From blockbusters like The Avengers to beautiful animations like Moana, Disney has entertained and inspired families worldwide for years. The following are the best family movies on Disney Plus:
Toy Story 2 (1999)
Imdb rating: 7.9
Directed By: John Lasseter
Writer: John Lasseter, Pete Docter, Ash Brannon, Andrew Stanton, Andrew Stanton, Rita Hsiao, Doug Chamberlain, Chris Webb
Cast: Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Kelsey Grammer, Don Rickles
An animated movie about devious toy dealer named AI McWhiggin steals Woody from his home to complete his full set of toys from the 1950s hit TV show “Woody’s Roundup.” Woody meets with the show’s co-stars Jessie the Yodeling Cowgirl, Bullseye, and Stinky Pete. However, his buddies from home are looking for him, but they don’t know that Woody doesn’t want to leave. They go on a hilarious and breathtaking mission to rescue their friend. This kids movies is brilliant for the entire family, and it’s witty, enchanting, stunning, and matches its original.
Toy Story (1995)
Imdb rating: 8.3
Directed By: Hamilton Luske, Ben Sharpsteen, Norman Ferguson, Bill Roberts
Writer: John Lasseter, Pete Docter, Joe Ranft, Joss Whedon, Andrew Stanton, Joel Cohen, Alec Sokolow
Cast: Dickie Jones, Dick Jones, Christian Rub, Cliff Edwards
Toy Story trilogy is a hilarious movie about Woody, a cowboy doll who’s jealous of a new spaceman figure that knocks him off his perch as a top toy in a boy’s room. To make things worse for Woody, the spaceman figure known as Buzz Lightyear is arrogant and thinks he’s a real spaceman whose mission is to return home. Toy Story is a classic and one of the best family movies on Disney Plus.
Pinocchio (1940)
Imdb rating: 7.4
Directed By: Hamilton Luske, Ben Sharpsteen, Norman Ferguson, Bill Roberts
Cast: Dickie Jones, Dick Jones, Christian Rub, Cliff Edwards
A woodworker named Geppetto makes one of his best toys, and when he sees a falling star, he wishes the puppet could turn into a boy. Deep in the night, a Blue Fairy grants him his wish. But there’s a catch, Pinocchio must prove himself worthy of becoming a boy, and he must use the help of Jiminy Cricket, who serves as his conscience. Pinocchio is one of the first Disney kids movies to feature superb details; it’s delightful, fun and moving. It is one of the best animated movies on Dinsey Plus.
Finding Nemo (2003)
Imdb rating: 8.1
Directed By: Andrew Stanton, Lee Unkrich
Writer: Andrew Stanton, Andrew Stanton, Bob Peterson, David Reynolds
Cast: Albert Brooks, Ellen DeGeneres, Alexander Gould, Willem Dafoe
Nemo was “born” with a foreshortened fin which makes his father Marlin overly cautious of her. One day, Nemo is captured in the Great Barrier Reef, taken far away to Sidney, and sold to a dentist. Marlin sets out to find Nemo and is joined by a blue reef fish named Dory. The only problem is, Dory has a really short memory and complicates Marlin’s journey with encounters with sharks, jellyfish, and other ocean dangers. Finding Nemo is one of the best movies on Disney Plus, with a captivating adventure that kids will enjoy. It is one of the best animated films on Dinsey Plus.
Inside Out (2015)
Imdb rating: 8.1
Directed By: Pete Docter, Ronnie
Writer: Pete Docter, Meg LeFauve, Josh Cooley
Cast: Amy Poehler, Phyllis Smith, Richard Kind, Bill Hader
Riley is a happy 11-year-old, but everything changes when her family moves from the Midwest to San Francisco. Her emotions of joy, fear, anger, disgust, and sadness conflict as they try to guide her through this testing period. This movie is excellent for the entire family. It is visually stunning with bright and rich colors, memorable characters, and emotional lines of dialogue that make the film captivating to watch.It is one of the best animated movies on Dinsey Plus.
Toy Story 3 (2010)
Imdb rating: 8.2
Directed By: Lee Unkrich
Writer: Michael Arndt
Cast: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Ned Beatty
Toys Story trilogy 3 marks the return of Woody, Buzz, and the entire gang. Just as they’re enjoying a peaceful life at home, their owner Andy has to leave for college. A lot happens, and the toys end up in a daycare where they discover little kids don’t play nice. The gang links up with Ken, Mr. Pricklepants, and Lots-‘0’-Huggin Bear to plan their escape. Toy Story 3 is a brilliant “prison break” movie, the best movies of the trilogy.
Zootopia (2016)
Imdb rating: 8
Directed By: Byron Howard, Rich Moore, Jared Bush
Writer: Jared Bush, Phil Johnston
Cast: J.K. Simmons, Kristen Bell, Octavia Spencer, Alan Tudyk
This movie follows the adventures of Judy Hopps in the City of Zootopia, the mammal metropolis where any animal can live and thrive. Judy Hopps joins the police force as the first bunny officer in a law enforcement team dominated by tough majestic animals. Judy doesn’t give up and jumps at the opportunity to solve a mysterious case. However, she must work with Nick Wilde, a wily fox who’s challenging to work with. This is an excellent story with a twist that keeps it interesting. Zootopia also carries a wonderful message about diversity and accepting each other. It is one of the best animated movies on Dinsey Plus.
Hamilton (2020)
Imdb rating: 8.4
Directed By: Thomas Kail
Writer: Ron Chernow
Cast: Lin-Manuel Miranda, Phillipa Soo, Leslie Odom Jr., Renée Elise Goldsberry
Hamilton is a origin story of America as a nation back in the day and is based on American founding father Alexander Hamilton. The musical blends different music genres, including jazz, hip-hop, rhythm and blues, and show tunes. He has had a significant impact on politics, culture, and education. This musical was captured at the Richard Rodgers Theatre on Broadway in June 2016 and is still fresh and revolutionary, just as it was five years ago.
Jane (2017)
Imdb rating: 7.8
Directed By: Brett Morgen
Writer: Brett Morgen
Cast: Jane Goodall
Jane is a documentary Disney film about a young and untrained woman named Jane Goodall. She challenges the male-dominated scientific consensus of her time with her chimpanzee research. In the end, Jane Goodall alters people’s understanding of the natural world. A documentary might not be the best way to spend family movie nights, but this documentary works. It’s not only emotional but features superb storytelling and fluid and well-polished editing.
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)
Imdb rating: 7.6
Directed By: David Hand
Writer: Ted Sears, Richard Creedon, Otto Englander, Dick Rickard, Earl Hurd, Merrill De Maris, Webb Smith
Cast: Adriana Caselotti, Marge Champion, Harry Stockwell, Stuart Buchanan
A wicked queen orders the killing of Snow White because she’s jealous of her beauty. But Snow White escapes and hides in a cottage with seven dwarfs. When the evil queen discovers that her evil plan didn’t work, she disguises herself as a hag and brings a poisoned apple to Snow White. She takes a bite of the apple and falls into a deep sleep that a kiss from a prince can only break. This Disney film is a historical milestone in animation. It has memorable songs and characters that entertain the entire family.It is one of the best animated movies on Dinsey Plus.
Mary Poppins (1964)
Imdb rating: 7.8
Directed By: Robert Stevenson
Cast: Julie Andrews, Dick Van Dyke, Glynis Johns, David Tomlinson
Jane and Michael are the children of a wealthy but uptight family. They are about to get a new nanny, and they get blown away when Mary Poppins turns up. The kids embark on fun adventures with Mary Poppins and her friend Bert. The kids who are having the time of their lives with their new nanny try to pass her sunny attitude to their parents. This movie is one of the best movies on Disney because of the catchy songs, witty dialogue, and superb cast.
101 Dalmatians (1961)
Imdb rating: 7.3
Directed By: Clyde Geronimi, Hamilton S. Luske, Wolfgang Reitherman, Hamilton Luske
Writer: Bill Peet, Dodie Smith
Cast: Betty Lou Gerson, Cate Bauer, Frederick Worlock, J. Pat O’Malley
Pongo and Perdita meet each other and start living together when their owners fall in love and marry. Pongo and Perdita hit it off too, and soon, they have a litter of fifteen puppies. Cruella De Vil, an old friend to Perdita’s owner, sees the puppies and offers to buy them so she can make a fur coat. The owners refuse, and Cruella hires thieves to steal the puppies. Will Pongo and Perdita find their beloved puppies in time? This movie is a Disney classic, and Cruella establishes herself as one of the most memorable villains in cinema.
