while Mulan’s one-woman feminist revolution makes her one of those rare multitasking princesses who can do a lot more than just win over a handsome prince.

11. The Jungle Book (1967)

As the very last film to be produced by Walt Disney himself, The Jungle Book marked the end of an era for the studio. The film captures the kind of easy charm that made Disney’s work such a huge part of so many childhoods in the first place. As Baloo eases into “The Bear Necessities”, it feels very much like someone’s come to gently pat you on the shoulder and tell you everything’s going to be alright.

10. Aladdin (1992)

Aladdin may have plenty of tricks up its sleeve, but it deserves its place in the upper echelons of Disney films purely on the strength of Robin Williams’s performance as Genie. The comedy actor recorded over 18 hours of additional improvised material for the film, and the finished product is one of the greatest existing tributes to his manic energy as a performer, alongside his vast gallery of impressions.

9. Alice in Wonderland (1951)

Another magnificent adaptation of complex source material, Disney’s take on Alice in Wonderland doesn’t get lost in Lewis Caroll’s maze of wordplay, but cooks up its own delightful nonsense. Alice gets read to filth by a patch of garden flowers, Ed Wynn’s Mad Hatter oozes moneyed eccentricity, and there is a general psychedelic vibe to the whole affair. Alice in Wonderland was initially a flop, but there’s no denying its status as a cult classic now.

8. The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996)

The Hunchback of Notre Dame is easily the most adult Disney film ever made. There’s religious hypocrisy, lust, genocide, prejudice, violent misogyny, infanticide, and corruption – take your pick! Although Disney certainly used a little creative license in adapting the 19th century Victor Hugo novel (there are no singing gargoyles in the original, sadly), it’s surprising how fluently its central themes have been translated without threatening the film’s PG rating.

7. Lilo & Stitch (2002)

Although it was technically released in the dip that followed the Disney Renaissance, Lilo & Stitch is a highly underrated entry that deserves to sit among the classics. Few Disney films speak to real experiences like it does. Look past the alien intruders and Stitch’s more unusual characteristics, and you’ll find a reminder that family is defined only as those who love and support us, no matter where we find them. It’s a simple but pure message, elevated by a cast of characters who act and speak like those we recognise in our own lives.

6. Pinocchio (1940)

This is the Disney film that comes closest to a David Lynch fever dream. Putting “When You Wish Upon a Star” – the song that best captures Walt Disney’s dream – aside for a moment, let’s remember just how much of a surrealist nightmare the Pleasure Island sequence really is. “Be virtuous or you’ll be turned into a literal donkey” was quite the threat for an America only recently freed from the grip of Prohibition. It’s a weird and wonderful entry from Disney’s early years.

The 30 best Disney films

5. The Little Mermaid (1989)

We’re free to question Ariel’s decision to trade her voice so she can chase after a cute guy she met only once, but she will always remain the most loveable dinglehopper-collecting weirdo around. Ariel’s unquenchable curiosity is what makes this aquatic tale so charming, second only to the fact its villain was inspired by the legendary Divine. Plus, “Under the Sea” is such a party tune.

4. Sleeping Beauty (1959)

Sleeping Beauty is Disney’s most beautiful film, thanks to the fact artists John Hench and Eyvind Earle drew heavily from medieval tapestries, Renaissance art, and even Japanese prints. It gives the feeling of actually flipping through a storybook, as Aurora wanders a forest that looks as if it’s made entirely of stained glass. And, truly, has there ever been a Disney villain as deviously elegant as Maleficient?

3. Fantasia (1940)

One of Disney’s boldest and most avant garde films, Fantasia is simply masterful in its concept. A musical education for many young viewers, the film pairs classical pieces with short animated stories, each wildly different and inventive in its own right. Although Mickey’s appearance in The Sorcerer’s Apprentice has had a life of its own outside of the original film, anyone who grew up with Fantasia is probably more likely to remember the nightmares Chernabog gave them – the Night on Bald Mountain sequence is unlike anything else in the Disney canon.

2. Beauty and the Beast (1991)

If you need a sign of exactly how impressive a piece of filmmaking Beauty and the Beast is, reflect on the fact that a love story between a woman and a buffalo-bear-man is the first animated film ever to have been nominated for an Academy Award. And this is nearly two decades before The Shape of Water brought interspecies romance to the ceremony. This is truly “a tale as old as time”, with a lush Alan Menken score (with lyrics by Howard Ashman) and a smart, relatable heroine in Belle.

1. The Lion King (1994)

Produced at the height of Disney’s Renaissance in the 1990s, The Lion King is an epic testament to what animation can achieve as a medium. Can it match the power of its source material, William Shakespeare’s Hamlet ? Well, when Rafiki lifts an infant Simba up to the skies, as an entire kingdom of savannah creatures bows in servitude, all soundtracked to “Circle of Life”, you can’t help but feel momentarily convinced. A film of stunning vistas, heartrending tragedy and memorable musical moments, there’s no doubt that The Lion King deserves its place as one of the greatest animated films of all time.

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The 50 best Disney movies of all time

From toy story to cinderella , from mary poppins to the muppets , we're counting down disney's finest films.

Think “Disney movies” and your mind will probably conjure up images of classic animated films like Sleeping Beauty , Cinderella , and even Pinocchio . And while the company continues to be an industry leader in animation, its films have encompassed a huge variety of genres, styles, and mediums. To mark Disney’s 100th anniversary, we’re counting down their 50 best films. Animated classics are well-represented, but so are modern, live-action movies like Enchanted . The only things you won’t find are films that Disney owns due to its acquisitions of Fox and Marvel Studios. If a film wasn’t produced by Disney, it doesn’t count. And now, on with the list.

As Disney celebrates its 100th anniversary this year, The A.V. Club marks the occasion with a series of lists, essays, and more.

50. Hercules

A late entry in the Disney Renaissance featuring an all-time great villain in Hades (James Woods), Hercules perfectly captured the zeitgeist when it was released in 1997. Some of the pop-culture references feel a bit dated now, but it’s hard not to enjoy the film’s whimsical take on Greek mythology. It even spawned an animated series spin-off that lasted for more than 50 episodes. [Jen Lennon]

49. A Bug’s Life

For their second feature film, Pixar Animation Studios set out to tell another story of chosen family in the form of a band of misfit bugs who must unite to stop a hive of tyrannical grasshoppers. Is it basically just Seven Samurai with computer-animated insects? Yes, but that doesn’t stop A Bug’s Life from working as a thoroughly engrossing, memorable tale of outsiders learning to work together and build something new. [Matthew Jackson]

48. Escape To Witch Mountain (1975)

Despite being a live-action film, Escape To Witch Mountain actually shares something in common with Pixar films: although geared toward children, the movie rarely talks down to them. Instead, it validates their feelings and emotions in a way that makes it an easy watch for adults, too. And its themes are classic Disney; Tia (Kim Richards) and Tony (Ike Eisenmann) are nominally trying to escape a Bad Adult who wants to exploit their psychic powers, but they’re really just trying to find out who they are and a family that will accept them, powers and all. [Jen Lennon]

47. The Aristocats

Cats are way underrepresented on the big screen as beloved pets, mainly because dogs are much easier to train, but animation avoids all that. The adventures of a mommy cat and three kittens left for dead by a bumbling, jealous butler, The Aristocats features some of Disney’s most underrated songs, including the last two tunes by the Sherman Brothers as staff writers. In keeping with the jazzy vibe, the animation bops back and forth between slick and rough-almost-draft, and the kitten body language is captured in a way that only a true feline lover could render. Everybody wants to be a cat, indeed. [Luke Y. Thompson]

46. Pete’s Dragon (1977)

Pete’s Dragon is one of those movies that’s so important it’d be easy to forgive any lapses in overall story quality, but luckily, this charming flick succeeds there too. It was Disney’s first film containing animation that wasn’t worked on by the famed Nine Old Men, making this ambitious live-action-animation hybrid even more of a risk. Luckily, though, Don Bluth, who went on to direct animated classics like The Land Before Time and The Secret Of Nimh , was on hand as the animation director, making sure everything came together smoothly. And Elliott, the titular dragon, is perfectly lovable as Pete’s (Sean Marshall) sidekick. [Jen Lennon]

45. Toy Story 2

Toy Story 2 is among the rarefied air of sequels that are just as good as the original. What started out as a direct-to-video sequel play for Disney turned into one of their biggest theatrical hits, and became one of the cornerstones of Pixar’s legacy as Woody gets kidnapped by a greedy toy collector and it’s up to his one-time nemesis, Buzz Lightyear, to save him. Toy Story 2 sticks closely to the plot structure of the original, but invests more in the emotional lives of these very dynamic and complicated toys. Its most inventive flourish is the addition of discarded cowgirl Jesse (voiced by Joan Cusack), whose tragic, defining backstory makes for one of the most moving and haunting scenes in Pixar history. [Phil Pirrello]

44. Bedknobs And Broomsticks

This classic Disney musical has been flying under the radar on a giant, magical bed for decades. It’s so underrated that it had its 50th anniversary in 2021 and no one noticed. The film teams Angela Landsbury and David Tomlinson ( Mary Poppins ’ George Banks) in a fantastical adventure set in England during World War II. The film was originally intended to fill in for Mary Poppins when it looked like Walt Disney might not be able to secure the rights to it. But then he did, and Bedknobs And Broomsticks was cast aside. By the time it eventually got made it was doomed to live in Mary’s shadow for perpetuity. The similarities are not subtle: magical mayhem, precocious children, a score filled with bouncy Sherman Brothers songs, even an extended sequence that mixes animation and live action. It has a charm all its own, though, and the World War II setting adds some color. The final set piece features Landsbury and company using witchcraft to bring an entire military museum to life as they fend off a platoon of invading Nazis. It’s pure, chaotic fun. [Cindy White]

43. The Muppets (2011)

The Disney era of ownership over Jim Henson’s Muppets has sometimes been hit-or-miss, but we’ll always have this triumph co-written by and starring Jason Segel. As much a love letter to the Muppets as a new Muppet adventure, The Muppets rebooted the presence of the title characters in our world without dramatically altering the characters themselves. The result is a film that gets to ponder the importance of Henson’s creations, while also simply letting them exist and thrive as they have for decades. [Matthew Jackson]

42. The Parent Trap (1961)

While the original Parent Trap wasn’t quite as generation-defining as the 1998 version, it’s still a fun film with plenty of charm. Hayley Mills stars as twin teen girls separated at birth by their parents, and their hijinks at summer camp when they discover each others’ existence carry over into the rest of their lives when they decide to switch places in order to get their parents back together. It’s a convoluted, manipulative concept that has virtually no basis in reality, but Mills’ captivating performance and her characters’ sweet intentions are enough to make the movie feel heartwarming all the same. [Jen Lennon]

41. 101 Dalmations (1996)

“Iconic” is a word that’s been so overused as to be virtually meaningless at this point, but how else are we supposed to describe Glenn Close’s take on Cruella de Vil? She’s clearly having the time of her life as the classic baddie, making it easy to ignore all the very obvious holes in her plan to kidnap a bunch of dogs to make an ugly coat. With support from Hugh Laurie and Jeff Daniels, 101 Dalmatians is one of the few live-action remakes that actually justifies its own existence. [Jen Lennon]

40. Toy Story 3

Toy Story 3 is a peerless continuation of its predecessor’s storyline, and one of the few movies to break the “threequel curse.” It also flips the sequel formula on its head by aging Woody and Buzz’s owner, Andy, between films and bringing him to the point where he has grown past the need for his toys. In turn, the toys get put out to pasture by becoming new additions to a nightmare daycare ruled by the villainous teddy bear named Lotso (Ned Beatty). Director Lee Unkrich and screenwriter Michael Arndt allow the toys to showcase a wider range of emotion than ever before, and in doing so, let the audience feel the most they’ve ever felt watching their heroes during the climactic incinerator scene. For a movie aimed at kids, Toy Story 3 packs in adult themes and big emotional stakes to establish itself as the most complete feeling of the Toy Story films. [Phil Pirrello]

39. Tron (1982)

Never underestimate the nostalgia factor that has kept Tron in the pop-culture conversation for decades. The groundbreaking 1982 film didn’t have much of an impact when it first came out, except on the generation of kids who saw it in theaters and never let go of that mind-blowing experience. As one of the first films to mix CGI and live action, it had a visually distinctive look that was far ahead of its time. Jeff Bridges is also an undeniable part of the film’s appeal, breathing life into the computerized world as game-designer-turned-hacker Kevin Flynn. Despite mixed reactions to the 2019 sequel, Tron Legacy , Disney isn’t planning to unplug the franchise anytime soon. We recently heard that a third film may be in development with an entirely new creative team. Keep the faith, programs. [Cindy White]

38. Pinocchio (1940)

After defying the odds with Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs , Walt Disney needed something spectacular and ambitious for his second feature, and he got it with this animated triumph adapting Carlo Collodi’s stories of a little wooden boy. Featuring gorgeous, sumptuous, and often quite dark animation, Pinocchio casts a spell that reminds us of the impact of Snow White without attempting to carbon copy it, bringing a magic all its own. Then there’s the film’s centerpiece song—“When You Wish Upon a Star”—which has gone on to become the most iconic piece of Disney music ever. [Matthew Jackson]

37. Encanto

If you said that there was no point in the last year when you didn’t have “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” stuck in your head, either you’d be lying or you’ve been actively avoiding all things Disney lately. That’s just one of the enchanting songs from Lin-Manuel Miranda’s lively musical score for Encanto , inspired by the beats and melodies of Colombia. The Madrigal family is full of memorable characters (including their magical Casita, brimming with personality) who face the relatable predicament of being part of a loving family that’s also scarred by generational trauma. When those issues threaten to literally tear their home apart, it’s up to Mirabel (adorably voiced by Stephanie Beatriz), the only family member without a supernatural gift, to put the pieces back together. Encanto calls back to the best of classic Disney—pairing music and magic to tell an inspiring tale—with a dash of cultural flavor for a new generation. [Cindy White]

36. The Parent Trap (1998)

After 37 years, Disney rebooted Haley Mills’ 1961 classic The Parent Trap with a version that proved to be just as successful as the original—especially among ’90s kids. Lindsay Lohan stars as identical, separated-at-birth twins Annie and Hallie who, following their reunion at summer camp on the eve of their 12th birthdays, spark a battle of wits before settling into the promise and comfort of their new (and charming) sisterly bond. Is there anything a plot to switch places to help reunite your respective parents can’t do? [Phil Pirrello]

Before Soul came along and dove into the bureaucracy of life and death, Coco arrived at Pixar with a much more exuberant approach to the great beyond. Soaring on the strength of jaw-dropping designs, great characters, and unforgettable songs, it’s a rare musical approach for Pixar that paid off in big, beautiful ways. It’s an indulgent, nakedly emotional exploration of family, legacy, and memory that remains one of the best things Pixar has made. [Matthew Jackson]

34. Hocus Pocus

Certain adults may have recoiled at the poster image of Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy, and Sarah Jessica Parker made to look as goofily ugly as possible, but to an entire generation of kids, Hocus Pocus was just the right amount of scary. A sort of horror gateway drug, even giving master monster-player Doug Jones one of his first big breaks as zombie Billy Butcherson, Hocus Pocus has gradually become a holiday favorite, even spawning a sequel—and a breakfast cereal—a full 29 years later. [Luke Y. Thompson]

33. Enchanted

Armed with one of the most ingenious premises for a story—what if an animated Disney-inspired princess entered the real world?— Enchanted ’s fish-out-of-water story achieves a tricky balance between satire and four-quadrant entertainment. Amy Adams’ star-making turn as the doe-eyed princess Giselle gives Disney one of its most likable and fully formed heroines ever, while the scene-stealing James Marsden as Prince Edward lends this whimsical comedy most of its LOL-worthy laughs. [Phil Pirrello]

The titular white-tailed deer (and the traumatizing death of his mother) inspired generations of kids to love and respect nature. It also gave Disney the chance to further refine its state-of-the-art animation techniques to become the industry standard bearer. If you don’t smile constantly while watching the interactions between Bambi and Thumper the rabbit, then you may be some kind of wrong person. [Phil Pirrello]

31. Lady And The Tramp (1955)

One of Disney’s great small-scale triumphs, Lady And The Tramp is a straightforward love story about star-crossed dogs who find their way to each other, and while it lacks the grandeur of the Disney Renaissance, there’s undeniable beauty and power in its simplicity. The animation and design work behind each dog is wonderful, and as for that spaghetti-eating scene … well, it’s iconic for a reason. [Matthew Jackson]

30. The Princess Diaries

The Princess Diaries did for Anne Hathaway what Parent Trap did for Lindsay Lohan—make her a star. Based on a series of epistolary YA books by Meg Cabot, The Princess Diaries follows teenager Mia (Hathaway) as she goes from awkward high schooler to royal princess of a small (and fictional) nation of Genovia. Directed by the late, great Garry Marshall ( Pretty Woman ), and co-starring Julie Andrews, Princess Diaries is a breezy addition to the “nerd gets a makeover” genre, one that has become the nostalgic equivalent of catnip for millennials. [Phil Pirrello]

29. Dumbo (1941)

While certain elements of Dumbo have definitely not aged well, the fourth animated feature from Disney still retains the sense of wonder that permeated those early years of Disney, when each full-length cartoon adventure still felt like something of a miracle. Even now, it’s home to some of Disney’s most effective sequences, from the “Pink Elephants” parade to Dumbo’s mother gently rocking him from her cage, and at a brisk 64 minutes, it’s proof of how quickly the studio could work its magic in those early days. [Matthew Jackson]

28. Peter Pan (1953)

You’d be hard-pressed to find a story that more perfectly captures the existential terror of aging than Peter Pan . By taking kids on a swashbuckling adventure, this classic tale helps soothe fears about growing up. It’s also just a ton of fun, making it easy to see why there have been so many different versions of it over the years. [Jen Lennon]

27. Honey I Shrunk The Kids

Shrinking movies have long been a fun staple of sci-fi, but decades before the CG effects of Ant-Man , practical effects took Rick Moranis’ kids on a gleeful journey through the perils of an oversized backyard and home. Based on a script by the Re-animator team of Stuart Gordon and Brian Yuzna, Honey, I Shrunk The Kids kicked off the career of Joe Johnston, for whom such effects-heavy family adventures would become a signature style. Beating out Chevy Chase and John Candy for the lead, Rick Moranis secured himself another beloved franchise as the perfect caring, yet accidentally dangerous dad. [Luke Y. Thompson]

26. The Sword In The Stone

Disney’s take on the King Arthur myth, and the last animated film the studio released while Walt Disney was still alive, is not remembered as a particularly masterful example of the studio’s early style, but there’s still a lot to love here. Thanks to spirited work by Karl Swenson as Merlin, The Sword In The Stone is at its best when it has a little fun with its own source material, from a wizard in bermuda shorts to an unconventional wizards’ duel. [Matthew Jackson]

A highlight of Disney’s CG-animated output, Moana achieves the emotional and narrative highs of its classic movies while establishing its own unique identity among that pantheon. With music created by Hamilton ’s Lin-Manuel Miranda, the gorgeous, photo-real water animation, and a satisfying dynamic between the lead heroine and her demigod sidekick, Moana effortlessly achieves modern classic status. [Phil Pirrello]

24. Inside Out

Somehow, Pixar keeps finding new and surprising ways to absolutely destroy us. You go in, thinking, “Okay, I know they’re going to do something that will completely break my heart and bum me out for at least a week after I watch this movie, but I’m prepared this time, I’m ready,” and then they throw something like freaking Bing Bong at you, and you realize what a fool you’ve been. If there’s one thing that Pixar films excel at capturing, it’s the universal truth that growing up is hard , and you’re not going to get out of it without losing some intrinsic part of yourself—and no Pixar film exemplifies that more than Inside Out . [Jen Lennon]

For families everywhere, there was life before and life after Frozen . This massive blockbuster reigned at the box office and penetrated the lexicon in large part due its catchy (and overplayed) “Let It Go,” but Frozen ’s staying power comes from how it downplays and subverts the traditional princess/prince romantic narrative in favor of a heartstring-tugging tale about the reconciliation of two sisters through the most powerful force ever: Love. [Phil Pirrello]

Pixar has long thrived on stories about systems, whether the studio is delivering a world controlled entirely by cars or a world in which emotions literally pilot human bodies around. Soul emerged as another entry in this tradition, re-imagining birth and death through bright, inventive Pixar landscapes. But in the end, it’s the film’s meditation on purpose and how it shifts our worldview, and the pitch-perfect voice performances of Jamie Foxx and Tina Fey, which lift Soul to become something special. [Matthew Jackson]

21. Fantasia

Walt Disney’s ambitious animated anthology Fantasia features beloved star Mickey Mouse, the fearsome demon of “Night on Bald Mountain,” dancing hippos, epic dinosaurs and charming centaurs. It is a majestic showcase of the power of animation and feels less like a movie and more like a stunning work of art brought to life. [Phil Pirrello]

20. The Princess And The Frog

The Princess and the Frog was Disney’s first attempt (and last hurrah) at a more traditional animated movie, following their costly creative and financial misfires in the early aughts (we’re looking at you, Treasure Planet and Atlantis: The Lost Empire ). Princess harkens back to the classic Disney flourishes, complete with a handsome prince, catchy songs and a heroine with big dreams and an even bigger heart. This underrated movie also found plenty of welcome ways to break new ground, including a predominately Black cast and some great Jazz Age New Orleans trappings. [Phil Pirrello]

19. The Jungle Book (1967)

The last Disney animated film produced by Walt Disney himself before his death in 1966, The Jungle Book remains both an interesting turning point in Disney history and one of the most stealthily influential films in the catalog. Its character animation survived well beyond its original run, appearing in everything from Robin Hood to TaleSpin , and its beautiful design work and sheer attention to craft was an inspiration for generations of incoming animators. All that, plus an all-time great song in “The Bare Necessities,” makes it a Disney essential. [Matthew Jackson]

18. Robin Hood (1973)

Though it might be best remembered today as that Disney movie with the weirdly hot cartoon fox , there’s still a lot of charm lying elsewhere in Robin Hood . The voice cast is sound, the character designs are warm, and there’s a sense of fun running through the tale that helps it to rise above what was a somewhat dark time for the studio in general. Plus, you’ll be hard-pressed to get that rooster’s songs out of your head once they’re in there. [Matthew Jackson]

17. Finding Nemo

Pixar goes underwater in Finding Nemo , an animated adventure that brings back moments of old-school Disney terror, as Marlin the clownfish (Albert Brooks) loses almost his whole family upfront to a barracuda, and later encounters sharks and angler fish that play on viewers’ deepest fears of the deep. Yet it’s leavened with plenty of humor and heart, from Dory’s (scientifically accurate) short-term memory to the way Nemo’s escapades in a fish tank become a mini prison escape adventure. It’s also mercifully lacking in the usual gratuitous tear-jerking, making it arguably one of Pixar’s best ever. [Luke Y. Thompson]

16. Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs (1937)

Disney’s first full-length feature was considered groundbreaking for its time, which is part of the reason why it’s still regarded as a classic today. Its sluggish pace struggles in the face of more modern storytelling choices, but Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs ’ tale about Disney’s first princess and her seven friends standing up to and defeating the evil queen is still timeless. [Phil Pirrello]

15. Lilo & Stitch

Disney has a proud tradition of unlikely friendships taking the lead in animated films, but they’ve rarely gotten more mileage out of the concept than in Lilo & Stitch . The story of a little girl who becomes best friends with a genetic experiment gone wrong, it’s a Disney film that’s unafraid to dig into the darkness of what happens when families start to crumble in the wake of tragedy. But confronting that darkness is always an excuse to bounce back, and Lilo & Stitch ’s Elvis soundtracked friendship wins the day (and the hearts of the viewers) in the end. [Matthew Jackson]

14. Cinderella (1950)

The tale of the servant girl who gets gussied up in glass slippers is a fairly basic story, but Disney magicked it up into a classic feature. With the earworm-y nonsense song “Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo,” French mice named Gus and Jaq, and a surprisingly evil cat named Lucifer, an earnest fairy tale added some much-needed toe-tapping and comedy to the lavish dance and romance. Animated by the original “nine old men,” Cinderella saved the studio from bankruptcy and spawned the castle used as its logo to this day. [Luke Y. Thompson]

13. Mulan (1998)

In the years following the massive critical and financial success of The Lion King , Disney endured a bit of a rough patch. The studio struggled to find movies that could match the level of success or storytelling that The Lion King, which ultimately led to the end of the “Disney Renaissance.” But Mulan , a daring and always timely blockbuster, is the highlight of their post- Lion King efforts. The movie arguably began the studio’s current trend of subverting the princess storytelling tropes it helped perpetuate by making Fa Mulan the very proactive and relatable hero of her own story. [Phil Pirrello]

12. Ratatouille

Three years after The Incredibles , Brad Bird proved his versatility with something very, very different: the story of a rat who wanted to be a chef. That concept, and Patton Oswalt’s wonderful performance in the leading role of would-be gourmand Remy the Rat, is enough to carry any animated film into the realm of reasonably entertaining. But in Bird’s hands, Ratatouille became something more: A moving meditation on food as love, and the life-changing power of a single meal made with care. [Matthew Jackson]

