The Best Movies on Disney Plus Right Now (August 2022)

With a robust catalog dating back to 1928, Disney’s move to create a streaming platform was a no-brainer. The much anticipated Disney+ is finally here— and with over 7,000 titles, there’s an endless amount of content to binge-watch. From classic fairy tales like Sleeping Beauty and Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, to original Disney TV shows like Lizzie Maguire and That’s So Raven, the platform is packed with enough oldies to satiate your nostalgia. But if you’re looking for something new, check out Disney+ originals like the latest iteration of Jungle Book or catch baby Yoda on Star Wars: The Mandalorian.

Choosing from the legion of movies films available on Disney+ can be overwhelming. Don’t worry— Complex has you covered. Here are the best movies streaming on Disney+ right now. 

Director: Angus MacLane

Cast: Chris Evans, Taiki Waititi, Keke Palmer, Uzo Aduba

Genre: Action, Comedy

Runtime: 1h 40m

Rating: PG

Rotten Tomatoes: 75% (Critics) 84% (Audience)

After years of waiting, we finally get to watch the inciting incident of Toy Story; the reason why Andy became obsessed with Buzz Lightyear. When Buzz (Chris Evans) volunteers himself for a hyperspace trial, he is transported years into the future. Gone is the habitable planet that the Space Rangers had set up and in its place is a robotic army led by the evil Zurg. He is recruited by a rag-tag resistance led by his former officer’s granddaughter, Izzy (Keke Palmer), to retake the planet. The first Pixar film to be released in theaters since 2020’s Onward, this is more of a love letter to old space serials like Buck Rogers than a nostalgic guilt trip for the toys we once had featured in Toy Story. Stars Chris Evans and Keke Palmer are joined by Taika Watiti, Uzo Aduba, and Bill Hader as well as the allure of the talking robotic cat named Sox.

Director: Akiva Schaffer

Cast: John Mulaney, Andy Samberg, Kiki Layne, Will Arnett

Genre: Comedy

Rating: PG

Runtime: 1h 36m

Rotten Tomatoes: 82% (Critics) 82% (Audience)

You’re probably thinking “Really? A movie based on Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers? That Disney show from the early 90’s?” and bemoaning the state of Hollywood’s obsession with reboots and remakes. Thankfully, the writers behind the Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers film feel the exact same way and made one of the most meta reboot films of all time. The comedy follows Chip (John Mulaney) and Dale (Andy Samberg), retired for decades from their show, as they take on their Rescue Rangers personas to investigate the disappearance of a former series castmate. The film takes most of its cues from similarly animated meta classic Who Framed Roger Rabbit? (Roger Rabbit even has a cameo), with the film taking place in a world where humans live alongside cartoon characters. Alongside the visual gags of seeing human characters interact with cartoons (and almost every cartoon character you can think of is in the film), there’s plenty of gags poking fun at Hollywood’s obsessions with remakes and cinematic universes, the use of bad CGI in films (Seth Rogen’s character is a highlight in this respect), and even the buying and selling of bootleg films. On top of all of that scathing meta humor there’s plenty of heart as well, with Andy Samberg and John Mulaney selling the friendship between Chip and Dale and having great comedic rapport as well. One of the most surprisingly great comedies of the year, Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers is a must watch. 

Director: Steven Spielberg

Cast: Ansel Elgort, Rachel Zegler, Ariana DeBose, Mike Faist

Genre: Musical

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 2h 36m

Rotten Tomatoes: 91% (Critics) 94% (Audience)

The long awaited take on the classic musical by Steven Spielberg is finally on Disney+, and it’s more than worth the wait. Adapted from the original stage musical by screenwriter Tony Kushner, West Side Story centers on the forbidden love between young Tony (Ansel Elgort) and Maria (Rachel Zegler), as a rivalry explodes between two rival gangs (the Jets and the Sharks) in 1950’s New York City. It’s hard to top the original 1961 film adaptation, which is regularly cited as one of the best movies ever made, but Spielberg comes pretty damn close. The choreography by Justin Peck is as energetic as the original and the new musical orchestrations are gorgeous. This cast is clearly up for the athletic, frankly exhausting looking dancing they have to do throughout the film, and similarly can sing just as well as the actors in the original. The casting is brilliant as well, with Ariana DeBose (in an Oscar winning role) and Mike Faist in particularly memorable roles, and of course the unparalleled Rita Moreno (who was in the original film in DeBose’s role as Anita) returning here in a minor, yet very moving role. The real star of the show is Spielberg’s (Oscar-nominated) direction, which captures all of the dance flourishes, retro New York City scenery, and heartbreaking facial expressions that are necessary to tell this timeless story. 

