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These Are the Best Movies to Stream on Disney+

From Marvel flicks to animated classics, here are the Disney+ movies to watch.

In our current circumstances, almost every night is movie night, and there are a multitude of options when it comes to what to watch. Being a subscriber to Disney's subscription service, for example, has a lot of perks, including dozens of wholesome flicks and major blockbusters. With Disney+, you have access to films in the Star Wars franchise, the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and the Disney Channel Original Movie catalog, plus nature documentaries, classic animated films, live-action remakes, and much more. To get you started, we've rounded up the best movies to stream on Disney+ right now.

1
Toy Story 3

Still from Toy Story 3
Walt Disney Pictures

All four Toy Story films are streaming on Disney+, but the third installment is far and away the best. Woody (voiced by Tom Hanks), Buzz (voiced by Tim Allen), and the rest of the toys are forced to deal with mortality and change when Andy prepares to go away to college. The adult themes are tempered by the usual hijinks, but this 2010 Pixar adventure requires a few tissues and maybe a hand to hold. And for more critically acclaimed flicks, check out These Are the Top-Rated Movies on Rotten Tomatoes.

2
The Sound of Music

Julie Andrews and cast in The Sound of Music
20th Century Fox

If you haven't shared The Sound of Music with your family yet, what are you waiting for? Julie Andrews is luminous, Christopher Plummer is dashing, and the Rodgers and Hammerstein soundtrack is just as stunning as you remember it from 1965. At almost three hours, it's certainly a commitment, but this pre-World War II tale of a governess who comes to care for the children of an Austrian widower is worth settling in for.

3
Sister Act

Whoopi Goldberg in Sister Act
Walt Disney Pictures

In this beloved 1992 movie, a gangster's girlfriend is forced into witness protection as a nun after she witnesses a murder. What starts out as an unpleasant situation for both Deloris Van Cartier (Whoopi Goldberg) and the sisters of St. Katherine's becomes a lesson in accepting people for who they are and appreciating them for their own unique strengths. At first, Deloris isn't cut out for life at St. Katherine's, but the former lounge singer contributes by taking over the choral program, turning mass into a musical celebration and helping the nuns to reinvigorate their community. And for more movies that'll make you laugh, check out The 30 Funniest Movies of All Time and Where to Stream Them.

4
The Emperor's New Groove

Still from Emperor's New Groove
Walt Disney Pictures

A spoiled Incan emperor Kuzco (voiced by David Spade) is transformed into a llama by royal adviser Yzma (voiced by Eartha Kitt) who wants to steal his kingdom out from under him in this under-appreciated 2000 animated movie. Kuzco ends up mixing with the subjects he formerly ignored and ridiculed when he has to rely on a peasant named Pacha (voiced by John Goodman) to get back to his castle and into human form. Patrick Warburton of Seinfeld fame steals scenes as the voice of Kronk, Yzma's kind but dimwitted muscle, and Sting contributes a few songs. And for more beloved music from movies, check out 17 Movie Soundtracks Every Kid from the '70s Loved.

5
Holes

Shia LaBeouf and Tim Blake Nelson in Holes
Walt Disney Pictures

Based on the beloved novel by offbeat children's author Louis Sachar (who also wrote the screenplay), 2003's Holes travels back and forth in time as it tells the story of Stanley Yelnats (Shia LaBeouf), who is sent away to a juvenile detention camp in the desert where digging holes is the order of every day. Flashbacks to the tragic love story between a school teacher (Patricia Arquette) and an onion seller (Dulé Hill) reveal what it is that the camp's present-day bosses are looking for. But, of course, they've underestimated the kids they're exploiting.

6
The Parent Trap

Hayley Mills in The Parent Trap
Walt Disney Pictures

The 1998 version with double the Lindsay Lohan is also a lot of fun, but there's a magic that's unique to the original 1961 Parent Trap, starring Hayley Mills. She's charming and spunky as two twins who were separated when their parents decided to divorce. And the chemistry between Maureen O'Hara and Brian Keith as the estranged pair elevates the cutesy (and not exactly realistic) plot. And for more reboots we want to watch again, check out 17 Movie Reboots Better Than The Original.