11. Monsters Inc.

Billy Crystal and John Goodman are rarely upstaged, but in Monsters, Inc. , Pixar’s follow-up to Toy Story , a babbling toddler named Boo (voiced by real toddler Mary Gibbs) steals the show completely. Unafraid of the monsters in her closet, who depend upon her screams to power their home city, she instead befriends the big “kitty” that is Goodman’s Sulley, who must protect her from a society that thinks human children are toxic and get her back home. Steve Buscemi is perfectly cast as an evil chameleon. [Luke Y. Thompson]

10. Sleeping Beauty (1959)

Upon its initial release, Disney’s costliest film wasn’t well-received, but Sleeping Beauty has since become a classic that’s regarded as one of the studio’s finest achievements. And it features arguably Disney’s greatest villain, the evil enchantress Maleficent (voiced by Eleanor Audley, who also voiced Cinderella ’s sinister stepmother). [Phil Pirrello]

9. The Incredibles

After making a modern traditionally animated classic with The Iron Giant , director Brad Bird moved over to Pixar and did it again with computer animation. Rooted in a deep love of superhero stories yet never straying from its devotion to the tale of a family just trying to figure things out, The Incredibles came before the current wave of superhero universes put comic book icons on the big screen in a constant stream, yet it still seems smarter than many of those films could ever hope to be. Almost two decades later, and it’s still one of the best superhero stories ever to grace a movie theater. [Matthew Jackson]

8. Aladdin (1992)

Disney earned rave reviews for inserting the chaotic force of nature that was Robin Williams—and to a lesser extent, Gilbert Gottfried—into an otherwise standard heroic romance. Adding a genie whose shape-shifting matches his freeform riffs, and a parrot with a bad attitude, to a classic tale of a beggar who becomes a prince, Aladdin feels like it’s breaking many previously unwritten rules, like when the Three Stooges met Snow White. Many subsequent animated films tried to recapture the same magic by adding pop-culture references like Williams did, but most lacked the spark of energy in his soul. [Luke Y. Thompson]

Pixar’s second decade as a major animation studio brought a new wave of ambition from some of its most formative filmmakers. Of all the films from this period, Andrew Stanton’s second Pixar outing as a solo director might be the most visually stunning and stirringly inventive. The story of a simple robot who barely talks yet sees the world with a constant sense of wonder, WALL-E remains just as beautiful now as it was 15 years ago. [Matthew Jackson]

6. The Lion King (1994)

The Lion King was Peak Disney Renaissance in the ’90s; arguably, the studio still hasn’t surpassed this high point for both itself and the genre. This stirring action pic centers on a young lion cub named Simba, who is forced to grow up and learn what it takes to be king when his duplicitous uncle, Scar, (Jeremy Irons), pulls a Hamlet and takes down Simba’s loving father, King Mufasa (James Earl Jones). A large part of The   Lion King ’s landmark success is how willing the filmmakers are to push the boundaries of what moviegoers expected while still delivering comfortably familiar entertainment. Between the lush animation, catchy songs, and Shakespearean stakes, The Lion King still has us singing “Hakuna Matata.” [Phil Pirrello]

5. Mary Poppins (1964)

Author P.L. Travers may not have agreed, but Mary Poppins was one of Walt Disney’s finest cinematic creations. It still holds up amazingly well nearly 60 years later (so well we didn’t need a sequel , but we got one in 2018 anyway). Julie Andrews is absolutely iconic as the magical nanny who brings a disjointed family together in Edwardian London. Stern but fair, with a fun-loving streak she’d deny if you asked her directly about it, Mary’s lilting voice and winking smile burrow deep into your heart and stay there. Richard and Robert Sherman (known collectively as The Sherman Brothers) help her along with a collection of catchy musical numbers that could all be hits on their own. Having them all together here in one film is an embarrassment of riches. Like its title character, it’s “practically perfect in every way.” [Cindy White]

While the rest of Up ’s run time isn’t as memorable as its iconic, tear-jerking opening minutes, Pixar’s Oscar-winning hit offers a surreal but endearing story full of inspired visuals and deeply resonate character drama. In Up , the elderly, cranky Carl (the late Ed Asner) is still struggling with the loss of his wife, Ellie. Their longing for adventure is what helped bring them together, but life is what got in the way of their plans to make their dreams reality. But Carl soon gets to do just that (and then some) with the help of a Boy Scout-esque Wilderness Explorer named Russell (Jordan Nagai), a fabillion balloons tied to his floating house, and a bizarre but heartfelt journey into South America. On paper, Up seems like a narrative mess. But in execution, it (no pun intended) soars. [Phil Pirrello]

3. The Little Mermaid (1989)

The impact that The Little Mermaid had on the trajectory of Disney’s feature animation division cannot be understated. Its release in 1989 marked the beginning of Disney’s animation renaissance, which lasted roughly 10 years and produced some of the most beloved films in the studio’s long history. But leaving all that context aside, the film itself is an astonishing achievement in so many ways. Composer Alan Menken and his former partner, lyricist Howard Ashman (who passed away in 1991), infused the project with their signature Broadway showmanship, creating a template—the “I want” song, the flashy dance number, the romantic interlude—that many animated Disney musicals still follow to this day. Those songs are made even better by vibrant, evocative animation and an endearing voice cast, including Jodi Benson as Ariel, Pat Carroll as Ursula, and Samuel E. Wright as Sebastian. The Little Mermaid is the latest film in the Disney animated canon to get the live-action treatment, with Hallie Bailey taking over the role of Ariel and Melissa McCarthy playing Ursula. We’ll find out this May if the film can successfully make the unnecessary leap from one medium to another, but however it turns out, we’ll still have the original to sing along with. [Cindy White]

2. Beauty And The Beast (1991)

The first animated feature to score a Best Picture nomination at the Academy Awards got there by gently tweaking the Disney fairy-tale formula while still keeping it feel-good. In the end, it’s still about a princess-to-be yearning for more who finds it in a man, but this time, the man is also a monster, and the real villain, Gaston, turns the dull cliché of the charming prince savior upside down by revealing it as an unabashedly sexist caricature. The movie doesn’t quite shake some Stockholm Syndrome ickiness, but ultimately hits on truisms about how men who tame their beastly sides and remember compassion can win the admiration of smart women who deserve the best. [Luke Y. Thompson]

1. Toy Story

If it had been nothing but a major breakthrough in the world of computer animation, Toy Story would still stand today as a monumental achievement, but what we got was so much more. In the hands of an early Pixar Animation dream team, this simple tale of two toys vying for bedroom superiority and becoming best friends in the process soared. Toy Story was Pixar’s first film, and it immediately established the company as the world’s new go-to for emotional, family-friendly entertainment.

It’s hard to overstate just how groundbreaking Toy Story was and continues to be, both in terms of technical achievement and storytelling. It was a kid’s film that didn’t feel juvenile, that wasn’t a slog for parents to sit through; it really did offer something for everyone, which many films claim to do but few can deliver on. It established themes that Pixar continues to revisit with each of its films, and the company keeps returning to them because they work . For so long, children’s entertainment pacified kids and occasionally taught lessons; Toy Story was one of the first times a film aimed at kids said, “I know how you feel, I know it’s hard, and you’re not alone.” In 1995, that was revolutionary, and you can still feel the effects of Toy Story ’s novel approach to storytelling in films that are being produced today. [Matthew Jackson]

The 30 best Disney movies ever

From animated classics to Muppets adventures, these are the best Disney movies of all time

The best Disney movies ranking is a tough list to nail down to just 30 movies. The studio certainly stands shoulders above others when it comes to making classic animated movies. Not only this, but plenty have become staples of our collective childhoods for several generations.

As you might expect then, the following ranking has been the cause of a whole lot of tense discussions among the GamesRadar+ team. But through sweat and tears, we got there. Below, you'll find our list of the best Disney movies ever. Broken down into 30 entries, we've got everything from newer movies like Frozen and Moana to some of the earliest movies from the studio like Pinocchio and Snow White and the Seven Dwarves. 

Alas, in cutting it down, some bonafide great movies had to be let go of, while the majority of recent releases (the live-action remakes in particular) just weren't up to scratch with the House of Mouse's finest work. It's also worth noting that we've just kept this list to the "main" Disney canon. So don't start yelling at us about why Star Wars and Marvel aren't included. In fact, you can check out our lists of the best Pixar movies , the best Marvel movies , or the best Star Wars movies for our thoughts on those.

With all that in mind, these are our picks for the best Disney movies – and for more, be sure to check out our pieces on the best shows on Disney Plus  and the  best movies on Disney Plus right now. 

30. Pocahontas

Disney had long toyed with the idea of making an animated Romeo and Juliet, so, when legendary director Mike Gabriel pitched Pocahontas, the movie was greenlit almost immediately. The story is loosely based on the life of a real Native American woman and her encounter with an English colonialist called John Smith. However, the adaptation received a mixed reception for its treatment of Powhatan culture. Some Native Americans claim Pocahontas distorts history, while others praise it for being one of the first instances where popular culture acknowledges the brutal intentions of English settlers wiping out indigenous tribes. 

Whatever your belief, there’s no denying that Pocahontas is stunning, with sharp animation and gorgeous sequences – who could forget the flowing chalk in 'Colours of the Wind?' With iconic songs that won two Oscars and a story that started a conversation, Pocahontas is one of the most entertaining and thought-provoking Disney movies. 

29. The Hunchback of Notre Dame

The Hunchback of Notre Dame brings Victor Hugo’s gothic novel to the silver screen, and doesn't scrimp on its treatment of infanticide, sexual violence, religious damnation, and genocide. Yet, somehow, despite being one of the darkest Disney movies ever made, The Hunchback of Notre Dame is also one of the most poignantly beautiful. 

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When Esmerelda stares up at the face of the Virgin Mary in the church’s cavernous halls and sings, "Yes I know I’m just an outcast, I shouldn’t speak to you, still I see your face and wonder were you once an outcast too?" the movie highlights how hypocritical society can be. With careful direction by Gary Trousdale and Kirk Wise, the movie takes many risks in tone and storytelling, pointing a finger back at the audience and teaching us that those on their high horses aren’t always moral. 

28. Cinderella

Too many people underestimate Cinderella. Sure, she’s not as feisty and independent as the Belles and Mulans of this world, but she’s also kind-hearted and committed to her beliefs  – those are lessons that are just as valuable in today’s world. 

Cinderella is a film painted in soft, pastel hues and with a wistful spirit. It’s one that always feels so comforting to return to. Think of the tiny mice in their tiny dresses, scampering around with needles and thread, or the way soap bubbles might drift into the air and create kaleidoscopes of colour. And then there’s the best moment of all: when the Fairy Godmother magics up a gown that Cinderella can wear to the ball and it materialises out of stardust and wishes. Cinderella is one for the dreamers. 

27. Treasure Planet

Disney has a long history of putting innovative spins on classic literature. The Great Mouse Detective shrunk Sherlock Holmes down to size, while The Lion King brought Hamlet to the African savannah. Treasure Planet, meanwhile, sends Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island out into space – offering an adventurous, old-fashioned yarn with Emma Thompson as a slinky cat-lady-sea captain. 

The familiar elements of the original are all here. There’s the young protagonist, Jim Hawkins, voiced by Joseph Gordon-Levitt, who finds a treasure map that promises to lead to fame and fortune. There’s the shifty John Silver, though his peg leg here comes with cybernetic enhancements. The ships they use still look like 18th-century galleons, plucked out of the ocean and sent shooting across the stars. 

26. 101 Dalmatians

Considering how a single dog sneeze can generate 10,000 retweets, it’s perhaps surprising that the biggest star 101 Dalmatians isn't an adorable puppy – but a cigarette-puffing villain with bad eyeshadow. Cruella De Vil firmly cements herself as one of the most iconic criminals of all time, spotted at Halloween parties the world over. Her theme song remains an earworm, even while the movie’s actual story is a tad bland. 

101 Dalmatians is a triumph over adversity inside a Disney studio plagued by financial concerns. The animation team pinched the pursestrings by experimenting with a new process called xeroxgraphy, where their lines were essentially photocopied from one frame to the next, resulting in a scratchy-yet-elegant effect.

25. Big Hero Six

Everyone could do with a hug from a giant, inflatable robot. If only we all had our own Baymax – the six-foot, unfailingly attentive star of Big Hero 6 . Whenever he hears an "ow" or any other sign of distress, he’ll waddle over and ask in a soothing, flat voice: "On a scale of one to ten, how would you rate your pain?"

He becomes a kind of guardian to Hiro, a teenage tech wiz. He lives in San Fransokyo, a vibrant, Blade Runner-esque mix of San Francisco and Tokyo where the Golden Gate bridge is adorned with traditional Shinto gates. Like so many Disney films, Hiro is an orphan dealing with sudden loss. But Big Hero 6 manages to balance emotions both intimate and grand, from learning how to grieve to saving the world. It’s a Disney adaptation of a Marvel comic that somehow doesn’t involve Nick Fury turning up at the end with a proposition. 

24. The Aristocats

Following in the wake of 101 Dalmatians, Aristocats – the last project Walt Disney worked on before his death midway through production – moulds that movie’s visual style into something dully sweet. Strong vocal performances by Phil Harris as Thomas O’Malley – who also voices Baloo in The Jungle Book – and Eva Gaboor as Duchess bring the script to life. 

Then there are the songs like 'Everybody Wants To Be A Cat' that remain classics to this day. These were the last musical numbers to be penned by the legendary Sherman Brothers before departing the studio, saying the atmosphere had become too toxic following Disney’s death. This sense of unease manages to stay out of The Aristocats, however, which remains a charming Disney tale.

Mulan is the story of a young girl who – to protect her ailing Father – cuts off her hair, strips away her female identity, and rides to war against the invading Hun army. Based on an ancient Chinese folktale, Mulan combines the very best of Eastern and Western culture for a movie that somehow never feels jarring. It’s a testament to Mulan’s incredible script that, when the hilarious 'A Girl Worth Fighting For' musical number is interrupted mid-note by the brutal devastation of a burning town, the sudden shift from laughter to horror doesn’t give the audience whiplash. 

The Disney Holy Trinity of story, song, and setting is capped by stunning art: everything from a smoking battlefield to Mulan’s homely garden are brought to life with calligraphic curves unlike anything previously seen in a Disney movie. Mulan is a story that never gets old. 

22. Peter Pan

A story about a boy unwilling to grow up and who instead lives in a fantasy land – sounds like brilliant material for Disney. Walt’s brother Roy secured the rights to turn J.M. Barrie’s original play into an animated feature following the success of Snow White, and Peter Pan remains one of the studio’s most iconic projects. 

It brought magic and literal fairy dust to cinema, along with the idea that hidden just around the corner could lie an entirely new world. Neverland’s population is filled with fascinating characters – from scared lost boys to terrifying hooked pirates, themselves scared of crocodiles and ticking clocks. Such a large cast would be easy to lose track of, but Disney’s writing team handle the storytelling with ease. 

21. Robin Hood

There’s a certain rugged charm to Robin Hood's animation. In the aftermath of Walt Disney’s death many of the creative leads scrambled to try and figure out what their former boss would have wanted to make, rather than reflecting on what new unique stories they could tell. The 1973 movie was thus rushed for time, and so it recycles sequences from Snow White, The Jungle Book, and the Aristocats. The result is a hodgepodge of ideas that. 

Yet, despite all this, Robin Hood is a successful "buddy movie", offering us one of cinema's best portrayals of the iconic, endlessly reproduced tales. The eponymous fox is particularly entertaining, and perhaps why we happily laud his movies as a Disney cult classic. 

20. Zootropolis

Zootropolis may have ended up lost somewhere in all the Frozen mania, but it still deserves to be remembered as one of the stronger entries in Disney’s recent catalogue. Animation has often delivered hopeful visions of a world where all races and creeds can live in harmony, but Zootropolis sticks out from the pack. By portraying simmering tensions between mammalian predators and prey, former foes now living side-by-side, the film can dive straight into the complicated stuff. 

There’s an exploration of how those in charge use fear to stay in power, with concrete illustrations of how historical divisions still feed into today’s judgements and stereotypes. And all of that’s grounded in a clever, inventive world that features a diminutive rodent district, a sassy gazelle with the voice of Shakira, and a D.M.V. with the longest wait times imaginable – because it’s staffed entirely by sloths. 

Spanning just 64 minutes, Dumbo is shorter than some episodes of television – yet it packs more emotional punches than any single Game of Thrones episode. Remember when Dumbo’s Mum reaches her trunk through the bars? Or the single tear that rolls down her son’s face? 

While many of the studio’s senior animators were working on Bambi, the younger staff were ripping up the rulebook and experimenting with scenes like the nightmarish 'Pink Elephants on Parade' sequence. But the core story remains touching in its simplicity: a shy circus elephant bullied for the size of his ears turns them into a talent. Like Rudolph and his red nose, Dumbo teaches audiences that our differences make us stronger.

18. Fantasia

Fantasia doesn’t have the most loyal of fanbases. No one’s desperately requesting 'The Sorcerer’s Apprentice' at Disney Sing-Alongs or hoarding Primark t-shirts with pictures of slowly dying dinosaurs on them – oh yes, there’s a lot of dinosaur death in this. But Fantasia deserves its place as one of the great classics of the Disney canon. It’s bold and avant-garde, offering a musical education for young viewers by pairing classical pieces with short animated stories. 

Although Mickey’s panicky appearance, which sees him herd an army of sentient brooms, will always be the stand-out, anyone who grew up with Fantasia will almost certainly remember the nightmarish Night on Bald Mountain sequence – is any Disney villain scarier than Chernabog? 

17. Lilo & Stitch

The early 2000s were definitely a mixed bag for Disney’s animation unit – is anyone surprised Dinosaur and Chicken Little didn’t make the list? So it doesn’t really feel right that Lilo & Stitch should get lumped in with what some have called "The Second Dark Age". It’s a delight and one of the most grounded Disney movies out there. Look past the spaceships, the blasters, and the slobbering blue alien-pup and – at its centre – there’s a heartfelt examination of sibling relationships and parental loss. 

Lilo & Stich reminds us that all families are valid and can thrive, no matter what they look like. People aren’t defined by blood, but by those who love and support them. Or, as Stitch sweetly describes his own adoptive family: "It's little, and broken, but still good. Yeah, still good."

16. The Nightmare Before Christmas

It’s the film that’s come to define teen goth aesthetics. But The Nightmare Before Christmas offers much more than an endless bounty of Hot Topic merchandise. Dreamed up by Tim Burton and brought to screen by Henry Selick, it mixes childlike wonderment and ghoulish sensibilities with ease. The use of stop-motion animation makes it all the more charming, like an old fairytale slowly creaking to life. The songs, written by Danny Elfman, are catchy but off-kilter. 

It’s strange to look back at its original release, when Disney deemed it too dark for children and buried it under their Touchstone Pictures label. Now, it’s a perennial double-holiday favourite, as Jack Skellington, the king of Halloweentown, stumbles through a strange portal and crash-lands in Christmastown. 

15. Hercules

Despite being released slap-bang in the middle of the '90s Disney Renaissance, Hercules is often passed over in favour of the decade's other movies. That’s a huge shame because the story Zeus’s son's search for his true family is full of comedy, emotion, and some subtle unpicking of outdated tropes – like Meg’s refusal to be a damsel in distress. 

Before Disney bought Marvel, its writers had already penned a superhero origins story that also includes more than a few biting commentaries on obsessive celebrity culture. Hercules is clever and creative – and let’s not forget that incredible score that meshes R&B beats with gospel. Bless my soul, Herc was truly on a roll.  

14. Tangled

It says a lot about Tangled ’s development hell that one of the brilliant minds behind characters like Aladdin, Ariel, Beast, and Tarzan – Glen Keane – had a heart attack midway through production. The stress of the project was too much and spanned years, spiralling the budget until it became the most expensive animated movie of all time, costing $260 million. But, despite all of that drama, the end product is excellent. 

Tangled brings the traditional story of Rapunzel into the modern era while still respecting the classic hallmarks of a princess movie. Sidekick characters like the adorable Pascal and hilarious Maximus create some standout moments (watching a sword-wielding horse dual a man with a frying pan never gets old) and the climatic love song under thousands of coloured lanterns is breathtaking. And speaking of taking breaths, Glen Keane is fine. In case you were wondering. 

Even if you’ve never seen Frozen, you’ve probably heard its trademark song 'Let it Go'. Elsa’s face has quickly become a mainstay on children's’ lunch boxes everywhere. Walt Disney himself toyed with an adaptation of Hans Christian Anderson’s The Snow Queen but was never able to pool his ideas into a single script. Seventy years later, Frozen for upended the classic Disney Princess narrative by gently mocking Ana and Hans’ lightning-quick engagement. 

However, Frozen isn’t quite the bastion of modernity it would have you believe; Ana ends up tying the knot with Kristoff at the end of the movie – a man who she has literally known for two days. Still, the focus on sisterhood, with the trappings of a Disney classic, is enough to thaw most frozen hearts.

12. Snow White and the Seven Dwarves

Released in 1937, Snow White was Disney’s first-ever feature-length animated movie, and a huge gamble at the time. The production costs were astronomical and required years of planning – much sweat was flicked from Disney's brow when it released to wild critical and commercial success. The quality of Snow’s animation, colour, music, and design had never been seen on screen before, and its story packed an emotional punch. Cartoons at the time were short and simplistic, but Snow White proved they could be complex and cemented Walt Disney as a true visionary. 

Sure, when we watch Snow White today the story’s pacing lags and Snow’s character belongs firmly in the '30s. But you’ve got to remember that Snow White and the Seven Dwarves was the movie that carved a path for every Disney movie coming after it, and therefore stands firmly as one of the most important.

Moana is the story of a girl from a Polynesian village who sets out onto the open ocean to return a mystical relic to a goddess. Teaming up with another god, the tale invites audiences to embrace their roots, families and communities – and the production team made great pains to ensure their portrayal of Polynesian culture was accurate. 

The result is a stunning adventure following a selfless and heroic heroine (and a clucking chicken voiced by Alan Tudyk) that isn’t bogged down by romantic cliches. If that isn’t enough for you, then watch Moana simply for the water. Seriously, those effects will make your eyebrows rapidly ascend into your hairline. 

10. Sleeping Beauty

There’s a reason Sleeping Beauty’s castle is the centrepiece of the original Disneyland theme park. The sheer ambition of this animated movie dwarfed all other projects at the time, with animators painting on pieces of paper as big as bedsheets to match the movie’s anamorphic widescreen 70mm format. 

The result is an eye-popping, stunning princess movie packed with vibrant colour combined in unusual ways. Lead artist Eyvind Earle – who’d worked on Peter Pan – played with violet, green, ochre, indigo, and fuchsia to create a palette never before seen on screen. With a rousing score based on the Tchaikovsky ballet and an iconic villain in the form of Maleficent, Sleeping Beauty remains one of the cornerstones of the Disney catalogue and easily makes it into our list of the best Disney movies.  

9. The Jungle Book

It’s fair to say that 'Hakuna Matata' owes a fair bit to 'Bare Necessities.' The Jungle Book’s songs laid the foundations for rhythms, tunes, and themes that would crop up in later Disney movies in years to come. What’s interesting about the 1967 adaptation of Rudyard Kipling's story is how upbeat the score is compared to the underlying dark themes of the story. 

A tale of a lost orphan boy raised by wolves and hunted by a man-eating tiger could have been tonally grim, but stick a singing orangutan in there and you have yourself an emotional key change. Risky casting decisions like wise-cracking comedian Phil Harris as Baloo (who improvised most of his lines) helped bring the tale to life and propel The Jungle Book into classic status.  

8. Pinocchio

You know the opening slate of every Disney movie? When the shooting star flies over Sleeping Beauty’s castle? There’s a reason Pinocchio’s 'When You Wish Upon a Star' was chosen to play at that moment. The second feature-length animated movie Disney ever made, Pinocchio is widely held as the apex of Disney talent. It’s hard to believe that the animators working on this story of a little puppet who wants to be a real boy were still learning their craft. 

From the homely chaos of the workshop to the nightmarish horror of that donkey scene, Pinocchio created a world that still holds up today. It reached cinemas in 1940 to critical applause but slumped at the box office due to the outbreak of World War 2. Thankfully, it was re-released a few years later and skyrocketed to pop culture stardom, prompting children the world over to gingerly check their noses whenever they told a lie.

7. Alice in Wonderland

The definitive adaptation of Lewis Carroll's trippy fairy tale, Disney's version of Alice is surprisingly true to the source material, what with its creepy Cheshire Cat and the authentically barmy tea party – one that's pleasingly bizarre, as is the parade of playing cards. Throw in Disney's trademark visuals and this is certainly a magical trip you want to take. 

Alice in Wonderland was, though, a disappointment at the box office. Part of the problem was that Alduous Huxley, the penman behind Brave New World, was hired to flesh out the script but then swiftly departed the project after feeling his voice was being ignored. However, with some psychedelic colours and wonderful songs, Alice in Wonderland has become a cult favourite.

6. The Muppet Christmas Carol

The Muppet Christmas Carol is the best take on Charles Dickens’ holiday classic. Scratch that – it might flat-out be the best adaptation of the author’s work there is. The film’s a surprisingly faithful retelling of the 1843 novella, with the exception of its majority felt cast and Sir Michael Caine bounding along in top hat and harmonising. 