Director: Domee Shi

Starring: Rosalie Chiang, Sandra Oh, Ava Morse, Maitreyi Ramakrishnan

Genre: Comedy, Adventure

Rating: PG

Runtime: 1h 40m

Rotten Tomatoes: 94% (Critics) 73% (Audience)

Director: Jaume Collet-Serra

Cast: Dwayne Johnson, Emily Blunt, Jack Whitehall, Jesse Plemons

Genre: Action, Comedy

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 2h 7m

Rotten Tomatoes: 62% (Critics) 92% (Audience)

Just like Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl before it, it seemed there was no way that Disney could make a successful film adaptation of one of their most famous theme park attractions. And once again just like Pirates, Disney proved the naysayers wrong. Based on the theme park attraction of the same name, Jungle Cruise centers on Dr. Lily Houghton (Emily Blunt), a professor of botany, as her and her brother MacGregor (Jack Whitehall) enlist the help of skipper Captain Frank Wolff (Dwayne Johnson) to guide them down the Amazon river in search of an ancient tree that holds the power to heal. The film is most successful thanks to its casting: Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt have surprisingly great chemistry that gives the film a strong human heart. The supporting cast including Jack Whitehall as Lily’s gay brother and a deliriously campy Jesse Plemons as the villainous Prince Joachim deliver some of the film’s best laughs and thrills, respectively. The script is solid as well, crafting an original action adventure story that brings to mind the heights of the Pirates franchise, alongside some knowing winks to superfans of the original ride. A thrilling, charming action romp, Jungle Cruise is blockbuster heaven.

Director: Ron Shelton

Genre: Documentary 

Rating: PG

Runtime: 51m

Director: Tim Federle

Cast: Rueby Wood, Aria Brooks, Joshua Bassett, Lisa Kudrow

Genre: Comedy

Rating: PG

Runtime: 1h 31m

Rotten Tomatoes: 83% (Critics) 76% (Audience)

The latest Disney+ original hit, Better Nate Than Ever is a teen comedy with lots of spunk, much like its main character. Based on the hit young adult novel by Tim Federle, Better Nate Than Ever follows Broadway obsessed teenager Nate (Rueby Wood), as him and his best friend Libby (Aria Brooks) sneak off to Manhattan so he can audition for “Lilo & Stitch: The Musical”. There’s not much television or film for the Broadway obsessed as of late (Glee’s been off the air for a while), so Better Nate Than Ever solidly fits the mold, appealing to children who’s greatest passion is the Great White Way. Newcomer Rueby Wood turns in a charming lead performance that’s sure to see him cast in more things. A solid supporting cast brings humanity to the story as well, with Lisa Kudrow as his Broadway actress aunt and High School Musical: The Musical: The Series’ Joshua Bassett as his long suffering brother. Most importantly, the film has plenty of heart and an important lesson about following your dreams even when it seems like nobody is supporting you. A joyous, heartfelt teen comedy drama that will surely resonate with plenty of young adults who feel like outcasts, Better Nate Than Ever is a delight.

Director: Pete Docter

Cast: Jamie Foxx, Tina Fey, Phylicia Rashad, Questlove

Genre: Adventure, Comedy

Rating: PG

Runtime: 1h 40m

Rotten Tomatoes: 95% (Critics) 88% (Audience)

The latest and most inventive Pixar movie yet, Soul is now available on Disney+ after skipping a theatrical release. The film follows Joe (Jamie Foxx), a middle school teacher and aspiring jazz musician, as he suddenly dies in an accident and has his soul separated from his body. He’s transported to the You Seminar, the realm where souls are developed and transported into newborn babies, and, with the help of wayward soul 22 (Tina Fey), attempts to get back to Earth and his body. From that synopsis alone Soul seems like the most adult movie Pixar has ever made, but just like every other film they’ve made, it’s accessible to viewers of all ages. The abstract concepts on display are rendered in animation that’s some of the best yet we’ve seen from the studio, with a unique mixture of both 2-D and 3-D animation that gives the otherworldly sections of the film a surreal look. Conversely, the animators have perfectly rendered New York City to reflect what it looks like in real life. Thanks to breathtaking animation and a timely message about finding your purpose in life, Soul now ranks among the very best movies Pixar has ever released.

Director: Don Hall, Chris Williams

Cast: Ryan Potter, Scott Adsit, Jamie Chung, Damon Wayans Jr.

