Disney is arguably the most iconic entertainment brand in the world. The company’s properties, both original and acquired, combine to produce content that transcends age demographics. Disney has built a brand that’s beloved by children, and those children eventually age into adults who introduce their kids to the films they loved when they were young. Disney’s animation alone has made it iconic, but in recent years, the company has also acquired some of the biggest pieces of intellectual property there are. And, with Disney Plus available on any device, you can watch all these movies whenever you want.
Between its acquisitions of both Marvel and Star Wars, there’s a good chance that whatever you love is being shepherded to screens both large and small by Disney. When they launched Disney+, the company was sure to fill it with both those nostalgic animated classics and plenty of new stuff as well. It’s meant to be a streaming service for all ages, which is why the selection of movies available there is so diverse. These Disney Plus movies will make you laugh and cry and leave you eager for a rewatch. Here’s a look at the best movies on Disney Plus.
For more options from other streaming services, check out the best movies on Netflix, the best movies on Hulu, and the best movies on Amazon.
Star Wars (1977)
121m
Genre
Adventure, Action, Science Fiction
Stars
Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher
Directed by
George Lucas
One of the biggest movies ever made, Star Wars introduced us to an entire universe that we still live in decades later. The film follows a young boy living on a desert planet who discovers that his lineage makes him crucial to defeating the evil Empire ruling the galaxy. I could go into more details, but you probably know what happens in Star Wars. It introduced an entire new kind of blockbuster, and we’re still living with its legacy today. More importantly, though, the movie holds up on its own terms. If you watch it today, you’ll find it just as enthralling as everyone did in 1977.
The Simpsons Movie (2007)
87m
Genre
Animation, Comedy, Family
Stars
Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright
Directed by
David Silverman
The Simpsons is TV’s most popular animated sitcom, and three decades later it’s still airing new episodes. This standalone film in the middle of its run was a sign that the property had elevated to the big leagues, and audiences were thrilled to see Homer and company on the big screen. The story combined the typical irreverent humor the show is known for with a touch of corny family feel-good sap.
10 Things I Hate About You (1999)
97m
Genre
Comedy, Drama, Romance
Stars
Heath Ledger, Julia Stiles, Joseph Gordon-Levitt
Directed by
Gil Junger
With a story based on Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew and revamped to fit the ’90s grunge of Seattle, 10 Things I Hate About You is a timeless classic, and one of the great high school rom-coms. In an upper-middle-class Seattle high school, Bianca (Larisa Oleynik) is a popular and beautiful girl that many would be lucky to date (arrogant schmucks and romantic nerds alike) but her controlling father decides she is not allowed to date unless her blunt and abrasive older sister, Kat (Julia Stiles) finds somebody first. Starring a wide array of recognizable faces, 10 Things I Hate About You would make an ideal Valentine’s Day movie.
Avatar (2009)
162m
Genre
Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Stars
Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Sigourney Weaver
Directed by
James Cameron
In addition to being one of the best James Cameron films to date, Avatar was also a genuine phenomenon. Telling what could have been a rote story with the help of some amazing visuals, Cameron immerses viewers in the world of Pandora, which is filled with one-of-a-kind creatures. Now that the movie is getting sequels, it’s clear that Avatar is going to be with us for some time, and while it may lose a little when you watch it at home, the first movie still remains a dazzling experience.
Hamilton (2020)
200m
Genre
Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Stars
Lin-Manuel Miranda, Phillipa Soo, Leslie Odom Jr.
Directed by
Thomas Kail
Originally written and performed for the stage, Hamilton is actually a filmed version of the original Broadway cast performing the show. Based on true events, we follow the story of Alexander Hamilton (Lin-Manuel Miranda), one of the founding fathers whose story may be less well-known than many of his contemporaries. Featuring incredible performances, breathtaking music, and a deep dive into what makes American history so fascinating and frustrating, Hamilton is well worth your time.
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
76m
Genre
Animation, Family, Fantasy
Stars
Danny Elfman, Chris Sarandon, Catherine O'Hara
Directed by
Henry Selick
A genuine holiday classic, The Nightmare Before Christmas is great in part because it’s appropriate to watch from the beginning of October all the way through Christmas. The film follows Jack Skellington (Chris Sarandon), the Pumpkin King and leader of the creepy Halloween Town. When he gets bored celebrating Halloween year after year, he stumbles upon another world where Christmas is abundant, and he attempts to harness its power and bring it home.
The Manual streaming roundup
National Treasure (2004)
131m
Genre
Action, Adventure, Mystery
Stars
Nicolas Cage, Diane Kruger, Justin Bartha
Directed by
John Turteltaub
A classic action/adventure ride from director John Turteltaub, National Treasure is pure family fun and one of the best Nicolas Cage movies ever. Historian and puzzle-solver Ben Gates (Nicolas Cage) is obsessively searching for a lost American treasure and discovers that the map to it is inscribed on the back of the Declaration of Independence. It’s definitely stupid, but what makes it great is the sheer dedication of the entire cast to its goofy premise. Another highlight of this movie is Sean Bean as the bad guy, fighting to find the treasure before Ben can get to it.