It’s one part goofy, one part sincere. Statler and Waldorf jangle their chains as the ghostly Jacob and Robert Marley, while Tiny Tim is played by an excruciatingly cute Robin (Kermit’s tiny frog nephew). It not only captures the touching, altruistic sentiment of the original story, but showcases the Muppets at their very best – weird and irreverent, but always up for some fun. 

Aladdin has birthed two straight-to-video sequels, a SEGA videogame, an entire TV series, a West End musical, and a live-action remake – proof that it's certainly one of the most popular Disney movies. Yet, Aladdin nearly didn’t get made as Disney CEO Michael Eisner was hesitant to make an animated movie set in the Middle East. Of course, it went on to become the highest-grossing movie of 1992, outstripping Batman Returns and The Bodyguard. It’s no wonder, really. 

Aladdin boasts a rags-to-riches story filled with romance, glamour, and rib-cracking one-liners, plus one of Disney’s best soundtracks to date. An impeccable cast includes Robbie Williams’s vocal talents, which turned the genie into an icon and spooned ladles of zany comedy into an already stellar script. One of the greats. 

4. Mary Poppins

Who doesn’t love Mary Poppins? Well, apart from the late P.L. Travers, who wrote the source books and was incredibly peeved to discover Walt Disney had dropped winsome songs and dancing penguins into the mix. History has shown it was for the better: its tale of a magical nanny who flies in with her carpetbag and talking umbrella to help families in need feels quintessentially English, despite having been dreamed up in a studio in sunny California. 

It’s sharp, witty, and whimsical where it counts, as we watch Mary and Bert jump into chalk paintings and host tea parties on the ceiling. Mary Poppins has always captured how limitless the world felt as a child. Then there’s the irreproachable Julie Andrews – a woman we all wish would snap her fingers and instantly solve the mess of our adult lives. 

3. The Little Mermaid

The '70s and '80s were tough decades for Disney. Forty years after inventing feature-length animated movies, the medium wasn't quite landing. Forgettable releases like The Black Cauldron made many believe the sun was setting on the studio’s dynasty – and then The Little Mermaid came along. 

Ariel is a wholly interesting heroine: an ocean princess who wants to be human, falling in love with a prince on land. Alan Menken and Howard Ashman wrote the score, packed with classics like 'A Part of Your World', 'Under the Sea', and 'Kiss the Girl'. The music was so successful, it won two Oscars and was heralded as the movie that brought Broadway to cartoons. The Little Mermaid put the studio back on the map, and ushered in a new era known as The Disney Renaissance. 

2. Beauty And The Beast

With modern-day Moanas and Elsas, it’s easy to forget – or even take for granted – how Belle rewrote the role of a Disney princess. She blazed a trail for smart, sharp heroines with more to motivate them than just the affections of a prince. Her story is one of acceptance, which dazzles with some of the most beautiful designs Disney has ever created, incredible voice acting, and iconic songs. In fact, Mrs Potts’s 'Beauty and the Beast' might be the best romantic song in Disney history. It’s not an extravagant ode or declaration of love, it’s a song about love. 

Mrs Potts isn’t singing to Belle or the Beast, but to her son, explaining the very core of what true love is: a tale that has existed since the beginning of time, and one that everyone shall learn. Piercing, beautiful, and haunting, there’s a reason why Beauty and the Beast was the first animated feature to ever be nominated for Best Picture at the Academy Awards.

1. The Lion King

"Nants ingonyama bagithi Baba (Sithi uhm ingonyama)." That opening song – 'The Circle of Life,' performed by Lebo M – sets the scene perfectly; an epic, grandiose song that immediately transports you to the African savannah. The Lion King is a Shakespearean tragedy that's ultimately about growing up, parenthood, and how our perception of the world (and our role within it) changes in response to trauma and love. 

Despite Simba’s story being one of privilege, its beating heart of shaken identity is deeply familiar to many. The musical talents of the legendary Elton John and virtuoso Hans Zimmer (who went on to score Gladiator and Inception ) are the cherries on top of this masterpiece. The Lion King is our pick for the best Disney movie of all time. 

For more on the House of Mouse, check out our picks of the best Disney songs as well as our round-up of all of the upcoming Disney movies on the way.

Clarisse is a freelance film journalist, and is a film critic for The Independent. She also writes in a freelance capacity for a number of publications such as GamesRadar and Total Film, and is the co-host for the Fade to Black Podcast. She also runs her own YouTube channel focused on film reviews. 

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The Best Disney Movies to Stream Right Now

By Erika Owen

There are few things more nostalgic than a Disney movie night. The biggest question isn’t “should we watch three Disney movies in a row,” it’s “which three (or five) movies should we watch?” To help with that latter question, we pulled together 35 of the all-time top Disney movies — most of which you can stream on Disney+.

But make sure and take a minute to fully appreciate the wide expanse that is the Disney universe. What started out as a focus on heartwarming animated films has grown into a collection of beautifully complex movies tackling some of life's toughest moments... while still keeping it cute ( Turning Red , anyone?).

Our recommendation? Pick a classic and then pair it with something a bit more modern starring one of your favorite  Disney stars (maybe one of the  Disney Channel original movies ) for the best of both worlds. And when you’re done with these, check out our favorite  Disney Channel shows .

Snow White and the Seven Dwarves (1937)

We love a story with a villain, a poisoned apple, and a friendship between a woman and seven dwarves who all live in the forest together. While there are newer remakes of the original, we recommend watching the first animated film.

Pinocchio (1940)

This classic is a story between Gepetto, an older Italian woodcarver, and his deep hope for a wooden puppet named Pinocchio to turn into a real boy. Spoiler: It happens. 

Fantasia (1940)

Fantasia  is a total trip. Here’s the general idea: Mickey Mouse makes his way through eight musical scores, transforming from a sorcerer’s apprentice to an observer as mythologies play out right before his eyes. It’s an animated masterpiece, one that’s best watched with the sound all the way up.

Bambi (1942)

Bambi  follows the story of a young deer (named Bambi) who grows up in the forest among his friends: a rabbit named Thumper, Friend Owl, a skunk named Flower, and more. In this film, watch along as Bambi learns the ins and outs of growing up — and avoiding the hunters who frequent the area.

Alice in Wonderland (1951)

Fall down into the rabbit hole with Alice, as she stumbles through fantastical lands filled with cheshire cats, stressful games, and the Queen of Hearts. Her goal of staying on the ruler’s good side is a tricky one that’s worth watching (and re-watching).

Peter Pan (1953)

Surprise! Peter Pan flies into the room of Wendy and her brothers one random night, on the hunt for his shadow. He shares tales of Neverland along with his partner, Tinkerbell. The kids follow him back to Neverland and go head-to-head with Peter Pan’s rival, pirate Captain Hook. There’s a lot of adventure between the time the kids leave and when they make their way back to their beds.

The Lady and the Tramp (1955)

Lady, a cocker spaniel leading a life of luxury, has her life turned upside down when her owners have a baby. In an instant, Lady finds herself fending for herself and loose on the sidewalks. She meets Tramp, a rough stray mutt, who introduces her to his life. Eventually, they fall in love… but not without a few obstacles trying to keep them apart.

Cinderella (1955)

Another classic, this musical gives life to a beloved fairytale. Cinderella is a nice gal with a horrible stepmother and equally rude — if not worse — stepsisters. One thing she does have: a fairy godmother who is set on helping her attend a local ball to win over the prince’s heart.

101 Dalmatians (1961)

Cruella De Vil may be one of the most evil Disney villains of all time. After two dogs in love — Pongo and Perdita — have a litter of 15 puppies, De Vil goes on a mission to steal them all so she can make a fur coat.

The Little Mermaid (1989)

Sixteen-year-old Ariel dreams of living among the people on land, a huge change from her underwater life as a mermaid. After making a deal with a sea witch named Ursula, she gets her wish — for three days. Of course, there’s a prince charming and lots of internal conflict; the perfect making of a Disney movie night.

Honey, I Shrunk The Kids (1989)

This is a fun one. Wayne Szalinkski (Rick Moranis) is a scientist and one fateful day his kids decide to sneak into his lab to get a baseball. Of course, he’s working on a shrink-ray that minimizes anything placed inside and, well, the kids embark on a pint-sized adventure. What lies ahead is an obstacle course from the garbage, where Wayne drops what he thinks is a failed experiment, through the yard, and back inside to catch dad’s attention. While this one doesn’t often top the list of “Best Disney Movies of All Time,” we think it should.

Beauty and the Beast (1991)

After a village girl named Belle stumbles into the Beast’s castle searching for her father Maurice, she discovers that the hideous monster is actually a big-hearted human who was put under a spell with the rest of the castle’s inhabitants. She befriends everyone, and eventually falls in love with the beast, waking up his cold heart once again.

Aladdin (1992)

It’s a tale as old as (Disney) time: a man falls in love with a princess, but her family doesn’t approve of the match. Aladdin (the guy) fights for Jasmine (the gal) by using his new friend (a magic genie) to help keep the evil sorcerer Jafar from taking over Jasmine’s family’s kingdom. This one has some great musical moments.

The Mighty Ducks (1992)

We all love an underdog story and  The Mighty Ducks  is certainly that. Forced into community service for a drunk driving change, lawyer Gordon Bombay decides to coach the local kids hockey team. The coach and the team slowly bond as they lose and learn together, eventually building a strong team ready to take on Bombay’s old hockey rival. If you’re looking for feel-good movies on Disney Plus, you’ll like this one.

The Lion King (1994)

Viewers follow along as young Simba, a young lion who is the sitting heir to his father’s kingdom, deals with the tragedy of his father’s murder. His evil uncle, Scar, lured Simba and his father Mufasa into a stampede of wildebeests, with only Simba escaping. When he returns as an adult, he takes on his uncle to reclaim the kingdom with a few new friends.

A Goofy Movie (1995)

Goofy just wants to take his son, Max, on a vacation. With a full-on fishing trip planned, the duo take off and fall into all kinds of unexpected experiences along the way. And, of course, the plot centers around Max’s crush, Roxanne. Because what’s a Disney movie without a wholesome love story?

Toy Story (1995)

We’ve all wondered: What do our toys do once we leave them alone?  Toy Story  is one answer to the question, if only a fantasy. Follow along on the adventure of a persistent group of toys as they find out their owner Andy is getting a birthday party before a big move.

Mulan (1998)

Mulan’s ill father is set to be drafted in the Chinese military — instead, she impersonates a man and takes his place. She brings along her dragon (voiced by Eddie Murphy) to help her ward off an invasion. And yes, she finds love, too.

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The Parent Trap (1998)

The description for this one may be the most simple, but the result is a chaotic scheme that sparked the imaginations of twins around the world. In this remake, both twins (Annie and Hallie) are played by Lindsay Lohan. Separated at birth, the girls reunite unexpectedly at summer camp where they make a grand plan to lure their parents back together.

Remember the Titans (2000)

The movie covers a lot of ground. When a local school board integrates an all-Black school and an all-white school in 1971, the football team and its leadership is shaken up.  Remember the Titans  is a tale of overcoming prejudice, friendship, and the ultimate underdog victory.

Monsters, Inc. (2001)

There’s something so cute about monsters having to go to a school to learn how to be scary. And some of said monsters just aren’t cut out for the job — like Sullivan and his scare assistant Mike Wazowski. They get paired with Boo, a young girl who follows them right back to Monster University.

Lilo & Stitch (2002)

Lilo, a Hawaiian girl, adopts Stitch, who she believes is a dog. Fun fact: He’s not. A genetic experiment from an alien planet, Stitch forms a special bond with Lilo, who helps teach him in  ohana , the Hawaiian belief in family.

Finding Nemo (2003)

This movie is high on our list of best movies on Disney Plus. After Nemo swims too closely to the surface of the ocean, he’s captured by a diver and his father (Marlin) sets out on a journey to bring him home.

Ratatouille (2007)

Potentially the most endearing Disney movie, Ratatouille follows a rat (Remy) with dreams of becoming a chef. After meeting just the right person — a garbage boy (Alfredo Linguini) who works at a restaurant run by Remy’s idol, Gusteau. Remy gets to cook, Alfredo hides the secret, chaos ensues.

The Princess and the Frog (2009)

This movie features the first Black princess in a Disney film.Tiana, a New Orleans girl with dreams to open a restaurant, meeting prince Naveen, who has been turned into a frog by an evil guy named Dr. Facilier. Thinking a kiss will reverse the spell, the prince kisses Tiana… turning her into a frog, too. Thus begins a journey to find a voodoo priestess to set things right again.

Tangled (2010)

A take on Rapunzel,  Tangled follows the princess as she finds herself locked up in a tower that’s protected by an old witch. Rapunzel’s hair has magic powers that give her eternal youth and the witch uses it for her own good. When Rapunzel gets curious about the outside world, she befriends a prince to help her get out.

Brave (2012)

Princess Merida is a Scottish girl with a head of red hair. Set in the Highlands during the Middle Ages, the princess disobeys a custom causing a curse to her mother. To save her, she must lean on her archery skills — and bravery, as the title suggests — to set things right again.

Frozen (2013)

It’s a lot of people’s worst nightmare: A kingdom trapped in perpetual winter. That’s exactly what Anna is faced with, as she and mountaineer Kristoff set off to find her sister Snow Queen Elsa to break the spell. They come across trolls, harsh weather, a snowman, and a whole lot of magic before saving their kingdom.

Inside Out (2015)

This Disney movie is a bit more abstract than others. The main character may be Riley, an 11-year-old Midwestern girl faced with a big move, but her emotions are manifested into characters. It’s a really touching embodiment of what big life changes feel like.

Zootopia (2016)

Zootopia is a land where animals live together in a society not entirely unlike the one humans live in. When Judy Hopps, a rabbit voiced by Ginnifer Goodwin, joins the police force, she is faced with the big task of enforcing the local law. She gets involved in a mysterious case with a tricky partner: Nick Wilde, a fox voiced by Jason Bateman.

Moana (2016)

While on a sailing mission to save her people, Moana — a teenager — meets a demigod named Maui who helps her overcome monsters and other ocean obstacles. It’s a tale of a teen who finds herself while digging into the ancient history of her ancestors, stumbling into her identity in the process.

Coco (2017)

Miguel is part of a family that has had a generations-old ban on music. The catch? He wants to become a musician. After traveling to the Land of the Dead, he sets off to prove his talent and learns a bunch about his family’s history along the way.

Black Panther (2018)

T’Challa is the king of Wakanda after his father passes away and his position is soon challenged by Killmonger, who is set on kicking off a global revolution. There’s a technological superpower involved and an ancient war among African tribes — if you’re in the mood for some adventure, you’ll find it here.

Encanto (2021)

The Madrigal family lives in the mountains of Colombia, a beautiful and magical place called Encanto. Each child born in the city has a magic gift, except Mirabel for some unexplained reason. But she has her moment when she must fight to save Encanto and all of the magic it comes with.

Turning Red (2022)

Whenever 13-year-old Meilin "Mei" Lee gets excited, she turns into a bright-red panda. Yes, it is a visual vehicle for showcasing the trials of puberty, and yes, it is wildly relatable. 

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100 Best Disney Movies Ever

This took careful thought in the ranking process except as we got into the 70's and 80's we got a little sloppy. But it is ranked in order!

• Movies or TV
• IMDb Rating
• In Theaters
• Release Year

1. Tangled (2010)

PG | 100 min | Animation, Adventure, Comedy

The magically long-haired Rapunzel has spent her entire life in a tower, but now that a runaway thief has stumbled upon her, she is about to discover the world for the first time, and who she really is.

Directors: Nathan Greno , Byron Howard | Stars: Mandy Moore , Zachary Levi , Donna Murphy , Ron Perlman

Votes: 492,928 | Gross: $200.82M

2. The Princess and the Frog (2009)

G | 97 min | Animation, Adventure, Comedy

A waitress, desperate to fulfill her dreams as a restaurant owner, is set on a journey to turn a frog prince back into a human being, but she has to face the same problem after she kisses him.

Directors: Ron Clements , John Musker | Stars: Anika Noni Rose , Keith David , Oprah Winfrey , Bruno Campos

Votes: 166,255 | Gross: $104.40M

3. Beauty and the Beast (1991)

G | 84 min | Animation, Family, Fantasy

A prince cursed to spend his days as a hideous monster sets out to regain his humanity by earning a young woman's love.

Directors: Gary Trousdale , Kirk Wise | Stars: Paige O'Hara , Robby Benson , Jesse Corti , Rex Everhart

Votes: 478,964 | Gross: $218.97M

4. Monsters, Inc. (2001)

G | 92 min | Animation, Adventure, Comedy

In order to power the city, monsters have to scare children so that they scream. However, the children are toxic to the monsters, and after a child gets through, two monsters realize things may not be what they think.

Directors: Pete Docter , David Silverman , Lee Unkrich | Stars: Billy Crystal , John Goodman , Mary Gibbs , Steve Buscemi

Votes: 976,881 | Gross: $289.92M

5. Aladdin (1992)

G | 90 min | Animation, Adventure, Comedy

A kind-hearted street urchin and a power-hungry Grand Vizier vie for a magic lamp that has the power to make their deepest wishes come true.

Directors: Ron Clements , John Musker | Stars: Scott Weinger , Robin Williams , Linda Larkin , Jonathan Freeman

Votes: 465,345 | Gross: $217.35M

6. Pocahontas (I) (1995)

G | 81 min | Animation, Adventure, Drama

An English soldier and the daughter of an Algonquin chief share a romance when English colonists invade seventeenth century Virginia.

Directors: Mike Gabriel , Eric Goldberg | Stars: Mel Gibson , Linda Hunt , Christian Bale , Joe Baker

Votes: 202,578 | Gross: $141.60M

7. Hercules (1997)

G | 93 min | Animation, Adventure, Comedy

The son of Zeus and Hera is stripped of his immortality as an infant and must become a true hero in order to reclaim it.

Directors: Ron Clements , John Musker | Stars: Tate Donovan , Susan Egan , James Woods , Barbara Barrie

Votes: 254,523 | Gross: $99.05M

8. A Bug's Life (1998)

G | 95 min | Animation, Adventure, Comedy

A misfit ant, looking for "warriors" to save his colony from greedy grasshoppers, recruits a group of bugs that turn out to be an inept circus troupe.

Directors: John Lasseter , Andrew Stanton | Stars: Kevin Spacey , David Foley , Julia Louis-Dreyfus , Hayden Panettiere

Votes: 313,955 | Gross: $162.80M

9. Toy Story (1995)

G | 81 min | Animation, Adventure, Comedy

A cowboy doll is profoundly threatened and jealous when a new spaceman action figure supplants him as top toy in a boy's bedroom.

Director: John Lasseter | Stars: Tom Hanks , Tim Allen , Don Rickles , Jim Varney

Votes: 1,066,368 | Gross: $191.80M

10. The Lion King (1994)

G | 88 min | Animation, Adventure, Drama

Lion prince Simba and his father are targeted by his bitter uncle, who wants to ascend the throne himself.

Directors: Roger Allers , Rob Minkoff | Stars: Matthew Broderick , Jeremy Irons , James Earl Jones , Whoopi Goldberg

Votes: 1,139,418 | Gross: $422.78M

11. Mulan (1998)

G | 87 min | Animation, Adventure, Comedy

To save her father from death in the army, a young maiden secretly goes in his place and becomes one of China's greatest heroines in the process.

Directors: Tony Bancroft , Barry Cook | Stars: Ming-Na Wen , Eddie Murphy , BD Wong , Miguel Ferrer

Votes: 315,663 | Gross: $120.62M

12. Meet the Robinsons (2007)

Lewis is a brilliant inventor who meets mysterious stranger named Wilbur Robinson, whisking Lewis away in a time machine and together they team up to track down Bowler Hat Guy in a showdown that ends with an unexpected twist of fate.

Director: Stephen J. Anderson | Stars: Daniel Hansen , Wesley Singerman , Angela Bassett , Jordan Fry

Votes: 111,106 | Gross: $97.82M

13. A Goofy Movie (1995)

G | 78 min | Animation, Adventure, Comedy

When Max makes a preposterous promise to a girl he has a crush on, his chances to fulfilling it seem hopeless when he is dragged onto a cross-country trip with his embarrassing father, Goofy.

Director: Kevin Lima | Stars: Bill Farmer , Jason Marsden , Jim Cummings , Kellie Martin

Votes: 62,516 | Gross: $35.35M

14. Newsies (1992)

PG | 121 min | Drama, Family, History

A musical based on the New York City newsboy strike of 1899. When young newspaper sellers are exploited beyond reason by their bosses they set out to enact change and are met by the ruthlessness of big business.

Director: Kenny Ortega | Stars: Christian Bale , Bill Pullman , Robert Duvall , Ann-Margret

Votes: 22,515 | Gross: $2.82M

15. The Little Mermaid (1989)

G | 83 min | Animation, Adventure, Family

A mermaid princess makes a Faustian bargain in an attempt to become human and win a prince's love.

Directors: Ron Clements , John Musker | Stars: Jodi Benson , Samuel E. Wright , Rene Auberjonois , Christopher Daniel Barnes

Votes: 290,441 | Gross: $111.54M

16. The Jungle Book (1967)

Bagheera the Panther and Baloo the Bear have a difficult time trying to convince a boy to leave the jungle for human civilization.

Director: Wolfgang Reitherman | Stars: Phil Harris , Sebastian Cabot , Louis Prima , Bruce Reitherman

Votes: 198,290 | Gross: $141.84M

17. Up (2009)

PG | 96 min | Animation, Adventure, Comedy

78-year-old Carl Fredricksen travels to Paradise Falls in his house equipped with balloons, inadvertently taking a young stowaway.

Directors: Pete Docter , Bob Peterson | Stars: Edward Asner , Jordan Nagai , John Ratzenberger , Christopher Plummer

Votes: 1,122,142 | Gross: $293.00M

18. Lady and the Tramp (1955)

G | 76 min | Animation, Adventure, Comedy

The romantic tale of a sheltered uptown Cocker Spaniel dog and a streetwise downtown Mutt.

Directors: Clyde Geronimi , Wilfred Jackson , Hamilton Luske , Jack Cutting | Stars: Barbara Luddy , Larry Roberts , Peggy Lee , Bill Thompson

Votes: 148,149 | Gross: $93.60M

19. Bedknobs and Broomsticks (1971)

G | 117 min | Animation, Adventure, Comedy

An apprentice witch, three kids and a cynical magician conman search for the missing component to a magic spell to be used in the defense of Britain in World War II.

Directors: Robert Stevenson , Ward Kimball | Stars: Angela Lansbury , David Tomlinson , Roddy McDowall , Sam Jaffe

Votes: 40,657 | Gross: $18.53M

20. Oliver & Company (1988)

G | 74 min | Animation, Adventure, Comedy

A lost and alone kitten joins a gang of dogs engaged in petty larceny in New York City.

Director: George Scribner | Stars: Joey Lawrence , Billy Joel , Cheech Marin , Richard Mulligan

Votes: 52,842 | Gross: $74.15M

21. Peter Pan (1953)

G | 77 min | Animation, Adventure, Family

Wendy and her brothers are whisked away to the magical world of Neverland with the hero of their stories, Peter Pan.

Directors: Clyde Geronimi , Wilfred Jackson , Hamilton Luske , Jack Kinney | Stars: Bobby Driscoll , Kathryn Beaumont , Hans Conried , Bill Thompson

Votes: 152,789 | Gross: $87.40M

22. Mary Poppins (1964)

G | 139 min | Comedy, Family, Fantasy

In turn of the century London, a magical nanny employs music and adventure to help two neglected children become closer to their father.

Director: Robert Stevenson | Stars: Julie Andrews , Dick Van Dyke , David Tomlinson , Glynis Johns

Votes: 185,742 | Gross: $102.27M

23. The Parent Trap (1961)

Passed | 129 min | Comedy, Family, Romance

Teenage twin sisters swap places and scheme to reunite their divorced parents.

Director: David Swift | Stars: Hayley Mills , Maureen O'Hara , Brian Keith , Charles Ruggles

Votes: 23,907

24. Dumbo (1941)

G | 64 min | Animation, Adventure, Drama

Ridiculed because of his enormous ears, a young circus elephant is assisted by a mouse to achieve his full potential.

Directors: Samuel Armstrong , Norman Ferguson , Wilfred Jackson , Jack Kinney , Bill Roberts , Ben Sharpsteen , John Elliotte | Stars: Sterling Holloway , Edward Brophy , Herman Bing , Billy Bletcher

Votes: 141,816 | Gross: $1.60M

25. Remember the Titans (2000)

PG | 113 min | Biography, Drama, Sport

In 1971 Virginia high school football was everything to the people of Alexandria. But when the school board was forced to integrate an all-black school with an all-white one, the very foundation of football's tradition was put to the test.

Director: Boaz Yakin | Stars: Denzel Washington , Will Patton , Wood Harris , Ryan Hurst

Votes: 231,532 | Gross: $115.65M

26. The Emperor's New Groove (2000)

Emperor Kuzco is turned into a llama by his ex-administrator Yzma, and must now regain his throne with the help of Pacha, the gentle llama herder.