Dumbo (1941)
Imdb rating: 7.2
Directed By: Sam Armstrong, Jack Kinney, Norman Ferguson, Wilfred Jackson
Writer: Joe Grant, Dick Huemer
Cast: Sterling Holloway, Jesper Klein, Edward S. Brophy, Lily Broberg
Dumbo is the story of a young circus elephant who’s ridiculed for his abnormally large ears. One day, his protective mother gets in trouble for going into a rage after seeing some kids taunting him. Dumbo seems like he’s running out of luck after his ears cause an accident that injures many elephants. The circus people punish Dumbo by making him dress up like a clown and performing risky stunts. However, Dumbo discovers that his large comical ears allow him to fly, and his new ability amazes everyone at the circus. Dumbo is a story about self-acceptance and friendship, a classic for all ages.
Toy Story 4 (2019)
Imdb rating: 7.7
Directed By: Josh Cooley
Writer: Andrew Stanton, Stephany Folsom
Cast: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Annie Potts, Keegan-Michael Key
Woody, Buzz Lightyear, and the other gang members go on a road trip with Bonnie and a new toy identified as Forky. The journey turns into a reunion when Woody takes a detour to catch up with his old buddy Bo Peep. The two old friends start talking about the good old days, and they soon realize they are after different things in life. This movie was the last of the Toy Story franchise and a spectacular way to bring the toy adventures to an end.
Coco (2017)
Imdb rating: 8.4
Directed By: Lee Unkrich, Adrian Molina
Writer: Adrian Molina, Matthew Aldrich
Cast: Anthony Gonzalez, Gael García Bernal, Benjamin Bratt, Alanna Ubach
Coco is about Miguel, a boy who dreams of becoming a famous musician like his idol, Ernesto de la Cruz. But there’s a problem; his family has a ban on music that has been in place for generations. Miguel follows his dream of becoming a famous musician, and after a series of strange events, he finds himself in the colorful world of the dead. He meets Hector, and together, they go on a journey to unravel the history behind his family’s generational ban on music. Coco is a befitting family movie with splendid music and a deep exploration of family, love, and memory.
The Incredibles (2004)
Imdb rating: 8
Directed By: Brad Bird
Writer: Brad Bird
Cast: Craig T. Nelson, Holly Hunter, Samuel L. Jackson, Jason Lee
When the government bans all super-powered activities, the superhero couple of Mr. Incredible and Elastigirl are forced to live a dull life. They even change their names to Bob and Hellen Parr. Mr. Incredible is a loving family man and loves spending time with his wife and kids, but he misses the thrills of a life of adventure. He gets his opportunity to battle a rogue robot on an island, but he soon lands in trouble, and it’s up to his family to rescue him. The movie has enough action, adventure, and comedy to please both adults and children.
Free Solo (2018)
Imdb rating: 8.2
Directed By: Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi, Jimmy Chin
Cast: Alex Honnold, Tommy Caldwell, Jimmy Chin
This documentary is about Alex Honnold’s attempt to become the first individual to ever free-solo climb the El Capitan rock. This rock is a majestic 3,000-foot vertical rock at the Yosemite National Park in California’s Sierra Nevada mountains. The visuals in this documentary are stunning, and it’s a celebration of the beautiful parks in the United States and one of the most daring feats in Mountaineering. Alex Honnold’s story is impressive and one that can teach your kids to never give up on their dreams.
The Princess Bride (1987)
Imdb rating: 8.1
Directed By: Rob Reiner
Writer: William Goldman
Cast: Cary Elwes, Robin Wright, Mandy Patinkin, Chris Sarandon
An old man reads “The Princess Bride” to his sick and bedridden grandson. The story is a fairytale adventure about a beautiful young woman, Buttercup, and her one true love. The two lovers must overcome the evils of the mythical kingdom of Florin to be reunited. The Princess Bride has well-developed characters, but one thing that you’ll remember is the epic dialogue. It’s a well-rounded adventure film that has wowed audiences for over three decades.
Big (1988)
Imdb rating: 7.3
Directed By: Penny Marshall
Writer: Gary Ross, Anne Spielberg
Cast: Tom Hanks, Jared Rushton, Elizabeth Perkins, Robert Loggia
Big is the hilarious story of 12-year-old Josh Baskin, who makes a wish and turns into a 30-year-old man. He moves to New York City, where he gets a job at the MacMillan Toy Company. After he meets with the owner, Josh is immediately promoted and gets a great job of testing new toys. A fellow employee develops a liking for Josh. But Josh, who’s still a child inside, can’t take the responsibilities and pressures of being an adult and longs to return to his simple life as a boy. A family fantasy comedy movie with plenty of joy and entertainment.
Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)
Imdb rating: 7.7
Directed By: Robert Zemeckis
Writer: Jeffrey Price, Peter S. Seaman
Cast: Bob Hoskins, Christopher Lloyd, Joanna Cassidy, Charles Fleischer
Cartoon producer R. K. Maroon’s biggest star, Roger Rabbit, suspects his wife is having a romantic affair with someone else. The studio hires detective Eddie Valiant to investigate the scandal. But things get complicated when Marvin Acme, the alleged lover, is found dead, and Roger is the prime suspect. Who Framed Roger Rabbit was an impressive technical feat in its day, and its attention to detail still makes it a great movie to watch today.
Black Panther (2018)
Imdb rating: 7.3
Directed By: Ryan Coogler
Writer: Ryan Coogler, Joe Robert Cole
Cast: Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira
After his heroics in Captain America: Civil War the marvel movie, Prince T’Challa heads home to the technologically advanced African nation of Wakanda to be the new king after his father’s death. However, he’s challenged for the throne when two foes conspire to bring his tenure to an end. Now the young king must step up as the Black Panther to save his nation and the entire world that’s at risk. Black Panther is a cultural phenomenon and features traditional costumes, indigenous dialects to stay true to its African roots.It is one of the best marvel movies.
Ratatouille (2007)
Imdb rating: 8
Directed By: Jan Pinkava, Brad Bird
Writer: Brad Bird
Cast: Patton Oswalt, Brad Garrett, Ian Holm, Lou Romano
The modern animated classic movie is about a rat named Remy is a superb cook and dreams of becoming a great French chef despite the obvious problem of being a rat. When he ends up in a sewer beneath one of the best restaurants in Paris run by his idol Auguste Gusteau, Remy recognizes he has a chance to realize his dream. Remy’s ambition of becoming a chef sets into motion a hilarious and thrilling rat race that turns the culinary world of Paris on its head. Ratatouille is a clever, ingenious, and enjoyable movie for the entire family.
Monsters, INC (2001)
Imdb rating: 8.1
Directed By: Pete Docter, David Silverman, Lee Unkrich
Writer: Pete Docter, Jill Culton, Jeff Pidgeon, Ralph Eggleston, Andrew Stanton, Daniel Gerson
Cast: John Goodman, Billy Crystal, Mary Gibbs, Steve Buscemi
Monsters, Inc is central to everything happening in the city of Monstropolis. To power the city, the monsters have to scare children so that they scream. James P. Sullivan, a giant blue furry monster with purple spots and horns, is one of the top scarers. His best friend and scare assistant Mike Wazowski is a green one-eyed monster. The lives of the two monsters change when a 2-year-old child accidentally sneaks into their world. Monsters, Inc is a timeless animation that’s just as interesting and charming as it was when it was first released.
Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
Imdb rating: 6.5
Directed By: George Seaton
Writer: George Seaton
Cast: Edmund Gwenn, John Payne, Maureen O’Hara, Natalie Wood
This is a classic Christmas tale about a man named Kris Kringle who steps in for an intoxicated Santa. He appears as Santa for Macy’s annual Thanksgiving Day Parade, and people love him. He gets regular gigs as Santa at a store in Midtown Manhattan, but it gets to his head, and he claims that he’s the real Santa Claus. When he’s institutionalized as insane, a young lawyer steps in to defend him in court that he’s the real deal. This movie is interesting enough to make it to your Christmas season viewing list.
Soul (2020)
Imdb rating: 8.1
Directed By: Pete Docter
Writer: Pete Docter, Mike Jones, Kemp Powers
Cast: Jamie Foxx, Daveed Diggs, John Ratzenberger, Tina Fey
Joe, a middle school band teacher, is not happy with how life has panned out for him. His genuine passion is music, specifically jazz music, and he’s good at it. But when he travels to a strange land between Earth and the afterlife to help someone discover their passion, he learns what it means to have a soul. This movie is an entertaining look at our existence and will make you adore the life you have.
