The best family movies on Disney+ right now
This article contains affiliate links; if you click such a link and make a purchase, Digital Trends and Yahoo Inc. may earn a commission.
The best family movies on Disney+ are a mixture of animated classics, live-action adaptations, and iconic blockbusters. The Disney library is home to several iconic brands and IP, from Marvel and Star Wars to Pixar and The Muppets. After the acquisition of 20th Century Fox, Disney’s vault expanded even more with the additions of the X-Men, Planet of the Apes, and Avatar franchises. From Captain America and Ariel to Goofy and Nemo, Disney+ has hundreds of family films to satisfy every type of audience.
Disney+ is arguably the best streaming service for family movies. Below, you’ll find an assortment of animated smash hits like Moana, as well as updated live-action adaptations of animated classics like Cinderella. Whatever movie your family prefers, chances are you’ll find something on the list for your next movie night.
For more Disney+ content, we selected the best movies on Disney+ to watch right now. Additionally, we’ve also rounded up the best family movies on Amazon Prime Video and the best family movies on Netflix if you don’t find what you’re looking for on Disney+.
Moana (2016) [New]
Metacritic: 81%
IMDb: 7.6/10
Rated: PG
Duration: 107m
Genre: Adventure, Comedy, Family, Animation
Stars: Auli'i Cravalho, Dwayne Johnson, Rachel House
Directed by: John Musker, Ron Clements
Moana has all the ingredients for a successful Disney film: a heartwarming story, memorable characters, and infectious music. On the island of Motunui, Moana (Auli?i Cravalho), the teenage daughter of the village chief, is chosen by the ocean to restore the heart of the god, Te Fiti. On her journey, Moana meets Maui (Dwayne Johnson), a shapeshifting demigod who joins the young girl on her journey. With danger at every turn, Moana sets sail on a journey to return the heart to Te Futi. Yet, this quest becomes one of self-discovery as Moana discovers her true purpose in life along the way.
Cinderella (2015) [New]
Metacritic: 67%
IMDb: 6.9/10
Rated: PG
Duration: 105m
Genre: Romance, Fantasy, Family, Drama
Stars: Lily James, Cate Blanchett, Richard Madden
Directed by: Kenneth Branagh
One of Disney’s most famous princesses received the live-action treatment in 2015’s Cinderella. In this version, Ella (Lily James) is a thoughtful girl living with her father (Ben Chaplin) and new stepmother, Lady Tremaine (Cate Blanchett). After the sudden death of her father, Ella becomes the family’s maid, serving her evil stepmother and stepsisters. Ella’s chance for a better life comes in the form of a palace ball, where she hopes to rekindle her connection with Prince Kit (Game of Thrones star Richard Madden), the dashing young gentleman she met in the woods. Despite her cruel stepmother banning her from going, Ella receives aid from a fairy godmother (Helena Bonham Carter), who helps Ella get to the ball before it’s too late.
Cool Runnings (1993) [New]
Metacritic: 60%
IMDb: 7.0/10
Rated: PG
Duration: 98m
Genre: Comedy, Adventure, Drama
Stars: Leon, Doug E. Doug, Rawle D. Lewis
Directed by: Jon Turteltaub
Feel the rhythm and feel the rhyme because get on up, it’s bobsled time. The inspirational story of the Jamaican national bobsled team at the 1988 Winter Olympics comes to life in Cool Runnings. Derice Bannock (Leon) dreams of running the 100-meter dash at the Olympics for his home country of Jamaica. Unfortunately, Derice fails to qualify after a freak accident during the race. Although Derice’s Summer Olympic dream is dead, he can still qualify for the Winter Olympics. Enter Irving Blitzer (John Candy), a disgraced bobsledding coach who lives in Jamaica. Despite having no bobsled experience, Derice convinces Irving to coach him and three other Jamaicans — Sanka Coffie (Doug E. Doug), Junior Bevil (Rawle D. Lewis), and Yul Brenner (Malik Yoba) — as they try to qualify for the Winter Olympics.
Wish (2023)
Metacritic: 47%
IMDb: 5.6/10
Rated: PG
Duration: 95m
Genre: Animation, Family, Fantasy, Adventure
Stars: Ariana DeBose, Chris Pine, Alan Tudyk
Directed by: Chris Buck, Fawn Veerasunthorn
Sometimes, wishes come true; you need to know where to look. In Disney’s Wish, all young Asha (Ariana DeBose) wants is for King Magnifico (Chris Pine) of the Kingdom of Roses to make her grandfather Sabino’s (Victor Garber) wish come true. Sabino’s wish is to inspire people. Viewing this request as a threat to his power, Magnifico denies Sabino’s wish and refuses to grant any of her family’s wishes. Upset with Magnifico’s decision, Asha runs away to a wishing tree from her past and wishes on a star. Much to her surprise, the star comes down from the sky as a light ball, which Asha names Star. The star uses its powers to give animals talking abilities. With Star on her side, Asha gains the confidence to take on Magnifico and save the world from his reign.
The Marvels (2023)
Metacritic: 50%
IMDb: 5.5/10
Rated: PG-13
Duration: 105m
Genre: Science Fiction, Adventure, Action
Stars: Brie Larson, Teyonah Parris, Iman Vellani
Directed by: Nia DaCosta
Brie Larson is back for another go-around as Carol Danvers/Captain Marvel in The Marvels, the sequel to Captain Marvel. The Marvels opens with Danvers taking on the Kree and the Supreme Intelligence. Danvers’s actions inspire Kree’s new leader, Dar-Benn (Zawe Ashton), to create a new network for space travel with a Quantum Band. This wormhole threatens the S.A.B.E.R. space station run by Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson). When Danvers investigates one side of the network, it causes her powers to intertwine with teenager Kamala Khan/Ms. Marvel (Iman Vellani) and Captain Monica Rambeau (Teyonah Parris). Danvers, Khan, and Rambeau must learn to harness their powers and work together to stop Dar-Benn. The fate of the universe is at stake, and only the Marvels can save it.
