71 Best Movies on Disney Plus Right Now (June 2024)

The volume of content available on Disney+ may feel overwhelming. Indeed, there are a plethora of good movies on Disney+, from forgotten live-action films from the 60s, 70s, and 80s alongside a ton of Disney Channel Original movies — and that’s not to mention the catalog titles from Pixar, Marvel, and Lucasfilm and the growing library of new original films you can only find on Disney+.

To help you find the cream of the crop, we’ve compiled a list of the best movies on Disney Plus across all genres. Take a look! For more recommendations, check out our list of the best shows on Disney+, best comedies on Disney+, and best romantic movies on Disney+.

Editor’s note: This article was updated June 2024 to include Millions.

‘Millions’ (2004)

Rotten Tomatoes: 88% | IMDb: 6.8/10

Right as the UK is going to switch its currency from pounds to euros, a group of robbers drops one of their bags of cash directly into the lap of a seven-year-old boy. Through the boy’s possession of money, people’s true colors come to light, and through this, the young boy teaches the world about ethics. This is the story of Millions, a film starring Alex Etel and Lewis McGibbon as Damian and Anthony, two brothers who have opposite reactions to money. While Anthony wants to spend it all, Damian is very religious and wants to use it to help other people.

Author Frank Cottrell-Boyce adapted his own Carnegie Medal-winning novel of the same name for the film, acting as the project’s screenwriter. Released in 2005, the film was directed by Danny Boyle (Slumdog Millionaire), and it won the British Independent Film Award for Best Screenplay. The film was praised for the acting performances, especially of Etel, whose portrayal of Damian is fantastic. Millions opened a conversation about right, wrong, and that pesky grey area where the moral rules aren’t so clear.

Watch on Disney+

‘Big Hero 6’ (2014)

Rotten Tomatoes: 90% | IMDb: 7.8/10

Loosely inspired by the Marvel Comics superhero team created by Man of Action, Big Hero 6 follows Hiro Hamada (voiced by Ryan Potter), a young robotics prodigy living in San Fransokyo, and Baymax (Scott Adsit), his brother Tadashi’s healthcare-provider robot. After the tragic death of Tadashi, Hiro transforms Baymax and his friends — Go Go Tamago (Jamie Chung), Wasabi (Damon Wayans Jr.), Honey Lemon (Genesis Rodriguez), and Fred (T.J. Miller) — into a team of high-tech heroes to combat a masked villain who is responsible for Tadashi’s death.

Despite its Marvel Comics origin, Big Hero 6 adeptly transforms into a Disney feature, putting themes of loss and family at the heart of the creation of a student superhero team. Furthermore, the movie excels in portraying the emotional bond between a young boy and his robot, highlighting Disney’s ability to create heartfelt connections between seemingly unlikely companions. Similar to other Disney productions, Big Hero 6, in addition to catering to audiences of all ages, offers renowned animation quality, visually stunning scenes, and beautiful scores as it brings the fictional city of San Fransokyo to life and delivers a mature and gentle exploration of themes like loss and grief, making it a well-rounded experience for viewers.

Watch on Disney+

‘Bambi’ (1942)

Rotten Tomatoes: 91% | IMDb: 7.3/10

One day in the spring, the animals of the forest gather to witness the birth of a baby deer named Bambi (Bobby Stewart, Donnie Dunagan, and Hardie Albright), whom they call the Young Prince. Raised by his mother (Paula Winslowe), Bambi makes friends with rabbit Thumper (Peter Behn) and skunk Flower (Stan Alexander). They play and learn together in the summer, but come fall and winter, a new threat appears in the forest. With the coming of Man, Bambi gets a first-hand look at how harsh and unforgiving the world can be.

Unlike later animal stories like The Lion King, Bambi has only minimal levels of anthropomorphism in its animal characters and doesn’t try to tell a human story with them. The main character isn’t any one animal but rather nature itself, captured beautifully in all its wonder and horror through Disney’s artists. Through this brief window into the natural world, audiences can immerse themselves in the universal themes of life, death, and man’s impact on the natural world. It is also a good film to teach younger audiences about loss, thanks to the iconic and traumatizing death of Bambi’s mother.

