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 Disney is shepherding whatever you love to screens, both large and small. When it launched Disney+, the company was sure to fill it with both those nostalgic animated classics and plenty of new stuff as well. If, like me, you’ve ever felt a twinge of nostalgia for the Disney movies you loved as a kid, they’re all there. Just as importantly, though, you can find movies that will resonate with you today in ways they didn’t as a kid. Whatever you’re looking for, you can probably find it on Disney+.
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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
Watch on Disney+
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 entirely 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
Watch on Disney+
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.
Avatar (2009)
83%
7.8/10
162m
Genre
Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Stars
Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Sigourney Weaver
Directed by
James Cameron
Watch on Disney+
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)
90%
8.5/10
200m
Genre
Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Stars
Lin-Manuel Miranda, Phillipa Soo, Leslie Odom Jr.
Directed by
Thomas Kail
Watch on Disney+
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.
National Treasure (2004)
39%
6.9/10
131m
Genre
Action, Adventure, Mystery
Stars
Nicolas Cage, Diane Kruger, Justin Bartha
Directed by
John Turteltaub
Watch on Disney+
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.
The Princess Bride (1987)
77%
8.1/10
98m
Genre
Adventure, Family, Fantasy
Stars
Cary Elwes, Mandy Patinkin, Robin Wright
Directed by
Rob Reiner
Watch on Disney+
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.
The Avengers (2012)
69%
8.0/10
143m
Genre
Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Stars
Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson
Directed by
Joss Whedon
Watch on Disney+
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.
Miracle (2004)
68%
7.5/10
135m
Genre
Biography, Drama, History
Stars
Kurt Russell, Patricia Clarkson, Nathan West
Directed by
Gavin O'Connor
Watch on Disney+
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.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023)
150m
Genre
Science Fiction, Adventure, Action
Stars
Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldaña, Dave Bautista
Directed by
James Gunn
Watch on Disney+
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.
Big (1988)
104m
Genre
Fantasy, Drama, Comedy, Romance, Family
Stars
Tom Hanks, Elizabeth Perkins, Robert Loggia
Directed by
Penny Marshall
Watch on Disney+
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.
Spider-Man (2002)
121m
Genre
Action, Science Fiction
Stars
Tobey Maguire, Willem Dafoe, Kirsten Dunst
Directed by
Sam Raimi
Watch on Disney+
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.
Remember the Titans (2000)
113m
Genre
Drama
Stars
Denzel Washington, Will Patton, Wood Harris
Directed by
Boaz Yakin
Watch on Disney+
It may be a pretty blatant rewriting of the actual history, but Remember the Titans is nonetheless a remarkably effective sports movie. The film tells the story of a Black football coach who is hired to coach a newly integrated football team in Virginia. While its depictions of racism may seem outdated today, Denzel Washington delivers a remarkably effective central performance, and it’s hard not to find yourself moved as the team begins to understand one another. While the football games played may be total nonsense, that doesn’t make the Titans’ victory any less tear jerking.
West Side Story (2021)
156m
Genre
Drama, Romance, Crime
Stars
Ansel Elgort, Rachel Zegler, Ariana DeBose
Directed by
Steven Spielberg
Watch on Disney+
One of the great musicals ever made has two outstanding movie adaptations. For our money, though, the better of those two is Steven Spielberg’s 2021 West Side Story, which updates the story in all the right ways while preserving so much of what makes the musical beloved. The film is a retelling of Romeo & Juliet, and follows a Puerto Rican girl who falls in love with a poor white boy at a time when their two clans are warring. This new version minted Rachel Zegler as a genuine star, and it also features some of the most breathtaking musical cinematography you’ve likely seen this century.
The Wolverine (2013)
126m
Genre
Action, Science Fiction, Adventure
Stars
Hugh Jackman, Tao Okamoto, Rila Fukushima
Directed by
James Mangold
Watch on Disney+
Perhaps the most underrated entry from Hugh Jackman’s career playing Wolverine, The Wolverine follows the titular character as he heads to modern Japan, and comes face to face with the possibility of his own death for the first time. Jackman’s central performance is weighted down by his character’s trauma in a way that previous installments only hinted at, and the movie’s decision to set most of its action in Japan makes for a fresh take on what would otherwise feel very familiar.