Avatar: The Way of Water (2022)
Metacritic: 67%
IMDb: 7.6/10
Rated: PG-13
Duration: 192m
Genre: Science Fiction, Adventure, Action
Stars: Sam Worthington, Zoe Salda?a, Sigourney Weaver
Directed by: James Cameron
If you didn’t think James Cameron could raise the bar for Pandora after Avatar, think again. 15 years have passed since the events of Avatar, and Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) is now the leader of the Omatikaya clan. Jake is married to Ney’tiri, and together, the couple has four children. Unfortunately for the Sully family, the RDA returns to colonize Pandora. To make matters worse, Colonel Miles Quaritch (Stephen Lang) is now a recombinant and wants nothing more than to exact his revenge on Jake. To protect his family, Jake and his family leave the Omatikaya for the ocean-dwelling Metkayina tribe. As Jake learns the ways of the water, he knows Quaritch will not stop until he gets another fight. The war between the Na’vi and humans has only just begun.
Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (2023)
Metacritic: 58%
IMDb: 6.6/10
Rated: PG-13
Duration: 155m
Genre: Adventure, Action
Stars: Harrison Ford, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Mads Mikkelsen
Directed by: James Mangold
For one last time, Harrison Ford is donning his hat and cracking his bullwhip in Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. The fifth entry in the franchise picks up in 1969 with Indiana Jones (Ford) in the last phase of his life. Preparing for retirement from teaching, Indy is visited by Helena Shaw (Phoebe Waller-Bridge), Indy’s goddaughter, who seeks information about an ancient dial that facilitates time travel. Indy came across this dial in the 1940s and kept half of it to keep it away from the Nazis, who could potentially alter the course of history with both halves. Jürgen Voller (Mads Mikkelsen), a former Nazi who now works for NASA, sets out to steal both pieces of the dial. With Helena’s help, Indy must go on one final adventure to retrieve the dial and save the world.
Haunted Mansion (2023)
Metacritic: 47%
IMDb: 6.1/10
Rated: PG-13
Duration: 123m
Genre: Fantasy, Comedy, Horror, Family
Stars: Rosario Dawson, Chase W. Dillon, LaKeith Stanfield
Directed by: Justin Simien
One of Walt Disney’s most iconic attractions serves as the inspiration for Haunted Mansion. Single mom Gabbie (Rosario Dawson) and her son Travis (Chase W. Dillon) move from New York to New Orleans after purchasing Gracey Manor, an old mansion they wish to turn into a bed and breakfast. However, Gabbie and Travis learn the mansion is haunted by ghosts. Wanting to rid their new house of ghosts, Gabbie seeks help from a group of paranormal experts, including Ben (LaKeith Stanfield), a ghost tour guide, Father Kent (Owen Wilson), a priest and exorcist, Harriet (Tiffany Haddish), a psychic, and Bruce Davis, a college professor. Together, the group must rid the mansion of ghosts, or they will succumb to the supernatural creatures and remain at Gracey Manor forever.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023)
Metacritic: 64%
IMDb: 7.9/10
Rated: PG-13
Duration: 150m
Genre: Science Fiction, Adventure, Action
Stars: Chris Pratt, Zoe Salda?a, Dave Bautista
Directed by: James Gunn
After a decade together, it’s time to say goodbye to your favorite ragtag group of superheroes in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. Still reeling over the loss of Gamora (Zoe Salda?a) and his lack of relationship with 20214 Gamora, a depressed Peter Quill (Chris Pratt) drowns his sorrows in alcohol at the Guardians’ new headquarters on Knowhere. One day, the Guardians are attacked by Adam Warlock (Will Poulter), who severely injures Rocket (Bradley Cooper). To save Rocket from dying, they must travel to OrgoCorp, the company that created Rocket, to override his killswitch. The Guardians seek help from 2014 Gamora and the Ravagers to infiltrate OrgoCorp, where they must battle the High Evolutionary (Chukwudi Iwuji), the cyborg scientist responsible for experimenting on Rocket. The dangerous mission will require the Guardians to be at their best as they prepare to make the ultimate sacrifice to save Rocket.
The Little Mermaid (2023)
Metacritic: 59%
IMDb: 7.2/10
Rated: PG
Duration: 135m
Genre: Adventure, Family, Fantasy, Romance
Stars: Halle Bailey, Jonah Hauer-King, Daveed Diggs
Directed by: Rob Marshall
Ariel is the latest Disney princess to receive the live-action treatment in The Little Mermaid. Based on the 1989 animated film, The Little Mermaid stars Halle Bailey, the mermaid princess and youngest daughter of King Triton (Javier Bardem). Ariel wants to be part of the human world, but her father forbids her from exploring above the sea since Ariel’s mother was killed by a human. Ariel saves Prince Eric (Jonah Hauer-King) from a shipwreck one night. Wanting to learn more about Eric and the human world, Ariel makes a deal with the sea witch, Ursula (Melissa McCarthy): turn into a human for three days and receive “true love’s kiss” to remain in that world. If that doesn’t happen, Ariel will transform back into a mermaid and be claimed by Ursula.
Elemental (2023)
Metacritic: 58%
IMDb: 7.0/10
Rated: PG
Duration: 102m
Genre: Animation, Comedy, Family, Fantasy, Romance
Stars: Leah Lewis, Mamoudou Athie, Ronnie del Carmen
Directed by: Peter Sohn
Travel to the animated world of Element City in Pixar’s Elemental. In the city, various elements – fire, water, land, and air – coexist and represent different social classes. Ember Lumen (Leah Lewis) is the daughter of two fire elements who emigrated to Element City. The family now runs a convenience store, which Ember hopes to run someday after her father retires. On a day when she gets to run the shop by herself, Ember has a tantrum that bursts a pipe and floods the basement. Wade Ripple (Mamoudou Athie), a water element, is a city inspector sent to report the leak. Wade decides to help Ember fix the problem and save the store. While spending time together, Ember and Wade fall in love, but outside forces will try to tear these two elements apart.