Watch on Disney+

‘James and the Giant Peach’ (1996)

Rotten Tomatoes: 91% | IMDb: 6.7/10

A young boy named James (Paul Terry) dreams of traveling to New York City with his parents but is tragically left an orphan when they are killed by a mysterious rhinoceros. He is left to the care of his wicked aunts, Sponge (Miriam Margolyes) and Spiker (Joanna Lumley), who treat him more like a slave. One day, a mysterious man (Pete Postlethwaite) gives him a bag of magic crocodile tongues, which cause his aunt’s peach tree to grow a single, massive fruit. It also causes many insects in the garden to grow big and develop human-like characteristics. With James’ help, they cut the peach free and begin the journey to New York City.

James and the Giant Peach is another stop-motion classic from director Henry Selick, who worked on The Nightmare Before Christmas and Coraline, and is adapted from the book of the same name by legendary children’s author Roal Dahl. Its story plays like a fairytale odyssey, with James and the bugs encountering numerous inexplicable obstacles as they learn about bravery, self-confidence, and the importance of family.

Watch on Disney+

‘Beauty and the Beast’ (1991)

Rotten Tomatoes: 93% | IMDb: 8.0/10

Within a poor provincial French town lives Belle (Paige O’Hara), the daughter of the local inventor, Maurice (Rex Everhart). Belle inherited her father’s creative mind, and rather than engage in gossip, she prefers to read and dream of adventure. This makes her a bit of a town pariah, except for the local hero, Gaston (Richard White), who wants to marry her for her beauty. Belle ends up getting her wish for adventure when her father stumbles upon an enchanted castle, leading to her taking his place as the prisoner of a Beast (Robby Benson).

Beauty and the Beast represents the peak of Disney’s artistic creativity, both in terms of story-writing and character animation, and was the first movie to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Picture. It makes expert use of its pacing to convey a believable and engaging romance between Belle and Beast while still making time to show off some of Disney’s most beloved and recognized side characters. The music by the legendary duo of Alan Menken and Howard Ashman is nothing short of perfect, capturing every emotion and entertaining with their Broadway-style flare. It also helps that most of the actors are Broadway singers.

Watch on Disney+

‘Raya and the Last Dragon’ (2021)

Rotten Tomatoes: 93% | IMDb: 7.3/10

Raya and the Last Dragon takes place in the distant past in the fantastical realm of Kumandra. There, humans and dragons coexisted peacefully until the arrival of the Druun — menacing monsters that forced the dragons to sacrifice themselves for humanity. Now, 500 years later, the Druun have resurfaced. Raya (voiced by Kelly Marie Tran), a solitary warrior, must embark on a quest to find the last dragon and put an end to the Druun once and for all. Along her journey, she discovers that saving the world requires more than just dragon magic; it demands trust as well.

Raya and the Last Dragon‘s impressive diversity serves as a unifying force, bringing people of all races and backgrounds together. Additionally, the catchy score, coupled with a subtle showcase of Eastern culture and fantastic characters, makes it an enjoyable watch and delivers a positive message about trust, unity, and the importance of working together in the face of adversity. Moreover, the movie features a predominantly Asian-American cast delivering outstanding voice performances, particularly Awkwafina and Kelly Marie Tran, who carve out their own unique marks in their roles and consistently provide the movie with comedic relief at the most intense moments. – Jessie Nguyen

Watch on Disney+

‘The Empire Strikes Back’ (1980)

Rotten Tomatoes: 95% | IMDb: 8.7/10

In the wake of the Empire’s attack on the Rebel Alliance’s base on the ice world Hoth, Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) travels to the Dagobah system to further his Jedi training under the tutelage of the wise Master Yoda (Frank Oz), while Han Solo (Harrison Ford) and Princess Leia’s (Carrie Fisher) escape sees them travel to the floating Cloud City on Bespin. However, Luke’s training is cut short when he learns of a trap set by Darth Vader (James Earl Jones) against his friends.

As the second Star Wars film, Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back upped the ante of the legendary space opera franchise and is viewed by many to be among the greatest movies ever made. Its imaginative world-building, endearing characters, well-paced story, and iconic action sequences ensure that the famous film remains just as captivating and awe-inspiring today as it was upon release back in 1980.