Director: Mark Dindal | Stars: David Spade , John Goodman , Eartha Kitt , Patrick Warburton

Votes: 224,883 | Gross: $89.30M

27. Sleeping Beauty (1959)

G | 75 min | Animation, Adventure, Family

After being snubbed by the royal family, a malevolent fairy places a curse on a princess which only a prince can break, along with the help of three good fairies.

Directors: Les Clark , Clyde Geronimi , Eric Larson , Wolfgang Reitherman , Hamilton Luske | Stars: Mary Costa , Bill Shirley , Eleanor Audley , Verna Felton

Votes: 160,591 | Gross: $51.60M

28. James and the Giant Peach (1996)

PG | 79 min | Animation, Adventure, Family

An orphan who lives with his two cruel aunts befriends anthropomorphic bugs who live inside a giant peach, and they embark on a journey to New York City.

Director: Henry Selick | Stars: Paul Terry , Joanna Lumley , Pete Postlethwaite , Simon Callow

Votes: 73,903 | Gross: $28.93M

29. Tarzan (1999)

G | 88 min | Animation, Adventure, Comedy

A man raised by gorillas must decide where he really belongs when he discovers he is a human.

Directors: Chris Buck , Kevin Lima | Stars: Tony Goldwyn , Minnie Driver , Brian Blessed , Glenn Close

Votes: 246,614 | Gross: $171.09M

30. Finding Nemo (2003)

G | 100 min | Animation, Adventure, Comedy

After his son is captured in the Great Barrier Reef and taken to Sydney, a timid clownfish sets out on a journey to bring him home.

Directors: Andrew Stanton , Lee Unkrich | Stars: Albert Brooks , Ellen DeGeneres , Alexander Gould , Willem Dafoe

Votes: 1,111,020 | Gross: $380.84M

31. Tom and Huck (1995)

PG | 97 min | Adventure, Comedy, Drama

Two best friends witness a murder and embark on a series of adventures in order to prove the innocence of the man wrongly accused of the crime.

Director: Peter Hewitt | Stars: Jonathan Taylor Thomas , Brad Renfro , Charles Rocket , Eric Schweig

Votes: 11,636 | Gross: $23.74M

32. The Great Mouse Detective (1986)

G | 74 min | Animation, Adventure, Family

Basil, the rodent Sherlock Holmes, investigates the kidnapping of a toy maker and uncovers its link to his archenemy, Professor Ratigan.

Directors: Ron Clements , Burny Mattinson , David Michener , John Musker | Stars: Vincent Price , Barrie Ingham , Val Bettin , Susanne Pollatschek

Votes: 54,270 | Gross: $38.60M

33. Robin Hood (1973)

G | 83 min | Animation, Adventure, Comedy

The story of the legendary British outlaw portrayed with the characters as anthropomorphic animals.

Directors: Wolfgang Reitherman , David Hand | Stars: Brian Bedford , Phil Harris , Roger Miller , Peter Ustinov

Votes: 138,652 | Gross: $32.06M

34. Alice in Wonderland (1951)

G | 75 min | Animation, Adventure, Comedy

Alice stumbles into the world of Wonderland. Will she get home? Not if the Queen of Hearts has her way.

Directors: Clyde Geronimi , Wilfred Jackson , Hamilton Luske , Jack Kinney | Stars: Kathryn Beaumont , Ed Wynn , Richard Haydn , Sterling Holloway

Votes: 153,700 | Gross: $1.07M

35. The Parent Trap (1998)

PG | 128 min | Adventure, Comedy, Drama

Identical twins Annie and Hallie, separated at birth and each raised by one of their biological parents, discover each other for the first time at summer camp and make a plan to bring their wayward parents back together.

Director: Nancy Meyers | Stars: Lindsay Lohan , Dennis Quaid , Natasha Richardson , Elaine Hendrix

Votes: 154,434 | Gross: $66.31M

36. Toy Story 3 (2010)

G | 103 min | Animation, Adventure, Comedy

The toys are mistakenly delivered to a day-care center instead of the attic right before Andy leaves for college, and it's up to Woody to convince the other toys that they weren't abandoned and to return home.

Director: Lee Unkrich | Stars: Tom Hanks , Tim Allen , Joan Cusack , Ned Beatty

Votes: 890,976 | Gross: $415.00M

37. The Fox and the Hound (1981)

G | 83 min | Animation, Adventure, Drama

A fox named Tod and a hound named Copper vow to be best friends forever. But as Copper grows into a hunting dog, their unlikely friendship faces the ultimate test.

Directors: Ted Berman , Richard Rich , Art Stevens , David Hand , Wolfgang Reitherman | Stars: Mickey Rooney , Kurt Russell , Pearl Bailey , Jack Albertson

Votes: 101,691 | Gross: $63.46M

38. Cinderella (1950)

G | 74 min | Animation, Family, Fantasy

When Cinderella's cruel stepmother prevents her from attending the Royal Ball, she gets some unexpected help from the lovable mice Gus and Jaq and from her Fairy Godmother.

Directors: Clyde Geronimi , Wilfred Jackson , Hamilton Luske | Stars: Ilene Woods , James MacDonald , Eleanor Audley , Verna Felton

Votes: 173,626 | Gross: $85.00M

39. The Big Green (1995)

PG | 100 min | Comedy, Family, Sport

A teacher on exchange from England is placed in an underachieving Texas school, where she coaches the students in soccer, improving their self-esteem and leading to unexpected success.

Director: Holly Goldberg Sloan | Stars: Steve Guttenberg , Olivia d'Abo , Jay O. Sanders , John Terry

Votes: 10,968 | Gross: $17.73M

40. Cool Runnings (1993)

PG | 98 min | Adventure, Comedy, Family

When a Jamaican sprinter is disqualified from the Olympic Games, he enlists the help of a dishonored coach to start the first Jamaican Bobsled Team.

Director: Jon Turteltaub | Stars: John Candy , Leon , Doug E. Doug , Rawle D. Lewis

Votes: 113,555 | Gross: $68.86M

41. The Aristocats (1970)

With the help of a smooth talking tomcat, a family of Parisian felines set to inherit a fortune from their owner try to make it back home after a jealous butler kidnaps them and leaves them in the country.

Director: Wolfgang Reitherman | Stars: Phil Harris , Eva Gabor , Sterling Holloway , Scatman Crothers

Votes: 114,476 | Gross: $37.68M

42. Angels in the Outfield (1994)

PG | 102 min | Comedy, Drama, Family

When a boy prays for a chance to have a family if the California Angels win the pennant, angels are assigned to make that possible.

Director: William Dear | Stars: Danny Glover , Brenda Fricker , Tony Danza , Christopher Lloyd

Votes: 34,337 | Gross: $50.24M

43. The Sword in the Stone (1963)

G | 79 min | Animation, Adventure, Comedy

A poor boy named Arthur learns the power of love, kindness, knowledge and bravery with the help of a wizard called Merlin in the path to become one of the most beloved kings in English history.

Directors: Wolfgang Reitherman , Clyde Geronimi , David Hand | Stars: Rickie Sorensen , Sebastian Cabot , Karl Swenson , Junius Matthews

Votes: 106,289 | Gross: $22.18M

44. 101 Dalmatians (1996)

G | 103 min | Adventure, Comedy, Crime

An evil high-fashion designer plots to steal dalmatian puppies in order to make an extravagant fur coat but creates an extravagant mess instead.

Director: Stephen Herek | Stars: Glenn Close , Jeff Daniels , Joely Richardson , Joan Plowright

Votes: 117,397 | Gross: $136.19M

45. The Even Stevens Movie (2003 TV Movie)

TV-G | 93 min | Comedy, Family

Dream vacation Dream on! Ren, Louis, and the entire Stevens family battle ferocious squirrels, angry natives and one another on the adventure of a lifetime.

Director: Sean McNamara | Stars: Shia LaBeouf , Christy Carlson Romano , Donna Pescow , Tom Virtue

Votes: 7,470

46. Swiss Family Robinson (1960)

G | 126 min | Adventure, Family

A Swiss family must survive being shipwrecked on a deserted island.

Director: Ken Annakin | Stars: John Mills , Dorothy McGuire , James MacArthur , Janet Munro

Votes: 18,123 | Gross: $40.36M

47. Enchanted (2007)

PG | 107 min | Animation, Adventure, Comedy

A young maiden in a land called Andalasia, who is prepared to be wed, is sent away to New York City by an evil Queen, where she falls in love with a lawyer.

Director: Kevin Lima | Stars: Amy Adams , Susan Sarandon , James Marsden , Patrick Dempsey

Votes: 217,028 | Gross: $127.81M

48. The Princess Diaries (2001)

G | 115 min | Comedy, Family, Romance

Mia Thermopolis has just found out that she is the heir apparent to the throne of Genovia. With her friends Lilly and Michael Moscovitz in tow, she tries to navigate through the rest of her sixteenth year.

Director: Garry Marshall | Stars: Julie Andrews , Anne Hathaway , Hector Elizondo , Heather Matarazzo

Votes: 163,114 | Gross: $108.25M

49. The Lion King II: Simba's Pride (1998 Video)

Simba's daughter is the key to a resolution of a bitter feud between Simba's pride and the outcast pride led by the mate of Scar.

Directors: Darrell Rooney , Rob LaDuca | Stars: Matthew Broderick , Neve Campbell , Andy Dick , Robert Guillaume

Votes: 75,266

50. The Incredibles (2004)

PG | 115 min | Animation, Action, Adventure

While trying to lead a quiet suburban life, a family of undercover superheroes are forced into action to save the world.

Director: Brad Bird | Stars: Craig T. Nelson , Samuel L. Jackson , Holly Hunter , Jason Lee

Votes: 806,569 | Gross: $261.44M

51. Lilo & Stitch (2002)

PG | 85 min | Animation, Adventure, Comedy

A young and parentless girl adopts a 'dog' from the local pound, completely unaware that it's supposedly a dangerous scientific experiment that's taken refuge on Earth and is now hiding from its creator and those who see it as a menace.

Directors: Dean DeBlois , Chris Sanders | Stars: Daveigh Chase , Chris Sanders , Tia Carrere , David Ogden Stiers

Votes: 211,112 | Gross: $145.79M

52. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)

Approved | 83 min | Animation, Adventure, Family

Exiled into the dangerous forest by her wicked stepmother, a princess is rescued by seven dwarf miners who make her part of their household.

Directors: William Cottrell , David Hand , Wilfred Jackson , Larry Morey , Perce Pearce , Ben Sharpsteen | Stars: Adriana Caselotti , Harry Stockwell , Lucille La Verne , Roy Atwell

Votes: 215,023 | Gross: $184.93M

53. Cars (2006)

G | 116 min | Animation, Adventure, Comedy

On the way to the biggest race of his life, a hotshot rookie race car gets stranded in a rundown town and learns that winning isn't everything in life.

Directors: John Lasseter , Joe Ranft | Stars: Owen Wilson , Bonnie Hunt , Paul Newman , Larry the Cable Guy

Votes: 468,177 | Gross: $244.08M

54. Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)

PG-13 | 143 min | Action, Adventure, Fantasy

Blacksmith Will Turner teams up with eccentric pirate "Captain" Jack Sparrow to save his love, the governor's daughter, from Jack's former pirate allies, who are now undead.

Director: Gore Verbinski | Stars: Johnny Depp , Geoffrey Rush , Orlando Bloom , Keira Knightley

Votes: 1,207,763 | Gross: $305.41M

55. Holes (2003)

PG | 117 min | Adventure, Comedy, Drama

A wrongfully convicted boy is sent to a brutal desert detention camp where he joins the job of digging holes for some mysterious reason.

Director: Andrew Davis | Stars: Shia LaBeouf , Sigourney Weaver , Jon Voight , Tim Blake Nelson

Votes: 99,932 | Gross: $67.41M

56. The Rescuers (1977)

G | 77 min | Animation, Adventure, Comedy

Two mice of the Rescue Aid Society search for a little girl kidnapped by unscrupulous treasure hunters.

Directors: John Lounsbery , Wolfgang Reitherman , Art Stevens | Stars: Bob Newhart , Eva Gabor , Geraldine Page , Joe Flynn

Votes: 69,759 | Gross: $71.22M

57. The Rescuers Down Under (1990)

R.A.S. agents Miss Bianca and Bernard race to Australia to save a little boy and a rare golden eagle from a murderous poacher.

Directors: Hendel Butoy , Mike Gabriel | Stars: Bob Newhart , Eva Gabor , John Candy , Tristan Rogers

Votes: 47,148 | Gross: $27.93M

58. One Hundred and One Dalmatians (1961)

When a litter of Dalmatian puppies are abducted by the minions of Cruella De Vil, the owners must find them before she uses them for a diabolical fashion statement.

Directors: Clyde Geronimi , Hamilton Luske , Wolfgang Reitherman | Stars: Rod Taylor , Betty Lou Gerson , J. Pat O'Malley , Martha Wentworth

Votes: 181,886 | Gross: $144.88M

59. Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time (2010)

PG-13 | 116 min | Action, Adventure, Fantasy

A young fugitive prince and princess must stop a villain who unknowingly threatens to destroy the world with a special dagger that enables the magic sand inside to reverse time.

Director: Mike Newell | Stars: Jake Gyllenhaal , Gemma Arterton , Ben Kingsley , Alfred Molina

Votes: 303,493 | Gross: $90.76M

60. Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey (1993)

G | 84 min | Adventure, Comedy, Drama

A fun-loving American bulldog pup, a hilarious Himalayan cat, and a wise old golden retriever embark on a long trek through the rugged wilderness of the Sierra Nevada mountains in a quest to reach home and their beloved owners.

Director: Duwayne Dunham | Stars: Michael J. Fox , Sally Field , Don Ameche , Don Alder

Votes: 51,082 | Gross: $41.83M

61. Fantasia (1940)

G | 124 min | Animation, Family, Fantasy

A series of eight famous pieces of classical music, conducted by Leopold Stokowski and interpreted in animation by Walt Disney 's team of artists.

Directors: James Algar , Samuel Armstrong , Ford Beebe Jr. , Norman Ferguson , David Hand , Jim Handley , T. Hee , Wilfred Jackson , Hamilton Luske , Bill Roberts , Paul Satterfield , Ben Sharpsteen | Stars: Leopold Stokowski , Deems Taylor , The Philadelphia Orchestra , Corey Burton

Votes: 103,803 | Gross: $76.41M

62. Bridge to Terabithia (2007)

PG | 96 min | Drama, Family, Fantasy

A preteen's life turns upside down when he befriends the new girl in school and they imagine a whole new fantasy world to escape reality.

Director: Gabor Csupo | Stars: Josh Hutcherson , AnnaSophia Robb , Zooey Deschanel , Robert Patrick

Votes: 172,880 | Gross: $82.27M

63. Bambi (1942)

G | 69 min | Animation, Adventure, Drama

The story of a young deer growing up in the forest.

Directors: James Algar , Samuel Armstrong , David Hand , Graham Heid , Bill Roberts , Paul Satterfield , Norman Wright , Arthur Davis , Clyde Geronimi | Stars: Hardie Albright , Stan Alexander , Bobette Audrey , Peter Behn

Votes: 153,817 | Gross: $102.80M

64. Ratatouille (2007)

G | 111 min | Animation, Adventure, Comedy

A rat who can cook makes an unusual alliance with a young kitchen worker at a famous Paris restaurant.

Directors: Brad Bird , Jan Pinkava | Stars: Brad Garrett , Lou Romano , Patton Oswalt , Ian Holm

Votes: 821,932 | Gross: $206.45M

65. Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End (2007)

PG-13 | 169 min | Action, Adventure, Fantasy

Captain Barbossa, Will Turner and Elizabeth Swann must sail off the edge of the map, navigate treachery and betrayal, find Jack Sparrow, and make their final alliances for one last decisive battle.

Director: Gore Verbinski | Stars: Johnny Depp , Orlando Bloom , Keira Knightley , Geoffrey Rush

Votes: 692,142 | Gross: $309.42M

66. The Mighty Ducks (1992)

PG | 104 min | Comedy, Drama, Family

A self-centered Minnesota lawyer is sentenced to community service coaching a rag tag youth hockey team.

Director: Stephen Herek | Stars: Emilio Estevez , Joss Ackland , Lane Smith , Heidi Kling

Votes: 71,692 | Gross: $50.75M

67. Heavyweights (1995)

PG | 97 min | Comedy, Drama, Family

Plump kids are lured into joining a posh fat camp with the promise of quick weight loss and good times, only to find that it is a woodland hellhole run by a psycho ex-fitness instructor.

Director: Steven Brill | Stars: Tom McGowan , Aaron Schwartz , Ben Stiller , David Goldman

Votes: 30,597 | Gross: $17.69M

68. The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement (2004)

G | 113 min | Comedy, Family, Romance

Now settled in Genovia, Princess Mia faces a new revelation: she is being primed for an arranged marriage to an English suitor.

Director: Garry Marshall | Stars: Anne Hathaway , Callum Blue , Julie Andrews , Hector Elizondo

Votes: 88,694 | Gross: $95.17M

69. Chicken Little (2005)

After ruining his reputation with the town, a courageous chicken must come to the rescue of his fellow citizens when aliens start an invasion.

Director: Mark Dindal | Stars: Zach Braff , Joan Cusack , Garry Marshall , Don Knotts

Votes: 100,623 | Gross: $135.39M

70. Freaky Friday (2003)

PG | 97 min | Comedy, Family, Fantasy

An overworked mother and her daughter did not get along. When they switch bodies, each is forced to adapt to the other's life for one freaky Friday.

Director: Mark Waters | Stars: Jamie Lee Curtis , Lindsay Lohan , Mark Harmon , Harold Gould

Votes: 152,212 | Gross: $110.23M

71. Pinocchio (1940)

A living puppet, with the help of a cricket as his conscience, must prove himself worthy to become a real boy.

Directors: Norman Ferguson , T. Hee , Wilfred Jackson , Jack Kinney , Hamilton Luske , Bill Roberts , Ben Sharpsteen | Stars: Dickie Jones , Christian Rub , Mel Blanc , Don Brodie

Votes: 159,546 | Gross: $84.25M

72. Pollyanna (1960)

Approved | 134 min | Comedy, Drama, Family

A young girl comes to an embittered town and confronts its attitude with her determination to see the best in life.

Director: David Swift | Stars: Jane Wyman , Hayley Mills , Richard Egan , Karl Malden

Votes: 11,310

73. Spirited Away (2001)

PG | 125 min | Animation, Adventure, Family

During her family's move to the suburbs, a sullen 10-year-old girl wanders into a world ruled by gods, witches and spirits, and where humans are changed into beasts.

Director: Hayao Miyazaki | Stars: Daveigh Chase , Suzanne Pleshette , Miyu Irino , Rumi Hiiragi

Votes: 846,531 | Gross: $10.06M

74. Fantasia 2000 (1999)

G | 75 min | Animation, Family, Fantasy

An update of the original film with new interpretations of great works of classical music.

Directors: James Algar , Gaëtan Brizzi , Paul Brizzi , Hendel Butoy , Francis Glebas , Eric Goldberg , Don Hahn , Pixote Hunt | Stars: James Levine , Steve Martin , Itzhak Perlman , Quincy Jones

Votes: 41,349 | Gross: $60.66M

75. WALL·E (2008)

G | 98 min | Animation, Adventure, Family

In the distant future, a small waste-collecting robot inadvertently embarks on a space journey that will ultimately decide the fate of mankind.

Director: Andrew Stanton | Stars: Ben Burtt , Elissa Knight , Jeff Garlin , Fred Willard

Votes: 1,197,579 | Gross: $223.81M

76. National Treasure (2004)

PG | 131 min | Action, Adventure, Mystery

A historian races to find the legendary Templar Treasure before a team of mercenaries.

Director: Jon Turteltaub | Stars: Nicolas Cage , Diane Kruger , Justin Bartha , Sean Bean

Votes: 354,491 | Gross: $173.01M

77. Sky High (2005)

PG | 100 min | Action, Comedy, Family

Set in an era where superheroes are commonly known and accepted, young William Stronghold, the son of the Commander and Jetstream, tries to find a balance between being a normal teenager and an extraordinary being.

Director: Mike Mitchell | Stars: Kurt Russell , Kelly Preston , Michael Angarano , Danielle Panabaker

Votes: 94,472 | Gross: $63.95M

78. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (2006)

PG-13 | 151 min | Action, Adventure, Fantasy

Jack Sparrow races to recover the heart of Davy Jones to avoid enslaving his soul to Jones' service, as other friends and foes seek the heart for their own agenda as well.

Director: Gore Verbinski | Stars: Johnny Depp , Orlando Bloom , Keira Knightley , Jack Davenport

Votes: 766,134 | Gross: $423.32M

79. Jungle 2 Jungle (1997)

PG | 105 min | Comedy, Family

A man learns he has a thirteen-year-old son who was raised in the jungle and brings the boy to New York City, turning his life upside down in the process.

Director: John Pasquin | Stars: Tim Allen , Martin Short , JoBeth Williams , Lolita Davidovich

Votes: 25,825 | Gross: $59.93M

80. Man of the House (1995)

PG | 96 min | Comedy, Family

A young boy refuses to accept his mother's new boyfriend despite his attempts to win his respect. Meanwhile, the disgruntled relative of a criminal he prosecuted seeks revenge.

Director: James Orr | Stars: Chevy Chase , Farrah Fawcett , Jonathan Taylor Thomas , George Wendt

Votes: 10,399 | Gross: $40.07M

81. Blank Check (1994)

PG | 93 min | Comedy, Crime, Family

After a bike accident, a young boy inadvertently gains possession of a check for $1 million and proceeds to spend it, unaware that the gangsters it belongs to are in pursuit.

Director: Rupert Wainwright | Stars: Brian Bonsall , Karen Duffy , James Rebhorn , Jayne Atkinson

Votes: 22,058 | Gross: $30.58M

82. The Luck of the Irish (2001 TV Movie)

TV-G | 86 min | Adventure, Comedy, Drama

A teenager must battle for a gold charm to keep his family from being controlled by an evil leprechaun.

Director: Paul Hoen | Stars: Ryan Merriman , Henry Gibson , Alexis Lopez , Glenndon Chatman

Votes: 8,690

83. Treasure Planet (2002)

PG | 95 min | Animation, Adventure, Family

Jim Hawkins is a teenager who finds the map of a great treasure hidden by a space pirate. Together with some friends, he sets off in a large spaceship, shaped like a caravel, on his quest.

Directors: Ron Clements , John Musker | Stars: Joseph Gordon-Levitt , Emma Thompson , Martin Short , Roscoe Lee Browne

Votes: 132,681 | Gross: $38.18M

84. The Santa Clause (1994)

When a man inadvertently makes Santa fall off his roof on Christmas Eve, he finds himself magically recruited to take his place.

Director: John Pasquin | Stars: Tim Allen , Judge Reinhold , Wendy Crewson , Eric Lloyd

Votes: 133,304 | Gross: $144.83M

85. I'll Be Home for Christmas (1998)

PG | 86 min | Comedy, Family

A college student faces an impossible journey when he is left stranded in the desert, thousands of miles from home, with no money and only a few days left until Christmas.

Director: Arlene Sanford | Stars: Jonathan Taylor Thomas , Jessica Biel , Adam LaVorgna , Gary Cole

Votes: 11,903 | Gross: $12.21M

86. Muppet Treasure Island (1996)

G | 99 min | Action, Adventure, Comedy

The Muppets set sail in search of treasure, with Jim Hawkins and Long John Silver.

Director: Brian Henson | Stars: Tim Curry , Billy Connolly , Jennifer Saunders , Kevin Bishop

Votes: 26,502 | Gross: $33.61M

87. An Extremely Goofy Movie (2000 Video)

G | 79 min | Animation, Comedy, Family

Max goes to college, but to his embarassment his father loses his job and goes to his son's campus.

Director: Douglas McCarthy | Stars: Bill Farmer , Jason Marsden , Jeff Bennett , Jim Cummings

Votes: 14,472

88. Flubber (1997)

PG | 93 min | Comedy, Family, Sci-Fi

An absent-minded professor discovers "flubber," a rubber-like super-bouncy substance.

Director: Les Mayfield | Stars: Robin Williams , Marcia Gay Harden , Christopher McDonald , Ted Levine

Votes: 94,534 | Gross: $92.98M

89. Honey, I Shrunk the Kids (1989)

PG | 93 min | Adventure, Comedy, Family

The scientist father of a teenage girl and boy accidentally shrinks his and two other neighborhood teens to the size of insects. Now the teens must fight diminutive dangers as the father searches for them.

Director: Joe Johnston | Stars: Rick Moranis , Matt Frewer , Marcia Strassman , Kristine Sutherland

Votes: 166,015 | Gross: $130.72M

90. Honey, We Shrunk Ourselves! (1997 TV Movie)

PG | 74 min | Action, Adventure, Comedy

This time, the adults have shrunk themselves, and the kids need to fix it.

Director: Dean Cundey | Stars: Rick Moranis , Eve Gordon , Bug Hall , Robin Bartlett

Votes: 16,894

91. Recess: School's Out (2001)

G | 82 min | Animation, Adventure, Comedy

T.J. and the gang must save summer vacation from disappearing forever.

Director: Chuck Sheetz | Stars: Andrew Lawrence , Rickey D'Shon Collins , Jason Davis , Ashley Johnson

Votes: 11,645 | Gross: $36.70M

92. Tuck Everlasting (2002)

PG | 90 min | Drama, Family, Fantasy

A young woman meets and falls in love with a young man who is part of a family of immortals.