Genre: Sci Fi, Comedy

Rating: PG

Runtime: 1h 42m

Rotten Tomatoes: 90% (Critics) 91% (Audience)

A new kind of animated film from Disney Animation Studios, Big Hero 6 is the first animated film from the studio to feature characters from Marvel Comics. Based on the Marvel comic series of the same name, the animated superhero film follows young prodigy Hiro Hamada (Ryan Potter) as he befriends inflatable healthcare robot Baymax (Scott Adsit) and forms a team of high-tech heroes with his friends in order to defeat a masked villain dead set on destroying their city of San Fransokyo (a combination of real life San Francisco and Tokyo). Disney Animation Studios actually created new technology to produce the animated visuals of the film and it shows, with a uniquely kinetic style that fits the exhilarating superhero action. Alongside its top notch action, Big Hero 6 has a lot of heart as well, with an emotional story involving Hiro and his brother, as well as his relationship with Baymax, who has quickly become one of the most adorable Disney characters in recent memory. Big Hero 6 is just the type of movie for you if you’re in the mood for a Marvel movie but want a more creative adaptation.

Director: Gary Trousdale, Kirk Wise

Cast: Michael J. Fox, James Garner, Cree Summer, Leonard Nimoy

Genre: Sci Fi, Action

Rating: PG

Runtime: 1h 35m

Rotten Tomatoes: 49% (Critics) 53% (Audience)

The early 2000s were not a good time for Disney Animation Studios. They took plenty of risks that didn’t always pay off financially but ended up beloved by audiences later on, like 2002’s Treasure Planet. A similar thing happened to Atlantis: The Lost Empire, which is also inventive and stunningly animated. Inspired by the works of Jules Verne, the science fiction adventure film follows linguist Milo (Michael J. Fox) as he finds an ancient book that could lead him and an expedition to the lost city of Atlantis. The movie is a decided detour from the usual Disney musical with its action adventure focus, and even adopted a completely different animation style from the other Disney films of the time, borrowing liberally from comic creator Mike Mignola (best known for creating Hellboy), who worked as a production designer on the film. While not a financial success, Atlantis: The Lost Empire has become a cult classic with Disney fans, thanks to its colorful cast of diverse characters, its interesting world building, and its action packed, suspenseful story. One of the most underrated Disney films in recent memory, it’s never too late to become a fan of Atlantis: The Lost Empire.

Director: Bob Bowen

Cast: Vincent Martella, Ashley Tisdale, Dan Povenmire

Genre: Science-fiction, Comedy

Rating: TV-G

Runtime: 1h 27m

Rotten Tomatoes: 100% (Critics) 86% (Audience)

One of the very best cartoon series to premiere during the late 2000’s, Phineas and Ferb is rightfully beloved, and continues to delight with its second film Phineas and Ferb the Movie: Candace Against The Universe. The Disney+ original follows Phineas and Ferb as they journey into space in order to save their sister Candace (Ashley Tisdale) from alien queen Super Super Big Doctor (Ali Wong). The whole cast is here, including, of course, spy rivals Dr. Doofenshmirtz and Perry the Platypus, as well as some fun guest turns from Ali Wong, Thomas Middleditch, and Tiffany Haddish. Like the show itself, the movie is funny for both kids and adults, and is surprisingly heartwarming in ways that feel earned to both longtime and casual fans. The music sequences are fun as well too, being both funny, catchy, and visually appealing. Candace Against The Universe is one of the best animated children’s movies of the year. 

Director: Thomas Kail

Cast: Lin Manuel-Miranda, Philippa Soo, Leslie Odom Jr. 

Genre: Musical

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 2h 40m

Rotten Tomatoes: 98% (Critics) 90% (Audience)

The smash hit Broadway musical that has your whole family talking has finally arrived on a streaming service. After skipping a theatrical release due to the ongoing pandemic, a filmed version of the acclaimed Broadway musical is now available for fans to watch as many times as they please. The musical follows the life and political career of its titular figure, Alexander Hamilton (Lin-Manuel Miranda) as he helps General George Washington during the American Revolution, marries Eliza Schuyler (Philippa Soo), becomes Secretary of the Treasury, and eventually meets his tragic end at the hands of Vice President Aaron Burr (Leslie Odom Jr). As ridiculously hyped as Hamilton is, it lives up to it thanks to the remarkable talent of Lin-Manuel Miranda, who not only has crafted a meticulously researched story but has written catchy songs, intricate raps, and even turns in a moving performance in the lead role. That’s not to say the rest of the cast is immensely talented too, with Philippa Soo, Leslie Odom Jr, Daveed Diggs, and the rest of the talented cast making the musical come to life. A stunning recording of one of the most popular Broadway musicals in recent history, Disney+’s Hamilton captures the magic of watching the musical live and in person. 