Moana (2016)
Imdb rating: 7.6
Directed By: John Musker, Ron Clements
Writer: Jared Bush
Cast: Auli’i Cravalho, Dwayne Johnson, Rachel House, Temuera Morrison
A fearless teenage girl named Moana Waialiki is a chief’s daughter in a long line of sea navigators. There’s trouble on her island because the crops fail, and the fishermen can’t bring home any catch. She investigates and discovers that the demigod Maui has caused the blight after stealing the heart of the goddess, Te Fiti. Moana sets off on an epic journey to make things right and find her own identity. Moana is a beautifully animated film with a lot going on to become a Disney Classic.
WALL-E (2008)
Imdb rating: 8.4
Directed By: Andrew Stanton
Writer: Andrew Stanton, Jim Reardon
Cast: Starring: Ben Burtt, Elissa Knight, Jeff Garlin, Fred Willard
In a distant future where people have abandoned Earth because it’s covered with trash, WALL-E, the garbage collecting robot is left to handle the mess by himself. He is alone on Earth, but one day, EVE, a sleek reconnaissance robot, is sent to Earth to find proof of whether life is sustainable again. WALL-E, who’s more than a little lonely, falls in love with EVE and follows her on a grand adventure across the galaxy. WALL-E is one of the best movies on Disney Plus. It is full of wonder and plenty of heart to excite viewers of all ages.
The Muppets (2011)
Imdb rating: 7.1
Directed By: James Bobin
Writer: Jason Segel, Nicholas Stoller
Cast: Jason Segel, Amy Adams, Chris Cooper, Steve Whitmire
Three Muppets fans learn that a wealthy oil tycoon, Tex Richman wants to drill oil under the Muppet theater. They set out to find the Muppets, who have since gone their separate ways, so they can put on one last show to save the theater. The three fans, Gary, Mary, and Walter, link with Kermit to reunite Fozzie, Miss Piggy, and the rest of the Muppets gang to hold one last telethon to raise the money needed to save the studio. This movie marks a glorious return of the classic characters to entertain the old and introduce new fans to the world of the Muppets.
The Straight Story (1999)
Imdb rating: 8
Directed By: David Lynch
Writer: John Roach, Mary Sweeney
Cast: Richard Farnsworth, Harry Dean Stanton, Sissy Spacek, Jane Galloway Heitz
The Straight Story is about two estranged brothers, Alvin Straight and Lyle Straight. The two don’t see eye to eye. But when Alvin learns his brother has suffered a serious stroke, he’s determined to see him to make things right. But his brother is in Wisconsin while Alvin is in Iowa. To make things worse, he doesn’t have a car or a driver’s license. Desperate to see his brother, Alvin sets off to Wisconsin on his old lawnmower. The Straight Story has convincing performances and will take viewers on a journey across the heart of America.
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
Imdb rating: 8
Directed By: Henry Selick, Tim Burton
Writer: Michael McDowell, Caroline Thompson
Cast: Chris Sarandon, Catherine O’Hara, Glenn Shadix, Danny Elfman
Jack Skellington is Halloweentown’s beloved pumpkin king, but he’s sick and tired of the same routine of scaring people. One day, he accidentally enters Christmas Town, and he likes the idea of Christmas so much that he tries to bring it under his control. Jack plans to kidnap Santa Claus, take over the role, and use the resident ghouls, bats, and goblins to put on Christmas, but he can’t get it right. This movie is an original film featuring the visually striking work of stop-motion animation. The Nightmare Before Christmas is a rare holiday movie for the family.
Aladdin (1992)
Imdb rating: 8
Directed By: John Musker, Ron Clements
Writer: Roger Allers, Ron Clements, Ted Elliott, John Musker, Terry Rossio
Cast: Scott Weinger, Robin Williams, Linda Larkin, Jonathan Freeman
Aladdin lives a miserable life in the streets, where he steals food to find something to eat. One day he meets a beautiful young girl, and he likes her. It turns out that the lady is Princess Jasmine, and the two hit it off even though her father wants to marry her off. Aladdin’s luck suddenly changes when he finds a magical lamp from the cave of wonders. He frees the fun-loving genie from the lamp, and his wishes are granted. Now Aladdin has to save the princess and his love for her. But he has to do it while avoiding the sinister Jafar, who’s after him and the lamp. Robin Williams takes this animation to the next level as the voice of the genie.
Black is King (2020)
Imdb rating: 5.7
Directed By: Beyoncé Knowles
Cast: Beyoncé Knowles, Folajomi Akinmurele, Connie Chiume, Nyaniso Ntsikelelo Dzedze
Black is King is a visual album written and directed by Beyonce with inspiration from The Lion King. The film features stylistic choices that elevate the detail into something beyond aesthetics. It’s an authentic representation of Black people’s culture by staying true to their ancestral roots. Its 90-minute runtime is full of breathtaking images, poetry, word interludes, dialogue, and glorious music. Beyonce presents a moving and intense performance that’s great to watch for the entire family.
Fantasia (1940)
Imdb rating: 7.7
Directed By: James Algar, Samuel Armstrong, Ford Beebe, Walt Disney
Writer: Joe Grant, Dick Huemer, Lee Blair, Elmer Plummer, Phil Dike, Sylvia Moberly-Holland, Norman Wright
Cast: Walt Disney, Leopold Stokowski, Deems Taylor, Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra
Fantasia is a 1940 collection of animated interpretations of outstanding works of western classical music. It’s one of Disney’s boldest experiments and features “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice,” where Mickey Mouse appears as an aspiring magician who oversteps his limits. There’s also a story of evolution in “The Rite of Spring,” “Dance of the Hours,” a ballet performed by various animals, and “Ave Maria.” This bold creation from Disney is immense and has something for everyone.
Avengers: Endgame (2019)
Imdb rating: 8.4
Directed By: Anthony Russo
Writer: Christopher Markus, Stephen McFeely
Cast: Robert Downey Jr., Mark Ruffalo, Scarlett Johansson, Chris Evans
The universe is in ruins after the devastating events of Avengers: Infinity War. Now they face a new and formidable threat in Thanos, who decimated the planet and the universe. The remaining Avengers, namely Captain America, Thor, Bruce Banner, and Black Widow, must undo Thanos’s actions and bring back their superhero friends for a showdown. This movie is just over three hours long but will still leave you asking for more, an epic conclusion to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Finding Dory (2016)
Imdb rating: 7.3
Directed By: Andrew Stanton, Angus MacLane
Writer: Andrew Stanton, Victoria Strouse
Cast: Ed O’Neill, Dominic West, Andrew Stanton, Bennett Dammann
Dory’s life is hard; not only is she a funny-looking blue tang fish, but she suffers from memory loss every 10 seconds. The only thing that she doesn’t forget is her separation from her parents as a child. Desperate to locate them, Dory asks Nemo and Marlin for help, and they agree. The three friends go on an epic journey that takes them to the Marine Life Institute. Dory realizes that the family reunion won’t be as straightforward as she thought because her parents are held as captives. Finding Dory is an adorable and hilarious flick for children.
Raya and the Last Dragon (2021)
Imdb rating: 7.4
Director: Don Hall, Carlos López Estrada
Writer: Adele Lim, Qui Nguyen
Cast: Adele Lim, Qui Nguyen, Awkwafina, Gemma Chan
A long time ago, in the world of Kumandra, humans, and dragons lived harmoniously together. But the peace was disturbed when evil monsters known as Druun threatened the land. The dragons sacrificed themselves to save the people. Now, the same sinister creatures have returned, and it’s up to a lone warrior named Raya to find the last dragon and stop the creatures for good. This movie features Disney’s classic formula that has worked for years, but it’s beautiful and carries a positive message that’s fun for the family.
Iron Man (2008)
Imdb rating: 7.9
Director: Jon Favreau
Writer: Mark Fergus, Hawk Ostby, Art Marcum, Matt Holloway
Cast: Robert Downey Jr., Terrence Howard, Gwyneth Paltrow
A billionaire industrialist, genius inventor, philanthropist, and playboy, Tony Stark is the son of the legendary weapons contractor Howard Stark. When conducting a weapons demo in Iraq, terrorists attack his convoy, and he ends up with a chest full of shrapnel, and the only thing keeping him alive is a battery attached to his heart. The terrorists kidnap him to make a devastating weapon for them. He figures out how to miniaturize the battery to power an armored suit, and that’s how Iron Man is created. Robert Downey Jr. is terrific in his role as Iron man. Iron Man started the MCU and is still one of the best family movies on Disney Plus.