Director: Jay Russell | Stars: Alexis Bledel , Jonathan Jackson , Sissy Spacek , William Hurt

Votes: 25,311 | Gross: $19.16M

The 54 Best Movies on Disney+ to Watch Right Now, Ranked

Disney+ has a ton of classic movies and modern blockbusters that the whole family can stream right now.

While movie fans used to have to wait months for new releases to drop online or in video stores, streaming services like Disney+ have shortened that timeframe considerably. Films like 2023's Peter Pan & Wendy premiered right on the Disney+ streaming service, allowing fans to immediately enjoy the new adaptation of the classic tale, whereas exclusive titles like Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour are given exclusive content and additional scenes you simply can't find elsewhere. Along with Disney's classic library of animated and live-action films, there's something for just about everywhere.

Disney+ also included packed collections, like the aforementioned MCU, all the Star Wars films and series, as well as the recently added Indiana Jones collection to keep movie nights filled with entertainment. But with so many movies available, how can you tell which ones are really worth watching? Here are our picks for the best of the best movies that Disney+ has to offer, spanning a plethora of genres and decades.

Updated on April 5th, 2024, by Benjamin Hathaway: This article has been updated with additional content to keep the discussion fresh and relevant with even more information and new entries.

54 We Bought a Zoo (2011)

We bought a zoo.

*Availability in US

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Matt Damon plays the role of the lead character in We Bought a Zoo , which is a gorgeous biographical comedy adapted from the memoir of Benjamin Mee. The premise of the movie sees Benjamin grieving the loss of his wife. Desperate for a change, he purchases a property on the outskirts of town only to realize that it comes with a zoo. The kids are skeptical at first but supportive of his choices, and as Benjamin and the zoo’s staff work on renovations, they find themselves reconnecting with nature and themselves.

Matt Damon Steals the Show

Director Cameron Crowe fills this true story with so much heart and humor. Matt Damon’s portrayal of a single father wanting to do what’s best for the family takes center stage in the movie. His emotional depth and individual charm save the movie from turning into a cheesy, sappy flick you'd typically find in daytime reruns or in DVD bargain bins. But most importantly, its message of healing for and with those you love, and learning that new beginnings arrive when you see through life’s hardest days, makes We Bought a Zoo so relatable.

53 The Greatest Game Ever Played (2005)

The greatest game ever played.

Another inspiring tale of rising above expectations, The Greatest Game Ever Played tells the story of a young boy named Francis Ouimet (Shia LaBeouf) who dreams of becoming a professional golf player. When he is appointed as a caddy at the Brooklyn Country Club, he has a chance encounter with Mr. Hastings, a club member, who lands him a sport in the U.S. Open golf tournament. Francis plays against some of the most elite players, and despite his talent, he faces prejudice.

A Golfing Underdog Story

The 1913 U.S. Golf Open was a pivotal time in sports history, and it is because the movie tries to stay true to the facts that we get a classic underdog narrative. As a sports biopic , The Greatest Game Ever Played directs the focus on the field and reincarnates visually stunning matches. Under Bill Paxton’s thoughtful direction, the story honors the spirit of the game and peppers it with moments of comedy and charm. Moreover, Shia LaBeouf is outstanding in his breakout role and quite successful in making you root for his character.

52 Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989)

Indiana jones & the last crusade.

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade served not only as a return to form after the lackluster Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom , but one of 1989's bigger box office hits in general. That's no small compliment, considering it was also the year of Batman and Lethal Weapon 2 . This time around, Indy returns to what he knows best as he and his father, Henry Jones Sr. (Sean Connery), take on the Nazis once more on a journey to the Holy Grail.

What Makes It the Second-Best Indy Adventure?

The inclusion of Sean Connery's Henry Jones Sr. was critical to Last Crusade 's success. The chemistry between him and Ford is more potent than even the best romantic comedies. But, of course, it's also not a movie that shorts the audience on memorable set pieces and grotesque villain deaths. It's a film more in line with Raiders of the Lost Ark than Temple of Doom , a refreshing change after the latter's more morbid themes and darker tone. It would be the original conclusion to the Indiana Jones saga before the release of Kingdom of the Crystal Skull and The Dial of Destiny in 2008 and 2023, respectively.

51 Encanto (2021)

Read Our Review

Encanto is Disney’s latest family animation that introduces us to a magical Columbian village hidden in the mountains, and the massive Madrigal family that lives in their casita. Each member of the family received their own magical gift when they grew up, but the story isn’t about them. It is about Mirabel, who is devoid of a gift and is thus considered… different. However, when she discovers that the magic of their beloved casita is in danger, she becomes the family’s last hope.

We Still Talk About Encanto

Another phenomenal animation from Disney’s incredible team, Encanto dazzles the audience with an authentic depiction of the Columbian family and their traditions. The original soundtrack, provided by the brilliant Lin-Manuel Miranda, is truly heart-melting. Moreover, the visuals, the storytelling, the wonderful characters, and the underlying message about family and finding your own path are what make the movie adorable. Plus, the song "We Don't Talk About Bruno" is easily one of Disney's most memorable songs in recent years.

50 A Christmas Carol (2009)

Disney's a christmas carol.

A Christmas Carol is the animated retelling of Charles Dickens’s classic novel , and it tells the story of a miserly moneylender named Ebenezer Scrooge, who is visited by three spirits from his past life on the eve of Christmas. One of these spirits is Jacob Marley, Scrooge’s former business partner. He reminds Scrooge of his selfish ways and past mistakes, before he poses a choice for the man to choose between death and redemption.

A Mature Holiday Classic

Despite being a holiday classic, the movie has its nuance in terms of storytelling and atmospheric setting. Creating an authentic portrait of lavish Victorian London makes the dark narrative hopeful and profound in the sense that you witness themes of redemption, compassion, and joy. A Christmas Carol also makes you consider your own choices by showing that everyone has the capacity to do better. Jim Carrey's performance as not only Scrooge, but as the ghosts of Christmas Past, Christmas Present, and Christmas Yet to Come is an incredible demonstration of his range.

55 Best New Movies on Streaming to Watch Right Now

49 doctor strange in the multiverse of madness (2022), doctor strange in the multiverse of madness.

Following the events of Spider-Man: No Way Home , the next ambitious project by Marvel Studios saw the aftermath of a forbidden spell going terribly wrong. Now that a reality-bending Multiverse has opened up, a dangerous threat has appeared and Dr. Strange has teamed up with an old friend, Wanda Maximoff (now the Scarlet Witch) , to help the world restore its balance. But as Wanda descends into villainy to get a life with her kids back, Dr. Strange must fight back.

One of the MCU's Darkest Films

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is directed by Sam Raimi, who brings to the big screen a creative chaos unlike one ever seen before. As one of the MCU’s darkest entries, the film boasts mind-bending concepts, a darker side to superheroes, gorgeous production, and exploration of themes like love, loss, and existential dread. It also stars Benedict Cumberbatch and Elizabeth Olsen, who reprise their roles with the same sincerity and justice to the source material.

48 The Princess Diaries (2001)

The princess diaries.

The Princess Diaries is the coming-of-age story of shy and introverted high school student Mia Thermopolis (Anne Hathaway), who is shocked when her grandmother visits her in San Francisco and reveals that Mia is actually the heir to the small European country of Genovia. Followed by this revelation, it's also revealed that it's time for her to begin her princess lessons and learn how to be poised and charming. Meanwhile, preparations for her public debut at Genovia’s annual ball ensue.

A Fun Debut for Anne Hathaway

The beloved classic is based on Meg Cabot's books, and to say it is purely magical would be an understatement. Director Garry Marshall infuses every scene with immense wit and heart. Julie Andrews and Anne Hathaway (in her feature-length debut) are absolutely brilliant in their roles. But the core of the film is Mia’s journey. Going from a wallflower to a confident leader isn’t easy, but she showcases courage and overcomes fears, making the film unforgettable and fun.

47 Logan (2017)

The Wolverine trilogy comes to an epic conclusion with this film. Set in a not-too-distant future, Logan follows the titular character coming out of his retirement to embark on a poignant cross-country journey so that Laura (Dafne Keen), a young mutant, can find sanctuary. But an evil corporation is hot on their trail, and they must defend themselves against all odds.

A Character-Driven Superhero Drama

Logan has a lot of things going for it. Being a character-driven superhero drama , the main focus of the film is Hugh Jackman, who delivers a masterful performance as the iconic Wolverine. Director James Mangold spins the film around with a grim tone, slow pacing, and themes of family and mortality. Laura’s introduction only adds more complexity and gives Logan a purpose. Overall, the movie is riveting, but it also manages to satisfy casual viewers with its intense plot beats. Before the announcement of Deadpool & Wolverine , it served as a climactic conclusion to Hugh Jackman's tenure as the adamantium-infused superhero.

46 Big (1988)

Directed by Penny Marshall and starring Tom Hanks, Big tells the story of 12-year-old Josh Baskin, who makes a wish at a fortune-telling machine to become bigger. His wish is granted, and he finds himself in the body of a 30-year-old man (Tom Hanks). Landing a job at a toy company and getting introduced to a co-worker named Susan poses more trouble than he could’ve imagined because, emotionally, he’s still living as a child.

A Classic 1980s Tom Hanks Film

The ‘80s were all about grand gestures, vibrant aesthetics, and satisfying conclusions. Big delivers that and more by capturing that universal desire to grow up faster than normal and experience every emotion felt by adults. Tom Hanks gives a hilarious performance as Josh and portrays his innocence in his own adult body with ease. Nostalgic and filled with fun, Big is a film that tenderly explores the fantasy that is adulthood and how it is important to make the most of youth instead. It's a movie we simply can't live without .

45 Pinocchio (1940)

Pinocchio is a classic Disney animated film that loosely adapts the Italian children's story The Adventures of Pinocchio, which was originally published in 1883. Like the original story, the film tells the story of a wooden puppet, Pinocchio, and his woodworking creator, Gepetto. When Pinocchio is magically brought to life by an adventurous fairy, he goes on a sprawling adventure to become a "real" boy by proving his bravery. A live-action remake directed by Robert Zemeckis is also available to stream alongside this animated classic.

One of Disney's Earliest (And Best) Films

Being Disney's sophomore film after the success of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs , there was a high bar to meet in terms of quality. Luckily, Disney went above and beyond for Pinocchio . Incredible character animation along with impressive developments in environmental design allowed Pinocchio 's world to truly pop, and some of Pinocchio 's more understated themes still stand out when compared to Disney's later films. It's an essential film for any animation enthusiast.

44 Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (2005)

Star wars: episode iii - revenge of the sith.

George Lucas' Star Wars prequel trilogy caught a lot of flack from 1999 to about, well, exactly 2017. Why? Star Wars: The Last Jedi showed that, yes, the IP's fans can be even more disappointed than they already were. But Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith is also a better film than any of the Star Wars films under the Disney umbrella. At the very least, it feels more organic to the narrative and not just an attempt to copy the narrative (and the practical effects that surrounded the original trilogy's arc). Acting as the conclusion to the prequel trilogy, Revenge of the Sith sees Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen) and Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) setting the stage for the fall of the Separatists — and the eventual rise of the Galactic Empire.

What Makes It the Apex of the Underrated Prequel Trilogy?

Aside from featuring the iconic canonical debut of Darth Vader, Revenge of the Sith is the prequel trilogy at its most violent and grim. The climactic final battle is one of the most visually impressive duels in the entire Star Wars saga, and the gruesome conclusion has become one of the most recognizable moments in the greater Star Wars canon. Upon its debut in 2005, it became the single highest-grossing film in the United States for that year. Even to this day, many still consider Revenge of the Sith to be the greatest film in the prequel trilogy.

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43 elemental (2023).

One of the best animated movies of 2023, Elemental is a visually stunning Disney movie set in a world where elemental beings, who personify air, water, fire, and earth, find love and discover their being. Element City is perhaps the greatest city to live in the world, but is it possible for the fiery element Ember Lumen (Leah Lewis) and go-with-the-flow Wade Ripple (Mamoudou Athie) to defy their innate natures and form an unlikely friendship with one another?

A Surprising Pixar Film

Directed by Peter Sohn, the film may seem simple based on its premise, but its rich story and groundbreaking theme about connecting people across their many differences makes it stand out. Somehow, through its lovable characters and vivid animation, the movie speaks to us. Though it initially underperformed at the box office, it managed to close out its theatrical run as a financial success for Pixar, especially in the face of stiff competition throughout 2023.

42 Father of the Bride (1991)

Father of the bride.

When his daughter declares her upcoming wedding, a loving but peculiar father has a hard time letting go of his little girl . George Banks (Steve Martin) has a perfectly comfortable life but only one fear that he’s unwilling to admit. George’s fear leads to a series of hysterical scenes where he interferes in the wedding plans and makes elaborate schemes to ruin the efforts of his wife, Nina (Diane Keaton), and the event coordinator.

A Crowdpleasing 1990s Comedy

The ‘90s comedy is a certified crowdpleaser, which is part of the reason it has received so many sequels. It captures the chaos and mixed feelings surrounding weddings that we’re all too familiar with. Steve Martin is perfect as the patriarch with a temper trying to adjust to change. His hilarious antics collide with Diane Keaton’s supportive and meticulous side and result in some of the most hilarious gags seen in the decade’s films. But beyond that, the movie Father of the Bride warms your heart too and reminds you to celebrate family and tradition.

41 The Little Mermaid (2023)

The little mermaid.

The Little Mermaid is the long-awaited live-action reimagining of the classic Disney tale. Following the same story, where the mermaid princess Ariel (Halle Bailey) is truly passionate about exploring the world above water and pursuing her romantic interest, the dashing Prince Eric (Jonah Hauer-King). As Ariel bargains her exquisite voice with the evil sea witch, Ursula, for a shot at human life, she does not realize a bigger scheme is at play.

An Ambitious Remake

Sometimes, Rob Marshall’s ambitious project tries too hard to be likable, but there is no denying the fact that Halle Bailey shines as the titular mermaid. Besides, the soulful musical score paired with the breathtaking creation of the underwater kingdom makes the film a treat for devoted Disney fans. The movie's impressive, stirring visuals and wonderful musical performances served to inspire a whole new generation of audiences.

40 Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023)

Guardians of the galaxy vol. 3.

Outrageously hilarious but overflowing to the brim with heart, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 brings the beloved group of misfits together for one last heroic adventure and concludes the trilogy quite fashionably. In Marvel’s recent endeavor, the ragtag-fed family – including Star-Lord, Gamora, Drax, Rocket, Groot, Nebula, and Mantis – have two missions: save the entire universe, and protect one of their own. In the process, they confront their complicated pasts, their origins, as well as unresolved dynamics.

A Fitting Conclusion

Carrying the same tone as the previous two films while still being refreshingly new, the movie brings laughter and emotion in equal proportion. James Gunn delivers on his promise with this satisfying ending to a lovely saga. As for the cast, a majority of the members return with their signature charm and flair to make the film more entertaining than ever. From the sentimental story to the clever action, everything about the film is fitting for a conclusion.

39 Bridge to Terabithia (2007)

Bridge to terabithia.

Jess Aarons (Josh Hutcherson) is simply a shy kid whose greatest ambition (as a fifth grader) is to outrun his classmates by being the fastest. And he achieves that by practicing all summer long. But when a vibrant and rich new girl at school, Leslie Burke (AnnaSophia Robb), turns out to be faster than him, they immediately strike up a wonderful friendship. Jess and Leslie spend most of their time hanging out in the woods behind Leslie’s house and soon create a magical kingdom called Terabithia, which they rule together. However, this coming-of-age tale comes with one of the most heartbreaking turns you'll ever see.

A Heartwarming Tearjerker

Bridge to Terabithia is a heartwarming movie about the power of imagination. As kids, our creativity has no bounds, and Josh Hutcherson and AnnaSophia Robb portray the same spirit quite accurately. It would gross just over eight times its budget at the box office, all while sweeping its five nominations at the Young Artist Awards. Overall, this coming-of-age story reminds us that it is possible to find magic in the deepest corners of our minds, while delievering a powerful lesson about life and death.

38 Flight of the Navigator (1986)

Flight of the navigator.

Filled with that signature '80s nostalgia is this beautiful science fiction comedy, which follows 12-year-old David Freeman (Joey Cramer) who wakes up after a mysterious fall in the forest near his house. He discovers that his life has been fast-forwarded eight years into the future. While the rest of his family has aged normally, he hasn’t. David soon hears of an alien spacecraft that landed nearby, and takes it as a chance to trace back the steps to what exactly happened.

A Nostalgic Throwback

David’s time-warping adventure unfolds against the fancy, state-of-the-art special effects of the decade, making the Disney film a truly imaginative fantasy for audiences of all ages. That said, Flight of the Navigator is one of those movies that takes us back to the wonder of being a child. Combined with an exemplary cast comprised of talented names like Veronica Cartweight, Cliff DeYoung, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Paul Reubens, along with an impressive score by Alan Silvestri, and you have a thoroughly underrated Disney film from the mid '80s.

37 While You Were Sleeping (1995)

While you were sleeping.

Directed by Jon Turteltaub, While You Were Sleeping is a movie that follows Lucy (Sandra Bullock), a transit worker who longs for family and connection. When she saves a man's life in a tragic incident and takes him to the hospital, she hears that he’s in a coma. Shortly after, she accidentally makes a comment that leads his family to believe that she’s his fiancée. The family takes her in and treats her well, but it gets hard for Lucy to keep up with the lie after she finds herself attracted to Jack (Bill Pullman), the man's brother.

An Acclaimed Romantic Comedy

This critically acclaimed romantic comedy doesn’t just warm your heart but also gives you a lot to ponder about after repeated viewings. With comical charm and confusion, the movie revolves around a woman’s yearning to break free of her solitary life. Sandra Bullock and Bill Pullman are the very definition of what great on-screen chemistry looks like. Like Bridge to Terabithia , it made back its budget several times over, all while pleasing a majority of critics who appreciated its feelgood atmosphere and optimistic ending. Sandra Bullock's performance here is easily one of her best.

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36 confessions of a shopaholic (2009), confessions of a shopaholic.

Confessions of a Shopaholic revolves around Rebecca Bloomwood (Isla Fisher), a complete fashionista, addicted to shopping and the feel of fresh cashmere on her skin. But her credit card debts are piling up. Seeing no way out of this pit, she nabs a finance columnist job and tries to win the affections of a dashing entrepreneur named Luke Brandon (Hugh Dancy).

A Comfortable Favorite

If you’re someone who simply cannot resist a dress, a scarf, or a hat while browsing through the long windows of sparkly stores and find yourself being drawn inside the doors and making yet another unnecessary purchase, this movie is for you. Isla Fisher infuses a factor of relatability and joy in this modern Cinderella story. Known to be many viewers’ go-to guilty pleasure movie , the film celebrates the idea of desiring something and seeing if it fills the void in your life. Though critical reviews were negative, its popularity with general audiences and impressive box office returns against films like Taken and 2009's Friday the 13th showcased its fun appeal.

35 Freaky Friday (2003)

Freaky friday.

Jaime Lee Curtis plays a single mother named Tess Coleman in Freaky Friday . Tess’ teenage daughter Anna, played by Lindsay Lohan, isn’t a fan of hers and often indulges in arguments and verbal banter with her mother. When the two magically switch bodies because of a freak incident, they learn to appreciate each other’s world from an inside perspective. Famously, this film would be directed by Mark Waters, who would go on to direct the cult classic comedy film Mean Girls only a year later.

One of the Best Body-Swap Comedies

Based on the novel by Mary Rodgers, this body-swap comedy has seen several movie adaptations, but the 2003 remake remains memorable. Lindsay Lohan shines as the new generation’s role model and Jaime Lee Curtis is nothing short of beautiful. Together, the once dysfunctional mother-daughter duo realizes that they share more in common than they would like to believe. From its flashy costume design to its intergenerational humor, everything about Freaky Friday screams millennial representation.

The 25 Best Disney Animated Movies

Mermaids, genies, lion kings, and evil queenies - here are disney's most magnificent movies..

25 . Cinderella

24 . Alice in Wonderland

23 . The Princess and the Frog

22 . Lady and the Tramp

21 . Wreck-It Ralph

20 . Sleeping Beauty

19 . 101 Dalmatians

18 . Tarzan

17 . Tangled

16 . The Emperor's New Groove

15 . Robin Hood

13 . Pinocchio

11 . The Jungle Book

9 . Hercules

5 . Fantasia

4 . The Little Mermaid

3 . Aladdin

2 . Beauty and the Beast

1 . The Lion King

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Best Disney Movies

Since releasing the first full-length animated movie in 1937 ( Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs ), the name "Disney" has become synonymous with excellent family entertainment. We've picked the best of the best Disney movies for you and your kids to enjoy, so check out our tips to pick the right movie for your kid , and go ahead and plan a family movie night ! For even more Disney titles, check out our favorite Pixar movies and Disney apps . You can't go wrong with any of these classics.

The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh

Remains faithful to A. A. Milne's beloved classic stories.

Alice in Wonderland

Surreal animated Disney classic with mild peril.

The Jungle Book (Animated)

Jaunty animation meets jazzy songs in Disney classic.

101 Dalmatians

Lovable cartoon classic with cute dogs and a mean villain.

Disney's original circle-of-life story.

Sweet fairy-tale classic has bullying, tense chase scenes.

Wintry Disney musical is fabulous celebration of sisterhood.

Lilo and Stitch

Cute story, great characters, fabulous soundtrack.

The Little Mermaid

Superb, entertaining animated musical has some scary stuff.

Disneyfied but dignified tale of Chinese warrior.

Clever animated take on the folktale has some violence.

Sleeping Beauty

Disney classic is delightful but sometimes scary.

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

Animated fairy tale classic is enchanting but also scary.

Fantastic princess adventure is fun, with great messages.

Beauty and the Beast

Disney fave has great music, strong messages, some scares.

Vibrant visuals, catchy songs, moving messages.

Breathtaking animation feat -- with some creepy visuals.

The Fox and the Hound

Heartwarming tale of friendship, but expect some peril.

The Lion King (1994)

Musical king-of-the-beasts blockbuster is powerful, scary.

Mary Poppins

Classic family movie has positive messages.

Other great lists from our editors

• Disney Pixar Movies
• Disney Junior TV
• Princess Movies
• Find the Best Movie for Your Sensitive Kid
• Why Watching TV and Movies Is Better Together
• 5 Tips for Your Kid's First Trip to the Movies

10 Highest Rated Disney Animated Movies, Ranked

Disney has a massive library of successful animated movies. But of all of them, what are the highest-rated animated movies ever?

• Disney movies like Beauty and the Beast and Fantasia showcase creativity and innovation in storytelling and animation.
• Classic films like Cinderella and Snow White set the foundation for Disney's rich legacy in animation.
• Modern films like Moana and Zootopia prove that Disney continues to evolve, offering diverse and meaningful narratives.

Disney has been key in developing film and television since it was first formed by Walt Disney in 1923. The studios have rolled out a plethora of projects that explore new themes and new ways of creating movies. Though the company has had to learn from its mistakes over the years through productions that don't meet appropriate criteria in today's world, there are plenty of movies that fans have continued to support.

Rotten Tomatoes has compiled a list of the top-ranked animated Disney movies. The top 10 consist of a real variety of animations, including old classics and animal-based narratives. The array of films demonstrates how Disney has aimed to cater to a wide range of audiences through the years and has hit on interesting topics.

10 Beauty and the Beast Brought Inanimate Objects to Life

Beauty and the beast (1991).

A prince cursed to spend his days as a hideous monster sets out to regain his humanity by earning a young woman's love.

• The Beast is a hybrid of different animals, including the head of a buffalo and the brow of a gorilla.

Beauty and the Beast is part of the '90s collection of Disney animations that has become a nostalgic piece for the audiences of that generation. The film aged surprisingly well , considering some viewers take issue with the way Belle falls in love with her captor, but, the narrative saves itself with the focus on love being more than based on materialism or looks.

A commendable score of 93% on Rotten Tomatoes stopped Beauty and the Beast from falling below the top ten rankings. The characters are full of energy, which is expected of a Disney animation. They highlight the differences between the heroes, the villains, and the Beast, who had got trapped somewhere in between. Though Belle does fall in love, she is portrayed as independent and strong-willed, not fooled by Gaston's insensitive bravado. The 2017 live-action remake upheld the high standard of the animation and drew in a new wave of audiences.

9 Fantasia Blended Animation With Classical Music

A series of eight famous pieces of classical music, conducted by Leopold Stokowski and interpreted in animation by Walt Disney's team of artists.

• Leopold Stokowski conducted the music for Fantasia .

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An amalgamation of classical music, surrealism and animation, Fantasia is an anthology that separates itself from any other Disney creation. The Golden Age Disney film comprises eight shorts, each set to a different piece of classical music. Each artistic world collides with the others to deliver Walt Disney's groundbreaking vision.

The Philadelphia Orchestra recorded most of the music for Fantasia, but onscreen, local musicians were used, as well as Disney Studios employees. Fantasound was invented as a stereophonic sound reproduction system, specifically for the music in Fantasia. The Rotten Tomatoes score of 95% is a great indicator of the impact and influence Fantasia had on film, as well as music videos. As the Critics Consensus puts it, the movie is an "inventive blend of the classics with phantasmagorical images."