Director: Francis Ford Coppola

Cast: Robin Williams, Adam Zolotin, Diane Lane, Fran Drescher

Genre: Coming of Age, Comedy

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 1h 53m

Rotten Tomatoes: 18% (Critics) 49% (Audience)

For all the greatness that the ‘90s has to offer when it comes to coming of age films, no story about bridging the precipice from child to adult packs quite the emotional gut punch as Jack. Helmed by Francis Ford Coppola and starring the late great comedic genius Robin Williams, Jack tells the story of a boy who ages four times faster than normal, trapping his ten-year-old self in the body of a forty-year-old man. Desperate to keep their son safe from the cruelty that can be adolescence, Jack’s parents have homeschooled him since birth, but as with any ten-year-old, curiosity and a longing to be normal leads them to enroll him in public school. What unfolds is a tearjerker about childhood, friendship, and struggle that you would need to have a heart of stone not to fall in love with. Those other movies about baseball and dogs and ducks and hockey are good, but if you’re looking for something that will really jog your memory about what it was like to be a kid, look no further.

Director: Wes Anderson

Cast: George Clooney, Meryl Streep, Bill Murray

Genre: Comedy

Rating: PG

Runtime: 1h 27m

Rotten Tomatoes: 93% (Critics) 85% (Audience)

Acclaimed director Wes Anderson’s first animated film, Fantastic Mr. Fox is a delightful adaptation of the Roald Dahl classic. Like the children’s book it’s based on, Fantastic Mr. Fox follows Mr. Fox (George Clooney), who steals food every night from three mean farmers, as he works to help his animal community overcome the farmers’ revenge. Anderson’s visual sensibility translates perfectly to animation, crafting a whimsical, yet melancholic vision with great moments of humor. Anderson also assembled an incredible cast for an animated film, with Meryl Streep, Bill Murray, and Willem Dafoe joining Clooney in the main cast. The stop motion is nothing short of beautiful, and has aged very well in the decade since the movie’s original release.

Director: Andrew Stanton

Cast: Taylor Kitsch, Lynn Collins, Samantha Morton

Genre: Science Fiction, Fantasy

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 2h 14m

Rotten Tomatoes: 52% (Critics) 60% (Audience)

The year is 2012 and Disney wants a movie that will rival the size and scale of Fox’s Avatar. They decide to adapt the 1912 Edgar Rice Burroughs novel Princess of Mars, which features the character of John Carter, who would later go on to be in several of his novels and other serials, becoming a moderately popular character in pop culture. A century later, John Carter is released: it follows the titular character (Taylor Kitsch) as he’s transported to Mars and fights to save its people. It’s one of the most expensive movies ever made and poor critical and commercial response labels it a flop. Time has been kind to the film however, with critics beginning to re-evaluate the film as a sci-fi action romp that’s actually pretty fun. The CGI holds up pretty well almost a decade later, the worldbuilding is pretty impressive, and the action scenes look great thanks to Andrew Stanton’s direction. It will always be a flop, but John Carter more than deserves your time if you’re in the market for a solid, underrated sci-fi action epic.

Director: Gene Kelly

Cast: Barbra Streisand, Walter Matthau, Michael Crawford

Genre: Comedy, Musical

Rating: G

Runtime: 2h 26m

Rotten Tomatoes: 43% (Critics) 76% (Audience) 

It’s a musical with Barbra Streisand, what more could you want? Hello, Dolly! is the film adaptation of the Broadway hit that brought the now classic musical to the masses. The movie follows Dolly Levi (Streisand), a strong-willed matchmaker, as she travels to Yonkers to find a match for miserly millionaire Horace Vandergelder (Walter Matthau). One of the last movies of the Technicolor era, Hello, Dolly! Is a triumph of set design, music, and choreography, no surprise given that it’s directed by Singing In The Rain star Gene Kelly himself. Barbara Streisand shines in a complicated role, with rapid fire dialogue and zany antics. Hello, Dolly! is a nostalgic delight that shows what Hollywood could achieve during its golden days. 

Director: Don Scanlon

Cast: Tom Holland, Chris Pratt, Julia Louis-Dreyfus

Genre: Fantasy, Adventure

Rating: PG

Runtime: 1h 43m

Rotten Tomatoes: 88% (Critics) 95% (Audience)

Newly added to Disney+ after having its theatrical run cut short thanks to the ongoing pandemic, now’s the perfect time to catch up on the latest great film from Pixar, especially since you probably didn’t have the chance to catch it in theaters. Onward is set in a fantastical world that’s had much technological progress similar to ours, with magic long being forgotten in favor of modern day technology. High schooler elf Ian (Tom Holland) finds a spell that allows him to bring his dead father back for one day, but when it goes wrong, he journeys with his brother Barley (Chris Pratt) to spend one last proper day with their father. Onward is a marvel of world-building, creating one of the more detailed and fascinating worlds ever made for a Pixar movie. Like other Pixar movies, Onward is also a tearjerker that more than earns your tears, with its carefully constructed characters and smart story that goes to unexpectedly emotional places. Onward is yet another great film from Pixar that deserves more than its unfortunately short theatrical run. 