Queen of Katwe (2016)
Imdb rating: 7.4
Directed By: Mira Nair
Writer: William Wheeler
Cast: David Oyelowo, Lupita Nyong’o, Madina Nalwanga, Martin Kabanza
A 10-year-old girl Phiona and her family live a constant life of struggle in Katwe slum in Kampala, Uganda. Her world changes when Robert Katende, a missionary who teaches children how to play chess, visits the slums. Phiona is intrigued by the game and practices hard to become one of the top players under Katende’s guidance. As the best in all local competitions and tournaments, she gets the opportunity to escape the life of poverty. This movie shows a different side of life and how one good deed from a kind person can positively affect the lives of others.
Beauty and the Beast (1991)
Imdb rating: 8
Directed By: Gary Trousdale
Writer: Linda Woolverton
Cast: Paige O’Hara, Robby Benson, Jerry Orbach, Angela Lansbury
A selfish and arrogant Prince Adam is cursed by a wicked enchantress, who turns him into a hideous beast. Prince Adam’s only hope is to learn to love and be loved in return. Ten years later, he gets his chance when he imprisons the father of a beautiful and spirited young girl named Belle. She offers to take her father’s place, and as the two spend time together, she falls in love with him. Beauty and the Beast is Disney, at its best, a creative animation for kids and grownups.
Star Wars: Episode V–The Empire Strikes Back
Imdb rating: 8.7
Directed By: Irvin Kershner
Writer: George Lucas, Lawrence Kasdan, Leigh Brackett
Cast: Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Alec Guinness
Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Princess Leia, and Chewbacca are on the ice planet Hoth where they face an attack from the Imperial forces and the AT-AT walkers. Han and Leia escape from the grasp of the forces in the Millennium Falcon while Luke Skywalker heads to Dagobah in search of Yoda. Luke knows the only way he’ll survive a duel with Darth Vader is through the help of the Jedi Master. This film is a sequel that not only matches up to its predecessor but takes viewers to new emotional levels.
Star Wars: Episode VII–The Force Awakens
Imdb rating: 7.8
Directed By: J.J. Abrams
Writer: Lawrence Kasdan, J.J. Abrams, Michael Arndt
Cast: Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Adam Driver, Harrison Ford
Thirty years after the defeat of Darth Vader and the Galactic Empire, the galaxy faces an unknown threat from the First Order and the evil Kylo Ren. When a defector named Finn crash lands on a desert planet, he meets Rey, a scavenger who’s found a droid with important information about the whereabouts of the long-lost Luke Skywalker. They link up with Han Solo to get this vital information to the resistance because Luke is the last of the Jedi Knights. Star Wars: Episode VII is an entertaining and action-packed film that recalls the series’ former glory and an excellent blockbuster for a family movie night.
Thor: Ragnarok (2017)
Imdb rating: 7.9
Directed By: Taika Waititi
Writer: Eric Pearson, Craig Kyle, Christopher Yost
Cast: Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Mark Ruffalo, Cate Blanchett
Thor is imprisoned on the other side of the universe on the planet of Sakaar. He finds himself in the deadly gladiatorial contest against his friend and fellow avenger Hulk. The Mighty Thor must race against time and return to Asgard to stop Ragnarock, a catastrophic event planned by the powerful Hela to destroy Asgardian civilization. Thor: Ragnarock is wacky, weird, humorous, and wonderful, one of the funniest Marvel movies so far.
Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009)
Imdb rating: 7.9
Directed By: Wes Anderson
Writer: Wes Anderson, Noah Baumbach
Cast: George Clooney, Meryl Streep, Jason Schwartzman, Bill Murray
This is the story of Mr. Fox and his wild raiding ways. But he quits raiding and has to be more responsible after he becomes a father. However, 12 years of no action proves too much for Mr. Fox, and he plans to go on one last raid targeting three of the meanest farmers in this area, Boggis, Bunce, and Bean. However, the farmers retaliate, and Mr. Fox has to find a way to save his community. This movie is nothing short of great fun, and the director adds a bit of existential twist that makes the film more interesting.
The Lion King (1994)
Imdb rating: 8.5
Directed By: Roger Allers, Rob Minkoff
Writer: Irene Mecchi, Jonathan Roberts, Linda Woolverton
Cast: Matthew Broderick, James Earl Jones, Jeremy Irons, Nathan Lane
The Lion King is a famous story about a young lion Simba next in line to take the throne after his father, Mufasa. However, his wicked uncle is against this natural arrangement. He lures Mufasa and Simba into a trap where the two are supposed to die in a stampede of wildebeests. Simba survives, but Mufasa doesn’t. He avoids a duel with his uncle and returns as an adult to take back his rightful position as king from Scar. This movie is a blockbuster and a classic, definitely one of the best family movies on Disney Plus.
The Little Mermaid (1989)
Imdb rating: 7.6
Directed By: John Musker, Ron Clements
Writer: Roger Allers, Ron Clements, John Musker
Cast: Jodi Benson, Samuel E. Wright, Pat Carroll, Buddy Hackett
Ariel is a brave but rebellious 16-year-old mermaid who’s fascinated by humans. Her father, King Triton, identifies his daughter’s fascinations and forbids her from going to the surface. But she goes anyway, and that’s when she falls for a human prince. She’s determined to be with her love interest and strikes a deal with the sea witch, Ursula, to become human for three days. But things don’t go as planned for the lovers, and the king intervenes and makes a sacrifice for his beloved daughter. The Little Mermaid is an enchanting and bubbly fish story that will intrigue audiences of all ages.
Monkey Kingdom (2015)
Imdb rating: 7.3
Directed By: Mark Linfield, Alastair Fothergill
Writer: Mark Linfield
Cast: Tina Fey
Maya and her son live in South Asia in a competitive social hierarchy of the monkey troop at castle rock. Maya’s entire troop is forced to move when neighboring monkeys gang up and grab their home. But Maya is intelligent and leads her troop to untapped resources in an unfamiliar surrounding amongst new creatures. Ultimately, her goal is to bring the group together so they can take back Castle Rock. This Disney documentary is great for all ages but specifically for kids who’ll not only find it funny but an exceptional learning experience.
Lady and the Tramp (1955)
Imdb rating: 6.3
Directed By: Hamilton Luske, Clyde Geronimi, Wilfred Jackson
Cast: Barbara Luddy, Larry Roberts, Bill Thompson, Peggy Lee
Lady, a beautiful golden cocker spaniel, meets up with a mutt who calls himself Tramp. He’s from the streets, while Lady comes from an affluent side of town. But after some events at Lady’s home, she ends up loose and out on the streets. Tramp has the required street smarts to keep Lady safe, and love blossoms between them. However, their differences and drama at Lady’s home threaten to keep them apart. Lady and the Tramp is a doggie love tale that you’ll fall in love with.
Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
Imdb rating: 8
Directed By: James Gunn (II)
Writer: James Gunn, Nicole Perlman
Cast: Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Lee Pace
Guardians of the Galaxy is about a group of intergalactic criminals who must work together to stop a ruthless warrior with plans of purging the universe. Ronan, the Accuser, is after Peter Quill, who has stolen a mysterious, powerful orb from outer space. To keep Ronan from getting his hands on the orb, Quill creates a team of space heroes known as Guardians of the Galaxy. This film has adventure, action, and excitement you would expect from a Marvel movie, but the thing that holds it together is the humor.
Star Wars: Episode IV–A New Hope (1977)
Imdb rating: 8.6
Directed By: George Lucas
Cast: Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Alec Guinness
The Imperial Forces, who are under the cruel Darth Vader, hold Princess Leia captive to quash the rebellion against the Galactic Empire. Luke Skywalker and Hans Solo, the captain of the Millennium Falcon, work together with the droid duo of R2-D2 and C 3PO to develop a plan to rescue the princess. They also hope to help the Rebel Alliance for justice and freedom to prevail in the Galaxy. This is George Lucas’s successful start to the sci-fi saga, and it’s safe to say that filmmaking has never been the same ever since.