8 Dumbo Melted Audiences Hearts

Ridiculed because of his enormous ears, a young circus elephant is assisted by a mouse to achieve his full potential.

• Dumbo was inspired by a book called "Dumbo the Flying Elephant", written by Helen Aberson and Harold Pearl.

It may be one of the saddest children's movies of all time , but Dumbo has still nabbed an impressive score of 95%, securing its position as a high-ranking Disney animation. The film's heartbreak comes with Dumbo being taken away from his mother. The baby elephant, who has abnormally large ears, is subject to bullying at the circus until he discovers he can fly.

Dumbo has come under fire as a movie that hasn't aged well, but it appears to remain a favorite among fans. As the shortest Disney animation, Dumbo was quickly made because the studios needed to make money after producing two expensive animations, Fantasia and Pinocchio. Costing less than $1 Million to make, the film did what it set out to do.

7 Aladdin’s Genie Was Voiced by One of the Greatest Comedians

Aladdin (1992).

A kind-hearted street urchin and a power-hungry Grand Vizier vie for a magic lamp that has the power to make their deepest wishes come true.

• "A Whole New World" won a Grammy Award for Song of the Year.

Famous faces are regularly found in Disney animations, and Aladdin was no exception. Taking the mystical, bold, enlivening role of Genie, Robin Williams was a true highlight of the film's success, filtering every kind of brilliance into the cartoon character and contributing to the Rotten Tomatoes score of 95%.

Aladdin is a largely well-received movie, combining laugh-out-loud comedy, charming music and an enchanting love story. Williams was allowed to run wild with improvisation, providing an estimated 16 hours of material, which obviously had to be significantly cut down. His voice-over contrasted beautifully with Aladdin and Jasmine, the more down-to-earth protagonists, who were guided by Genie.

6 Moana is Brimming With Inspiration

In Ancient Polynesia, when a terrible curse incurred by the Demigod Maui reaches Moana's island, she answers the Ocean's call to seek out the Demigod to set things right.

• Moana is inspired by Polynesian cultures.

Moana has become a modern-day favorite and depicts the Polynesian culture, portrayed through the titular character, her family and Demigod, Maui. The narrative, which achieved 95% on Rotten Tomatoes, steered entirely away from the typical Disney storyline of a Disney princess waiting to be rescued by Prince Charming. Instead, Moana is her own heroine, the savior to her people, and the inspiration to every viewer watching.

At 107 minutes, Moana is one of the longest Disney movies, but the adventure and wholesome motivation sewn into the fabric of the film and makes the viewing fly by. Moana represents a new age for Disney, along with the likes of Frozen 's Elsa and Merida from Brave, showcasing a new angle that Disney is more than capable of following.

5 Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is an Old Classic

Snow white and the seven dwarfs.

Exiled into the dangerous forest by her wicked stepmother, a princess is rescued by seven dwarf miners who make her part of their household.

• Snow White is 14 years old in the movie.

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Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs doesn't fit the standards expected of movies today. However, the film has still scored 97% on Rotten Tomatoes and is appreciated for the influence it had on animation in the late 1930s. The story is based on a fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm and was turned into Disney's first feature-length movie. Snow White seeks shelter in a forest after the evil Queen is overcome with jealousy at Snow White's beauty.

The film somewhat revolutionized animation, using rotoscoping and celluloid animation in its creation. While the plot doesn't totally hold up in today's film industry, it is clearly still acknowledged as an important part of Disney's legacy and admired for pushing boundaries in animation.

4 Cinderella Brought Fairy Godmothers Onto the Scene

Cinderella (1950).

When Cinderella's cruel stepmother prevents her from attending the Royal Ball, she gets some unexpected help from the lovable mice Gus and Jaq and from her Fairy Godmother.

• The story of Cinderella dates back to 1697.

First airing 74 years ago, Cinderella is a well-known tale that produced a popular princess. The story of a young woman who was used as a servant by her stepmother and step-sisters has resulted in 98% on Rotten Tomatoes, which proves that the story has consistently stuck around for over seven decades.

Though outdated, the film provides eye-catching color and magic for children to enjoy, as well as a soundtrack to support the spellbinding characters, including the fairy Godmother. Cinderella went on to have a few reimaginings, with some sticking to the original plot, while the likes of A Cinderella Story set the movie in a modern context, with issues that viewers were able to relate to at the time of its release.

3 101 Dalmatians Has One of the Most Recognized Disney Villains

101 dalmatians (1961).

When a litter of Dalmatian puppies are abducted by the minions of Cruella De Vil, the owners must find them before she uses them for a diabolical fashion statement.

• The Disney film Springtime makes an appearance in 101 Dalmatians.

15 Incredible Disney Friendships That Melt Fans' Hearts

101 Dalmatians is quite a unique story in the Disney catalog, and delivered one of the most iconic villains of all time. Cruella De Vil was a huge part of making the story triumphant, by being believably devious and genuinely frightening. So much so that the character warranted her own live-action film in 2021, which saw Emma Stone step into the role in Cruella.

101 Dalmatians really pulls on the heart strings of dog lovers, and with the emotional scenes of puppies fleeing to safety, it's hard not to get caught up in the sadness. The 98% score on Rotten Tomatoes is reflective of the well-told narrative that took a chance on stepping outside the typical prince and princess story.

2 Zootopia Puts Animals Into Human Situations

In a city of anthropomorphic animals, a rookie bunny cop and a cynical con artist fox must work together to uncover a conspiracy.

• Zootopia is the second-longest animated Disney movie.

Animals have repeatedly been a great source of entertainment for Walt Disney Studios, and Zootopia has taken the popularity lead with a near-perfect score of 98% on Rotten Tomatoes. The furry friends present a plot that revolves around a rabbit Police Officer, Judy, who discovers the difficulties in her choice of work while teaming up with a fox named Nick to solve a mystery.

The animation itself is clear-cut and sharp, keeping viewers' attention at all times. It gave animals a new direction in Disney, placing humanistic traits in each of their characters and putting them in situations that humans can relate to. The film is complex and funny enough to keep adults interested but is also appropriate for its young fans. With a sequel due out next year, audiences are hopeful it will be just as good as the original.

1 Pinocchio Focused on Being Magical

A living puppet, with the help of a cricket as his conscience, must prove himself worthy to become a real boy.

• Jiminy Cricket wasn't originally supposed to be alive for the whole film.

Pinocchio takes the lead with a perfect score of 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, which may come as a shock, considering it's 84 years old. Nonetheless, Pinocchio became a whimsical classic that encompassed artistic majesty and a tale that took viewers on a journey.

Pinocchio received two Academy Awards for Best Original Score and Best Original Song, with the latter achievement secured for "When You Wish Upon a Star." The storyline does take a dark turn with Pleasure Island but seemingly doesn't negate the joy that comes with the rest of the story. The film came three years after Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, yet benefited from improved animation, bringing clarity to the imagery. Disney prides itself on taking its audiences on a visual ride that lingers in the mind. Pinocchio does just that and will seemingly continue to do so.

60 Best Movies on Disney Plus Right Now (April 2024)

The volume of content available on Disney+ may feel overwhelming. Indeed, there are a plethora of good movies on Disney+, from forgotten live-action films from the 60s, 70s, and 80s alongside a ton of Disney Channel Original movies — and that's not to mention the catalog titles from Pixar, Marvel, and Lucasfilm and the growing library of new original films you can only find on Disney+.

To help you find the cream of the crop, we've compiled a list of the best movies on Disney Plus across all genres. Take a look! For more recommendations, check out our list of the best shows on Disney+ , best comedies on Disney+ , and best romantic movies on Disney+ .

Editor's note: This article was updated April 2024 to include Who Framed Roger Rabbit

'Who Framed Roger Rabbit' (1988)

Rotten tomatoes: 96% | imdb: 7.7/10, who framed roger rabbit.

Release Date June 21, 1988

Director Robert Zemeckis

Cast Alan Tilvern, Stubby Kaye, Charles Fleischer, Joanna Cassidy, Christopher Lloyd, Bob Hoskins

Runtime 103

Genres Family, Animation, Comedy, Crime, Fantasy

In an alternate version of the 1940s, humans live alongside cartoon characters, known as Toons, who work for film companies to produce cartoon shorts. Eddie Valiant ( Bob Hoskins ), a private investigator whose brother was killed by a Toon, is hired to take photos of Jessica Rabbit ( Kathleen Turner ) having an affair with the owner of the Toon's home (aka Toontown), Marvin Acme ( Stubby Kaye ). The next day, Acme is found dead, and the primary suspect is Jessica's husband, Roger Rabbit ( Charles Fleischer ). Roger pleads for Eddie to clear his name and protect him from the ruthless Judge Doom ( Christopher Lloyd ), which leads to the uncovering of a greater conspiracy.

Who Framed Roger Rabbit is a technological and storytelling marvel. While there were other films that had real actors interacting with 2D characters, the crew of this film went the extra mile to make everything look and feel more real, from using wires to hold up real guns for the Toon characters to changing their colors during scenes with shifting lighting. From a storytelling side, it blends all of the classic film noir tropes with some of the most recognizable cartoon characters of all time, making for an unforgettable experience.

Watch on Disney+

'The Incredibles' (2004)

Rotten tomatoes: 97% | imdb: 8.0/10, the incredibles.

Release Date October 27, 2004

Director Brad Bird

Cast Dominique Louis, Teddy Newton, Holly Hunter, Samuel L. Jackson, Jason Lee, Craig T. Nelson

Runtime 121

Genres Family, Animation, Action, Adventure

In a retro-futuristic 1960s setting, The Incredibles centers on Bob and Helen Parr, a superhero couple known as Mr. Incredible and Elastigirl, voiced by Craig T. Nelson and Holly Hunter , respectively. They conceal their powers as required by the government and aim to lead a quiet suburban life with their three children. However, Bob's longing to assist people pulls the entire family into a clash with a former admirer turned adversary.

As director Brad Bird ’s love letter to the superhero genre, The Incredibles boasts an impressive level of action, violence, and chaos, setting it apart as one of Pixar's most mature creations. Yet, it doesn't deviate from the studio's trademark approach, which centers on family dynamics and transforms it into a thrilling, Hollywood-style animated adventure. Additionally, similar to many of Pixar's creations, the film effortlessly caters to both young and adult audiences. It fearlessly addresses the darker aspects of society and the superhero culture, earning it a cult following and solidifying its status as a contemporary animation classic. The Incredibles also revitalizes the excitement of old-school comic books and pulp adventures, not just the nostalgia, with its live-action-style visuals, showcasing Pixar's forward-thinking approach in their productions.

'Dumbo' (1941)

Rotten tomatoes: 95% | imdb: 7.2/10, dumbo (1941).

Release Date October 31, 1941

Director Ben Sharpsteen

Cast Hall Johnson Choir, Verna Felton, Sterling Holloway, Cliff Edwards

Runtime 1 hr 4 min

Genres Animation, Fantasy

A circus elephant is blessed with a baby of her own, whom she calls Jumbo Jr. However, when it’s revealed that he has oversized ears, the other elephants call him Dumbo. One day, while defending Dumbo from some troublesome children, his mother goes berserk and is locked up. The other elephants shun Dumbo for bringing shame to their species, but he finds a friend in a theatrical mouse named Timothy ( Edward Brophy ). Together, they work to turn Dumbo into a star in order to get his mother released while also finding a beneficial use for his ears.

Dumbo is one of Disney’s shortest films, and while not as artistically groundbreaking as other Golden Age films, its story and themes are some of the company’s most beautiful. It’s a story about outcasts working together to elevate one another and turn their perceived weaknesses into their greatest strengths. The animation is impressive and fits the bright atmosphere of the circus. Dumbo himself is one of Disney’s most expressive protagonists despite having no lines of dialogue, which serves as a testament to the skills of animator Bill Tytla. - Tyler B. Searle

'The Princess Bride' (1987)

Rotten tomatoes: 98% | imdb: 8.0/10, the princess bride.

Release Date October 9, 1987

Director Rob Reiner

Cast Chris Sarandon, Wallace Shawn, Mandy Patinkin, Christopher Guest, Cary Elwes, andre the giant

Runtime 98 minutes

Genres Family, Romance, Comedy, Adventure, Fantasy

A sweeping romantic fantasy, The Princess Bride follows a swashbuckling farmhand-turned-pirate on a quest to rescue his beloved Princess Buttercup ( Robin Wright ) from being forced to marry Prince Humperdinck ( Chris Sarandon ). Finding acquaintances in the vengeful Spaniard Inigo Montoya ( Mandy Patinkin ) and a Greenlander giant called Fezzik ( André the Giant ), Westley’s ( Cary Elwes ) pursuit to save his lost love takes him to many dangerous and magical places in the kingdom of Florian.

With no small amount of fairy tale allure, The Princess Bride has become a beloved ‘80s classic due to its ability to spoof the swashbuckling romantic fantasies of early cinema while honoring them with an earnest appreciation as well. Intelligent, fun, charismatic, and utterly charming, the Rob Reiner classic is a truly timeless masterpiece that appeals to everyone with its sense of adventure. - Ryan Heffernan

'Inside Out' (2015)

Rotten tomatoes: 98% | imdb: 8.1/10.

Release Date June 19, 2015

Director Ronaldo Del Carmen, Pete Docter

Cast Amy Poehler, Bill Hader, Richard Kind, Phyllis Smith, Mindy Kaling, Lewis Black

Runtime 95 minutes

Genres Animation, Comedy, Adventure

Read Our Review

Inside Out traces the story of Riley ( Kaitlyn Dias ), a happy 11-year-old girl who loves hockey and her Midwestern life. However, when she and her parents relocate to San Francisco, her emotions, led by Joy ( Amy Poehler ), strive to navigate this significant life change. The move's stress places Sadness ( Phyllis Smith ) in the spotlight. In an unexpected turn of events, Joy and Sadness end up in the far reaches of Riley's mind, leaving only Anger ( Lewis Black ), Fear ( Bill Hader ), and Disgust ( Mindy Kaling ) in control at Headquarters.

Inside Out skillfully turns emotional turmoil into an adventure, offering a surreal glimpse into the intricate workings of our feelings and the reasons behind them. It stands as a remarkable achievement in world-building and screenwriting — a level of artistry seldom seen in any film, let alone an animated one primarily targeting younger audiences. Moreover, blending a timeless fish-out-of-water story with Pixar's signature wit and keen insights, delivered by an outstanding comedic cast and stunning visuals, the film stands as one of Pixar's finest works. It's also the type of film that gains depth with each viewing, resonating differently at various stages of life. Despite its relatively young age, Inside Out has already achieved classic status. - Jessie Nguyen

'Pinocchio' (1940)

Rotten tomatoes: 100% | imdb: 7.5/10.

Release Date February 23, 1940

Director Ben Sharpsteen, Hamilton Luske

Genres Family, Drama, Animation, Adventure, Fantasy

An elderly woodcarver named Gepetto ( Christian Rub ) crafts a wooden puppet that he names Pinocchio ( Dick Jones ). Before going to sleep, he wishes on a star for Pinocchio to become a real boy, and a blue fairy ( Evelyn Venable ) decides to grant his request. She gives Pinocchio life but tells him that he must prove himself brave, truthful, and unselfish to become a real boy. To aid him in this task, she assigns a cricket named Jiminy ( Cliff Edwards ) to be his conscience and help him learn right from wrong. This task proves more difficult than anticipated, thanks to the numerous people who seek to exploit Pinocchio’s unique status and naivete.

Pinocchio is a treasure from Disney’s Golden Age that remains one of the company’s most beloved films. This is due in large part to its strong morals and characters. Pinocchio himself is a very likable protagonist whose experience of navigating the world is timeless. The film also isn’t afraid to show how dark the world can be or that sometimes, evil people succeed at the expense of the innocent. Despite this, its overall message is optimistic: keep to the right path rather than the easy one, and you can bring your dreams to life. - Tyler B. Searle

'Mary Poppins' (1964)

Rotten tomatoes: 96% | imdb: 7.8/10, mary poppins.

Release Date August 27, 1964

Director Robert Stevenson

Cast Reta Shaw, Hermione Baddeley, Glynis Johns, David Tomlinson, Julie Andrews, Dick Van Dyke

Runtime 140

Genres Family, Comedy, Musical, Fantasy

Groundbreaking for its time, 1964’s Mary Poppins stars the lovely Julie Andrews alongside the incredibly charming Dick Van Dyke in the tale of a dysfunctional family living in London, England, as they are blessed with the presence of a fantastical nanny named Marry Poppins. Quickly becoming the highest-grossing film of 1964, it gathered 13 Academy Award nominations, a record for Disney . The film won five Oscars, including Best Original Music Score by Irwin Kostal ( West Side Story ) and the Sherman Brothers ( It’s A Small World ), Best Actress for Julie Andrews, Best Film Editing, Best Visual Effects, and Best Original Song for “Chim Chim Cher-ee.”

Audiences’ fascination with the film has continued to intrigue viewers, new and old, and a film based on the creation of Mary Poppins , Saving Mr. Banks , starring Tom Hanks , was released in 2013. A sequel to the original film, Mary Poppins Returns , starring Emily Blunt in the titular role, premiered in 2018. In addition, the 1939 book the original film was based on, “Marry Poppins” by P.L. Travels , has had a renaissance of its own, as readers continue to pick up the book for the first time or repeat reads. Even today, the visual effects continue to impress, and the music will forever be stuck in your head. - Emily Cappello

'Pocahontas' (1995)

Rotten tomatoes: 54% | imdb: 6.7/10.

Release Date June 14, 1995

Director Eric Goldberg, Mike Gabriel

Cast Judy Kuhn, Irene Bedard, Mel Gibson, Russell Means, David Ogden Stiers, John Kassir

Genres Family, Drama, Animation, Romance, Musical, Documentary, History, Adventure

Based on the real-life Powhatan woman named Pocahontas , the story follows the young woman as a group of English settlers from the Virginia Company arrive and she saves the life of John Smith, one of the settlers. Directed by Mike Gabriel ( The Rescuers Down Under ) and Eric Goldberg ( The Princess and the Frog ), the film premiered in 1995 and starred Irene Bedard as Pocahontas and Mel Gibson as John Smith, alongside Christian Bale in the role of Thomas, John Smith’s friend; John Kassir as Meeko, the mischievous pet raccoon belonging to Pocahontas; Billy Connolly as Ben and Joe Baker as Lon, two settler friends of John Smith. With an iconic and instantly recognizable score by Alan Menken and words by Stephen Schwartz , the film was an instant hit and is now a Disney classic.

The film was a massive success, earning $346 million worldwide against a budget of $55 million. The film’s promotion followed in the lion-shaped footsteps of The Lion King by releasing a four-minute musical number in advance. The Pocahontas team chose “Colors of The Wind,” the film's most well-known song, and it played during a theatrical re-release of The Lion King . While some critics disliked the lack of humor in the script, the film was a different kind of release for Disney, attempting to tell a slower and more heartfelt story. Still, the film remains an all-time classic, and if you go outside to start singing any one of its songs right now, at least one or more bystanders will question why you’re singing but know exactly where the song is from. - Emily Cappello

'The Lion King' (1994)

Rotten tomatoes: 93% | imdb: 8.5/10, the lion king (1994).

Release Date June 24, 1994

Director Roger Allers, Rob Minkoff

Cast Matthew Broderick, Jeremy Irons, James Earl Jones

Runtime 88 minutes

Genres Drama, Animation, Adventure

Drawing inspiration from William Shakespeare 's Hamlet , incorporating elements from the Biblical stories of Joseph and Moses, and taking cues from Disney's 1942 animated feature film Bambi , The Lion King is set in a kingdom of lions located in Africa. The film follows the journey of Simba, a lion cub destined to be the King of the Pride Lands. When his uncle Scar kills Simba's father, Mufasa, and convinces Simba he's to blame, he goes into exile. Raised by Timon and Pumbaa, Simba gains wisdom from his friend Nala and the shaman Rafiki and then returns to confront Scar, ending his reign and claiming his place as the rightful king in the Circle of Life.

With stunning animation, a captivating score by Elton John and Tim Rice , an emotionally resonant storyline, and Simba's profound character arc, The Lion King offers a rich cinematic experience. It evokes both tearful moments and hearty laughter, making it an enduring and cherished animation that leaves a lasting impression on viewers of all ages. The movie remains a classic, upholding Disney's high standard in animated features. It sets the bar so high that anything that comes after this version can leave you with a sense that something essential is lacking. - Jessie Nguyen

'Princess Diaries' (2001)

Rotten tomatoes: 49% | imdb: 6.4/10, the princess diaries.

Release Date August 3, 2001

Director Garry Marshall

Cast Anne Hathaway, Heather Matarazzo, Robert Schwartzman, Caroline Goodall, Hector Elizondo, Julie Andrews, Mandy Moore

Runtime 1 hr 55 min

Genres Romance, Comedy

The Princess Diaries centers on Mia Thermopolis ( Anne Hathaway ), a timid American teenager living in San Francisco with her mother ( Caroline Goodall ) and her cat, who discovers her royal heritage as the heiress to a European kingdom's throne and a real-life princess. With guidance from her estranged grandmother ( Julie Andrews ), the current reigning queen, Mia faces a pivotal decision: whether to embrace her inherited throne or relinquish her title forever.

The Princess Diaries served as Anne Hathaway's debut in the world of cinema, and her charming portrayal of Mia Thermopolis earned her recognition and kick-started her career. Despite not receiving extensive critical acclaim, the film has garnered a substantial and adoring audience following, solidifying its status as an iconic coming-of-age film that resonates with the dreams of many teenagers. The movie also showcases Julie Andrews in a role that perfectly suits her – that of a queen, exuding grace and timeless charm. Furthermore, it masterfully blends humor and poignant moments, striking a harmonious balance that captivates both young and adult audiences. The Princess Diaries also delivers valuable life lessons to its target audience about the responsibilities tied to power and the significance of utilizing it for the common good. - Jessie Nguyen

'Fire of Love' (2022)

Rotten tomatoes: 98% | imdb: 7.6/10, fire of love.

Release Date July 6, 2022

Cast Miranda July

Runtime 1 hr 33 min

Genres Documentary

Fire Of Love is a National Geographic documentary that follows the blossoming love of scientists Katia and Maurice Krafft , who for their entire lives have loved two things: each other and volcanoes. For two decades, the duo made it their life's work to travel across the planet in chase of volcanic eruptions and their aftermath in order to gather a greater understanding of the volcanoes of the world. As they document their discoveries with photographs and breathtaking film, they share their findings with the public and become the premiere volcano experts of the world before their untimely demise during a 1991 volcanic explosion on Japan's Mount Unzen.

Fire of Love takes the already beautiful and mesmerizing footage shot by the Kraffts and allows it to reach the same level of gravitas and beauty that the couple had always envisioned volcanoes to be. The film is filled to the brim with countless beautiful setpieces as they work hand-in-hand with the beautiful yet heartbreaking real-life romance at the center of the story. Narration from Miranda July helps keep the film focused and grounded as a narrative progression, seeing the couple's evolutions and changes as they work more and more with a world becoming more aware and reactive to volcanoes and their destruction thanks to their work. The film is easily one of the most memorable and well-regarded documentaries in recent memory and is a must-watch just for those looking for a visual feast for the eyes. - Robert Lee III

'Enchanted' (2007)

Rotten tomatoes: 93% | imdb: 7.1/10.

Release Date November 20, 2007

Director Kevin Lima

Cast Rachel Covey, Patrick Dempsey, James Marsden, Amy Adams, Timothy Spall, Idina Menzel

Runtime 107

Genres Family, Romance, Comedy, Musical, Fantasy

Enchanted serves as both a loving tribute to and a playful satire of Disney's animated classics. The story begins in the animated realm of Andalasia, where Giselle ( Amy Adams ), an optimistic maiden, envisions true love and a fairytale ending with Prince Edward ( James Marsden ). However, her dreams are abruptly shattered when the wicked Queen Narissa ( Susan Sarandon ) transports her to the bewildering real-world setting of New York City, where she takes on a live-action form. In New York, Giselle meets divorce lawyer Robert Philip ( Patrick Dempsey ) and his daughter, Morgan ( Rachel Covey ), resulting in amusing and heartwarming encounters with the city's residents.

Enchanted is a delightful treat for Disney enthusiasts, brimming with references and playful self-mockery. It seamlessly combines traditional animation with live action, promising to enchant the whole family. Additionally, the movie boasts a remarkable ensemble of talents, with Adams at the forefront. Her innocent gaze and sweet, enchanting voice effectively bridge the gap between Disney's magical fantasy world and our reality, making it a genuine dream come true. While following a traditional romantic comedy format with a happy ending, Enchanted is a resounding success. It not only fills children with joy through its music but also brings smiles to adults with its relatable and tender approach. - Jessie Nguyen

'Spider-Man 2' (2004)

Rotten tomatoes: 93% | imdb: 7.5/10, spider-man 2.