Chang Can Dunk (2023)
Metacritic: 77%
IMDb: 6.4/10
Rated: PG
Duration: 108m
Genre: Family, Comedy, Drama
Stars: Bloom Li, Ben Wang, Zoe Renee
Directed by: Jingyi Shao
Chang (Bloom Li) is an unpopular Asian American high school sophomore. Despite being in the band, Chang’s top passion is basketball. However, his former friend-turned-rival Matt (Chase Liefeld) makes high school life hard for Chang. After being humiliated at a party, Chang bets Matt he can dunk a basketball by homecoming. Since Chang can’t dunk, he seeks help from Deandre Cooke (Dexter Darden), a YouTuber who films himself dunking. Deandre agrees to train Chang and teach him how to dunk in exchange for help with his YouTube videos. Chang ends up winning the bet, and his popularity soars. However, it comes at a price, forcing Chang to examine his priorities in this coming-of-age story.
Peter Pan & Wendy (2023)
Metacritic: 61%
IMDb: 4.4/10
Rated: PG
Duration: 106m
Genre: Family, Fantasy, Action, Adventure
Stars: Alexander Molony, Ever Anderson, Jude Law
Directed by: David Lowery
The tale of the boy who refuses to grow up gets the live-action treatment once again in Peter Pan & Wendy. Wendy Darling (Ever Anderson) is a London girl afraid to leave for boarding school and fears the idea of growing up. Peter Pan (Alexander Molony) and the magical fairy Tinker Bell (Yara Shahidi) flies to London to rescue Wendy and her two brothers from adulthood. Peter flies with Wendy and the boys to Neverland, a place where kids never grow up. In Neverland, Wendy meets Peter’s followers, the Lost Boys. Wendy also runs into Captain Hook (Jude Law), the sinister pirate who seeks revenge against Peter Pan after the Lost Boys’ leader cut off his hand and fed it to a crocodile. With beautiful visuals and new plot twists, Peter Pan & Wendy is a worthy adaptation of a children’s classic.
Hocus Pocus 2 (2022)
Metacritic: 56%
IMDb: 6.9/10
Rated: PG
Duration: 107m
Genre: Fantasy, Comedy, Family
Stars: Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kathy Najimy
Directed by: Anne Fletcher
The Sanderson Sisters head back to Salem with a vengeance in Hocus Pocus 2. Serving as the sequel to 1993’s Hocus Pocus, the second Hocus Pocus is set in 2022 and follows two high school friends, Becca (Whitney Peak) and Becca (Belissa Escobedo). With Halloween and Becca’s 16th birthday approaching, the friends visit a Salem magic shop, where they are gifted a special birthday candle. The birthday present, however, is a Black Flame Candle, so the girls accidentally resurrect the Sanderson witches: Winnie (Bette Midler), Sarah (And Just Like That‘s Sarah Jessica Parker), and Mary (Kathy Najimy). The girls must team up with their estranged friend Cassie (Lilia Buckingham) to stop the Sanderson sisters from exacting their revenge on Salem. Hocus Pocus 2 satisfies both a new, younger audience looking for a new Halloween treat, and an older demographic wanting to relieve the nostalgia from the first film.
Disenchanted (2022)
Metacritic: 50%
IMDb: 5.7/10
Rated: PG
Duration: 120m
Genre: Comedy, Family, Fantasy
Stars: Amy Adams, Patrick Dempsey, Maya Rudolph
Directed by: Adam Shankman
In Enchanted, the formerly animated princess known as Giselle (Amy Adams) found her happily ever after in New York as the wife of Robert Philip (Patrick Dempsey). But not every happy ending lasts forever. In the long-awaited sequel, Disenchanted, Giselle is hurt when her stepdaughter, Morgan (Gabriella Baldacchino), emotionally pulls away from her. Even Robert admits to being dissatisfied with the way their lives are going despite a move to the suburbs. Out of a desire to make everyone happy, Giselle uses some magic from Andalasia to make their lives more like a fairy tale. And it works all too well, because now Giselle is slowly becoming a wicked stepmother.
The Santa Clause (1994)
Metacritic: 57%
IMDb: 6.5/10
Rated: PG
Duration: 97m
Genre: Fantasy, Drama, Comedy, Family
Stars: Tim Allen, Judge Reinhold, Wendy Crewson
Directed by: John Pasquin
We all have a little Santa in us around Christmas time. The problem with Scott Calvin (Tim Allen) is that he has too much Santa in him! In Disney’s The Santa Clause, Scott inadvertently causes the death of the previous Santa. And by putting on Santa’s outfit and continuing his mission, Scott finds himself literally transforming into the new Santa. This causes havoc with Scott’s daily life, as his ex-wife, Laura Miller (Wendy Crewson), and her husband, Neil Miller (Judge Reinhold), use that against Scott to keep him from having custody of his son, Charlie (Eric Lloyd).
Noelle (2020)
Metacritic: 48%
IMDb: 6.3/10
Rated: G
Duration: 100m
Genre: Family, Comedy, Fantasy
Stars: Anna Kendrick, Bill Hader, Kingsley Ben-Adir
Directed by: Marc Lawrence
There must be a multiverse of Disney Santas because Noelle is also about the succession of Santa Claus. Except, Noelle Kringle (Anna Kendrick) is definitely not the daughter of Scott Calvin. Instead, she’s the daughter of the late Kris Kringle, and brother of the next Santa, Nick Kringle (Bill Hader). However, Nick has neither the desire nor the aptitude to take over his father’s role. And when Nick abandons his responsibilities at the North Pole, it falls on Noelle to track down her brother and bring him back in time to save Christmas.
Brave (2012)
Metacritic: 69%
IMDb: 7.1/10
Rated: PG
Duration: 93m
Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy, Family, Action, Fantasy
Stars: Kelly Macdonald, Billy Connolly, Emma Thompson
Directed by: Brenda Chapman, Mark Andrews
Brave was the first Pixar movie to feature a princess in the leading role. But Merida (Kelly Macdonald) isn’t like a lot of the other Disney princesses. She is completely horrified by the notion of being wed to anyone, especially when the clans come together to let the princes compete for her hand. Merida’s actions shame the other clans and cause a rift with her mother, Queen Elinor (Emma Thompson). Merida compounds the problem when she seeks a magical solution that somehow turns her mother into a bear. And if Merida and Elinor can’t find a cure then the queen will be forever trapped in her new form.