Watch on Disney+

‘The Nightmare Before Christmas’ (1993)

Rotten Tomatoes: 95% | IMDb: 7.9/10

Jack Skellington (Chris Sarandon) is the Pumpkin King of Halloween Town, a town that creates all of the spooky details that make Halloween such a beloved holiday. Unfortunately, Jack has grown tired of doing the same thing every year and longs for something new. While walking through the woods, he finds a door that leads to Christmas Town and becomes obsessed with the new holiday. He eventually decides that this year, Halloween Town will bring Christmas to the world, despite the warnings of his friend, the ragdoll Sally (Catherine O’Hara).

The Nightmare Before Christmas is one of the best stop-motion films ever made. Its success comes from its simplicity; the characters all fit into basic archetypes, which makes them very easy to understand and sympathize with. Jack, in particular, stands out thanks to his wide-eyed idealism and relatable struggle to rekindle the joy of a monotonous existence. The film also possesses an iconic and catchy soundtrack courtesy of the great Danny Elfman, who also provides Jack’s singing voice. All of this has turned the film into a holiday classic. – Tyler B. Searle

Watch on Disney+

‘The Straight Story’ (1999)

Rotten Tomatoes: 91% | IMDb: 8.0/10

Have you ever been stuck behind a lawnmower that’s driving on the road? Perhaps 1999’s The Straight Story, written by John Roach (Wisconsin Reflections) and Mary Sweeney (Mulholland Drive), will change your mind. Directed by David Lynch (Twin Peaks), the story follows seventy-three-year-old Alvin (Richard Farnsworth), who goes to visit his brother Lyle (Harry Dean Stanton), who is in even worse health than Alvin. The brothers have been feuding, and given both of their less-than-healthy circumstances, Alvin wants to make amends before it’s too late. The film also stars Sissy Spacek (Carrie), Jane Galloway Heitz (I Know Who Killed Me), Joseph Carpenter, and Dan Flannery (Contagion).

While the film didn’t perform well at the box office, it was still nominated for an Academy Award for Farnsworth’s performance as Alvin. Even more impressive is the fact that it was based on the true story of real-life Alvin Straight, whose legs were too impaired for him to obtain a driver’s license, and so he set off on his John Deere tractor to travel five miles per hour for the next two hundred and forty miles from Iowa to Wisconsin. Although it didn’t earn back its $10 million budget, it was critically acclaimed nonetheless, earning a nomination for the Palme d’Or at the 1999 Cannes Film Festival and was nominated for two Golden Globe Awards. Maybe next time you’re stuck behind a tractor, you might consider the person driving it is on their way to do something great. – Emily Cappello

Watch on Disney+

‘Miracle on 34th Street’ (1947)

Rotten Tomatoes: 96% IMDb: 7.9/10

Originally titled The Big Heart when it was released in the UK, Miracle on 34th Street continues to be a Christmas classic. Based on the story by Valentine Davies and written for the screen and directed by George Seaton (a contributing writer on The Wizard of Oz), the film headed to the big screen in 1947 and tells the story of a single mother in New York City who hires a man to play Santa Claus at Macy’s. His sanity is questioned when a news article where the man claims he is the real Santa is released, and he takes the matter to court. The film stars Maureen O’Hara (1961’s The Parent Trap), John Payne (99 River Street), Gene Lockhart (His Girl Friday), Natalie Wood (1961’s West Side Story), and Edmund Gwenn (1940’s Pride and Prejudice) as Kris Kringle. The film was completely filmed in Manhattan, and the scenes with the Macy’s Day Parade were filmed while the actual 1946 parade was occurring, meaning the cast and crew only had one opportunity to do each take.