Release Date June 25, 2004

Director Sam Raimi

Cast Rosemary Harris, Alfred Molina, Tobey Maguire, J.K. Simmons, Kirsten Dunst, James Franco

Runtime 127

Genres Action, Adventure, Fantasy

Based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name and serving as the second installment in Sam Raimi 's Spider-Man franchise, Spider-Man 2 is set two years after the events of Spider-Man. The film follows the titular character, aka Peter Parker ( Tobey Maguire ), and his struggle to prevent scientist Dr. Otto Octavius ( Alfred Molina ) from reenacting a perilous experiment that led to the death of his wife and left him neurologically bonded to mechanical tentacles. Simultaneously, Peter grapples with an existential crisis concerning his dual identities, which seems to be diminishing his superpowers.

Raimi's Spider-Man 2 skillfully represents a pinnacle entry in the franchise, seamlessly blending drama and action, somber moments, and pure entertainment, offering the audience the ultimate superhero experience. In addition, throughout the film, Maguire proves to be the perfect actor to portray the conflicted superhero. His earnest and vulnerable portrayal showcases why he revels in the superhero transformation, as well as the weight of its responsibilities. Molina's portrayal of Doc Ock also brings a fresh and more grounded perspective compared to Willem Dafoe 's Green Goblin. In the end, Raimi reminds the audience with Spider-Man 2 that it's possible to create highly marketable films while maintaining one's artistic integrity. - Jessie Nguyen

'Turning Red' (2022)

Rotten tomatoes: 95% | imdb: 7.0/10, turning red.

A thirteen-year-old girl named Mei Lee is torn between staying her mother's dutiful daughter and the changes of adolescence. And as if the challenges were not enough, whenever she gets overly excited she transforms into a giant red panda.

Release Date March 11, 2022

Director Domee Shi

Cast Rosalie Chiang, Sandra Oh, James Hong

Read Our Review Directed by Domee Shi in her feature debut, Turning Red follows 13-year-old Meilin "Mei" Lee ( Rosalie Chiang ), a young girl about to enter the anxiety-inducing stages of puberty, causing her to be torn between the innocence and parental safety of her formative years and the exciting unknown of growing up. Alongside plenty of other teenage worries in her school and home life, Mei seems to be facing down the barrel of the most difficult time in her life yet… and that doesn’t even account for her hereditary condition, passed down through a familial curse, that means she turns into a furry red panda whenever she becomes overwhelmed with emotion.

In typical Disney/Pixar fashion, writers Domee Shi, Julia Cho , and Sarah Streicher bring to life a beautiful metaphor for the emotional overload felt by adolescents, creating a wide-eyed, fun physical form for young teenagers’ sometimes uncontrollable state of mind. Supported by a wonderful voice cast headlined by Sandra Oh as Ming, Rosalie Chiang is fantastic in her breakout role, with her ability to find genuine heartfelt nuance in her performance more than credible. As Pixar’s fastest production ever, Turning Red never feels like it was rushed; from the impressive animation down to the spellbinding story, this feels like a labor of love and passion. - Jake Hodges

'Cinderella' (1950)

Rotten tomatoes: 98% | imdb: 7.3/10, cinderella (1950).

When Cinderella's cruel stepmother prevents her from attending the Royal Ball, she gets some unexpected help from the lovable mice Gus and Jaq and from her Fairy Godmother.

Release Date March 4, 1950

Director Clyde Geronimi, Wilfred Jackson, Hamilton Luske

Cast Homer Brightman, Erdman Penner

Runtime 1 hr 14 min

Genres Animation, Musical, Fantasy

This timeless tale based on Charles Perrault 's 1697 fairytale follows the titular character, voiced by Ilene Woods , during her time under the regime of her evil stepmother. Bullied by her stepsisters into not going to the royal ball, Cinderella is surprised by a Fairy Godmother ( Verna Felton ) and given until midnight to enjoy an evening of luxury at the dance. As midnight chimes, Cinderella leaves the ball and is magically returned to her previous impoverished state. However, a missing glass slipper found by the aptly named Prince Charming will set him on a search for its owner, but can he find Cinderella now she is in her truest form?

A classic of Dinsey’s golden era, Cinderella is a rags-to-riches story with a central plot so brimming with possibility it could give even the most hopeless a sense of potential. Despite this being a well-told tale, this version of Cinderella manages to really capture each emotional beat, with its short 74-minute run-time lending itself to the movie keeping its perfect pacing. To this day, it can be hard to understand exactly how a team of late 1940s animators was able to produce something so visually gorgeous under the constraints of the time, with this film certainly more impressive than many other animations released recently. - Jake Hodges

'Mrs. Doubtfire' (1993)

Rotten tomatoes: 70% | imdb: 7.1/10, mrs. doubtfire.

After a bitter divorce, an actor disguises himself as a female housekeeper to spend time with his children held in custody by his former wife. 

Release Date November 24, 1993

Director Chris Columbus

Cast Polly Holliday, Sally Field, Lisa Jakub, Robin Williams, Pierce Brosnan, Harvey Fierstein

Runtime 125

Genres Family, Drama, Comedy, Documentary

Robin Williams at his mesmerizing best, Mrs. Doubtfire is a touching tale of a down-on-his-luck voice-actor father named Daniel (Robin Williams), who has been ousted by his frustrated wife Miranda ( Sally Field ). In search of a way back into his family's lives, Daniel realizes they are on the search for a female housekeeper, and with the help of some iconic prosthetics and a charming Scottish accent, gets the job as his alter ego, Mrs. Doubtfire. Finally getting to spend quality time with his children again, how long can Daniel keep up his double life, and just how strained will his role become when Miranda’s new boyfriend appears?

An endearing tale of the true depths of familial love, Mrs. Doubtfire is one-part heartwarming drama and one-part exuberant hilarity thanks to Robin Williams working at his career best. From the cake face mask to the Heimlich maneuver dinner scene, Williams delights with his unique ability to perfectly craft over-the-top humor from unbelievable situations without ever losing a sense of grounded reality. The face of Mrs. Doubtfire is certainly one of Hollywood’s more iconic creations, marked by an Academy Award win for Best Makeup, with the soothing Scottish tones of the gentle housekeeper still ringing in the ears of the movie’s fans to this day. - Jake Hodges

'Diary of a Wimpy Kid' (2010)

Rotten tomatoes: 55% | imdb: 6.2/10, diary of a wimpy kid.

Release Date March 19, 2010

Director Thor Freudenthal

Cast Owen Fielding, Connor Fielding, Zachary Gordon, Rachael Harris, Robert Capron, Steve Zahn

Runtime 120

Genres Family, Comedy

Based on Jeff Kinney ’s beloved children’s novel of the same name, Diary of a Wimpy Kid follows twelve-year-old Greg Heffley ( Zachary Gordon ) as he documents the trials and tribulations that come with starting middle school, navigating friendships, and dealing with protective parents and a frustrating older brother. Told through his own diary entries, illustrated in the film with the iconic style debuted in Kinney’s novel, Greg and his best friend Rowley ( Robert Capron ) must find a way to survive their terrifying new chapter in education — and hopefully exit the journey still as close as ever.

A perfect child-friendly romp that seems to find the true emotions of a 12-year-old, Diary of a Wimpy Kid is equal parts slapstick hilarity and touching life lessons. Although some of the plot points feel exaggerated, it is that very style that nearly captures the mind of a young person, where what many would consider insignificant can be genuinely life-altering. Back by a surprisingly strong ensemble cast, including a young Chloë Grace Moretz , the narrative’s mission statement is one of true friendship and the realization that the ones we love should not be sacrificed for popularity. Diary of a Wimpy Kid is endearing and relatable, all with a sprinkling of horror in the form of the dreaded CHEESE TOUCH. - Jake Hodges

'Finding Nemo' (2003)

Rotten tomatoes: 99% | imdb: 8.2/10, finding nemo.

After his son is captured in the Great Barrier Reef and taken to Sydney, a timid clownfish sets out on a journey to bring him home.

Release Date May 30, 2003

Director Lee Unkrich, Andrew Stanton

Cast Brad Garrett, Willem Dafoe, Ellen DeGeneres, Alexander Gould, Allison Janney, Albert Brooks

Runtime 100

Genres Family, Animation, Comedy, Adventure

Read Our Review When Disney and Pixar get it right, they get it really right. Following a devastating prologue in which clownfish Marlin ( Albert Brooks ) loses his partner and all of their children bar one, Finding Nemo ’s story begins some years later with his only son Nemo ( Alexander Gould ) about to begin school. Because of his tragic past, Marlin is very protective of his son, leading to Nemo, on his first day of school, rebelling and being accidentally caught by a diver. Suddenly, and with the help of an eclectic mix of characters (including Ellen DeGeneres ’ Dory), the search is on to bring Nemo back home safe and in the arms (or fins) of his father.

A fast-paced rush of family-friendly fun, Finding Nemo is astounding in all of its relevant categories, such as animation, voice acting, and narrative. Proving that 3D animated water can look beautifully realistic despite the doubts of many at the time, the creative team at Pixar continued their streak of excellence by making the world of Finding Nemo both typically exuberant yet genuinely grounded. Ellen DeGeneres is hilarious as companion Dory, with her endlessly quotable performance eventually earning Dory her own feature film in 2016. Joyfully entertaining for both 6 and 60-year-olds alike, Finding Nemo is Pixar at their best. - Jake Hodges

'Smart House' (1999)

Imdb: 6.1/10, smart house.

Release Date June 26, 1999

Director LeVar Burton

Cast Katey Sagal, Ryan Merriman

Runtime 1 hr 22 min

Genres Drama, Comedy, children

This Disney Channel Original Movie from director LeVar Burton tells the story of 13-year-old Ben Cooper ( Ryan Merriman ), who, after the death of his mother, decides to carry more of the burden of his household alongside his father Nick ( Kevin Kilner ) and little sister Angie ( Katie Volding ). After using his computer skills to enter an online competition, Ben wins a house designed to take full automation of their living — something he could have only dreamt of before. However, after influencing the computer with 1950s TV shows to try and replace his mother after his father gets a new girlfriend, hoping the artificial maternal stand-in will prove a new mother figure is not needed, all hell breaks loose as the computer becomes out of control, with only Ben able to save the day.

Heaps of joyous fun with a heartfelt central message about the grief of a child, Smart House is one of the standout Disney Channel Original Movies thanks to its family-friendly script and mission to bring pure entertainment. Although told through the eyes of young Ben, it is admirable just how much nuance is given to father Nick after he becomes widowed and must bring up two children on his own. Thanks to its easy-going nature, Smart House is the sort of film perfect for a cozy night in with the family. - Jake Hodges

'Isle of Dogs' (2018)

Rotten tomatoes: 90% | imdb: 7.8/10, isle of dogs.

Set in Japan, Isle of Dogs follows a boy's odyssey in search of his lost dog.

Release Date March 23, 2018

Director Wes Anderson

Cast Edward Norton, Bryan Cranston, Bill Murray, Jeff Goldblum, Koyu Rankin, Bob Balaban

Runtime 101

Read Our Review This Wes Anderson stop-motion movie follows the aftermath of a dog flu outbreak in the city of Megasaki, Japan. With the community on high alert, Mayor Kobayashi ( Kunichi Nomura ) declares that all of the city’s dogs must be sent to the ominous Trash Island. Despite the struggles of many owners, the dogs are rounded up and shipped across, with one boy in particular, Atari ( Koyu Rankin ), deciding to take the matter into his own hands. With the help of five other dogs, Atari searches the Island for his dog Spots, although such a mission was never going to be easy.

Realized with impeccable detail, both Megasaki and Trash Island feel bursting with life, with Anderson and the team at 3 Mills Studios reuniting seamlessly following their success with Fantastic Mr. Fox . It isn’t simply eye-catching animation and a heartwarming story that push Isle of Dogs towards triumph — the typically Anderson star-studded ensemble definitely helps, too. With the likes of Tilda Swinton , Bryan Cranston , Edward Norton , Bill Murray , and many more applying their talents to this tale, it can be difficult to imagine not simply spending the run-time pointing out whose voice is whose. However, such is the tender brilliance and deep immersion of this story that really doesn’t happen. - Jake Hodges

The 6 Best And 6 Worst Animated Disney Movies According To Rotten Tomatoes

Disney movies have defined many a childhood. After debuting their first full-length animated feature all the way back in 1937 with Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs , the Mouse House went on to conquer the animated movie market, producing classics like   Bambi , Cinderella , The Little Mermaid , The Lion King , and many, many more. 

With such a wide selection to choose from, it can be tough to know where to start with Disney's animated classics, whether you're revisiting your own childhood on Disney+ or introducing your own kids to the celebrated studio's most famous projects. However, Disney's animated movies aren't all winners. For every spectacular success, there is an utterly dismal failure Disney would prefer we all forgot about as quickly as possible. We're here to examine those highs and lows, in an effort to understand what makes the best Disney movies work, and what brings them crashing to the ground. These are the very best Disney animated classics and the absolute worst, according to their rankings on Rotten Tomatoes. 

Best: Zootopia

As it turns out, one of Disney's most recent efforts is also one of its most critically beloved. Released in 2016, Zootopia  features a stacked voice cast that includes performances from such luminaries as Idris Elba , Jenny Slate , J.K. Simmons, and Octavia Spencer. But it's not all big-name razzle-dazzle — Zootopia boasts some serious social commentary underneath its adorable facade. The film tells the story of fraught societal relations between animals — specifically, predators and prey — and the enduring friendship that blooms in spite of it between Judy Hopps, a rabbit police officer, and Nick Wilde, a fox huckster. The duo ends up uncovering a vast conspiracy within their home city of Zootopia, which they work to expose together.

The film earned rave reviews , with critics hailing its "thoughtful, inclusive message that's as rich and timely as its sumptuously state-of-the-art animation — all while remaining fast and funny enough to keep younger viewers entertained." If you're looking for a side of social commentary with your animated antics, Zootopia is definitely your best option.

Worst: A Goofy Movie

Goofy might be one of Disney's most enduring and beloved creations, but unfortunately, his major solo outing, A Goofy Movie ,  wasn't embraced upon release. The 1995 film, which features a few famous voices including Wallace Shawn and Pauly Shore, focuses on the relationship between Goofy and his son, Max, who have grown apart as Max has gotten older. To remedy this, Goofy decides to take his son on a fishing trip. To say the results are unsuccessful would be putting it mildly.

Upon its release, A Goofy Movie fared poorly with critics , who maintained that children might enjoy Goofy's antics, but "most parents will agree that this beloved character deserves better." However, this might be one instance in which Rotten Tomatoes' ranking might not be entirely fair. Decades after its debut,  A Goofy Movie  has become a cult film for millennials who loved it as kids. A Goofy Movie might not have gotten the appreciation it deserved back in the day, but clearly, its time has come.

Best: One Hundred and One Dalmatians

Adorable puppies are a pretty irresistible subject for an animated film, and when you add in a great story and unparalleled animation, you get films like One Hundred and One Dalmatians . Based on the 1956 novel of the same name by Dodie Smith, this animated wonder hit theaters in 1961. It tells the story of the Radcliffe family, Roger and Anita, and their two Dalmatians, Pongo and Perdita, who end up having 15 puppies in a single litter. When their perfect pups are stolen by Cruella de Vil , Perdita and Pongo must set out to find them — but as it turns out, they aren't the only Damatians Cruella has kidnapped.

This heartwarming tale remains one of the best Disney animated films ever made. The critics heartily agreed , praising the film for having " plenty of pooches and a memorable villain." Decades after its debut, it's still regarded as "one of Disney's most enduring, entertaining animated films." It's not hard to see why.

Worst: Chicken Little

Based on the famous children's fable about a chicken with some serious anxiety issues, 2005's  Chicken Little definitely isn't one of Disney's strongest efforts. When young Chicken Little thinks the sky is falling after getting knocked on the head by a mysterious flying missile, he warns everybody to get to safety ... only to discover that the sky is completely intact, and the missile was actually just an acorn. However, a year later, when the sky actually starts to fall — as Chicken Little discovers, aliens are trying to take over the town of Oakey Oaks — Chicken Little must prove his worth to the skeptical townspeople. Alongside his best friend Abby Mallard, Chicken Little must work to regain the trust of the town and save it from alien invasion.

If Chicken Little is unpopular in Oakey Oaks, it's nothing compared to how unpopular he was with critics . They decreed that "Disney expends more effort in the technical presentation than in crafting an original storyline," making Chicken Little one of the studio's weakest animated films.

Best: Dumbo

Released in 1941, Disney's Dumbo remains one of its most beloved stories. The studio's fourth-ever animated film, it tells the story of a young elephant whose name is actually Jumbo Jr., but thanks to his big ears, is cruelly christened "Dumbo." Aided by a mouse named Timothy, his only friend aside from his mother, Dumbo struggles to prove his worth. But when he is separated from his mother by a malicious circus owner, Dumbo must use his big ears to their fullest potential and learn to fly.

Throughout the years, Dumbo has remained a Disney favorite. Critics agreed , celebrating the film's ability to "[pack] plenty of story into its brief runtime, along with all the warm animation and wonderful music you'd expect from a Disney classic." Though it eventually got a live action remake in 2019, directed by Tim Burton , this second outing didn't fare quite as well with critics. This disappointed fans while cementing the original film's status as an unbeatable classic.

Worst: Brother Bear

Some of Disney's weaker outings aren't absolutely terrible, but as  Brother Bear   demonstrates ,  sometimes an underwhelming effort is enough to earn a low critical rating. The film tells the story of Kenai, a young Inuit boy living in post-Ice Age Alaska, who wants revenge against a bear that killed his older brother Sitka. However, mysterious spirits turn Kenai into a bear himself so that he can experience life from their perspective. After befriending a bear cub named Koda, journeying to a distant salmon run, and learning about life on the other side of the hunter's spear, Kenai accepts the interconnected nature of life and returns to humanity with newfound insight and compassion.

Critics weren't crazy about Brother Bear,  calling it "gentle and pleasant if unremarkable Disney fare, with so-so animation and generic plotting." Despite this lackluster reception, the film managed to score a nomination for Best Animated Feature at the Academy Awards in 2004, only to lose to one of Pixar's strongest films, Finding Nemo .

Best: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs   isn't just the movie that started it all — it's still one of Disney's greatest creations. Based on the classic German fairy tale, Snow White is an expert blend of peril, wonder, and magic, good and evil. By now, we all know the story: A fair princess named Snow White runs afoul of her wicked stepmother, the Queen, who wants to get rid of Snow White to become the most beautiful woman in the kingdom. When she tries to have Snow White killed, the princess discovers a house with seven dwarfs inside. However, the Queen has one more trick up her sleeve — a poisoned apple, which puts Snow White into a magical sleep that can only be broken by true love's kiss.

Though Walt Disney didn't win an Oscar the year that the film was released, he was given an honorary award the following year by Shirley Temple, and in 1989, it was added to the National Film Registry. Even decades after its release, critics have nothing but praise for the iconic film, celebrating "its involving story and characters, vibrant art, and memorable songs."

Worst: Doug's 1st Movie

Doug might be a beloved children's cartoon character, but apparently, his first feature film isn't particularly "funnie." Based on the Disney version of the classic Nickelodeon cartoon, 1999's Doug's 1st Movie features all of Doug 's beloved characters, but none of its charm. In this particular adventure, Doug and his friends discover a monster living in nearby Lucky Duck Lake. Though they eventually befriend the monster, who they dub Herman Melville after he tries to eat a copy of Moby Dick , his mere presence is a bad sign. Ultimately, Doug and his friends realize that Herman Melville was created by pollution, and understand they have to clean up the lake before it's ruined.

Doug's 1st Movie earned dismal reviews , with critics excoriating the film for "essentially [amounting] to a forgettable feature-length episode of [the] show." Considering  Doug's 1st Movie was such a flop, it makes sense that a second one never materialized.

Best: The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh

Based on the classic characters created by A.A. Milne, 1977's The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh takes several beloved Winnie the Pooh tales and combines them into one narrative. Though this might not sound like a recipe for success, the disparate elements harmonize into one unforgettable feature following the adventures of Pooh, Tigger, Piglet, Eeyore, and all their friends. It's a tender, sunny ode to the magic of childhood and the importance of imagination, and it hasn't aged a day since its premiere.

The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh is, accordingly, beloved by critics . The celebrated film is, in their words, a   "charming collection of episodes [capturing] the spirit of A.A. Milne's classic stories," and "the most faithful of Disney's literary adaptations." The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh remains a heartwarming classic for the whole family, and a touchstone in childhoods all over the world.

Worst: Planes

When a Pixar spin-off doesn't even get to bear the studio's name, you know it's going to be a flop. Enter  Planes. This film was released in 2013, and features voice performances from Julia Louis-Dreyfus , Dane Cook , and Priyanka Chopra in her official Hollywood debut. Seems promising, right? Unfortunately, it doesn't live up to Cars , for which it serves as a spin-off. Even with longtime Pixar director John Lasseter at the helm, Planes , which tells the story of anthropomorphic planes involved in a race across the world, falls extraordinarily short.

Critics panned the film , saying, " Planes has enough bright colors, goofy voices, and slick animation to distract some young viewers for 92 minutes — and probably sell plenty of toys in the bargain — but on nearly every other level, it's a Disney disappointment." The standard for both Disney and Pixar films is pretty high, making failed efforts like Planes all the more disappointing.

Best: Pinocchio

Rotten Tomatoes is unambiguous in crowning Pinocchio as the best Disney movie of all. The studio's second-ever animated film, Pinocchio  is based on the novel by Carlo Collodi. It tells the story of a wooden puppet who wants to become a real boy by being brave and truthful, whose nose grows with every lie he tells. With the help of his creator Gepetto, Pinocchio accomplishes his goal in the end.

Though Pinocchio is beloved of modern audiences and picked up Academy Awards for Best Original Song and Best Original Score, it struggled at the box office due to World War II. That's all water under the bridge to critics, however, who hail  Pinocchio  as "ambitious, adventurous, and sometimes frightening ... [ Pinocchio ] represents the pinnacle of Disney's collected works — it's beautifully crafted and emotionally resonant." If you're looking for the best of the best when it comes to Disney, revisit Pinocchio today.

Worst: The Jungle Book 2

Sequels aren't always a good idea, and  The Jungle Book 2  is a great example of why. Released in 2003, decades after its 1967 predecessor, the second Jungle Book film attempts to complete the story told in the first. What results is middling at best and dreadful at worst. Only the third Disney sequel to get a theatrical release, following Return to Never Land and The Rescuers Down Under ,  The Jungle Book 2 features some serious star power, with Haley Joel Osment and John Goodman as Mowgli and Baloo, embarking on a new adventure. 

Unfortunately, critics were less than impressed with The Jungle Book 2. A ccording to their reviews , "this inferior rehash of The Jungle Book should have gone straight to video." Sometimes, you can't improve on the original, and clearly, The Jungle Book 2 didn't do its predecessor any favors. At least the 2016 live-action remake  is good.

The Best Part of This Disney Animated Film Happens After the Credits

The movie isn't over until the screen goes dark.

The Big Picture

• Wish 's post-credit scene reflects Disney's theme of dreams coming true, symbolizing Walt Disney's success.
• The post-credit scene connects to classic Disney films, using nostalgia to honor the studio's 100th anniversary.
• The beautiful post-credit scene in Wish highlights a heartfelt story and ties the movie's plot to the iconic "When You Wish Upon a Star" song, amping up the Disney magic.

Disney has long been known for its magical scenes and happy endings, and although the studio has been adjusting its definition of a happy ending, that hasn't changed. Their most recent animated film, Wish , has both, with a magical star that makes animals talk and sing and the hero, Asha ( Ariana DeBose ), defeating the villain and returning everyone's wishes to them in the end. But nothing in the film is more impactful than the post-credit scene . Not only does watching Grandpa Sabino ( Victor Garber ) fulfill his lifelong dream bring tears to your eyes, but it ties together the Disney catalog as he composes "When You Wish Upon a Star" from Pinocchio .

The film acts as a secret origin story for the song, which has become an anthem for the studio, so it is fitting for "When You Wish Upon a Star" to play. But more importantly, it highlights a central theme throughout Disney films: dreams come true. This is present in Wish , nearly all of Disney's popular films, and in the story of the studio. Walt Disney started his work with nothing but a dream, and Wish celebrates 100 years of that dream's fulfillment . The end-credit scene is not just an homage to Pinocchio but a celebration of what Disney has accomplished and a toast to more years of the same. It may seem strange that the best part of the film is held until after the credits, but the self-aware moment uses a little nostalgia to complete the story in a truly magical way.

Wish follows a young girl named Asha who wishes on a star and gets a more direct answer than she bargained for when a trouble-making star comes down from the sky to join her.

Why 'Wish' Was a Critical and Commercial Disappointment

Despite having a strong cast and some heartwarming throwbacks to Disney classics, Wish unfortunately was a critical and commercial disappointment upon release . Critics certainly weren’t feeling the trademark Disney magic, with reviews citing a lackluster screenplay and a one-dimensional villain as reasons for Wish ’s lower ratings. The soundtrack, though filled to the brim with songs, unfortunately also faced criticism for lacking the same memorability and heart of other beloved Disney movies. Ultimately, Disney’s Wish just didn’t hit all the marks it wanted to for such a massive anniversary.