A Bug’s Life (1998)
Imdb rating: 7.2
Directed By: John Lasseter, Andrew Stanton
Writer: John Lasseter, Andrew Stanton, Joe Ranft, Don McEnery, Bob Shaw, Geefwee Boedoe, Jason Katz, Jørgen Klubien, Robert Lance, David Reynolds
Cast: Kevin Spacey, Dave Foley, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Richard Kind
Flik is a misfit inventor ant who always finds himself on the wrong side of this colony. One day, he accidentally knocks over the offering pile for the grasshoppers, and their devious leader Hopper forces the ants to gather double the food or face annihilation. Flik, who’s put his fellow ants in this tricky situation, goes out into the world to gather a group of warrior bugs. His goal is to save his colony from the rule of the grasshoppers. However, what he ends up with is a group of circus performers. Will he save his colony? This movie has witty dialogue and memorable characters and works as entertainment for children and adults.
Marvel’s The Avengers (2012)
Imdb rating: 8
Director: Joss Whedon
Writer: Joss Whedon
Cast: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo
Loki, Thor’s adopted brother, teams up with a group called the Chitauri army to get his hands on the powerful energy cube known as the tesseract. He plans to use the tesseract to travel from Asgard to Midgard, where he wants to become king. When Nick Fury, the director of S.H.I.E.L.D learns of the impending threat to Earth, he starts a recruitment effort to gather up a team of superheroes to defeat Loki. His dream team comprises Iron Man, Captain America, the Hulk, Thor, Hawkeye, and Black Widow. Marvel’s The Avengers is impressive; it’s entertaining and sets the bar for superhero movies.
Winnie The Pooh (2011)
Imdb rating: 7.2
Directed By: Don Hall, Stephen J. Anderson
Writer: Stephen J. Anderson, Clio Chiang, Don Dougherty, Don Hall, Kendelle Hoyer, Brian Kesinger, Nicole Mitchell, Jeremy Spears
Cast: Craig Ferguson, Jack Boulter, Travis Oates, Bud Luckey
It’s an ordinary day for Winnie the Pooh in Hundred Acre Wood as she’s out and about looking for honey. After learning that their friend Eeyore has lost his tail, the residents of the Hundred Acre Wood start a contest to find a new one. Whoever finds a tail for their friend would get a pot of honey as a prize. Later on, when Owl misinterprets a note from Christopher Robin, the gang sets off to find him thinking he’s been kidnapped. This family movie on Disney Plus brings back the charm of the short films of the 60s, 70s, and 80s, a must-watch.
James and the Giant Peach (1996)
Imdb rating: 6.7
Directed By: Henry Selick
Writer: Roald Dahl, Karey Kirkpatrick, Jonathan Roberts, Steve Bloom
Cast: Joanna Lumley, Pete Postlethwaite, Paul Terry (II), Simon Callow
James’ happy life comes to a screeching halt when a rhinoceros kills his parents, and he has to live with his two cruel aunts. He finds a way out of his bleak life when an enormous peach grows in the garden. He ventures inside and meets a spider, a centipede, a ladybug, and other new friends who help him make a trip to New York City. Henry Selick’s genius is apparent in this film as he makes an odd and bizarre film acceptable.
Ever After: A Cinderella Story (1998)
Imdb rating: 7
Directed By: Andy Tennant
Writer: Andy Tennant, Susannah Grant, Rick Parks
Cast: Drew Barrymore, Anjelica Huston, Dougray Scott
Ever After: A Cinderella Story is an updated version of the Cinderella fairytale and tells the story of Danielle. Even though she is a vibrant young woman, she is forced to live as a servant by her cruel stepmother Rodmilla. She forces Danielle to do all the housework as she tries to find husbands for her two daughters. But Danielle’s life changes when she meets the charming Prince Henry. A lovely take on the Cinderella classic tale that’s an excellent watch for the entire family.
Splash (1984)
Imdb rating: 6.3
Directed By: Ron Howard
Writer: Lowell Ganz, Babaloo Mandel, Bruce Jay Friedman
Cast: Tom Hanks, Daryl Hannah, John Candy, Eugene Levy
As a young boy, Allen Bauer is saved from drowning by a beautiful mermaid. Years later, he comes back to the same spot and again falls into the sea, and the mermaid saves him one more time. Allen is unsure of what he has seen or imagined. However, the mermaid looks for Allen in New York City. She locates him, and the two fall in love, but she has a secret that might keep them apart. This film is one of the best movies on Disney Plus with genuine fun and lots of laughs out loud moments.
Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017)
Imdb rating: 7
Directed By: Rian Johnson
Writer: Rian Johnson
Cast: Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley
Luke Skywalker is a Jedi Master in hiding and prefers to live a peaceful life. But his peaceful life is disturbed when he meets Rey, a spirited young woman who shows powerful signs of the Force. She is determined to learn the ways of the Jedi, which forces Luke Skywalker to make a life-changing decision. Meanwhile, there’s a battle for supremacy of the galaxy between the first order led by General Hux and Kylo Ren against Leia and the Resistance. This release is one of the best movies of the Star Wars franchise and will make you want to watch it again and again.
Captain America: Civil War (2016)
Imdb rating: 7.8
Directed By: Anthony Russo
Writer: Christopher Markus, Stephen McFeely
Cast: Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson, Sebastian Stan
When the actions of The Avengers lead to collateral damage, many people fear their actions. The government steps in pushing for the hero registration act to check the activities of superheroes. This move creates a division among The Avengers, with Iron Man supporting the government while Captain America is against any form of oversight. Their differences develop into an all-out feud, which forces Black Widow and Hawkeye to pick sides. This film is fun from start to end; it’s well-acted, scripted, another milestone for Marvel.
Isle of Dogs (2018)
Imdb rating: 7.9
Directed By: Wes Anderson
Writer: Wes Anderson
Cast: Bryan Cranston, Edward Norton, Bill Murray, Jeff Goldblum
When an outbreak of dog flu spreads throughout the city of Megasaki, Japan, the mayor has no option but to exile all dogs from the city. All dogs are hunted down and taken to a vast garbage-dump called Trash Island. A young boy named Atari finds it hard to live without his dog Spots and sets out to find him. Five other dogs help him in Trash Island in an epic journey that will decide their fate. Isle of Dogs is an effortless cinematic experience that will intrigue young and older viewers.
X-Men: Days of the Future Past (2014)
Imdb rating: 7.9
Directed By: Bryan Singer
Writer: Simon Kinberg
Cast: Hugh Jackman, James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence
Dr. Bolivar Trask believes mutants are dangerous to humanity and develops sentinels, robotic weapons that can detect a mutant gene. Fast forward into the 21st Century, the sentinels have developed into killing machines, and the mutants are about to be wiped out. Wolverine volunteers to travel back in time and rally the X-Men of the past to change history and save their future. This film is vibrant and entertaining and will meet all your expectations, an excellent option for a family movie night.
Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)
Imdb rating: 6.9
Directed By: Joe Russo, Anthony Russo
Writer: Christopher Markus, Stephen McFeely
Cast: Chris Evans, Samuel L. Jackson, Scarlett Johansson, Anthony Mackie
After the catastrophic events in New York City with his team of Avengers, Steve Rogers lives an everyday life in the nation’s capital. But when S.H.I.E.L.D gets attacked, Nick Fury sends a message to Rogers warning him that enemies have subverted the agency. Roger doesn’t know who to trust, and the organization brands him a traitor. He has to operate as a fugitive and to understand the situation, he contacts Black Widow and his new buddy, Falcon. The conspiracy keeps widening, and Rogers and the team come across an unexpected enemy. Captain America: The Winter Soldier works on every level with great directing, acting, and unique plot twists.
Frozen (2013)
Imdb rating: 7.4
Director: Chris Buck, Jennifer Lee
Writer: Jennifer Lee
Cast: Kristen Bell, Idina Menzel, Jonathan Groff, Josh Gad
Anna’s kingdom is trapped in an endless winter after her sister casts an icy spell on the land. Anna calls on her friend Kristoff and his reindeer sidekick to find her sister. The two embark on an epic journey with mystical trolls, a hilarious snowman, freezing conditions, and magic at every turn. But Anna and Kristoff must go through it all if they’re going to save their kingdom. Frozen is a delightful experience full of memorable songs and humor.It is one of the best animated films on Dinsey Plus.
Bears (2014)
Imdb rating: 7.4
Directed By: Alastair Fothergill, Keith Scholey, Adam Chapman
Writer: Alastair Fothergill, Adam Chapman
Cast: John C. Reilly
Disneynature Bears is a beautiful animation about bears recorded by filmmakers Alastair Fothergill and Keith Scholey. It’s a chronicle of Alaskan brown bear Sky and her young cubs. The recording starts right after hibernation and shows how the bears work together to find food while avoiding other predators. Disney Bears follows two bears through their first year of life and is an exciting documentary that shows the importance of family togetherness.