Lightyear (2022)
Metacritic: 60%
IMDb: 5.5/10
Rated: PG
Duration: 105m
Genre: Animation, Science Fiction, Adventure, Action, Family
Stars: Chris Evans, Keke Palmer, Peter Sohn
Directed by: Angus MacLane
Pixar’s Lightyear is definitely a learning experience for Buzz Lightyear (Chris Evans). The Space Ranger’s instincts continually get the better of him, and his mistakes leave an entire colony of men and women stranded on a hostile world. Buzz’s attempts to test a new fuel source only lead him to skip ahead into the future four years at a time, remaining young while his friends and colleagues grow old and perish. After his last test flight, Buzz discovers that the planet is under attack by alien robots called Zurg. He also meets Izzy Hawthorne (Keke Palmer), the granddaughter of his best friend, Alisha, and one of the only allies he has left in the fight against the invaders.
Cheaper by the Dozen (2003)
Metacritic: 46%
IMDb: 5.9/10
Rated: PG
Duration: 98m
Genre: Comedy, Family
Stars: Steve Martin, Bonnie Hunt, Piper Perabo
Directed by: Shawn Levy
Since Steve Martin is having a late-career renaissance with Only Murders in the Building on Hulu, it’s worth checking out Cheaper by the Dozen, one of Martin’s few films on Disney+. In this remake of the 1950s movie, Martin plays Tom Baker, the husband of Kate Baker (Bonnie Hunt), both of whom are the parents of 12 unruly kids. When Tom gets a job coaching college football and Kate goes on a book tour, their daughter Nora Baker (Piper Perabo) is left in charge alongside her kid-hating boyfriend, Hank (Ashton Kutcher). However, the other Baker children rebel, forcing Tom and Kate to put aside their careers and attempt to reconcile with the wants and needs of their kids.
Christopher Robin (2018)
Metacritic: 60%
IMDb: 7.2/10
Rated: PG
Duration: 104m
Genre: Adventure, Comedy, Family, Fantasy
Stars: Ewan McGregor, Hayley Atwell, Bronte Carmichael
Directed by: Marc Forster
Everyone gets older and grows up, even Christopher Robin (Ewan McGregor). The boy who had such magical adventures in the Hundred Acre Wood has forgotten all about his old friends, Pooh Bear and Tigger (both voiced by Jim Cummings). But one day, Pooh dramatically reenters Christopher’s life and all of the old memories come flooding back. Together, they return to the Hundred Acre Wood and reunite with their pals after so many years away. Yet Christopher can’t stay in the past forever, and he will have to find a way to reconcile who he was as a boy with the man that he has become in the present.
Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers (2022)
Metacritic: 66%
IMDb: 7/10
Rated: PG
Duration: 99m
Genre: Animation, Family, Comedy, Adventure, Mystery
Stars: Andy Samberg, John Mulaney, KiKi Layne
Directed by: Akiva Schaffer
Admittedly, some of the humor in Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers is going to go over the heads of younger viewers. Older members of the family will love the cameos, including the scene-stealing Ugly Sonic (Tim Robinson). But the heart of the film belongs to lifelong friends Chip (John Mulaney) and Dale (Andy Samberg), three decades after their professional falling out. When their mutual friend and former co-star, Monterey Jack (Eric Bana), goes missing, Chip reluctantly teams up with Dale to find him. KiKi Layne co-stars as a human detective named Ellie Steckler, and she breaks a few police regulations to help out her favorite cartoon heroes.
Pinocchio (1940)
Metacritic: 99%
IMDb: 7.5/10
Rated: G
Duration: 88m
Genre: Animation, Family
Stars: Dickie Jones, Cliff Edwards, Christian Rub
Directed by: Ben Sharpsteen, William Roberts, Hamilton Luske, T. Hee, Wilfred Jackson, Jack Kinney, Norman Ferguson
Disney+ has a live-action Pinocchio remake coming this year, which will surely make this list. However, Disney’s original Pinocchio is easily one of the greatest animated films ever created. That’s even more impressive considering that it was made 82 years ago, during the infancy of the medium. Dick Jones provides the voice of Pinocchio, a puppet who is brought to life by the Blue Fairy (Evelyn Venable) to be the son of a lonely toymaker, Geppetto (Christian Rub). Unfortunately, Pinocchio is a bit of a delinquent who has trouble telling right from wrong. That’s why Jiminy Cricket (Cliff Edwards) has to be Pinocchio’s conscience. Regardless, not even the good-hearted Jiminy can keep Pinocchio out of trouble for long.
Hollywood Stargirl (2022)
Metacritic: 66%
IMDb: 5.7/10
Rated: PG
Duration: 105m
Genre: Comedy, Romance, Music, Drama
Stars: Grace VanderWaal, Judy Greer, Elijah Richardson
Directed by: Julia Hart
Stargirl has turned out to be a viable franchise among the Disney+ original films, and the first sequel, Hollywood Stargirl, didn’t need a theatrical release to earn a following. Grace VanderWaal reprises her role as Susan “Stargirl” Caraway as she and her mother, Ana Caraway (Judy Greer), move to Los Angeles. Stargirl’s voice and musical talents quickly pave the way for her career to begin, but she’s particularly interested in helping a former musician, Roxanne Martel (Uma Thurman), rediscover the passion she used to have. Stargirl also forms a close bond with Evan (Elijah Richardson), a young filmmaker who may want more than just a professional relationship with her.