Oddly, despite being about Santa Claus and Christmas, the film was released in May. The studio head, Darryl Zanuck, said that because most people go to the theater in warmer weather, Miracle on 34th Street had a better chance of being a success if released in the spring. In promotions and trailers, Christmas was never even mentioned. Thankfully, the film was a success, earning three Academy Awards for Best Screenplay, Best Original Story, and Best Actor in a Supporting Role for Edmund Gwenn as Old Saint Nick. The film has since been redone, with a more modern version premiering in 1994, but the original is still hailed as the best. With some iconic lines and unforgettable scenes, the original Miracle on 34th Street remains a Christmas classic. – Emily Cappello

Watch on Disney+

‘Ratatouille’ (2007)

Rotten Tomatoes: 96% | IMDb: 8.1/10

The title of the film, Ratatouille, refers to both the French dish served at the critical moment at the end of the film and the main character, a rat. The story is set in Paris and follows a young rat named Remy (Patton Oswalt), who aspires to become a chef at Auguste Gusteau’s (Brad Garrett) restaurant. He embarks on an unconventional partnership with the restaurant’s garbage boy, Alfredo Linguini (Lou Romano), to pursue his culinary dream.

Ratatouille challenges the “anyone can cook” motto with its unique and whimsical premise that ends up more successful than anyone could predict. Despite its absurdity and unexplained language barriers, the film manages to deliver a delightful and delicious story that avoids coming across as preachy or immature. Despite featuring a rat as its central character, the food scenes in the film are also incredibly tantalizing and delectable, capable of inspiring anyone to delve into the world of cooking. Additionally, Ratatouille serves as Brad Bird’s love letter to Paris, a heartfelt tribute to the culinary arts, and a cinematic treat for viewers of all ages. The film also boasts exceptional voice performances and revolves around a character’s journey to finding their place and ultimately being embraced there.

Watch on Disney+

‘Who Framed Roger Rabbit’ (1988)

Rotten Tomatoes: 96% | IMDb: 7.7/10

In an alternate version of the 1940s, humans live alongside cartoon characters, known as Toons, who work for film companies to produce cartoon shorts. Eddie Valiant (Bob Hoskins), a private investigator whose brother was killed by a Toon, is hired to take photos of Jessica Rabbit (Kathleen Turner) having an affair with the owner of the Toon’s home (aka Toontown), Marvin Acme (Stubby Kaye). The next day, Acme is found dead, and the primary suspect is Jessica’s husband, Roger Rabbit (Charles Fleischer). Roger pleads for Eddie to clear his name and protect him from the ruthless Judge Doom (Christopher Lloyd), which leads to the uncovering of a greater conspiracy.

Who Framed Roger Rabbit is a technological and storytelling marvel. While there were other films that had real actors interacting with 2D characters, the crew of this film went the extra mile to make everything look and feel more real, from using wires to hold up real guns for the Toon characters to changing their colors during scenes with shifting lighting. From a storytelling side, it blends all of the classic film noir tropes with some of the most recognizable cartoon characters of all time, making for an unforgettable experience.

Watch on Disney+

‘The Incredibles’ (2004)

Rotten Tomatoes: 97% | IMDb: 8.0/10

In a retro-futuristic 1960s setting, The Incredibles centers on Bob and Helen Parr, a superhero couple known as Mr. Incredible and Elastigirl, voiced by Craig T. Nelson and Holly Hunter, respectively. They conceal their powers as required by the government and aim to lead a quiet suburban life with their three children. However, Bob’s longing to assist people pulls the entire family into a clash with a former admirer turned adversary.

As director Brad Bird’s love letter to the superhero genre, The Incredibles boasts an impressive level of action, violence, and chaos, setting it apart as one of Pixar’s most mature creations. Yet, it doesn’t deviate from the studio’s trademark approach, which centers on family dynamics and transforms it into a thrilling, Hollywood-style animated adventure. Additionally, similar to many of Pixar’s creations, the film effortlessly caters to both young and adult audiences. It fearlessly addresses the darker aspects of society and the superhero culture, earning it a cult following and solidifying its status as a contemporary animation classic. The Incredibles also revitalizes the excitement of old-school comic books and pulp adventures, not just the nostalgia, with its live-action-style visuals, showcasing Pixar’s forward-thinking approach in their productions.

Watch on Disney+

‘Dumbo’ (1941)

Rotten Tomatoes: 95% | IMDb: 7.2/10

A circus elephant is blessed with a baby of her own, whom she calls Jumbo Jr. However, when it’s revealed that he has oversized ears, the other elephants call him Dumbo. One day, while defending Dumbo from some troublesome children, his mother goes berserk and is locked up. The other elephants shun Dumbo for bringing shame to their species, but he finds a friend in a theatrical mouse named Timothy (Edward Brophy). Together, they work to turn Dumbo into a star in order to get his mother released while also finding a beneficial use for his ears.