Bambi (1942)
Imdb rating: 7.3
Directed By: David Hand, Graham Heid, Perce Pearce, Paul Satterfield
Writer: Larry Morey
Cast: Bobby Stewart, Paul Behn, Paula Winslowe, Peter Behn
Bambi tells the story of a fawn who joins his new buddies named Thumper and Flower to explore the woods. He meets another young doe named Faline, but he remembers his parents’ life lessons on living and surviving as a rabbit. These life lessons are essential for Bambi because he’s in line to inherit the critical title of prince of the forest. Bambi is an excellent animation and is one of the most timeless coming-of-age films from Disney. It is one of the best animated films on Dinsey Plus.
Doctor Strange (2016)
Imdb rating: 7.5
Directed By: Scott Derrickson, Patrick Archibald, Jay Oliva, Frank Paur
Writer: Jon Spaihts, Scott Derrickson, C. Robert Cargill
Cast: Benedict Cumberbatch, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Rachel McAdams, Benedict Wong
Dr. Stephen Strange, who’s lost the use of his hands after a car accident, learns that traditional medicine can’t heal him and turns to other unconventional ways in a mysterious enclave. But he quickly knows that this is no ordinary enclave because it’s at the frontline of a battle against dark forces bent on ruining reality. Now, Strange has to choose whether to continue his life of fortune or to defend the world as the world’s most powerful sorcerer. Doctor Strange is an entertaining story from MCU and an excellent watch for the entire family.
Tangled (2010)
Imdb rating: 7.7
Directed By: Nathan Greno, Byron Howard
Writer: Dan Fogelman
Cast: Zachary Levi, Donna Murphy, Ron Perlman, M.C. Gainey
Tangled is an exciting story about Flynn Rider, who Rapunzel captures after hiding inside the tower where she’s been locked away for years. Rapunzel is desperate for freedom, and she strikes a deal with Flynn, and the two go on a whirlwind adventure. Tangled might not be a classic Disney animation, but it’s enough to appease families looking for a fabulous night out at the movies. A glorious Disney throwback that’s entertaining.
Big Hero 6 (2014)
Imdb rating: 7.8
Directed By: Chris Williams (IX), Don Hall
Writer: Robert L. Baird, Daniel Gerson
Cast: Ryan Potter, Scott Adsit, Jamie Chung, Damon Wayans Jr.
When a catastrophic event occurs in San Fransokyo, taking Hiro right into a dangerous plot, he turns to his friends Go Go Tamago, Wasabi, Honey Lemon, and Fred. Later on, Hiro transforms them into a band of heroes, and together, they call themselves Big Hero 6. This movie is a fun and brilliant animation from Disney with a little something for everyone. Not only does this movie have a touching story but lots of humor that families will enjoy.
Bolt (2008)
Imdb rating: 6.8
Directed By: Byron Howard, Chris Williams (IX)
Writer: Dan Fogelman, Chris Williams
Cast: John Travolta, Malcolm McDowell, Mark Walton, Miley Cyrus
Bolt is a canine superstar of a science fiction and action show, but he cannot separate his life from acting and believes his powers are real. When he’s accidentally shipped from his Hollywood soundstage to the streets of New York, he goes on an epic journey trying to find his way home. He makes new buddies along the way and later learns that he doesn’t have superpowers, and the show isn’t real. Bolt is lovable and full of funny stuff for the family. It is one of the best animated films on Dinsey Plus.
Tarzan (1999)
Imdb rating: 7.3
Directed By: Chris Buck, Kevin Lima
Writer: Edgar Rice Burroughs, Tab Murphy, Bob Tzudiker, Noni White, Henry Mayo, David Reynolds, Jeffrey Stepakoff, Ned Teitelbaum
Cast: Tony Goldwyn, Glenn Close, Minnie Driver, Rosie O’Donnell
Tarzan is a movie about a man who’s been raised by gorillas. He’s only interacted with animals all his life and, therefore, doesn’t know he’s human. But one day, when a British expedition enters the jungle, Tarzan sees a beautiful girl named Jane and identifies he’s human. He falls in love with her, but his life gets complicated because he has to choose whether to stay with his family or follow his heart. Tarzan is storytelling at its best movies and is a lot funny and enjoyable for the entire family.
Sleeping Beauty (1959)
Imdb rating: 5.3
Directed By: Les Clark, Clyde Geronimi, Wolfgang Reitherman, Eric Larson
Writer: Charles Perrault, Erdman Penner, Joe Rinaldi, Winston Hibler, Bill Peet, Ted Sears, Ralph Wright, Milt Banta
Cast: Eleanor Audley, Verna Felton, Barbara Jo Allen, Barbara Luddy
The evil witch Maleficent is jealous of Princess Aurora’s beauty and curses her to die on her 16th birthday. But her guardian fairies come to her rescue and make her fall into a deep sleep that a Prince’s kiss can only break. When Maleficent learns that Prince Phillip is the man to do it, she kidnaps and imprisons him. Now it’s up to the good fairies to save Phillip so that he can awaken Aurora. Sleeping Beauty is a Disney classic that will charm the young and tickle adults.
Onward (2020)
Imdb rating: 7.4
Directed By: Dan Scanlon
Writer: Dan Scanlon, Jason Headley, Keith Bunin
Cast: Tom Holland (II), Chris Pratt, Octavia Spencer, Julia Louis-Dreyfus
Ian and Barley, teenage elf brothers, go on a quest to spend one more day with their late dad. Their journey is a glorious experience filled with cryptic maps, obstacles, and amazing discoveries. But when their mother discovers her sons are missing, she links up with the legendary manticore to bring them back. Onward ranks as one of Pixar’s best movies releases and is a fun story that kids will enjoy.
Pete’s Dragon (2016)
Imdb rating: 6.7
Directed By: David Lowery
Writer: David Lowery, Toby Halbrooks, Malcolm Marmorstein
Cast: Oakes Fegley, Bryce Dallas Howard, Wes Bently, Robert Redford, Oona Lawrence
Mr. Meachan, a woodcarver, loves entertaining kids with tales of a dragon that lives deep in the woods. His daughter Grace doesn’t believe him and takes them as just tall tales. However, everything changes when she meets a 10-year-old orphan named Pete, who lives deep in the woods of the Pacific Northwest. Pete tells Grace he lives with a friendly dragon. Upon getting the news, she links up with a friend to investigate whether the boy is telling the truth.
Millions (2005)
Imdb rating: 6.9
Directed By: Danny Boyle
Writer: Frank Cottrell Boyce
Cast: Alex Etel, Lewis Owen McGibbon, James Nesbitt, Daisy Donovan
When 9-year-old young boy Damian finds a bag of pounds in his backyard, he and his brother Anthony try to spend it all before the currency is switched to Euros. They keep this information from their father and Damian seeks advice from the imaginary saints. Life gets complicated for Damian, who has to learn what he’s really made of. Under the direction of Danny Boyle, Millions is sprinkled with realism, especially when showing how to deal with loss, faith, and family.
Freaky Friday (2003)
Imdb rating: 6.2
Directed By: Director: Mark Waters
Writer: Heather Hach, Leslie Dixon, Mary Rodgers
Cast: Jamie Lee Curtis, Lindsay Lohan, Mark Harmon
Tess Coleman and her 15-year-old daughter don’t see eye to eye on many things from fashion, music, hair, etc. After getting cryptic messages at a Chinese restaurant, they wake up the following day to find they have somehow switched bodies. They’re forced to masquerade as one another until they find a solution to switch back. Freaky Friday is fresh and highly entertaining and one of the most satisfying Disney remakes.
The Muppet Movie (1979)
Imdb rating: 7.6
Directed By: James Frawley, James Frawley
Writer: Jack Burns, Jerry Juhl
Cast: Austin Pendleton, Dom DeLuise, Steve Martin, Mel Brooks
Kermit the Frog wants to follow his dream of becoming a renowned actor, so he starts a journey from Florida to California. He meets new buddies Gonzo, Fozzie Bear, Miss Piggy, and musicians Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem. Doc. Hopper offers Kermit a job to advertise fried frog legs at his restaurant, but he turns him down. Dr. Hopper is relentless and pursues Kermit and his friends. This movie has everything you can expect from a Muppet Movie, thrills, laughs, and excitement.