Sneakerella (2022)
IMDb: 4.5/10
Duration: 110m
Genre: Music, Comedy, Family
Stars: Chosen Jacobs, Lexi Underwood, Kolton Stewart
Directed by: Elizabeth Allen Rosenbaum
Disney loves a good Cinderella story. Beyond the animated original, there’s a live-action remake and two direct-to-video animated sequels currently streaming on Disney+. Sneakerella is also a Cinderella story, just not necessarily the same one we’ve seen so many times before. In this modernized tale, Chosen Jacobs stars as El, a teenager living with his stepfamily (and two bad stepbrothers) while quietly chasing his dream to become a sneaker designer. El soon forms a connection with Kira King (Lexi Underwood), but he is initially unaware that she is the daughter of a famous sneaker mogul, Darius King (John Salley). Can El find love and make his dreams come true? Sure he can, with a little bit of that Disney magic.
A Goofy Movie (1995)
Metacritic: 53%
IMDb: 6.9/10
Rated: G
Genre: Romance, Animation, Family, Comedy, Adventure
Stars: Bill Farmer, Jason Marsden, Rob Paulsen
Directed by: Kevin Lima
Among the core trio of Disney characters, Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck seem like more obvious choices to headline their own film. And yet A Goofy Movie struck a chord with audiences and it has earned a fan following since its release. In this spinoff from the Goof Troop TV series, Goofy (Bill Farmer) is a single dad who has trouble connecting with his son, Max (Jason Marsden). As for Max, he’s worried that he’ll become an infamous klutz like his father. After Max impresses his crush, Roxanne (Kellie Martin), by pulling off a prank at school, Goofy unintentionally sabotages his son’s love life by dragging Max on a cross country trip in an attempt to reconnect and bond. It proves to be an illuminating experience for both of them.
Descendants (2015)
Metacritic: 63%
IMDb: 6.2/10
Rated: G
Duration: 112m
Genre: Family, Music, Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy, TV Movie
Stars: Dove Cameron, Cameron Boyce, Booboo Stewart
Directed by: Kenny Ortega
In the world of Descendants, the Disney heroes have established a new nation called Auradon, and settled down to have children. The villains are isolated on the Isle of the Lost with children of their own. Shortly before his coronation, the son of Beauty and the Beast, Ben (Mitchell Hope), invites Maleficent’s daughter, Mal (Dove Cameron); Jafar’s son, Jay (Booboo Stewart), Cruella de Vil’s son, Carlos (Cameron Boyce); and the Evil Queen’s daughter, Evie (Sofia Carson); the chance to live in Auradon away from their evil parents. Maleficent (Kristin Chenoweth) sees it as a chance for revenge. However, the loyalty the kids have for their villainous parents is tested as they find their true selves in Auradon.
Holes (2003)
Metacritic: 71%
IMDb: 7/10
Rated: PG
Duration: 117m
Genre: Adventure, Family, Drama, Comedy
Stars: Shia LaBeouf, Khleo Thomas, Sigourney Weaver
Directed by: Andrew Davis
Shia LaBeouf made his big screen debut in the live-action Disney film, Holes. LaBeouf plays Stanley Yelnats IV, a teenager who is unjustly convicted of stealing a pair of sneakers. Stanley is sentenced to 18 months at Camp Green Lake, where he and other youth offenders are constantly forced to dig holes in the desert by a corrupt warden, Louise Walker (Sigourney Weaver). As Stanley befriends Hector “Zero” Zeroni (Khleo Thomas) and other prisoners, he discovers that the warden is searching for a lost treasure that has ties to his own family history.
Life with Mikey (1993)
Metacritic: 50%
IMDb: 5.6/10
Rated: PG
Duration: 91m
Genre: Comedy, Family
Stars: Michael J. Fox, Christina Vidal, Nathan Lane
Directed by: James Lapine
The parallels between Michael J. Fox and his character, Mikey Chapman, are unmistakable in Life With Mikey. Both Fox and Mikey are former child actors who rocketed to stardom on the back of a hit sitcom. But in this story, Mikey has given up on acting to become a talent agent for child actors. When a young girl named Angie Vega (Christina Vidal) picks his pocket, Mikey believes that he’s stumbled upon the next big star. But getting Angie her big break is much easier said than done.
Coco (2017)
Metacritic: 81%
IMDb: 8.4/10
Rated: PG
Duration: 105m
Genre: Family, Animation, Fantasy, Music, Comedy, Adventure
Stars: Anthony Gonzalez, Gael García Bernal, Benjamin Bratt
Directed by: Lee Unkrich
Pixar may no longer have the perfect batting average with its films, but when the studio is on top of its game, not even Disney Animation can match its emotional impact. Coco is a perfect example of this, as well as Pixar’s push towards greater onscreen representation. Within the film, Miguel (Anthony Gonzalez) is a 12-year-old boy who dreams of being a musician. After learning that his grandfather is the great Ernesto de la Cruz (Benjamin Bratt), Miguel steals a guitar from a mausoleum and soon finds himself cursed and stuck in the land of the dead. To return to his living family, Miguel will have to reconcile with dead relatives including Hector (Gael García Bernal), a man who is desperate to reach his elderly daughter before she forgets about him.
Pete's Dragon (2016)
Metacritic: 71%
IMDb: 6.7/10
Rated: PG
Duration: 103m
Genre: Adventure, Family, Fantasy
Stars: Oakes Fegley, Bryce Dallas Howard, Wes Bentley
Directed by: David Lowery
Fair warning, Pete’s Dragon opens with a very intense scene in which Pete Healy (Oakes Fegley) is orphaned in a car accident. The camera only shows Pete during the accident, but it’s still harrowing. In the absence of his parents, Pete is adopted and protected by a dragon he calls Elliot. Years later, Pete is found by Grace Meacham (Bryce Dallas Howard), a park ranger who takes him into her family. However, Elliot’s existence is exposed to the residents of the nearby town, forcing Pete and his new friends to risk everything to protect the dragon from harm.
West Side Story (2021)
Metacritic: 85%
IMDb: 7.8/10
Rated: PG-13
Duration: 156m
Genre: Drama, Romance, Crime
Stars: Ansel Elgort, Rachel Zegler, Rita Moreno
Directed by: Steven Spielberg
Somewhat astonishingly, Steven Spielberg’s adaptation of the musical classic not only exceeded expectations but is almost as critically acclaimed as the original. Tony (Ansel Elgort) falls in love with Maria (Rachel Zegler) at first sight at a high school dance in 1957 New York City, but their burgeoning romance is a forbidden one. They’re each connected to rival gangs — the Jets and Sharks — that are warring for control of the New York City streets, and nobody wants to see the young lovers succeed.