Coco (2017)
104m
Genre
Animation, Adventure, Comedy
Stars
Anthony Gonzalez, Gael García Bernal, Benjamin Bratt
Directed by
Lee Unkrich, Adrian Molina
This is so much more than your average Pixar film. When young, aspiring musician Miguel dreams of being an accomplished musician like his idol, Ernesto de la Cruz, he must go against his entire family and their generational dislike of music. Eventually, Miguel travels to the Land of the Dead, where we’re treated to wonderful visuals and endearing characters. Coco explores themes of culture, family, language, love of music, and the afterlife. Beautiful and magical, this Pixar film has to be one of the studio’s all-time best.
The Princess Bride (1987)
98m
Genre
Adventure, Family, Fantasy
Stars
Cary Elwes, Mandy Patinkin, Robin Wright
Directed by
Rob Reiner
A witty fairytale about love, adventure, and hope, The Princess Bride is another timeless classic that nobody will judge you for watching a few dozen times. When a boy is sick in his bed, his grandfather decides to read him the story of The Princess Bride to reconnect with his growing grandson, and because it’s a pretty good book. Cleverly written and full of excellent cameos, this film is a good choice for almost any occasion. On top of its fantastical elements, though, this is a masterful romantic comedy, and might even be the best ever made.
Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)
104m
Genre
Animation, Adventure, Comedy
Stars
Bob Hoskins, Christopher Lloyd, Joanna Cassidy
Directed by
Robert Zemeckis
In an extremely successful live-action/animation hybrid, Who Framed Roger Rabbit is a dark take on what might happen when cartoons collide with the real world. Eddie Valiant (Bob Hoskins) is a private investigator who hates cartoons but is hired to investigate an adultery case involving real-world cartoons Roger and Jessica Rabbit. When Roger is framed for murder, the case gets both grimmer and somehow also wackier. It’s one of the best movies on Disney Plus.
The Avengers (2012)
143m
Genre
Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Stars
Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson
Directed by
Joss Whedon
The Avengers was the proof that ultimately led to an entire expanded cinematic universe. When the movie first came out, it was a movie like no one had seen before. As the culmination of multiple Marvel movies and characters, including Iron Man, The Hulk, Captain America, and Thor, it had fans already drawn all the way in before it even hit theaters. This movie features the union of all of Earth’s mightiest heroes and Marvel proving that they could really pull off the team-up concept. All Avengers movies can also be streamed on Disney+, making for one epic Sunday of bingeing.
Moana (2016)
107m
Genre
Animation, Adventure, Comedy
Stars
Auli'i Cravalho, Dwayne Johnson, Rachel House
Directed by
Ron Clements, John Musker, Don Hall
The best Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson movie and one of Disney’s very best as well, Moana is an animated movie that was received with overwhelming approval. The story is about a young Polynesian woman named Moana, who is the daughter of the chief of an ancient island. Plagued by a curse because of the Demigod Maui and his mischief, Moana is called to the ocean — and by the ocean — to seek him out and correct the error of his ways. Maui (if you’re unfamiliar with Pacific Island mythology) is a demigod with a magical fish hook, giving him the power to shapeshift into any animal, but the heart of this tale is Moana, a young girl who is trying to discover who she is.
Miracle (2004)
135m
Genre
Biography, Drama, History
Stars
Kurt Russell, Patricia Clarkson, Nathan West
Directed by
Gavin O'Connor
Fantastic, melodramatic, and based on a very real story that truly united America, Miracle is one of the best sports movies ever made. Herb Brooks (Kurt Russell) assembles an American hockey team to take on the Soviet Union, then the best team in the world, in a Cold War proxy at the 1980 Winter Olympics. Full of rock-solid performances, incredible direction, and an unbeatable true story, this is a wonderful retelling of one of the most patriotic moments in U.S. sports history.
Isle of Dogs (2018)
101m
Genre
Animation, Adventure, Comedy
Stars
Bryan Cranston, Koyu Rankin, Edward Norton
Directed by
Wes Anderson
Unique and quirky in classic Wes Anderson fashion, Isle of Dogs is a great example of why stop motion animation is so valuable. When an executive order requires all dogs from Megasaki City to be banished to a trash dump on an island off the coast of Japan, a boy named Atari sets off on his own to find his lost dog. Even though it is set in a fictional world, there are plenty of resonances to be found in Isle of Dogs, as well as a number of outstanding vocal performances. Isle of Dogs is one of the best new movies on Disney Plus.
Turning Red (2022)
100m
Genre
Animation, Family, Comedy, Fantasy
Stars
Rosalie Chiang, Sandra Oh, Ava Morse
Directed by
Domee Shi
Telling a remarkably idiosyncratic biographical story, Turning Red follows a young Chinese Canadian girl living in Toronto who goes through puberty, and struggles to relate to her mother as a result. The twist here is that puberty means she starts turning into a red panda whenever she gets too emotional, which starts happening more and more. Turning Red also features a boy band, a group of female friends who are wonderful and supportive, and a fairly distinct animation style. It may be a Pixar movie, but Turning Red also manages to break the mold in meaningful ways.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023)
150m
Genre
Science Fiction, Adventure, Action
Stars
Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldaña, Dave Bautista
Directed by
James Gunn
All three of the Guardians of the Galaxy movies are well worth watching, but Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 might be the most emotional movie in the trilogy. It brings the story of these original Guardians to a fitting end and follows the core characters as they unite to save Rocket Raccoon after he’s kidnapped. The movie is really about Rocket, and spends plenty of time diving into his past. Featuring strong performances from its entire ensemble, one of the great soundtracks in movie history, and a handful of genuinely tear-inducing moments, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is an outstanding piece of entertainment.
Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
115m
Genre
Adventure, Action
Stars
Harrison Ford, Karen Allen, Paul Freeman
Directed by
Steven Spielberg
Steven Spielberg is one of the best directors in the history of cinema, and Raiders of the Lost Ark is perhaps his best action movie. The film follows an archaeologist and adventurer you’ve probably heard of named Indiana Jones, and while Indy has hung around for decades following his introduction here, Raiders of the Lost Ark will forever be the best movie featuring the character. Perfectly paced, lovingly crafted, and anchored by a deeply compelling Harrison Ford performance, Raiders of the Lost Ark is one of the best action movies ever made.
Toy Story 2 (1999)
92m
Genre
Animation, Comedy, Family
Stars
Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack
Directed by
John Lasseter
Every Toy Story movie is worth watching, but Toy Story 2 is the series’ pinnacle. The movie, which follows Woody as he is stolen by a collector and realizes that Andy will eventually outgrow him and leave him behind, is a meditation on what it means to lose your purpose and try to find another one. Pixar was still a new studio when Toy Story 2 was released, but this movie proved without a doubt that the studio could get under your skin and make you cry the way few movies ever do.
Hidden Figures (2016)
127m
Genre
Drama, History
Stars
Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, Janelle Monáe
Directed by
Theodore Melfi
Telling the true story of three brilliant Black women who paved the way for NASA’s missions to the moon, Hidden Figures is inspiring and buoyed by a trio of great central performances. The movie may be conventional in all the ways you might imagine a movie like this to be, but Hidden Figures earns its sense of triumph and tells a story that many were likely unaware of before the movie began. What’s more, it truly focuses on the three women it’s about, instead of focusing on the way they changed the perspective of some white person who usually finds themselves at the center of these tales.
Big (1988)
104m
Genre
Fantasy, Drama, Comedy, Romance, Family
Stars
Tom Hanks, Elizabeth Perkins, Robert Loggia
Directed by
Penny Marshall
One of the movies that helped establish Tom Hanks as a major star, Big sees Hanks playing a young boy who suddenly finds himself thrust into the body of an adult. The movie is both sweeter and funnier than you might imagine, and it holds up almost perfectly more than 30 years later. Hanks would go on to prove that he can be a very serious dramatic actor, but in Big, he leads with comedy; and to great effect. Penny Marshall was a great director, and Big turned out to be the perfect vehicle for a young Hanks.
Mary Poppins (1964)
139m
Genre
Comedy, Family, Fantasy
Stars
Julie Andrews, Dick Van Dyke, David Tomlinson
Directed by
Robert Stevenson
A classic that still works for people of all ages, Mary Poppins tells the fantastical story of a nanny who rescues two children from the tedium of their normal lives and their neglectful parents. The movie’s bouts of whimsy are all delightfully realized, and Julie Andrews proved to be such picture-perfect casting for the role that she ultimately won an Oscar. And thanks to some wonderful songs, the movie also holds up as a musical. Ultimately, though, Mary Poppins is a story about a family focused on the wrong things and the nanny who comes along to help them get their priorities straight.
Spider-Man (2002)
121m
Genre
Action, Science Fiction
Stars
Tobey Maguire, Willem Dafoe, Kirsten Dunst
Directed by
Sam Raimi
There are a huge number of superhero movies on Disney Plus, but Spider-Man was the one that started it all. Sam Raimi’s 2002 film is actually a relatively straightforward origin story, chronicling Peter’s spider bite and the loss of his Uncle Ben. Thanks to his direction, though, the film never feels stale, and even today, many of its more familiar elements still feel relatively fresh and exciting. There have been tons of other Spider-Man movies since this first one hit theaters, but Spider-Man may still be one of the most potent examples of why this story resonates so broadly.
What’s coming to Disney Plus in March?
March 1
- Morbius
March 5
- Queens
March 6
- Kiff (S1, 4 episodes)
- Life Below Zero (S7, 10 episodes)
March 9
- Cinderella (2015)
March 9
- NHL Big City Greens Classic (Livestream at 12:00 pm PT/3:00 pm ET)
March 13
- Morphle (Shorts) (S1, 14 episodes)
March 15
- Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour (Taylor’s Version)
March 19
- Photographer
March 20
- Life Below Zero (S22, 9 episodes)
- Morphle and the Magic Pets (S1, 18 episodes)
March 27
- Life Below Zero: Next Generation (S7, 7 episodes)
- Random Rings (Shorts) (S3, 6 episodes)
March 29
- Madu—Disney+ Originals premiere
- Renegade Nell—Disney+ Originals premiere
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