The Jungle Book (1967)
Imdb rating: 7.4
Directed By: Wolfgang Reitherman
Cast: Bruce Reitherman, Louis Prima, Sterling Holloway, J. Pat O’Malley
Mowgli was raised by wolves and lives peacefully among them. However, the man-eating tiger Shere Khan returns and is after Mowgli. The kid cannot live with his wolf family anymore because of the danger posed by Shere Khan. He reluctantly leaves to return to the man village and is helped by Bagheera and Balloo to brave the perils of the jungle. The Jungle Book is a classic Walt Disney animation that is straightforward, one of the best family movies on Disney plus.
The Peanuts Movie (2015)
Imdb rating: 7.1
Directed By: Steve Martino
Writer: Craig Schulz, Bryan Schulz, Cornelius Uliano
Cast: Noah Schnapp, Hadley Belle Miller, Alexander Garfin, Mariel Sheets
Life has never been easy for Charlie Brown, but he tries his best to make it even when the odds go against him. But when a Little Red-Haired girl moves next door to Charlie, he falls for her. His best friend Snoopy goes on an epic adventure in a fantasy world. The Peanuts Movie’s plot seems episodic with plenty of short stories and many sketches from the cartoon. However, it’s fun and a brilliant film for children and adults.
Wreck-It Ralph (2012)
Imdb rating: 7.7
Directed By: Rich Moore
Writer: Phil Johnston, Jennifer Lee
Cast: John C. Reilly, Sarah Silverman, Jack McBrayer, Alan Tudyk
Arcade game character Wreck-It Ralph, who mainly plays as a bad guy, can’t stand seeing all the glory go to his opponent, Fix-It Felix. He goes on a mission to prove that he can be a good guy and ultimately become a hero. But his plan gets twisted as he accidentally unleashes a deadly enemy that might ruin the entire arcade. Wreck-It Ralph is an excellent movie for anyone who played the 1980s arcade games, but the kids will like it too.
Lilo & Stitch (2002)
Imdb rating: 7.3
Directed By: Dean DeBlois, Chris Sanders
Writer: Dean DeBlois, Christopher Sanders
Cast: Daveigh Chase, Tia Carrere, Ving Rhames, David Ogden Stiers
Lilo and Stitch is a Disney original that tells the tale of a young girl and her encounter with the galaxy’s most wanted extraterrestrial. She learns that her adopted dog is no ordinary dog but a generic experiment from an alien planet. Through her belief in Ohana, the Hawaiian concept of family, she teaches Stitch how to show affection for someone else. Lilo and Stich is great fun from start to end with a beautiful story and dominant characters.
Mulan (1998)
Imdb rating: 7.6
Directed By: Barry Cook, Tony Bancroft
Writer: Rita Hsiao, Christopher Sanders, Philip LaZebnik, Raymond Singer, Eugenia Bostwick-Singer
Cast: Ming-Na Wen, Eddie Murphy, Lea Salonga, B.D. Wong
Mulan can’t stand seeing her ailing father being drafted into the Chinese military. Mulan comes up with a brilliant plan to impersonate a man because she’s not qualified to serve as a girl. She’s accompanied by her dragon, Mushu, and uses her skills to halt the Hun invasion. Later on, she meets Hang, the captain of the military, and the two fall in love. Mulan tics all the boxes of a great Disney animation with splendid music, powerful villains, and fun.
Anastasia (1997)
Imdb rating: 7.2
Directed By: Don Bluth
Writer: Bruce Graham, Bob Tzudiker, Noni White, Susan Gauthier
Cast: Meg Ryan, John Cusack, Christopher Lloyd, Bernadette Peters
When Anastasia’s palace gets overrun, she goes missing. Years later, the Grand Duchess offers a reward for her return. Two scheming Russians see this as an excellent opportunity to make money and hold auditions to find any girl resembling Anastasia. They find one orphaned girl and bring her to Paris, not knowing she’s the real Anastasia. Anastasia is an enchanting fairy tale and an entertaining Disney animation for the family.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2 (2017)
Imdb rating: 8
Directed By: James Gunn (II)
Writer: James Gunn
Cast: Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Bradley Cooper
The leader of the Sovereign Race hires the Guardians of the Galaxy comprising Peter Quill, Gamora, Drax, Rocket, and Baby to destroy a Monster that’s after their valuable batteries. But Rocket steals some batteries, and the sovereign sends a team to get them back. The group escapes in a ship owned by Ego, who claims to be Quill’s father. Guardians of the Galaxy volume two is a great movie with lots of action and funny scenes to put a smile on everyone’s face.
X2: X-Men United (2003)
Imdb rating: 7.4
Directed By: Bryan Singer
Writer: Dan Harris, Michael Dougherty, David Hayter, Bryan Singer, Zak Penn
Cast: Hugh Jackman, Ian McKellen, Halle Berry, Famke Janssen
Already living in a society that doesn’t trust them, the mutants face more discrimination when a villain known as Stryker launches a devastating attack. This assault causes a tremendous public outcry against the mutants leading to renewed calls for a mutant registration act. Stryker comes up with a plan to eradicate the mutants by going after Professor Xavier and his school. After escaping from a plastic cell, Magneto steps in to team up with the X-Men and Xavier to stop Stryker. This movie is a classic superhero movie and is better than its predecessor.
The Princess and the Frog (2009)
Imdb rating: 7.1
Directed By: John Musker, Ron Clements
Writer: Ron Clements, John Musker
Cast: Jennifer Cody, Jim Cummings, Peter Bartlett, John Goodman
Hardworking Tiana hopes of one day owning a restaurant in New Orleans. But things get complicated when she meets Prince Naveen, who has been turned into an amphibian by an evil doctor known as Dr. Facilier. Prince Naveen plants a kiss on Tiana to break the spell, thinking she’s a princess, but he turns her into a frog. The pair go on an adventure to find a powerful voodoo princess and break the spell. The Princess and the Frog is a movie with an exciting storyline that everyone can enjoy.
The Emperor’s New Groove (2000)
Imdb rating: 7.4
Directed By: Mark Dindal
Writer: David Reynolds, Mark Dindal
Cast: John Goodman, David Spade, Eartha Kitt
Cocky young Emperor Kuzco is a very busy man. He fires his administrator, Yzma, and wants to destroy one village in his kingdom to construct a waterpark for himself for his birthday celebrations. Yzma creates a plan not only to get revenge but to take Kuzco’s throne too. Kuzco is later turned into a llama in a botched assassination attempt and finds himself in the property of Pacha, the owner of the land where Kuzco wanted to build the waterfront. Pacha helps Kuzco, but only if he promises to move the waterpark.
Born in China (2016)
Imdb rating: 6.2
Directed By: Chuan Lu
Writer: David Fowler, Brian Leith, Phil Chapman, Chuan Lu
Cast: John Krasinski, Xun Zhou
Film director Lu Chuan travels to the heart of the bamboo forest to follow the adventures of three animal families. The animals include the savvy golden monkey, the snow leopard, and the panda. This documentary features beautiful footage of the animals in their environment that the entire family can enjoy. John Krasinski also does a beautiful job of narrating the series that perfectly guides viewers through the lives of these fantastic animals.
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)
Imdb rating: 7.8
Director: Gareth Edwards
Writer: Chris Weitz, Tony Gilroy
Cast: Felicity Jones, Diego Luna, Alan Tudyk, Donnie Yen
A former scientist known as Galen Erso lives peacefully on a farm with his young family. But he’s taken away from his family. After many years, he moves up the ranks to become the Empire’s lead engineer in a program to build the most potent weapon labeled the Death Star. Jyn, Galen Erso’s daughter, learns that her father is the only one who can destroy the battle station that can end an entire planet. She embarks on a journey with a spy and other resistance fighters to save her father and destroy the weapon. This film is a big box office film and a good option for family movie night.
The Rookie (2002)
Imdb rating: 6.9
Directed By: John Lee Hancock
Writer: Mike Rich
Cast: Dennis Quaid, Rachel Griffiths, Jay Hernandez, Brian Cox
The Rookie is a story that teaches that it’s never too late for dreams to come true. The movie is about Jim, whose baseball pitching career ended after a shoulder injury. Years later, he becomes a teacher and a baseball coach for the school’s team. The team makes a deal with him that if they win the district championship, he will get a chance to go for trials for a major league organization. Many movies based on a true story make excellent family entertainment, and The Rookie doesn’t disappoint.
