Disney+ has quickly emerged as one of the preeminent streaming services for family-friendly content. That shouldn’t come as much of a surprise as it has the backing of Disney, which has been pumping out family-friendly entertainment for decades and remains the most recognizable name in the space. With Disney’s help, Disney+ is building a library of endless family movies. But the streaming service is also infusing its acquired library with new originals every month, helping to build out a possibility for a movie night with the family on any given night. Here’s a roundup of the best family movies on Disney+ right now.
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+.
Muppets Haunted Mansion (2021)
The Muppets are back together for this Halloween film/special, the characters’ first for the holiday. Gonzo and Pepe plan on staying at the Haunted Mansion on their own, rather than attend a party with their fellow Muppets. Fear and hilarity both ensue as the characters come across odd figures, including the Ghost Host (Will Arnett), the Caretaker (Darren Criss), and the ghost of Constance Hatchaway (Taraji P. Henson). The special has original songs in addition to original characters, with Criss’ “Rest in Peace” a standout. The special is shorter than a feature-length film at just 52 minutes and has the right balance of humor and scares for children of all ages, making it an important addition to the Disney+ Halloween canon.
Finding Nemo (2003)
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)
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, 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.
The Emperor's New Groove (2000)
When Emperor Kuzco (David Spade) claimed the throne, the last thing he ever anticipated was being turned into a talking llama, but when life hands you lemons … you become a llama? After being stranded in the dangerous wilderness by Kronk (Patrick Warburton), a peasant named Pacha (John Goodman) agrees to help the ego-minded Kuzco back to his kingdom before the wretched Yzma (Eartha Kitt) is able to take command of the throne. Packed with laughs and featuring the dynamic voice-acting duo of Spade and Goodman, The Emperor’s New Groove gets two thumbs up from us.
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Lilo & Stitch (2002)
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)
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)
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.
Pete's Dragon (2016)
A live-action remake of the 1977 animated film, Pete’s Dragon stars Bryce Dallas Howard as Grace, a park ranger in the Pacific Northwest. Her father, Mr. Meacham (Robert Redford), tells stories to the local children of a mysterious green dragon that resides in the nearby woodlands. To Grace, these are stories she’s contended with her entire life, although her father’s lore may turn out to hold merit when a 10-year-old boy named Pete, orphaned and homeless, emerges and claims to have an allegiance with the aforementioned dragon. A remake that breathes new life into its source material, Pete’s Dragon is one of Disney’s finest reimagined efforts to date.
Tarzan (1999)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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.
Christopher Robin (2018)
A middle-aged Christopher Robin (Ewan McGregor) is far from his salad days in the Hundred Acre Wood. Now an executive of a prosperous luggage company in London, the family man receives the shock of his life when his old pal, Pooh Bear (voiced by Jim Cummings), emerges from a magical door. Seeking his lost companions, Pooh and Christopher escape to a fantastical world where friendship is key and the dreams of youth are forever cherished. A bit dreary by Disney standards, don’t let the melancholy fool you — there’s plenty of heart to be had here.
Night at the Museum (2006)
Night at the Museum was a massive blockbuster hit in 2006, thanks to its wild premise and a terrific cast of all-star performers. Ben Stiller stars as Larry Daley, a down-on-his-luck single father who is hired to be the new night watchman at the American Museum of Natural History in New York. Too bad no one told Larry that the exhibits come to life overnight. Larry befriends Theodore Roosevelt (Robin Williams) and encounters Attila the Hun (Patrick Gallagher) and the mummy, Ahkmenrah (Rami Malek), among others. Keeping order at this museum is the job of a lifetime, but it’s a sacrifice that Larry is willing to make in order to impress his son, Nick (Jake Cherry).
The Kid Who Would Be King (2019)
Arthurian lore comes to the present in The Kid Who Would Be King. Louis Ashbourne Serkis (son of Andy Serkis, aka Gollum) stars as Alex, an unassuming 12-year-old boy attending school in London. While eluding bullies, Alex finds Excalibur, the legendary sword of King Arthur. The wizard, Merlin (Patrick Stewart), mentors Alex and assumes a younger form (Angus Imrie). Merlin also warns Alex that he only has a few days to save England from Morgana le Fay (Rebecca Ferguson). Alex recruits his friends and fellow students to be his new roundtable of knights. But Alex may not be able to trust everyone around him.
Clouds (2020)
Get your tissues ready. Clouds is based on the true story of Zach Sobiech (Fin Argus), a talented teenage musician who is diagnosed with cancer. With the knowledge that his life will soon end, Zach strives to leave his mark on the world. He also forms a band with his best friend, Sammy Brown (Sabrina Carpenter), while pursuing a relationship with Amy Adamie (Madison Iseman). While Zach’s story has tragic elements, his spirit overcomes the limitations of his body. His legacy lives on through his music and this film. That’s what ultimately makes Clouds an uplifting movie.
Oklahoma! (1955)
Admittedly, some younger fans may take some convincing to give Oklahoma! a try, because it’s so clearly a movie from over six decades ago. But it’s also one of the great movie musicals of all time, which should make it a good gateway for modern viewers. It’s really hard to go wrong with this largely faithful version of the stage play by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II. Gordon MacRae stars as Curly McLain, a cowboy in the Oklahoma territory. Curly’s got his eyes on a lovely farm girl named Laurey Williams (Shirley Jones). Curly and Laurey are clearly made for each other, but their unwillingness to move past their mutual games opens the door for a sinister farmhand, Jud Fry (Rod Steiger), to threaten their relationship and their lives.
The Greatest Showman (2017)
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.
