The 10 Best Movies On Disney+ (According To Experts)

Key Points:

• Audiences get to see the 2016 performance of Hamilton from the Richard Rodgers Theatre with their Disney+ subscription, which is one of the most-watched titles on Disney+.
• The live-action version of the classic animated feature, The Lion King, is beloved by Disney+ subscribers, featuring Simba (voice of Donald Glover) and his father Mufasa (voice of James Earl Jones).
• One of the best-selling film franchises, X-Men has 13 films, all available for streaming on Disney +.

Disney+ offers some of the most iconic movies for adults and kids. The subscription provides access to hundreds of Disney films and thousands of TV episodes for a price that’s tough to beat. Although initially known for cartoon content with a strictly G rating, Disney has hit its stride in producing family movies. In fact, it has some of the top-grossing comedy and action films around — particularly since its acquisition of the Marvel franchise.

Disney+ offers a wide variety of movies, and many of the streaming platform’s best-selling films boast major stars — whether through outstanding on-camera performances or behind-the-scenes vocal talent. Not to mention, most Disney+ films keep a suitable running time for kids … and grown-ups, too. Whether you’re looking for a way to entertain your kids or you simply want a great excuse to be a weekend couch potato, here are 10 of the best movies Disney+ currently has to offer!

#10: Hocus Pocus (1993)

Three sisters (played by Bette Midler, Sara Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy) are executed in Salem for practicing witchcraft. Some 300 years later, Max, played by Omri Katz, finds a spellbook and accidentally reawakens the sisters. One of the most-watched movies, especially during the Halloween season, the film’s story follows Max’s quest to keep the witch sisters from sticking around for good.

Fans will be excited to hear news of an upcoming sequel, Hocus Pocus 2, rumored to have a 2022 release date. But despite the movie’s current trending status due to the sequel, the movie has remained a favorite with Disney fans since its release. A PG rating for mild violence makes the movie mostly safe for kids. There is plenty of comedy and action in its one-hour-and-36-minute run time to satisfy the whole family!

#9: Moana (2016)

One of the best-selling releases when it premiered in theaters, Moana has remained a trending movie on the Disney+ platform. After the crops fail and nobody can catch any fish, Moana (voiced by Auli’i Cravalho) takes off on a journey across the sea in search of her father, a demigod named Maui, voiced by Dwayne Johnson. Since Maui stole the sea goddess’s heart, causing the scarcity of food supplies, Moana hopes that finding Maui will set things right.

The one-hour-and-47-minute running time makes this movie easy on children’s attention span, and a PG rating (for thematic elements) makes the movie a family favorite. This well-watched and highly regarded Disney+ film is an excellent introduction to Polynesian stories and cultural diversity.

#8: Hidden Figures (2017)

Hidden Figures tells the story of the three Black women who played a crucial role in John Glenn’s launch into space. The film stars Taraji P. Henson as Katherine Johnson, Octavia Spencer as Dorothy Vaughan, and Janelle Monae as Mary Jackson. The story demonstrates how the women crossed gender and racial lines to put America ahead in the space race, and the film is a great way to introduce kids to the space program.

The running time of two hours and six minutes means it’s a bit longer than some “kid-friendly” films, but it provides a lot of information in that time. A PG rating for mild thematic elements ensures that the film is a safe family movie option that everyone will learn from.

#7: Coco (2017)

Coco follows the story of a musician named Miguel, voiced by Anthony Gonzalez, who journeys back to a magical land he has heard about from his family’s stories. Gael Garcia Bernal voices a trickster who becomes Miguel’s guide of sorts on the journey. It’s worth it to see this beautifully-produced cartoon highlighting LatinX culture.

This popular film, which is easy to access with your Disney+ subscription, is from the same Pixar studio that brought us Toy Story and its sequels. Coco has a PG rating and one hour, 46 minutes running time make it ideal for family movie nights.