Director: Sarah Smith, Jean-Philippe Vine, Octavio E. Rodriguez

Cast: Jack Dylan Grazer, Zach Galifianakis, Olivia Colman, Ed Helms

Genre: Comedy

Rating: PG

Runtime: 1h 47m

Rotten Tomatoes: 80% (Critics) 94% (Audience)

The “child has a heartwarming relationship with a non-human” film has a long and storied history, with Old Yeller, E.T., and most recently, Big Hero 6 all classics in the genre. Ron’s Gone Wrong is the latest in this genre, but adds a significant twist to the genre in the form of social media. The animated film centers on awkward middle schooler Barney (Jack Dylan Grazer) who befriends a defective robot named Ron (Zach Galifianakis) and finds himself protecting Ron from tech employees who want to protect their company from bad publicity. The film takes a refreshing look at modern technology and how it can both help and hamper children, and does it in both funny and heartwarming ways. Luca’s Jack Dylan Grazer further proves he’s a fantastic voice actor, and Zach Galifianakis is in his weirdo sweet spot as the strange but lovable Ron. The film’s themes are appealing to both children and adults as well, with some scathing critique of widespread social media obsession that people of all ages can take note of. Sweet and surprisingly subversive, Ron’s Gone Wrong is an animated delight that anyone can enjoy.

Directors: Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee

Cast: Idina Menzel, Kristen Bell, Jonathan Groff

Genre: Fantasy

Rating: PG

Runtime: 1h 47m

Rotten Tomatoes: 77% (Critics) 92% (Audience)

Ever heard of a little movie called Frozen? Even if you didn’t know any small children when it was released, the mega Disney blockbuster was inescapable, with hit song “Let It Go”, dominating the airwaves. Now more than five years later, we have Frozen 2, a worthy follow up to that previous smash hit. The sequel follows Elsa (Idina Menzel), Anna (Kristen Bell) and Kristoff (Jonathan Groff) as they journey beyond Arendelle to uncover the mysterious secret behind Elsa’s powers and save the kingdom. Frozen 2 ups the action from the first film, as well as the already impressive animation: the water animation alone in the sequel is breathtaking. The songs are just as good as the original, and surprisingly the movie takes on some heavy topics involving xenophobia and tribalism. A gem that’s enjoyable by both young and old, Frozen 2 is the latest crowd pleasing hit from Disney.

Director: Ryan Coogler

Cast: Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Angela Bassett

Genre: Action, Science-Fiction

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 2h 16m

Rotten Tomatoes: 96% (Critics) 79% (Audience)

The second highest grossing Marvel film of all time (behind Avengers: Endgame), Black Panther was an undeniable phenomenon when it was released in 2018. Though you’ve probably already seen it in theaters, it’s always great for a rewatch. Black Panther follows Prince T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman) of fictional African country Wakanda, who must ascend to the throne after the death of his father (who was killed by a rogue brainwashed assassin in 2016’s Captain America: Civil War—it was a whole thing), but finds himself threatened by a mysterious mercenary known as Killmonger (Michael B. Jordan). The supporting cast is so stacked you can pick a different actor to focus on with each repeat viewing, from Forest Whitaker to Angela Bassett to rising star Letitia Wright. Black Panther remains one of the very best movies to come out of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Director: Lee Unkrich

Cast: Anthony Gonzalez, Gael García Bernal, Benjamin Bratt

Genre: Fantasy

Rating: PG

Runtime: 1h 44m

Rotten Tomatoes: 97% (Critics) 94% (Audience)

It’s an impressive feat with movies such as Toy Story, Finding Nemo, and Wall-E under their belt, but Pixar might just have made one of their best movies with 2017’s Coco. It follows young boy Miguel as he is transported to the Land of the Dead during Day of the Dead and must escape with the help of his deceased musician grandfather. The first Pixar movie with an entire Latinx cast, Coco is a beautiful tribute to Mexican culture and is easily one of the most tear jerking Pixar movies ever made (and that’s saying something) thanks to its themes of life, death, and family. If you don’t lose it at the ending, you might be as dead as most of the characters in this movie. Coco is arguably Pixar’s crowning achievement, and one of the best movies Disney has produced over the past decade, animated or live action.