Isle of Dogs (2018)
Isle of Dogs may be the only Wes Anderson film to ever make it on Disney+, and it’s also one of the most offbeat animated movies ever made. In a dystopian future, all dogs have been banished to Trash Island after an outbreak of canine influenza. Spots (Liev Schreiber), the beloved dog of young Atari Kobayashi (Koyu Rankin), was among the first canines to be exiled. That’s why Atari goes on a rescue mission to find his pup, and he goes on to befriend a pack of talking dogs led by Chief (Bryan Cranston). Their misadventures on the island are hilarious and heartfelt.
Hamilton (2020)
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.
Miracle (2004)
In the world of sports, people still talk about the Miracle on Ice. During the 1980 Olympics, the United States hockey team of college players faced a professional squad of Russian players. In Miracle, Kurt Russell plays Herb Brooks, the U.S. coach who had to bring his team together and make them a winning unit against all odds. This is one of the best feel-good sports stories of all time. Sure, there may have been a few embellishments for dramatic effect, but it’s hard to argue with a crowd-pleasing flick like this.
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005)
C.S. Lewis’ beloved Narnia books received a lavish modern remake in The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. During World War II, young Lucy Pevensie (Georgie Henley) and her three siblings find an enchanted wardrobe that is actually a portal to a fantasy world under the heel of the White Witch (Tilda Swinton). Although the talking creatures of this world fear the Witch, they recognize that the children may herald the return of Aslan (Liam Neeson), the great lion who created Narnia ages ago.
Cinderella (1997)
Genre
TV Movie, Family, Fantasy, Music, Romance
Stars
Brandy Norwood, Whitney Houston, Victor Garber
Directed by
Robert Iscove
88m
Have you been waiting for a diverse and modern take on Cinderella? Disney already did it 24 years ago, with Brandy as Cinderella and Whitney Houston as her Fairy Godmother. This TV movie beautifully adapts Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella, with additional musical numbers and a more proactive heroine. Cinderella may be smitten with Christopher (Paolo Montalbán), but she’s not the kind of young woman who waits around for her prince to save her.
Into the Woods (2014)
Director Rob Marshall adapted James Lapine and Stephen Sondheim’s Broadway hit Into the Woods as a live-action film. It’s not quite as dark as the original play that inspired it, but it’s still a dazzling musical journey into fantasy, with several familiar faces. The Baker (James Corden) and his wife (Emily Blunt) desperately want to have children of their own. But first, they will have to escape the curse of the Witch (Meryl Streep) and procure the items she needs. Along the way, the childless couple encounters Cinderella (Anna Kendrick), Rapunzel (MacKenzie Mauzy), Jack (Daniel Huttlestone), Little Red Riding Hood (Lilla Crawford), and even the Big Bad Wolf (Johnny Depp).
Home Alone (1990)
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.
Honey, I Shrunk the Kids (1989)
Before he abandoned Hollywood for a few decades, Rick Moranis headlined Disney’s Honey, I Shrunk the Kids franchise. But the first film is the best one, as Moranis’ Wayne Szalinski struggles to perfect his size-changing ray. Unfortunately for Wayne and his family, the neighbor kids, Ron (Jared Rushton) and Russ Thompson (Thomas Wilson Brown), accidentally get themselves and Wayne’s children — Amy (Amy O’Neill) and Nick Szalinski (Robert Oliveri) — greatly reduced in size. Now, the children have to band together for their own survival as they try to reach their parents and undo the ray’s effects.
Mary Poppins (1964)
“As I expected. ‘Mary Poppins, practically perfect in every way.’” That magical tape measure might as well have been reviewing the movie too. Mary Poppins is a true Disney classic, and Julie Andrews is an absolute treasure in the title role. Within the film, Mary answers the call to become the new nanny of the Banks children, Jane (Karen Dotrice) and Michael (Matthew Garber). With the help of her friend, Bert (Dick Van Dyke), Mary takes the children on magical misadventures and helps them reconnect with their emotionally distant parents.
The Mighty Ducks (1992)
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.
The Muppets (2011)
Disney hasn’t always known what to do with the Muppets, but Jim Henson’s creations finally got their due in this 2011 revival. Credit co-writer and star Jason Segel for the passion behind this film. Segel plays Gary, the human brother of Walter, a lost Muppet who became the world’s biggest fan of The Muppet Show. With the help of Gary’s girlfriend, Mary (Amy Adams), Walter and Gary get the gang back together to save the Muppet Theater from Tex Richman (Chris Cooper). This film is terrific, and it has all of the heart that The Muppets have become known for.
The Princess Bride (1987)
The Princess Bride is another brilliant pickup from the Disney and Fox merger. This very modern fairy tale is grounded by a Grandfather (Peter Falk), who reads the story to his Grandson (Fred Savage). In the faraway land of Florin, a young farmhand named Westley (Cary Elwes) becomes the Dread Pirate Roberts in order to reunite with his lost love, Princess Buttercup (Robin Wright). To save Buttercup from a loveless marriage to an evil prince, Westley aligns himself with a giant named Fezzik (André the Giant), and the vengeful Inigo Montoya (Mandy Patinkin). This is a movie that remains enchanting for moviegoers of all ages.
Willow (1988)
Willow was a rare venture outside the Star Wars and Indiana Jones franchises for Lucasfilm. It’s an original fantasy film that charges Warwick Davis’ would-be sorcerer, Willow Ufgood, with protecting the infant princess Elora Danan. The evil Queen Bavmorda (Jean Marsh), will do anything to eliminate Elora. Fortunately, Willow has Madmartigan (Val Kilmer) and Bavmorda’s rebellious daughter, Sorsha (Joanne Whalley), by his side as they join forces to save the girl and the kingdom. There’s a sequel series coming to Disney+ next year, but the original film is still a winner for family audiences.
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