Turning Red (2022)
Rated: PG
Duration: 99m
Genre: Animation, Family, Comedy, Fantasy
Stars: Rosalie Chiang, Sandra Oh, Jordan Fisher
Directed by: Domee Shi
Pixar’s newest release is going straight to Disney+ on March 11! Mei Lee is a confident, dorky 13-year-old who is continually torn between being a good, dutiful daughter and a chaotic teenager. Going through puberty, she’s constantly bombarded by changes in her interests, relationships, body, and feelings. But she’s also got another concerning issue. Whenever she gets too excited about something, she poofs into a giant red panda with absolutely no control.
Inside Out (2015)
Metacritic: 94%
IMDb: 8.1/10
Rated: PG
Duration: 95m
Genre: Animation, Family, Adventure, Drama, Comedy
Stars: Amy Poehler, Phyllis Smith, Bill Hader
Directed by: Pete Docter
Emotions are hard. Managing them as a kid can often feel next to impossible. So when 11-year-old Riley gets picked up and moved from the Midwest to San Francisco, she’ll need all of her emotions to step up to help her navigate the change. Led by Joy (Amy Poehler), Riley’s emotions are determined to help her through this tumultuous time. But when Joy and Sadness (Phyllis Smith) are accidentally swept away into the furthest recesses of Riley’s mind, Anger, Fear, and Disgust are the only ones left in Headquarters.
Encanto (2021)
Metacritic: 76%
IMDb: 7.3/10
Rated: PG
Duration: 102m
Genre: Animation, Comedy, Family, Fantasy
Stars: Stephanie Beatriz, María Cecilia Botero, John Leguizamo
Directed by: Byron Howard, Jared Bush
Not long ago, the Madrigal family fled their Colombian village to avoid persecution. Just before they and their countrymen were overrun, a magical jungle saved them, imbuing the Madrigals with magical powers concentrated in a candle that burns in their casita overlooking the encanto created by the jungle. Now, the magic of the encanto has blessed every child with a unique gift — all except Mirabel. But when Mirabel discovers she’s at the center of a prophecy that foretells the Madrigals losing their power, she must do everything in her ordinary power to save the magic and her family.
Ratatouille (2007)
Metacritic: 96%
IMDb: 8.0/10
Rated: G
Duration: 111m
Genre: Animation, Comedy, Family, Fantasy
Stars: Patton Oswalt, Ian Holm, Lou Romano
Directed by: Brad Bird
One of Pixar’s absolute best is about a rat in the kitchen. Remy (Patton Oswalt) is a Parisian rat with a sophisticated palate and a dream of eating better than the garbage his family feasts on every night. When he finds himself outside the formerly-great Parisian restaurant, Gusteau’s, he can’t help but follow his nose into the kitchen. There, he can’t help but make a few improvements on a soup, getting caught by the young custodian, Linguini. When customers love the dish, the staff believes Linguini responsible, forcing the human to form a partnership with the remarkable rat to masquerade as a hot new chef on the scene.
Luca (2021)
Metacritic: 71%
IMDb: 6.8/10
Rated: PG
Duration: 95m
Genre: Animation, Comedy, Family, Fantasy
Stars: Jacob Tremblay, Jack Dylan Grazer, Emma Berman
Directed by: Enrico Casarosa
You could argue Pixar made Luca just to show off how incredibly they’ve mastered the art of depicting water. Of course, that would discount the gorgeous story at the center of this work of art. Luca lives under the water near a beautiful seaside town on the Italian Riviera. He’s been raised to believe that the people on land are monsters, determined to hunt and destroy Luca and his people. But one day, he meets Alberto, an underwater boy who has discovered that all the underwater people turn into normal land people once they leave the water. As such, he’s led a wonderful life above the water, which he introduces to Luca. But they must not reveal to the townspeople that they’re from beneath the ocean.
The Lion King (1994)
Metacritic: 88%
IMDb: 8.5/10
Rated: G
Duration: 89m
Genre: Family, Animation, Drama
Stars: Matthew Broderick, James Earl Jones, Jeremy Irons
Directed by: Roger Allers, Rob Minkoff
One of Disney’s absolute best, The Lion King has been redone countless times. Nothing matches the animated 1994 original. This extraordinary coming of age tale follows young lion Simba, tricked into exile by his jealous uncle Scar, where he grows up in the jungle with new pals Timon (a meerkat) and Pumba (a warthog). But one day, Simba’s destiny comes knocking and he must decide if he’s courageous enough to meet the call.
Finding Nemo (2003)
Metacritic: 90%
IMDb: 8.1/10
Rated: G
Duration: 100m
Genre: Animation, Family
Stars: Albert Brooks, Ellen DeGeneres, Alexander Gould
Directed by: Andrew Stanton
Almost 20 years after its release, Finding Nemo remains a modern animated classic, unparalleled when compared to more recent entries in the genre. The movie takes viewers into the vast ocean, where finding oneself (and each other) is no easy task. Where Finding Nemo succeeds the most is introducing a wealth of unique characters, each more intriguing than the next and each worth rooting for in spades. Viewers of a certain age know the P. Sherman 42 Wallaby Way address by a heart and never has there been a more important time to remember to “just keep swimming.” Finding Nemo was the first Pixar film to score Best Animated Feature honors at the Academy Awards and its decent follow-up, Finding Dory, is available on Disney+ as well.