Summer of Soul (...Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised) (2021)
117m
Genre
Music, Documentary, History
Stars
Stevie Wonder, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Chris Rock
Directed by
Questlove
Watch on Disney+
A documentary that tells the story of the Harlem Cultural Festival, Summer of Soul revives legendary concert footage and pairs it with interviews from performers and attendees. A reminder of the ways in which Black culture is often sublimated or forgotten entirely, this documentary makes its primary project a joy, and is great because of the footage it has access to and because of the emotional reactions its interview subjects have to that footage. It’s a document of the power of music, and a powerful one at that.
Millions (2004)
98m
Genre
Comedy, Crime, Drama, Family
Stars
Alex Etel, Lewis McGibbon, James Nesbitt
Directed by
Danny Boyle
Watch on Disney+
One of Danny Boyle’s stranger swerves, Millions tells the story of a young boy living in a version of the U.K., where they are about to move away from the pound. When a kid finds a bag of money in his backyard, he realizes that he has to spend it before the pound becomes worthless. As more and more people discover where the money wound up, though, he faces a more dangerous situation. Millions is a remarkably adult movie that just happens to star a child, and it features many of the moral quandaries that defined much of Boyle’s career. As is usually the case, it’s also formally inventive in ways it absolutely doesn’t need to be.
BRATS (2024)
92m
Genre
Documentary
Stars
Andrew McCarthy, Emilio Estevez, Ally Sheedy
Directed by
Andrew McCarthy
Watch on Disney+
A fascinating documentary on “The Brat Pack,” the teenage icons who came to prominence in the mid-1980s, Brats is interesting in part because of the very different ways each of the movie’s central characters dealt with becoming a star at such a young age. The movie is also a reminder of exactly what it was like to live through that period and of how different the careers of the various members of that pack ultimately turned out after their initial boom of success.
Edward Scissorhands (1990)
105m
Genre
Fantasy, Drama, Romance
Stars
Johnny Depp, Winona Ryder, Dianne Wiest
Directed by
Tim Burton
Watch on Disney+
One of Tim Burton’s most complete and fascinating works, Edward Scissorhands tells the story of an incomplete invention who is rather kind, but also has scissors for hands. When an Avon lady invites him into suburbia, he realizes that he can lead a fulfilling life surrounded by other people if they can come to accept him. A movie about isolation and the sameness of suburbia, Edward Scissorhands is not a particularly subtle movie, but thanks to some outstanding costuming and production design, it is nonetheless one that works incredibly well.
The Straight Story (1999)
112m
Genre
Drama
Stars
Richard Farnsworth, Sissy Spacek, Jane Galloway Heitz
Directed by
David Lynch
Watch on Disney+
David Lynch’s directorial career is filled with dream imagery and surreal stories. The Straight Story is the exception to that trend, telling a simple but odd and true story of a man who traveled across several states on a lawnmower to visit his sick brother. Featuring an incredible central performance from Richard Farnsworth, The Straight Story is a movie about a regular guy trying his best to make his way in the world. It’s also a movie about all the repressed trauma a certain generation of elderly men never fully reckoned with and the ways in which it defined the rest of their lives.
Logan (2017)
137m
Genre
Action, Drama, Science Fiction
Stars
Hugh Jackman, Dafne Keen, Patrick Stewart
Directed by
James Mangold
Watch on Disney+
The X-Men universe has never had the kind of quality control that defined Marvel at its best, but Logan may be better than any movie to come out of Marvel. Set in a post-apocalyptic future, the film follows an aging Wolverine who realizes he’s coming to the end of his life. When he meets a young girl who shares some of his DNA, the two travel across the country in an attempt to save each other. Hugh Jackman has always been excellent as Wolverine, but Logan might be his very best performance. Paired with Patrick Stewart, the two deliver one of the most subtle, emotional superhero movie every made.