Dumbo is one of Disney’s shortest films, and while not as artistically groundbreaking as other Golden Age films, its story and themes are some of the company’s most beautiful. It’s a story about outcasts working together to elevate one another and turn their perceived weaknesses into their greatest strengths. The animation is impressive and fits the bright atmosphere of the circus. Dumbo himself is one of Disney’s most expressive protagonists despite having no lines of dialogue, which serves as a testament to the skills of animator Bill Tytla. – Tyler B. Searle

Watch on Disney+

‘The Princess Bride’ (1987)

Rotten Tomatoes: 98% | IMDb: 8.0/10

A sweeping romantic fantasy, The Princess Bride follows a swashbuckling farmhand-turned-pirate on a quest to rescue his beloved Princess Buttercup (Robin Wright) from being forced to marry Prince Humperdinck (Chris Sarandon). Finding acquaintances in the vengeful Spaniard Inigo Montoya (Mandy Patinkin) and a Greenlander giant called Fezzik (André the Giant), Westley’s (Cary Elwes) pursuit to save his lost love takes him to many dangerous and magical places in the kingdom of Florian.

With no small amount of fairy tale allure, The Princess Bride has become a beloved ‘80s classic due to its ability to spoof the swashbuckling romantic fantasies of early cinema while honoring them with an earnest appreciation as well. Intelligent, fun, charismatic, and utterly charming, the Rob Reiner classic is a truly timeless masterpiece that appeals to everyone with its sense of adventure. – Ryan Heffernan

Watch on Disney+

‘Inside Out’ (2015)

Rotten Tomatoes: 98% | IMDb: 8.1/10

Read Our Review

Inside Out traces the story of Riley (Kaitlyn Dias), a happy 11-year-old girl who loves hockey and her Midwestern life. However, when she and her parents relocate to San Francisco, her emotions, led by Joy (Amy Poehler), strive to navigate this significant life change. The move’s stress places Sadness (Phyllis Smith) in the spotlight. In an unexpected turn of events, Joy and Sadness end up in the far reaches of Riley’s mind, leaving only Anger (Lewis Black), Fear (Bill Hader), and Disgust (Mindy Kaling) in control at Headquarters.

Inside Out skillfully turns emotional turmoil into an adventure, offering a surreal glimpse into the intricate workings of our feelings and the reasons behind them. It stands as a remarkable achievement in world-building and screenwriting — a level of artistry seldom seen in any film, let alone an animated one primarily targeting younger audiences. Moreover, blending a timeless fish-out-of-water story with Pixar’s signature wit and keen insights, delivered by an outstanding comedic cast and stunning visuals, the film stands as one of Pixar’s finest works. It’s also the type of film that gains depth with each viewing, resonating differently at various stages of life. Despite its relatively young age, Inside Out has already achieved classic status. – Jessie Nguyen

Watch on Disney+

‘Pinocchio’ (1940)

Rotten Tomatoes: 100% | IMDb: 7.5/10

An elderly woodcarver named Gepetto (Christian Rub) crafts a wooden puppet that he names Pinocchio (Dick Jones). Before going to sleep, he wishes on a star for Pinocchio to become a real boy, and a blue fairy (Evelyn Venable) decides to grant his request. She gives Pinocchio life but tells him that he must prove himself brave, truthful, and unselfish to become a real boy. To aid him in this task, she assigns a cricket named Jiminy (Cliff Edwards) to be his conscience and help him learn right from wrong. This task proves more difficult than anticipated, thanks to the numerous people who seek to exploit Pinocchio’s unique status and naivete.