Frozen (2013)
Metacritic: 75%
IMDb: 7.4/10
Rated: PG
Duration: 102m
Genre: Animation, Adventure, Family
Stars: Kristen Bell, Idina Menzel, Jonathan Groff
Directed by: Chris Buck, Jennifer Lee
Do you want to build a snowman? Let it go already, Anna! If you haven’t already seen Frozen and its sequel, you would probably still understand those references, because the Walt Disney Pictures classic quickly became one of the most ubiquitous films of the last decade. And frankly, it lives up to the hype. The characters are well fleshed out, the humor is on point and the songs are ridiculously catchy. You will cry and laugh at least once while watching this movie; age, gender, ethnicity won’t be factors that prevent that from happening. Kristen Bell, the voice of Anna, and Idina Menzel, who voices Elsa, are perfectly cast, as is Josh Gad as lovable oaf snowman Olaf. Watching this movie on merit alone is worth it, but if for no other reason, watch it so that you have something to talk to about with children at the Thanksgiving table.
Lilo & Stitch (2002)
Metacritic: 73%
IMDb: 7.3/10
Rated: PG
Duration: 85m
Genre: Animation, Family
Stars: Daveigh Chase, Chris Sanders, Tia Carrere
Directed by: Chris Sanders, Dean DeBlois
After crash-landing on Earth, Stitch, an extraterrestrial with a price on his head, is taken in by Lilo, a Hawaiian girl that recently lost her mother and father. Under the care of her older sister, Nani (Tia Carrere), Lilo is already a handful, but add an army of galactic foes to the mix, along with a highly mischievous Stitch, and the stakes become exponentially raised. Featuring elevated and, at times, heart-wrenching themes of love, family, and loss, along with the familiar Disney schtick (courtesy of Stitch), and it’s easy to see why Lilo & Stitch has become such a favored Disney property.
Wreck-It Ralph (2012)
Metacritic: 72%
IMDb: 7.7/10
Rated: PG
Duration: 101m
Genre: Family, Animation, Comedy, Adventure
Stars: John C. Reilly, Sarah Silverman, Jack McBrayer
Directed by: Rich Moore
Wreck-It Ralph (John C. Reilly) is tired of being the video-game boss with a bad rap. The starring foe of the arcade game Fix-It Felix, Jr., Ralph is sick of seeing Felix (Jack McBrayer) as the celebrated hero. In order to prove he has what it takes to be a true hero, Ralph leaves the world of Felix, Jr., only to accidentally initiate a deadly battle between the wretched King Candy (Alan Tudyk) and the rest of the arcade. A nostalgic deep-dive into the world of 1980s arcade gaming, Wreck-It Ralph is a hilarious and mesmerizing foray into the heyday of pay-per-play gaming.
The Sound of Music (1965)
Metacritic: 63%
IMDb: 8.1/10
Rated: G
Duration: 175m
Genre: Drama, Family, Music, Romance
Stars: Julie Andrews, Christopher Plummer, Eleanor Parker
Directed by: Robert Wise
Based on the 1959 Rodgers & Hammerstein stage musical of the same name, director Robert Wise’s The Sound of Music is a lush and time-tested filmed adaptation that delights to this day. It stars Julie Andrews as the free-spirited Maria, a nun in training. Maria’s superiors fear her open-minded nature will lead her astray. Thus, Maria is assigned to be governess to the seven children of a retired naval commander, Captain von Trapp (Christopher Plummer). While her initial welcome to the von Trapp manor is anything but warm, Maria soon wins the affections of the seven children, as well as their father, by way of her chin-up attitude and musical abilities. A musical for the ages, The Sound of Music is a Technicolor marvel to behold.
Tarzan (1999)
Metacritic: 79%
IMDb: 7.3/10
Rated: PG
Duration: 88m
Genre: Family, Adventure, Animation, Drama
Stars: Tony Goldwyn, Minnie Driver, Glenn Close
Directed by: Kevin Lima, Chris Buck
While not Disney’s first cinematic foray into the jungle (The Jungle Book came first), Tarzan stands as one of the company’s most resonant animated works, thanks to its heartfelt narrative, playful characters, and powerful original score by Phil Collins. Taking place in the late 1800s, an orphaned English boy is taken in by a pack of gorillas and is raised as one of them. He does his best to fit in with his fellow mammals, despite his human leanings, but the world of the jungle is turned upside down by the arrival of an English researcher, Porter, his daughter Jane (Minnie Driver), and their blood-hungry escort, a rifle-touting hunter named Clayton. Can Tarzan protect his primate kin from the trophy-room villainy of Clayton while embracing his love for Jane? Give this Disney flick a spin to find out.
Toy Story (1995)
Metacritic: 95%
IMDb: 8.3/10
Rated: G
Duration: 81m
Genre: Animation, Adventure, Family, Comedy
Stars: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Don Rickles
Directed by: John Lasseter
It’s tough being a toy, especially when your fragile sense of self is thrown into question by the new kid in town. That’s the basic premise of Pixar’s 1995 smash hit Toy Story. Woody (voiced by Tom Hanks) is the celebrated leader of his human Andy’s posse of bedroom toys. When Andy receives the all-new Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen) for his birthday, the gang begins favoring the space ranger action figure, sending Woody into a jealous rage. After a sudden accident, Buzz is thrust from Andy’s bedroom window and into the great world beyond, sending Woody and the other toys on a daring search-and-rescue mission. Featuring state-of-the-art animation, incredible voice work, and a great story filled with laughs and the warm fuzzies, Toy Story is a perfect flick for the whole family.
Beauty and the Beast (1991)
Metacritic: 95%
IMDb: 8/10
Rated: G
Duration: 84m
Genre: Romance, Family, Animation, Fantasy
Stars: Paige O'Hara, Robby Benson, Richard White
Directed by: Gary Trousdale, Kirk Wise
A tale as old as time and a long-held Disney favorite for many, this animated adaptation of the classic French text features the voice-over talents of Paige O’ Hara, Robby Benson, and Richard White, among others. After being hexed by an enchantress in disguise, a selfish prince is transformed into a horrific beast (Benson). Stowed away in his castle, the only thing that can return him to human form is true love. Belle (O’ Hara), a bookish girl from a nearby hamlet, descends upon the beast’s manor in search of her missing father. Holding Belle’s father prisoner, the Beast agrees to release him if Belle will take his place. What follows is a baby-stepped companionship between Belle and Beast. Could Belle be his hope for salvation?
