Disney is arguably the most iconic entertainment brand in the world. The company’s original properties and acquired ones 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+ 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, cry, and leave you eager for a rewatch. Here’s a look at the best movies on Disney+.
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.
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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.
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.
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