Director: David Hand

Cast: John Sutherland, Sam Edwards, Sterling Holloway

Genre: Drama, Family

Rating: G

Runtime: 1h 12m

Rotten Tomatoes: 90% (Critics) 73% (Audience)

One of Disney’s earliest and most famous animated films, Bambi is now considered one of the best animated films of all time. Based on the 1923 book Bambi, a Life in the Woods, Bambi follows the titular young deer as he grows up in the forest alongside his friends Flower, a skunk, and Thumper, a rabbit. Bambi’s animation is so stunning and evocative that you’d be excused if you thought parts of the film were footage of an actual forest. The story itself is beautifully cyclical, showing the cycle of life and death that echoes throughout the forest in which the characters live. Famously, the death of Bambi’s mother supposedly “traumatized” many young viewers, yet the acknowledgement of both life and death makes the story feel even more elemental and meaningful. Bambi is a remarkable feat of both animation and storytelling.

Director: Roger Allers, Rob Minkoff

Cast: Matthew Broderick, James Earl Jones, Jeremy Irons

Genre: Coming of Age, Family

Rating: G

Runtime: 1h 31m

Rotten Tomatoes: 93% (Critics) 93% (Audience)

One of the first movies many ‘90s kids remember watching, The Lion King is arguably the crown jewel of Disney’s ‘90s renaissance. Loosely based on Hamlet, The Lion King centers on Simba (Matthew Broderick) as he journeys to succeed his father Mufasa (James Earl Jones) as “King of the Pride Lands”, despite the sinister machinations of his sinister uncle Scar (Jeremy Irons). The movie boasts some of the best and unique animation they’d ever achieved at the time, with gorgeous landscapes and majestic animals. The soundtrack has also received much critical acclaim, especially because of Elton John’s involvement in writing several of the original songs featured in the movie, including “Hakuna Matata” and “Can You Feel The Love Tonight?”, which continue to be staples at many Disney karaoke nights. The Lion King remains one of the most stunning animated Disney movies of all time, more than two decades after its release. The less said about the supposedly “live action” remake released earlier this year, the better. 

Director: Gary Trousdale, Kirk Wise

Cast: Paige O’Hara, Robby Benson, Richard White

Genre: Romance, Family

Rating: G

Runtime: 1h 29m

Rotten Tomatoes: 94% (Critics) 92% (Audience)

The first animated film to be nominated for Best Picture at the Academy Awards, Beauty and the Beast helped cement Disney as a major power player in the film industry with adults as well as children. Based on the French fairy tale, Beauty and the Beast follows Belle (Paige O’Hara), a woman who finds herself trapped in a castle by Beast (Robby Benson), a prince who’s been transformed into a monster. If Beast falls in love with Belle and his love is reciprocated, the curse will be broken. One of Disney’s darker movies, it also has some of the most beautiful animation in their movies, the highlight being a stunning ballroom dance set to the Academy Award winning title song. Beauty and the Beast remains among Disney’s best and most respected films.

Director: John Lasseter

Cast: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Don Rickles

Genre: Family, Action

Rating: G

Runtime: 1h 22m

Rotten Tomatoes: 100% (Critics) 92% (Audience)

Before Pixar became the worldwide animation juggernaut they are today, they had to start somewhere. That start just happens to be with 1995’s Toy Story, which revolutionized the industry. The first entirely computer-animated film, Toy Story follows toys that come to life when their owner isn’t around: Woody (Tom Hanks), a cowboy doll, becomes jealous of the attention that new spaceman figure Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen) receives, leading to them both becoming lost and journeying back home to their owner Andy. Toy Story was a smash hit at the box office and established Pixar as major players in the industry. The success of Toy Story famously led to other beloved films released by the studio, including Finding Nemo and The Incredibles, and of course three successful sequels, the most recent of which was released this year. To this day, Toy Story still feels revolutionary and remains one of the best animated films ever made.

Director: David Lowery

Cast: Oakes Fegley, Bryce Dallas Howard, Wes Bentley

Genre: Family, Fantasy

Rating: PG

Runtime: 1h 45m

Rotten Tomatoes: 88% (Critics) 72% (Audience)

1977’s Pete’s Dragon isn’t the most well known Disney film, but has its fans thanks to its buoyant energy and Academy Award-nominated song “Candle on the Water”. The last thing fans expected was a remake in 2016. Even more surprisingly, independent film director David Lowery (A Ghost Story, Ain’t Them Bodies Saints) was chosen to helm the remake. The result is a movie that’s decidedly more serious than the original, but manages to be just as charming. The film follows young orphan Pete (Oakes Fegley) as he befriends a dragon in the Pacific Northwest in the early ‘80s, a discovery that brings the attention of park ranger Grace (Bryce Dallas Howard), and other townspeople. Like the rest of Lowery’s work, Pete’s Dragon is visually stunning and heartfelt, and is easily one of the best live action remakes Disney has produced in recent years.