Mary Poppins Returns (2018)
Metacritic: 66%
IMDb: 6.7/10
Rated: PG
Duration: 131m
Genre: Fantasy, Family, Comedy
Stars: Emily Blunt, Ben Whishaw, Emily Mortimer
Directed by: Rob Marshall
While the world may not have been asking for a Mary Poppins follow-up, Disney’s decades-later sequel does its best to honor the renowned original while imbuing the narrative with all the modern sensibilities of a Disney film. Starring Emily Blunt as the titular Poppins, the film takes place decades after the original, with Michael and Jane Banks (Ben Whishaw and Karen Dotrice) now adults. When the bank is days away from foreclosing on their deceased father’s estate, Michael’s only hope are the certificates proving his inheritance. Right in the throes of this financial hardship, the ever-fleeting Mary Poppins returns out of the blue to aid the grown children along their journey to prove their worth.
Raya and the Last Dragon (2021)
Metacritic: 74%
IMDb: 7.4/10
Rated: PG
Duration: 107m
Genre: Family, Fantasy, Animation, Action, Adventure
Stars: Kelly Marie Tran, Awkwafina, Izaac Wang
Directed by: Don Hall, Carlos López Estrada
After 500 years of peace from the dreaded Druun army, the land of Kumandra is under attack once more. Only, this time, there are no sacred dragons to ward off the mythic enemy. Raya (Kelly Marie Tran), the daughter of the great Chief Benja (Daniel Dae Kim), is the lone survivor of the vicious onslaught. In order to ward off the devilish Druun, the warrior must journey across Kumandra in search of the single-remaining dragon, Sisu (Awkwafina). Having been the being that contained the Druun years before, she’s the only hope for humankind. A spectacle of modern-day animation, Raya and the Last Dragon is a more than fitting entry in the Disney canon, dancing with tropes in an air-brushed fashion but delivering a full-fledged narrative with relatable characters, rich voice-over work, and incredible set-pieces.
Soul (2020)
Metacritic: 83%
IMDb: 8.1/10
Rated: PG
Duration: 101m
Genre: Animation, Comedy, Fantasy, Family
Stars: Jamie Foxx, Tina Fey, Graham Norton
Directed by: Pete Docter
Joe Gardner’s (Jamie Foxx) dreams of becoming a professional jazz pianist are finally recognized when the day-jobber is recruited for a gig with the renowned Dorothea Williams (Angela Basset) act. The only trouble is that on his way to the show, an excitable Joe falls straight down a manhole and into another world known as “The Great Before.” There in the ethereal home of glowing blue entities, Joe teams up with Soul 22 (Tina Fey) to attempt to regain his earthly self. Along the way, the pair will learn the true value of life, with hijinks a-plenty. Quintessential Pixar at every turn, Soul delivers a mesmerizing tale of humanity, existence, and purpose.
The Greatest Showman (2017)
Metacritic: 48%
IMDb: 7.6/10
Rated: PG
Duration: 105m
Genre: Drama
Stars: Hugh Jackman, Zac Efron, Michelle Williams
Directed by: Michael Gracey
Critics weren’t exactly thrilled when The Greatest Showman took a lot of creative license with the life of P. T. Barnum (Hugh Jackman). Audiences, however, embraced this movie and made it one of the highest-grossing musical films of all time. The story follows P.T.’s journey from entrepreneur to the founder of Barnum’s circus. Zac Efron co-stars as P.T.’s partner, Phillip Carlyle, a young man who falls hard for an acrobat named Anne Wheeler (Zendaya). The romance between Phillip and Anne provides a lot of the film’s heart, but it’s the songs and the performances that make The Greatest Showman a winner.
Hamilton (2020)
IMDb: 8.4/10
Rated: PG-13
Duration: 160m
Genre: History, Drama
Stars: Lin-Manuel Miranda, Leslie Odom Jr., Renée Elise Goldsberry
Directed by: Thomas Kail
The original cast of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s smash Broadway musical Hamilton has long since gone their separate ways. Thankfully, they filmed the Hamilton movie for one last tribute to the pop culture sensation that they created. Miranda stars as Alexander Hamilton, one of the unexpected founding fathers of the United States of America. Alexander’s rise is meteoric, but his own hubris helps lead to his downfall in his famous duel with Aaron Burr (Leslie Odom Jr.). If you can’t see a production of Hamilton live, this is the next best thing.
Home Alone (1990)
Metacritic: 63%
IMDb: 7.6/10
Rated: PG
Duration: 103m
Genre: Comedy, Family
Stars: Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern
Directed by: Chris Columbus
Disney’s merger with 21st Century Fox really paid dividends for Disney+. Now, the classic 20th Century Studios films like Home Alone are part of the Disney+ library. And unlike Die Hard, this one is unquestionably a Christmas movie. Macaulay Culkin has a star-making turn as Kevin, a mischievous kid who is accidentally left behind while the rest of his family goes on a vacation. Kevin’s mother, Kate (Catherine O’Hara), desperately tries to reunite with her son. Meanwhile, Kevin faces the Wet Bandits — Harry (Joe Pesci) and Marv (Daniel Stern) — as they fruitlessly try to break into his home.
The Mighty Ducks (1992)
Metacritic: 46%
IMDb: 6.5/10
Rated: PG
Duration: 101m
Genre: Comedy, Family, Drama
Stars: Emilio Estevez, Joss Ackland, Lane Smith
Directed by: Stephen Herek
Disney’s initial Mighty Ducks movie wasn’t a hit with critics, but it was a slap shot for audiences. The Mighty Ducks introduced viewers to Gordon Bombay (Emilio Estevez) a former hockey player turned successful lawyer. After an arrest for driving under the influence, Gordon is assigned to 500 hours of community service as the coach of a youth hockey team. Through the Ducks, Gordon rediscovers his passion for the game and proves that he has a lot to teach the next generation of players. Gordon also bonds with his young players and makes big sacrifices in order to be a better example for the team.