#6: X2 (2003)

In X2, Patrick Stewart reprises his role as Charles Xavier, the leader of the X-Men. When Xavier gets abducted, his students are imprisoned, and his mutant-detecting device (Cerebro) is stolen. The X-Men, including Logan/Wolverine, played by High Jackman, and Xavier’s nemesis, Magneto, must join forces to prevent the destruction of all mutants.

One of the best-selling film franchises, X-Men has 13 films, all available for streaming. You can anticipate great performances from some of the best action stars today. The two-hour-and-14-minute movie is rated PG-13.

#5: The Princess and The Frog (2009)

The Princess and The Frog offers a new twist on an old fairy tale, bringing in a 1920s New Orleans setting. Tiana (voiced by Anika Noni Rose) must go on a journey to free Prince Naveen (voiced by Bruno Campos) from a curse that has turned him into a frog. With a G rating, the movie is a great choice for kids. Not to mention, there is enough suspense surrounding rescuing the prince from the witch doctor to keep adults satisfied, too.

One of the things that makes this movie stand out is its introduction of Disney’s first Black princess. The appearance of voodoo as a plot is also a bit of an anomaly. The movie enjoyed critical acclaim for its depiction of New Orleans during the Roaring Twenties.

#4: Flight of the Navigator (1986)

Flight of the Navigator is a visionary movie for its time. It features Joey Cramer as David Freeman, a boy who disappears in 1978 to return eight years later without having aged. David escapes from government custody on board a spaceship inhabited by a witty robot (voiced by Paul Ruebens) and several fascinating aliens. Once on the ship, David learns exceptional navigational skills in his quest to return home to 1978.

The movie is such a popular choice for both adults and kids that plans were underway to do a reboot as of 2021. Bryce Dallas Howard (daughter of Ron Howard and star of the Jurassic World franchise) is set to direct. With a PG rating and hour-and-a-half run time, the movie’s blend of sci-fi and comedy makes it an ideal family favorite.

#3: National Treasure (2004)

Although previously offered for free through several other streaming platforms, National Treasure is one of the most popular titles included with a Disney+ subscription. Benjamin Franklin Gates, played by Nicholas Cage, is on a quest to find the famed Templar Treasure, aided by Abigail Chase (played by Diane Kruger), and Riley Poole (played by Justin Bartha). Ben is reluctantly aided by his father Patrick (played by Jon Voight), who sees the search as a fool’s errand. Ben and his helpers must stay ahead of a team of mercenaries who is out to get the treasure at any cost.

National Treasure did well at the box office, leading to a sequel, and the PG rating makes it a fun, action-packed choice for families. There are plenty of twists and turns throughout the two hours.

#2: The Lion King (2019)

A live-action version of the classic animated feature, The Lion King was released in 2019. Simba (voiced by Donald Glover) is in line to take the title of king, following in the footsteps of his father, Mufasa (voiced by James Earl Jones). However, Mufasa’s brother, Scar, hatches a plan that results in Simba’s exile. Simba must fight to take back his kingdom from Scar and his minions.

Rated PG and running just shy of two hours, this version is as endearing to families as its top-grossing animated predecessor. It also features a stellar vocal cast and stunning cinematography.

#1: Hamilton (2020)

Hamilton is one of the most innovative musicals to hit the music scene in recent years, thanks to actor/composer/playwright/filmmaker extraordinaire, Lin-Manuel Miranda. Set during the time of the Founding Fathers, this top-grossing musical stars Lin-Manuel Miranda as Alexander Hamilton, Christopher Jackson as George Washington, and Leslie Odom Jr. as Aaron Burr. The unique telling of the story involving Hamilton and Burr is one of the most-watched titles on Disney+, using a mixture of Broadway, R&B, jazz, and hip-hop to tell the story.

Audiences get to see the 2016 performance from the Richard Rodgers Theatre with their Disney+ subscription, making watching this performance a unique experience. This play took home 11 Tony Awards, making it one of the most popular performances available to a home audience.

If you’re looking for more binge-watching suggestions, check out The 10 Best Shows to Stream on Disney+ Today!

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