Make no mistake – Disney’s Wish is still a truly admirable feat, with more than 100 Easter eggs to boot. For die-hard Disney fans, even the film’s less-than-stellar story and music doesn’t take away from the pure nostalgia fuel Wish aims for. From nods to classics such as Bambi and Cinderella to more modern Disney hits like Zootopia and Frozen , the little touches of Disney magic are certainly heartwarming for those with a deep love for the Disney franchise. For those less die-hard fans who were hoping for more from the film, there is the one thing Wish absolutely does have going for it: its post-credits scene, where Grandpa Sabino’s wish finally does come true – and boy, does it tug on your heartstrings.

'Wish's Post-Credit Scene Concludes the Story Beautifully

Grandpa Sabino's wish to change the world with his music is crucial to the story. It is her grandfather's wish that Asha wants to be fulfilled. However, she learns from King Magnifico ( Chris Pine ) that, like most of the citizens of Rosas, Grandpa Sabino's wish will not be granted. This causes Asha's realization that King Magnifico and the system he created are corrupt, launching the film's plot. In Wish, the happy ending is that everyone gets their wishes returned, allowing them to strive for and fulfill their own desires. After the credits, Grandpa Sabino makes his dream come true, which never would have happened without Asha's victory. The scene solidifies the film's happy ending, showing that the wish that started it all does eventually come true.

Why 'Wish' Looks So Different From Other Recent Disney Films

But that is only the top layer of meaning behind the beautiful scene. Wish is based on the song, making it fitting to include the iconic notes. It's easy to see how the two connect because "When You Wish Upon a Star" literally outlines the film's plot. Wish follows the events in Rosas after Asha wishes on a star for other people's wishes to come true, and the creatively named Star appears to grant her wish, which fits the song's famous lyrics, "When you wish upon a star, your dreams come true." It would have been a missed opportunity to end the film without the classic song, making the post-credit scene the perfect ending.

'Wish's Post-Credit Scene Delivers the Nostalgia the Film Promised

Wish is full of references to old Disney movies , honoring previous films as a celebration of Disney's 100th anniversary, and the post-credit scene is one of the many examples. With varying degrees of obviousness, the film goes out of its way to bring to mind older Disney films, but it is the post-credit scene that does this most effectively. This moment allows Wish to include the classic Disney song originally written for Disney's second feature film, Pinocchio . But this particular reference goes a bit deeper. "When You Wish Upon a Star" grew beyond Pinocchio, becoming associated with the Disney Company and even playing behind the logo. Basically, it is the Mickey Mouse of Disney songs. As the epitome of Disney magic, "When You Wish Upon a Star" had to play somewhere in the film , and this scene works it into the story rather than playing it in the background.

The end-credit scene pays homage to Pinocchio and the whole of Disney, delivering an extra dose of nostalgia to Disney fans who wait until the end. Though the placement may seem odd, the nostalgia factor is enhanced by the credits, which show portraits of characters from every Disney era. This transitions the moment from being about the characters of Wish to becoming a reminder of the magic fans have experienced in a century's worth of films. This explains why it is so late and makes waiting until the end completely worth it.

The Post-Credit Scene Provides Another Important Connection for 'Wish'

But the most important contribution of the post-credit scene is its ability to highlight the theme of dreams coming true. Though this is prevalent throughout Wish, it becomes the focus of the final scene as not only Sabino's wish comes true, but the song reminds us of it as well. The fulfillment of dreams is central to many Disney films, whether through Cinderella's Fairy Godmother or Aladdin's Genie, but nowhere in Disney lore is it more important than when it comes to Walt Disney himself. A hundred years before audiences saw Wish , Walt Disney and his brother Roy started a small animation company, building it into the empire Disney is today . This film, and every Disney film, is the result of Walt Disney's dream that did come true.

Walt Disney is often quoted as saying, "If you can dream it, you can do it," and Grandpa Sabino's wish coming true shows that. Magnifico held Sabino's wish for decades, and nothing happened, but shortly after Sabino got the memory back, he accomplished his dream, supporting Disney's statement. The story of Wish as a whole fits the quote as Asha learns that the best way for dreams to come true is not through a magical sorcerer but by letting people work towards them. Wish 's post-credit scene is not just a nod to Pinocchio but to the man who started it all. In a film meant to celebrate Disney's anniversary , this is the perfect ending.

Wish is available to stream on Disney+ in the U.S.

WATCH ON DISNEY+

Life Lessons We Can Learn From Pixar Films

in Disney , Pixar , Updates

Pixar opened in 1979 as a part of Lucasfilm, but after much ado, it became a Disney property. It’s retained popularity over time because of the inherent value of Pixar movie morals, and its appeal to both kids and adults alike. The safety of a screen lets viewers take in a life lesson from a safe difference.

Though only making a limited set of films, its ethics have been transformative, whether Inside Out , Toy Story , Monsters University, or another animated Pixar film. One of the brand’s values is mirroring society through Pixar movie morals.

Pixar Taught a Generation How to Have a Moral Imagination

There is a strong argument that Pixar’s animated movie style is what allows the orals to come through so well. Pixar Animation Studios have been around for a while , and with all the entertainment shuffle, that means questions. So…

What’s the best way to watch Pixar movies?

The best way to watch Pixar movies is in the theatre. Powerful soundscapes and immersive experiences come through more robust in the movie theater. Consider the ocean’s vastness in Finding Nemo on an IMAX versus a home screen .

Alas, watching every movie at the theatre is less about morals and more about a lesson in financial management. Viewers can catch the classic Pixar animated film series on Disney+ or Hulu . An entire section is dedicated exclusively to Pixar, making it a safe place for family, morality (and popcorn).

Are Pixar morals easy to understand?

Pixar movies are designed to be family features. To make the life lesson accessible, whether it’s Coco’s aging and family values, the balance Finding Nemo strikes, the standard Disney movie produced by Pixar is acceptable for all ages. Bright colors. Powerful songs. And emotion by the boatload.

What are some dark implications in Pixar movies?

Morality isn’t all smiles and sunshine. There are a lot of dark Pixar movie morals that mirror life itself. Brave taught a generation of girls that life can be tricky (but you can fight back). Toy Story showed kids that their worldview has a limited perspective. Dark? Yes. Necessary, even more so.

Why does Pixar keep making awful new movies?

Awful is about as relative as morals themselves. Some people found Inside Out reductive, while others thought the morals in Elemental left something to be desired . Pixar is effective at holding a lens to society. The morals the films bring forward are relevant, though not always easy to see.

What are some everyday things that happen in every Pixar movie?

Story arcs are reasonably predictable, especially for a studio like Pixar. The movie needs to keep the attention of audiences of all ages. Accordingly, a Pixar film can include a root problem, a call to adventure, and essential B characters .

This builds to a climax that ultimately makes the morals clear. Predictable? Sure, but the safety of an animated film giving a life lesson in a concise, understandable way has ample value.

How long does it take to make a whole movie?

According to a Pixar film scientist , it takes approximately four years from concept to execution for a standard animated film. This means that any Pixar Animation Studio feature took almost half a decade to put together. In contrast, the Statue of David by Michelangelo took three years .

There are plenty of life lessons to learn from any Pixar movie. Pixar Animation Studios created 27 films, including its newest release. While there is overlap in morals, seeing the diversity of Pixar can help add context .

What are all of the Disney Pixar movies?

The following is a complete list of Pixar movies. Have you seen them all?

• A Bug’s Life
• Toy Story 2
• Monsters, Inc.
• Finding Nemo
• The Incredibles
• Ratatouille
• Toy Story 3
• Monsters University
• The Good Dinosaur
• Finding Dory
• Incredibles 2
• Toy Story 4
• Turning Red

Coming soon:  Inside Out 2  (June 14, 2024),  Eilo  (June 13, 2025), and  Toy Story 5  (June 19, 2026).

How can Pixar movies help parents?

Pixar movies are effectively designed to be watched as a unit, discussing the animated film’s lesson. It lets parents reveal essential life lessons to audiences while providing context for that valuable lesson . In this sense, parents are in the driver’s seat, and the Pixar movie is a tool for success.

What moral does each Pixar movie have?

Each of the 27 films has a unique morality, with the sequels using original character development to push the movie forward. The morals are:

• Toy Story : Friendship and love conquer even the scariest parts of growing, maturing, and fear of the unknown.
• A Bug’s Life : Respect those who are different , own your mistakes, and know that even if you’re small, you can make a huge difference.
• Toy Story 2 : Understanding that dependency has healthy limits and that there are ways to handle vulnerability and weakness.

• Monsters, Inc.: Kindness and courage in fear create characters. Integrity, respect, and trust within a team and friends means bravery, even when challenging. Also, protect the children.
• Finding Nemo : No matter how much love we have, the world is scary, and bad things can happen . But, through love and optimism, even a tiny fish in a big sea can triumph. It also shows parents there are limits to control; sometimes, you just have to “let go.”
• The Incredibles: No matter who you are, if you can effect positive change in the world , you should follow your heart and do so.

• Cars : Sportsmanship matters; respecting others is essential to being a good person and honest friend. Owning responsibility for actions (even the bad ones) is an important takeaway.
• Ratatouille : Permission is not always granted, and stopping characters from following their hearts has negative consequences. Even if it’s almost impossible, it’s worth a try .
• WALL-E : Self-awareness has ample value; through it, we can impact change and use our most vital traits to help others. We can also fight the darker parts of ourselves, liabilities like consumerism or emotional concerns.

• Up : The only someday we ever get is today, and it’s never too late to embrace that fact.
• Toy Story 3 : Sometimes, the best thing you can do is have faith and do the right thing, even if it goes unnoticed by those you love.
• Cars 2 : Managing embarrassment and shame is essential to becoming vulnerable and making real friends.
• Brave: You control your fate if you can be brave enough to see it .
• Monsters University : Sometimes, dreams don’t pan out, but it doesn’t make the journey any less worthwhile.

• Inside Out : We contain multitudes, including joy, sadness, and much more. Embracing our whole selves doesn’t take away from happiness but gives it more significant meaning.
• The Good Dinosaur : Courage in the face of inevitable defeat matters. So do the people you love, even if your time is short.
• Finding Dory : You might be different. You might feel damaged. You might forget what I just said. But as long as you “just keep swimming,” there is hope.
• Cars 3 : Learning life lessons is only half of the battle. The rest use that knowledge, confidence, and courage to improve the world.
• Coco : Family and forgiveness are paramount, and learning death’s role doesn’t make it scary. It makes the world that much more impressive.
• Incredibles 2 : Even the most potent supermom or superhero isn’t an island. Sometimes, it’s better to delegate and trust.

• Toy Story 4 : Even if society tells you you don’t belong, everyone has a place and is worthy.
• Onward : Grief and acceptance are hard to achieve, but relying on those close to you in an actual spirit of understanding can birth an incredible adventure.
• Soul : Even the tiny moments mean everything . Value every second because life is precious, short, and beautiful.

• Luca : It’s okay to be different, whether an LGBTQIA+ matter or otherwise . When we embrace what isolates us, it may turn out that we are less alone than previously thought.
• Turning Red : People are multi-faceted; denying the messy sides won’t rid them. Embracing the whole self, even during periods of challenging change, is a struggle that only helps characters grow. are
• Lightyear : There are few things more difficult in the world than accepting oneself, and Buzz learning he was a toy (not a ranger) mirrored the experience of embracing truth and reality, even if it hurts.
• Elemental : It’s your life, and only you can choose to make a change, flip the script , and move forward however makes you feel right.

What life lessons do Pixar movies teach us?

Pixar teaches audiences about the virtue of happiness, that there is no such thing as a lost soul, and that it’s worth trying to do something great. It teaches audiences how to manage negative emotions, relate to characters, and develop empathy through a fundamental understanding of joy and sadness.

What is the best year for Pixar films?

There is no definitive answer for the best year for Pixar films. Between 1995 and 2004, it created six movies (impressive for the four years each takes in development). If favorites are the focus, Toy Story, the franchise , came out in 1995, 1999, 2010, and 2019. As the franchise with the most extensive lore, these years stand out.

Making the Most Out of Animation

The ways to use animation are endless. It can be zoning out in the theatres to Disney Pixar’s Soul or having a sit-down talk about everyday life with a family member. From ‘secret’ jokes that resonate more with adults to accessible content for kids, Pixar allows viewers to analyze morals and make the decision themselves. In effect, you can take what works and leave the rest . That’s the beauty of movies and of Pixar morals.

What’s your favorite Pixar Animation Studios’ moral? Share in the comments below!

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Stream It Or Skip It: ‘Wish’ on Disney+, an Exercise in Corporate Self-Congratulations

Where to stream:.

• Wish (2023)

Billy Dee Williams Confesses He Finds Blackface “Hysterical” And Says Actors Should Be Allowed To Do It: “You Should Do Anything You Want To Do”

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You know the star that streaks above Cinderella’s castle in the intro to every Disney movie? Well, in Wish ( now streaming on Disney+ ), the star is an actual character, apt for an animated musical released in acknowledgment of Disney 100, the brand title assigned to the entity’s celebration of a century in business. And so we get a classic-style Disney tale of magic and castles and anthropomorphic animals, led by a plucky princess-type voiced by Ariana DeBose (who won an Oscar for 2021’s West Side Story ). Mediocre word of mouth led to reluctance to venture to theaters led to disappointing box office returns (about $250 million worldwide, a mini-flop by Big Disney Movie standards) – and perhaps growing ennui for Disney product that feels so calculatedly on-brand. Suffice to say, where you land on the spectrum of Disney fandom is likely to dictate how much you enjoy an overly familiar story with all the usual genre trappings, albeit with one new element: Bountiful references to Disney animated musicals past. Some of you just read that sentence and wrinkled your nose. I did too. But maybe it won’t be TOO annoying, right? 

WISH : STREAM IT OR SKIP IT?

The Gist: The kingdom of Rosas was a perfect utopia – and then growing resentment for the ruler who only wants to control his subjects hit! King Magnifico (Chris Pine) founded Rosas as a safe place for all who wish to live there, but that security doesn’t come without a cost. Once residents settle down in Rosas, they have to give Magnifico a wish. Those wishes manifest as floating bubbles that the king keeps safe in his castle, and once a month, using benevolent sorcery that’s about to become not so benevolent, he uses his magic powers to grant one person their wish. This doesn’t make much sense if you think about it even a little bit, but we should just try to enjoy the song that explains it all and move on.

Our protagonist is Asha (DeBose), a 17-year-old Rosasite (Rosasanian?) who works as a tour guide for prospective residents. She has a 100-year-old grandfather and a mother who has near zero defining characteristics and a kind father who used to sit in a tree with her and wish upon stars before he died. That’s sad. You may cry now. Here, have a tissue. Go ahead and blow. Asha is so dedicated to her beloved homeland, she scored a plum job interview to be Magnifico’s apprentice – but during that interview she learns that the king is a vain j-hole who probably loves smelling his own farts, and a control freak who will never grant her 100-year-old grandfather’s wish. Why? Magnifico thinks a simple wish to inspire other people might prompt things like independent thought, peasant revolt or even – gasp – the ability to poke holes in the convoluted premise of this movie, and therefore see through his scheme to maintain rule over the land. Asha isn’t a fan of this. She pushes back a little. She doesn’t get the job.

Crestfallen, Asha and her pet goat Valentino, who wears what I can only describe as a custom goat onesie, venture out to wish upon a star. And when she wishes upon a star, does everything her heart desires come to her? No! Gotcha there! You weren’t expecting THAT answer, were you? Rather, what happens is, the star comes down to her . The physics of this occurrence are, of course, affected by Disney magic; surely, this isn’t a movie in which a massive ball of broiling, unfathomably hot gas obliterates the planet with the nigh-incomprehensible force of its gravity. No, the star is alive, and about the size of a baseball, and it has a little emoji face. She names it not Harold or Jane or Carmichael, but Star. It can hear and respond to her and even perform feats of magic, e.g., rendering anthropomorphic all animals within magicshot, which means Valentino now has the voice of Alan Tudyk, and that bunny over there and that deer over there now very much resemble beloved Disney characters from other movies. Drink!

Asha’s first order of business is to bust into Magnifico’s castle and steal her grandpa’s wish back. But Magnifico saw the star fall, and is enraged by the thought of a magical occurrence happening that he didn’t perpetrate himself, so Asha’s staring down the barrel of a tricky endeavor. Meanwhile, the queen, Amaya (Angelique Cabral) exists, and becomes a plot device. Asha wonders if Star can help her enact real change around this joint. Magnifico senses the growing unrest, so he descends into his secret Plummet Hole to become super- extra -evil. And everyone involved in this plot eventually stumbles over half-hearted references to Peter Pan , Pinocchio , Fantasia, Snow White and all your all-time favorite Disney films. Hooray for Disney! Happy birthday! If your wish was for this movie to make a billion dollars, I’m sorry! Better luck next time!

What Movies Will It Remind You Of?: Wish is sub- Encanto . Actually, Encanto was pretty good, so Wish is more sub- Tangled . That one isn’t as good. It’s fine, though, where Wish is aggressively OK, and nothing more.

Performance Worth Watching: Normally with an animated feature, I get cute and rejigger this to be “performance worth hearing ,” but, DeBose’s spirited singing aside, I remained uninspired. And so this acknowledgment goes to Star himself, being a purely visual being who communicates with action over words, a boon to those of us who think too many characters in animated movies gibber on and on and on and on. Also, Star is symbolic of Disney Wonder And Greatness, and therefore deserves all the praise. Hooray for Star! Hooray for Disney! Can I be acclimated into the Disney Borg now?

Memorable Dialogue: Shout out to the one self-aware moment in which a Disney movie dares to poke fun at itself and the corporate behemoth that birthed it:

Asha: Last night, after everything happened, I made a wish. On a star. Gobo (Harvey Guillen): What are you, five?

Sex and Skin: None.

Our Take: Anyone else grasp the irony that Wish is essentially a cautionary tale about the danger of belonging to a cult led by someone who appears benevolent but is actually quite sinister? (Bob Iger’s ears might be feeling warm right now, or maybe Walt himself just rolled over in his cryogenic death-box.) Now, speaking as someone who absolutely enjoyed a recent incredibly expensive trip to Disney World, and who appreciates many of the entity’s films as both art and entertainment, and might marry Donald Duck if given the chance, and doesn’t believe in Disney magic but sometimes finds it very persuasive, but doesn’t go home to bask in a shrine full of Disney paraphernalia ( Star Wars doesn’t count – I collected mostly all that crap before the big buyout), I can say that Wish is a bit much, but also not enough. 

Allow me to clarify: A collection of references does not a movie make, and this one comes rather close to being that; it’s a bit much. And the story is a two-thirds realized conglomeration of familiarities that could use more narrative beef and less barely disguised self-congratulation; it’s not enough. The only way Wish departs from formula is by back-end feeding itself to itself. Where some Disney films are objectively derivative, this one is the narrative equivalent of exiting the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train through the gift shop and loading up on obscenely overpriced souvenirs. 

Now, the animation is first-rate. The star is cute. The goat is almost funny. DeBose’s performance is notable. I chuckled two, maybe three times. At a little over 90 minutes, it moves quickly. The number “Knowing What I Know Now” roused a little bit of passion. I wasn’t necessarily bored, nor was I enthralled. I was vaguely engaged in the story. Is that good enough to commemorate an entire century of multimedia domination? Most definitely not. Wish looks back when it should push forward. Maybe Disney 101 will give us something more vital, instead of something merely watchable.

Our Call: Disney 100 turns up a catch-22: Those who have seen many Disney movies are the target audience of Wish , but those who have seen many Disney movies have already seen everything in this movie. SKIP IT. 

John Serba is a freelance writer and film critic based in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

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Netflix’s most addictive movie of 2024 is now streaming. Here’s why you need to watch it

Thrillers come in all shapes and sizes. There’s the psychological or serial killer thriller, which was popularized in the ’90s by The Silence of the Lambs and Se7en . There’s the erotic thriller, which had its heyday in the late ’80s and early ’90s with such hits as Fatal Attraction and Basic Instinct . And then there’s the action thriller, which is probably the most popular offshoot of the genre right now, with the Taken series and Salt as prime examples.

The story everyone is after

A tense standoff, a killer cast, more than just an effective thriller.

Recently, there’s been a revival of a subgenre that’s been dormant since the 1970s: the journalism thriller. From Nightcrawler with Jake Gyllenhaal to the Oscar-winning Spotlight to 2022’s She Said, this type of thriller usually centers around journalists pursuing a controversial and sometimes dangerous story. One of the best journalism thrillers has just been released by Netflix : Scoop . In chronicling how the BBC managed to snag the scoop of the decade by interviewing Prince Andrew about his connections to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, the movie manages to be suspenseful, informative, and one of 2024’s most purely entertaining films.

If your memory is foggy, or if you don’t follow royal scandals or the news on a regular basis, here’s the real-life event that Scoop depicts. In late 2019, Prince Andrew was interviewed by British journalist Emily Maitlis about his decades-long relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, a rich American financier who had been convicted of being a sex offender and, that August, had died under mysterious circumstances while in prison.

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The interview was aired on the BBC program Newsnight on November 19 and immediately received worldwide attention for Andrew’s odd explanations for his behavior and unwillingness to show any sympathy toward Epstein’s victims. For example, in response to an allegation that he sweated on an underage girl at a dance club, he asserted that he doesn’t sweat, ever , so that couldn’t possibly be true.

The consequences of the interview were devastating for Prince Andrew. After it aired, he was stripped of his royal titles and receded from public view. The royal establishment took yet another public beating, with some wondering why taxpayer money was funding a member who seemingly partook in illegal activities with Epstein and yet didn’t experience any legal ramifications. Almost everyone, both in the U.K. and across the world, asked the same question: why on Earth would someone as private and protected as Prince Andrew agree to such an interview in the first place?

Scoop is a two-hour-long answer to that question. It starts in 2010 in New York City, when an enterprising paparazzo photographs Andrew and Epstein together walking in Central Park, establishing a clear and public link between the two men. That picture is remembered by Sam McAlister (Billie Piper), a talent booker for the BBC, who smells a story developing with Epstein’s ongoing trial, subsequent conviction, and eventual death, which puts pressure on Andrew to address his controversial association with the sex offender.

Scoop presents two sides of the story: the BBC journalists, represented by McAlister, Maitlis (Gillian Anderson), and editor Esme Wren (Romola Garai); and the Royal Family, who, aside from Andrew (Rufus Sewell), is almost entirely run by Amanda Thirsk (Keeley Hawes), who is torn between duty and a gradual realization her boss is a sleazebag.

As we see the two sides circle each other warily, the movie’s director, Philip Martin, never lets up on the tension felt both within the opposing ranks as well as when they intermittently meet to decide on if, when, and how the interview will take place. It’s genuinely thrilling to see McAlister chase her story and for the other journalists to pick up the baton after her part is largely finished. As the interview is set up, Maitlis wryly observes that it feels like she’s going to a gunfight in an old Western movie. And that’s what the interview comes down to: two people facing each other, one armed with facts and the other with a ludicrous defense and a complete lack of awareness that he’s done anything wrong.

This kind of thriller doesn’t work if you don’t have a great cast, which is why Scoop is so effective. Anderson continues to add to her already impressive resume as Maitlis, who has to navigate the fine line between respecting the institution she’s investigating and getting answers to questions everyone in the nation has been asking for years. When Andrew casually wonders why everyone is so interested in his relationship with Epstein when he’s far better friends with Jimmy Savile (a DJ who was also a sex offender), Anderson gives an incredulous look to her producer that’s at once very funny and incredibly revealing. She can’t believe this guy is so delusional about the serious situation he’s in, and she uses that knowledge in her interview to let Andrew symbolically hang himself with his own rope.

It’s Piper, though, who impresses the most as McAlister. Armed with leopard print boots, bottle blonde curls, and a don’t-mess-with-me attitude, she sticks out among her conservative BBC peers, but it’s precisely her outsider status and her willingness to chase after a story when no one else dares to pursue it that makes her such a great character to follow. She’s the only one that Scoop allows us to see at home, where she confides to her mother about wanting to be seen as important and tries to guide her teenage son through the first pangs of romance.

Piper is probably best known in the U.S. for her work as the companion Rose Tyler on Doctor Who , but she’s quietly put together an impressive CV with standout performances in The Secret Diary of a Call Girl , Collateral , and I Hate Suzie . In Scoop , she leads an ensemble with an authority and brassiness that only a star could deliver. Scoop is revelatory in many ways, but perhaps its biggest shock to most audiences is just how good Piper is and how good she’s always been.

Like all good thrillers, Scoop is more than its subject matter. While it faithfully and expertly re-enacts the lead-up to, and quick production of, the interview with Prince Andrew, it also poses intriguing arguments about the state of journalism and the culpability of public figures to own up to their past sins. Everyone knows and respects the BBC, but that doesn’t make it profitable or competitive with other news outlets and social media, and it’s this conundrum — the need for relevance while still preserving a brand of integrity — that drives many of Scoop ‘s characters.

In addition, Scoop is in many ways a sister to Steven Spielberg ‘s The Post and She Said , to other movies about the need for journalism to hold public figures like Richard Nixon, Harvey Weinstein, and yes, the Royal Family, accountable for their actions. It’s not wrong to categorize Scoop as a thriller — its slick direction and propulsive score by Anne Nikitin and Hannah Peel more than supports that justification — but it’s also a great movie about the value and necessity of a free press in the 21st century. Who knew a dramatic retelling of a five-year-old interview could be so thrilling to watch and so rich to think about?

Watch Scoop  on Netflix now.

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