Pinocchio is a treasure from Disney’s Golden Age that remains one of the company’s most beloved films. This is due in large part to its strong morals and characters. Pinocchio himself is a very likable protagonist whose experience of navigating the world is timeless. The film also isn’t afraid to show how dark the world can be or that sometimes, evil people succeed at the expense of the innocent. Despite this, its overall message is optimistic: keep to the right path rather than the easy one, and you can bring your dreams to life. – Tyler B. Searle

Watch on Disney+

‘Mary Poppins’ (1964)

Rotten Tomatoes: 96% | IMDb: 7.8/10

Groundbreaking for its time, 1964’s Mary Poppins stars the lovely Julie Andrews alongside the incredibly charming Dick Van Dyke in the tale of a dysfunctional family living in London, England, as they are blessed with the presence of a fantastical nanny named Marry Poppins. Quickly becoming the highest-grossing film of 1964, it gathered 13 Academy Award nominations, a record for Disney. The film won five Oscars, including Best Original Music Score by Irwin Kostal (West Side Story) and the Sherman Brothers (It’s A Small World), Best Actress for Julie Andrews, Best Film Editing, Best Visual Effects, and Best Original Song for “Chim Chim Cher-ee.”

Audiences’ fascination with the film has continued to intrigue viewers, new and old, and a film based on the creation of Mary Poppins, Saving Mr. Banks, starring Tom Hanks, was released in 2013. A sequel to the original film, Mary Poppins Returns, starring Emily Blunt in the titular role, premiered in 2018. In addition, the 1939 book the original film was based on, “Marry Poppins” by P.L. Travels, has had a renaissance of its own, as readers continue to pick up the book for the first time or repeat reads. Even today, the visual effects continue to impress, and the music will forever be stuck in your head. – Emily Cappello

Watch on Disney+

‘Pocahontas’ (1995)

Rotten Tomatoes: 54% | IMDb: 6.7/10

Based on the real-life Powhatan woman named Pocahontas, the story follows the young woman as a group of English settlers from the Virginia Company arrive and she saves the life of John Smith, one of the settlers. Directed by Mike Gabriel (The Rescuers Down Under) and Eric Goldberg (The Princess and the Frog), the film premiered in 1995 and starred Irene Bedard as Pocahontas and Mel Gibson as John Smith, alongside Christian Bale in the role of Thomas, John Smith’s friend; John Kassir as Meeko, the mischievous pet raccoon belonging to Pocahontas; Billy Connolly as Ben and Joe Baker as Lon, two settler friends of John Smith. With an iconic and instantly recognizable score by Alan Menken and words by Stephen Schwartz, the film was an instant hit and is now a Disney classic.

The film was a massive success, earning $346 million worldwide against a budget of $55 million. The film’s promotion followed in the lion-shaped footsteps of The Lion King by releasing a four-minute musical number in advance. The Pocahontas team chose “Colors of The Wind,” the film’s most well-known song, and it played during a theatrical re-release of The Lion King. While some critics disliked the lack of humor in the script, the film was a different kind of release for Disney, attempting to tell a slower and more heartfelt story. Still, the film remains an all-time classic, and if you go outside to start singing any one of its songs right now, at least one or more bystanders will question why you’re singing but know exactly where the song is from. – Emily Cappello

Watch on Disney+

‘The Lion King’ (1994)

Rotten Tomatoes: 93% | IMDb: 8.5/10

Drawing inspiration from William Shakespeare‘s Hamlet, incorporating elements from the Biblical stories of Joseph and Moses, and taking cues from Disney’s 1942 animated feature film Bambi, The Lion King is set in a kingdom of lions located in Africa. The film follows the journey of Simba, a lion cub destined to be the King of the Pride Lands. When his uncle Scar kills Simba’s father, Mufasa, and convinces Simba he’s to blame, he goes into exile. Raised by Timon and Pumbaa, Simba gains wisdom from his friend Nala and the shaman Rafiki and then returns to confront Scar, ending his reign and claiming his place as the rightful king in the Circle of Life.

With stunning animation, a captivating score by Elton John and Tim Rice, an emotionally resonant storyline, and Simba’s profound character arc, The Lion King offers a rich cinematic experience. It evokes both tearful moments and hearty laughter, making it an enduring and cherished animation that leaves a lasting impression on viewers of all ages. The movie remains a classic, upholding Disney’s high standard in animated features. It sets the bar so high that anything that comes after this version can leave you with a sense that something essential is lacking. – Jessie Nguyen

Watch on Disney+