Directors: Samuel Armstrong, James Algar, Bill Roberts, Paul Satterfield, Ben Sharpsteen, David H. Hand, Hamilton Luske, Jim Handley, Ford Beebe, T. Hee, Norman Ferguson, Wilfred Jackson

Cast: Leopold Stokowski, Deems Taylor

Genre: Family, Fantasy

Rating: G

Runtime: 2h 6m

Rotten Tomatoes: 95% (Critics) 83% (Audience)

Only the third animated film Disney ever produced, Fantasia is one of their best and most iconic films. Fantasia is an anthology of eight animated segments, all set to famous pieces of classical music conducted by Leopold Stokowski, one of the leading conductors of the early 20th century. These pieces of music include The Nutcracker Suite, Rite of Spring, and most famously, The Sorcerer’s Apprentice. Fantasia’s most famous segment depicts Mickey as the titular apprentice as he attempts to get his chores done quicker with magic, only to make them even worse. Another more popular (and more infamous) segment is Night on Bald Mountain, an intense segment that shows a demonic figure named Chernabog letting lose an army of skeletal figures from a mountain as the titular orchestral piece plays. To this day, both the segment and Chernabog are considered amongst the scariest things ever created by Disney. Both exhilarating and educational, Fantasia remains one of the best things Disney’s ever produced.

Director: Brad Bird

Cast: Patton Oswalt, Lou Romano, Janeane Garofalo

Genre: Family, Comedy

Rating: G

Runtime: 1h 51m

Rotten Tomatoes: 96% (Critics) 87% (Audience)

There’s much debate as to which is the best Pixar movie. So many of them are beloved, from Toy Story to Finding Nemo to Wall-E, to pretty much any of the films they’ve ever released that don’t have “Cars” in the title. Their best film may just be Ratatouille. Set in modern day France, Ratatouille follows rat Remy (Patton Oswalt), an aspiring chef, as he works together with hapless garbage worker Linguini (Lou Romano) to become a star chef at one of the best restaurants in Paris. Easily one of the strangest films Pixar has ever produced, Ratatouille is nevertheless surprisingly emotional, especially to anyone who works in the arts. Remy’s need to create experiences and move people with his food resonates with anyone who’s ever has an artistic impulse, and his parents’ disapproval is unfortunately all too real as well. With a ludicrous premise done incredibly well and a story that’s tantalizing not just because of all of the food on display, Ratatouille might just be Pixar’s masterpiece.

Director: Josh Cooley

Cast: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Tony Hale

Genre: Family, Comedy

Rating: G

Runtime: 1h 40m

Rotten Tomatoes: 97% (Critics) 94% (Audience)

The last thing anyone wanted was a Toy Story 4. 2010’s Toy Story 3 is widely accepted to be the perfect conclusion to the beloved franchise, with nary a dry eye in theaters, widespread critical acclaim, and even a Best Picture nomination. And yet, Pixar pulled it off: Toy Story 4 is somehow an even better conclusion to the series. The movie follows Woody (Tom Hanks) and Buzz (Tim Allen) as they travel with new owner Bonnie on a road trip alongside new toy Forky (Tony Hale), and discover that there may just be a bigger world out there for a toy. The Toy Story series has always been shockingly complex for what’s ostensibly a children’s film series but Toy Story 4 takes it to a new level, directling focusing on ideas of abandonment, purpose, and what we owe each other in society. It’s also a movie about a plastic spork that’s suddenly alive and doesn’t know exactly what that means. Toy Story 4 is a lot of things: an entertaining children’s movie, a complex comedy drama about what it means to discover your value, and a suitable conclusion to one of the very best cinematic quadrilogies of the 2000’s, but overall it’s also one of the best Disney movies to come out of the past couple of years.

Director: Robert Zemeckis

Cast: Bob Hoskins, Charles Fleischer, Christopher Lloyd

Genre: Mystery, Film Noir, Comedy

Rating: PG

Runtime: 1h 43m

Rotten Tomatoes: 97% (Critics) 84% (Audience)

A stunning mix of live action and animation, Who Framed Roger Rabbit? is one of the most inventive films Disney has ever released. Based on the (much more adult) novel Who Censored Roger Rabbit?, Who Framed Roger Rabbit? depicts a version of Hollywood in 1947 where “toons” and humans live side by side. Private detective Eddie Valiant (Bob Hoskins) helps exonerate toon Roger Rabbit, who’s been accused of murdering a millionaire, discovering an insidious conspiracy along the way. A bizarre mix of both noir and comedy, Who Framed Roger Rabbit? manages to be appropriate for both adults and children: children will appreciate the cartoon antics and jokes, adults will appreciate the surprisingly complex noir homage and acting from Bob Hoskins. The effects work in Roger Rabbit is top notch as well, seamlessly blending live action and animation in a way that was unheard of at the time. Who Framed Roger Rabbit? is one of Disney’s best and most singular achievements.