Aliens of the Deep (2005)
Imdb rating: 6.4
Directed By: James Cameron, Steven Quale
Cast: James Cameron, Pamela Conrad, Pan Conrad, Dijanna Figueroa
In this documentary, James Cameron travels with a Russian research vessel crew as they go deep into the ocean to explore hypothermal vents. These places are home to bizarre creatures different from those on the surface or anywhere else on Earth. As they explore these fascinating environments, the scientists discuss the similarities between the ecosystems and the environment on alien planets. Aliens of the Deep shows why James Cameron is one of the best film directors. An epic watch.
Hercules (1997)
Imdb rating: 7.3
Directed By: John Musker, Ron Clements
Writer: Ron Clements, Irene Mecchi, John Musker
Cast: Tate Donovan, Danny DeVito, James Woods, Susan Egan
Zeus, Hercules’s father, becomes the ruler of Mount Olympus after defeating and condemning the titans to the underworld. But Hades has a sinister plan of overthrowing Zeus with the help of the titans. However, he won’t succeed if Hercules is still around when he tries to execute his plan. So, he sends Pain and Panic to turn Hercules into a human being and kill him, but they fail and only leave him on Earth. Hercules grows up among mortals, but he later learns of his origins, and the only way he can go back is if he proves he is a true hero. This film is one of Disney’s best-animated adaptations that will entertain for many years.
The Book of Life (2014)
Imdb rating: 7.3
Directed By: Jorge R. Gutierrez
Cast: Channing Tatum, Zoe Saldana, Diego Luna, Christina Applegate
Manolo, Maria, and Joaquin all lived together as childhood friends in the town of San Angel. Each person has gone their separate way, with Maria moving to Europe, Joaquin joining the military, and Manolo becoming a bullfighter. But one thing remains, Joaquin and Manolo want to marry Maria. This love triangle gets complicated when husband and wife deities make a high stakes wager on who will win Maria’s love. The Book of Life has exciting twists and turns and is a delight for all ages.
The Sound of Music (1965)
Imdb rating: 8
Directed By: Robert Wise
Writer: Oscar Hammerstein II, Richard Rodgers, Howard Lindsay, Russel Crouse, Ernest Lehman
Cast: Julie Andrews, Christopher Plummer, Eleanor Parker, Richard Haydn
The Sound of Music tells the story of the Von Trapp, a family of singers and a popular concert group right before World War 2. Julie Andrews stars as Maria, who becomes a tutor in the home of a widowed naval captain with seven mischievous children. The children are good at being a handful for every governess his father hires. But Maria is determined, and on top of falling in love with the captain, she brings a love of music and life into the home. If you’re looking for a heartwarming true story, then you should watch The Sound of Music.
Ant-Man (2015)
Imdb rating: 7.3
Directed By: Peyton Reed
Writer: Edgar Wright, Joe Cornish, Adam McKay, Paul Rudd
Cast: Paul Rudd, Michael Douglas, Evangeline Lilly, Corey Stoll
When Dr. Hank Pym is forced out of his own company by his former Protégé, Darren Cross, he hires Scott Lang. Scott is a master thief who’s just been released from prison and looking for a new lease of life. He’s taught by Dr. Pym how to control a suit that allows him to possess superhuman strength, shrink in size, and control ants. As Ant-Man, he must use these new skills to stop the evil Cross from getting his hands on this technology. Ant-Man is a charming film with the quality to appeal to younger viewers.
Avatar (2009)
Imdb rating: 7.8
Directed By: James Cameron
Writer: James Cameron
Cast: Zoe Saldana, Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang
The Na’vi live in the lush alien world of Pandora. Since their land is poisonous, humans and Na’vi hybrids called Avatars link to human minds to move freely on Pandora. Jake Sully, a paralyzed former marine, gets spinal surgery that will fix his legs, but he has to gather knowledge of this alien race in return. Jake meets a Na’vi woman called Neytiri and falls in love with her, but as their bond grows, they are caught up in a battle to save Pandora. Avatar has some of the most impressive visuals on film and is still intriguing 12 years after its release.
X-Men (2000)
Imdb rating: 7.4
Directed By: Bryan Singer
Writer: Bryan Singer, David Hayter
Cast: Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Hugh Jackman, Famke Janssen
Senator Kelly fuels hatred towards children born with a unique gene giving them powers and making them mutants. This puts fellow mutants and former friends Professor Xavier and Magneto in different corners. Xavier wants to end the hatred towards mutants, but Magneto intends to get his hands on a machine that fastens the mutation process to use it on all humans. Xavier gathers a team of mutants called the X-Men to stop Magneto. X-Men is an enjoyable film and a great comic book adaptation.
Star Wars: Episode VI– Return of the Jedi (1983)
Imdb rating: 8.3
Directed By: Richard Marquand
Writer: George Lucas, Lawrence Kasdan, George Lucas
Cast: Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Harrison Ford, Billy Dee Williams
The Rebel Alliance and the Galactic Empire are at war as Luke Skywalker battles Darth Vader and Jabba the Hut. Hans Solo and Princess Leia, who have a romantic relationship, team up with Lando Calrissian, Chewbacca, the Ewoks, and two androids to fight the Dark Side and defeat the evil empire. Star Wars: Episode VI–The Return of the Jedi is a well-constructed film that’s intense, exciting, and hugely enjoyable. Definitely one of the best family movies on Disney Plus.
Miracle (2004)
Imdb rating: 7.5
Directed By: Gavin O’Connor
Cast: Kurt Russell, Patricia Clarkson, Noah Emmerich, Sean McCann
College Brooks makes drastic changes after he is hired to take the US men’s hockey team to the 1980s Olympics. He assembles a broken group of hot-headed college all-stars who are torn apart in an early match because of a lack of team spirit. The only way Brooks can take the team back to winning ways is by uniting them against a familiar foe, the Soviet team, during a critical time in Cold War and American history. Miracle is one of the most inspirational sports films and an essential lesson on how sports can bring people together.
Fantasia (1997)
Imdb rating: 6.2
Directed By: James Algar, Gaëtan Brizzi, Paul Brizzi, Hendel Buy
Writer: Hans Christian Andersen, Carl Fallberg, Irene Mecchi, Perce Pearce, David Reynolds
Cast: Steve Martin, Angela Lansbury, Itzhak Perlman, Quincy Jones
Fantasia is a musical program inspired by the works of Walt Disney. It’s interpreted by notable Disney artists and storytellers and a host of celebrities from various fields who appear on the screen introducing each segment. Included in the list of hosts are Quincy Jones, Angela Lansbury, Bette Midler, Steve Martin, James Earl Jones, and Penn and Teller. Fantasia might not match up to its original, but it is still an achievement of sound in animation.
Star Wars: Episode III–Revenge of the Sith (2005)
Imdb rating: 7.5
Directed By: George Lucas
Writer: George Lucas
Cast: Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman, Hayden Christensen, Ian McDiarmid
Star Wars: Episode III–Revenge of the Sith starts three years after the beginning of the Clone Wars. The Republic gets help from the Jedi to fight Dooku and the separatists. But when a new threat against the Jedi Council emerges, they send Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker to save the captured Chancellor Anakin. Obi-Wan Kenobi is after Separatist General Grevious, the commander of droid armies, but he escapes. This movie shows the rise of one of cinema’s most prominent villains, Darth Vader. This film is one of the best Star Wars movies with better CGI than Episodes I and II.
Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)
Imdb rating: 6.9
Directed By: Joe Johnston
Writer: Christopher Markus, Stephen McFeely
Cast: Chris Evans, Tommy Lee Jones, Hugo Weaving, Hayley Atwell
The world is at war in 1941, and Steve Rogers wants to play his part and join America’s armed forces. But there’s one problem: he is too small to join the military who reject him. However, Rogers gets the chance to join an experimental program that turns him into a supersoldier called Captain America. He leads the fight against a Nazi organization known as HYDRA. This film has a splendid setting and enjoyable action that will intrigue kids and grownups alike.
Monsters University (2013)
Imdb rating: 7.2
Director: Dan Scanlon
Writer: Daniel Gerson, Robert L. Baird, Dan Scanlon
Cast: Billy Crystal, John Goodman, Steve Buscemi, Dame Hellen Mirren
Mike Wazowski has wanted to become a Scarer ever since he was a kid. He joins Monsters University to realize his dream. That’s where he meets Sulley, a natural-born Scarer, starting a rivalry that sees them kicked out of the program. But if they’re going to succeed in the quests, Mike and Sulley must learn to cooperate along with other misfits. Monsters University has emotional and funny themes to make it one of the best coming-of-age flicks.
Chris Mack
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