Director: Anthony & Joe Russo

Cast: Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Anthony Mackie

Genre: Science-Fiction, Action

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 2h 17m

Rotten Tomatoes: 90% (Critics) 92% (Audience)

Captain America: The First Avenger was an early success for the Marvel Cinematic Universe, effortlessly adapting the iconic character to film with a star-making turn from Chris Evans. A sequel was inevitable, but few guessed it would rank among the best Marvel movies ever made. Captain America: The Winter Soldier adapts one of the most celebrated Captain America comic stories of all time, centering on Cap (Chris Evans), Black Widow (Scarlett Johannson) and Falcon (Anthony Mackie) as they uncover a conspiracy within counter-terrorism agency S.H.I.E.L.D. while evading the mysterious assassin known as the Winter Soldier. Loosely inspired by old school political thrillers, Winter Soldier matches spy espionage with typical superhero action, making it much more twistier than other Marvel movies. Evans continues to be great, and without giving away too much, the reveal of the Winter Soldier’s identity is great for Cap’s character development. Captain America: The Winter Soldier proved that Marvel wasn’t afraid to experiment with different genres and that they have a great grasp on Captain America as a character.

Director: James Gunn

Cast: Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista

Genre: Science-Fiction, Comedy

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 2h 2m

Rotten Tomatoes: 91% (Critics) 92% (Audience)

Marvel found themselves taking a huge risk when they decided to adapt the Guardians of the Galaxy comic series: while they’re relatively popular to comic enthusiasts, the general populace had no idea who the Guardians were. Smartly, director James Gunn tied the previously unknown team of superheroes to something general audiences can connect to: classic rock. Earthling Peter Quill (Chris Pratt), kidnapped as a child by aliens, now an intrepid and selfish smuggler, forms an uneasy alliance with a group of aliens on the run after stealing a rare artifact. Quill’s Walkman, filled with music he loved listening to as a child, is a major component of the film, grounding the more bizarre science fiction action in a recognizable pop culture setting. Guardians of the Galaxy rightfully made Chris Pratt a star, with his charming turn as Quill, and the movie was so well received that the Guardians are now a household name and a regular fixture in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Guardians of the Galaxy is a unique gamble that is one of the strangest and most fun Marvel films. 

Director: Ron Clements, John Musker

Cast: Auli’i Cravalho, Dwayne Johnson, Rachel House

Genre: Family, Fantasy

Rating: PG

Runtime: 1h 47m

Rotten Tomatoes: 95% (Critics) 89% (Audience)

Disney has had a long history of making princess movies, and a great many of them have unfortunately been white. Disney made a big step forward with 2009’s The Princess and The Frog with the company’s first black princess, and then moved into even more diverse territory with 2016’s Moana. The company’s first Pacific Islander princess, Moana centers on the titular strong-willed daughter (Auli’i Cravalho) of a Polynesian village chief, who sets out on a journey to return an ancient relic to the goddess Te Fiti with the help of arrogant demigod Maui (Dwayne Johnson). The film is beautifully animated and lovingly evocative of Pacific Islander culture down to the casting of newcomer Auli’i Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson. Moana notably also does not have a love interest, a rarity for Disney princesses, and instead sets out to help her people and the environment.  The film also boasts some of the best music in recent Disney history thanks to the input of Lin-Manuel Miranda. Moana is a huge step forward both in diversity and storytelling for Disney.

Director: Ron Clements, John Musker

Cast: Anika Noni Rose, Bruno Campos, Keith David

Genre: Fantasy, Family

Rating: G

Runtime: 1h 38m

Rotten Tomatoes: 85% (Critics) 74% (Audience)

One of the most recent Disney films to bring to mind the heights of the Disney Renaissance, The Princess and the Frog is one of the last Disney movies to use traditional hand drawn animation. The Princess and the Frog is a throwback to the princess focused musical films of the 90’s, such as The Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast. It centers on hard-working waitress Tiana (Anika Noni Rose), who hopes to own a restaurant of her own, as she journeys to help a frog prince (Bruno Campos) transform back into a human and finds herself turned into a frog as well. The Princess and the Frog is richly animated, with an accurate and loving depiction of New Orleans in the 1920’s. The performances are heartfelt as well, and the jazz and gospel inspired music brings to mind the rich culture of New Orleans. The Princess and the Frog proves that Disney is still more than capable of capturing the magic of some of their best years.