7
The Rocketeer

Billy Campbell and Alan Arkin in The Rocketeer
Walt Disney Pictures

In a perfect world, The Rocketeer would have launched an Indiana Jones-style adventure franchise. As it is, we only got the 1991 original, a family-friendly period flick about a ruined stunt pilot (Billy Campbell) who discovers a stolen rocket pack that makes him a Nazi target. It wasn't a hit when it came out, but appreciation for the comic book adaptation has grown over time. Fortunately, Disney+ makes it easy for new audiences to discover it. And for more streaming options for movie night, check out 15 Uplifting Movies You Can Watch on Netflix Right Now.

8
Cinderella

Still from Cinderella
Walt Disney Pictures

Naturally, tons of classic Disney animated musicals are at your fingertips with Disney+, Cinderella among them. The 1950 film is probably the version of the fairytale you know best. Mistreated by her stepmother and stepsisters, Cinderella (voiced by Ilene Woods) gets a visit from her Fairy Godmother (voiced by Verna Felton) on the night of the prince's ball and is transformed for the night of her life. It's all over when the clock strikes midnight, though Prince Charming isn't one to easily give up.

9
10 Things I Hate About You

Heath Ledger and Julia Stiles in 10 Things I Hate About You
Walt Disney Pictures

The late Heath Ledger stars alongside Julia Stiles in this 1999 high school-set reimagining of The Taming of the Shrew. Popular girl Bianca's (Larisa Oleynik) protective father won't let her date unless her fiercely independent (and feared) older sister Kat (Stiles) does. So, through a convoluted series of deals, bad boy Patrick (Ledger) is tasked with taking Kat out. The plan doesn't include him truly falling for her or vice versa, but it's a teen rom-com, so that's exactly what's going to happen. And more first love stories, check out The 40 Greatest Teen Movies Ever—Ranked.

10
Captain America: The Winter Soldier

Chris Evans in Captain America: The Winter Soldier
Walt Disney Pictures

The second film in the Captain America series is widely regarded as one of the best chapters in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, most of which can be found on Disney+. In the 2014 sequel, Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) investigates corruption at the center of the S.H.I.E.L.D. organization and discovers that his childhood friend Bucky (Sebastian Stan) didn't die back in The First Avenger; he was converted into a super soldier like himself—only he's been brainwashed by HYDRA and ordered to kill Cap.

11
Coco

Still from Coco
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

Good luck getting through this 2017 Pixar film without weeping. When a boy named Miguel (voiced by Anthony Gonzalez) gets trapped in the Land of the Dead with only a trickster (voiced by Gael García Bernal) for a guide, he finds out the truth behind the long-held family grudge that's kept music out of their home. There are two versions of Coco available on Disney+: the U.S. theatrical release and a version that's entirely in Spanish.

12
Who Framed Roger Rabbit?

Bob Hoskins in Who Framed Roger Rabbit
Walt Disney Pictures

With its combination of live-action and animation, 1988's Who Framed Roger Rabbit? paved the way for live-action/CGI movies like Detective PikachuSonic the Hedgehog, and the recent remakes of Aladdin and Beauty and the Beast. Set in the late '40s, this noir homage stars Bob Hoskins as a private detective who discovers a Toontown conspiracy when he's hired by Roger Rabbit (voiced by Charles Fleischer) to clear his name of a murder accusation. (Heads up: There are some grown-up themes in this one, plus some scenes that may give little ones nightmares.)

13
Jane Goodall: The Hope

Jane Goodall in Jane Goodall: The Hope
National Geographic

Disney+ is home to a serious wealth of nature content, including Disneynature films and several National Geographic specials—some on the indomitable Jane Goodall. Jane Goodall: The Hope was just released in April 2020 and follows the now-86-year-old primatologist, anthropologist, and activist through her travels as she continues her conservation and education work.

14
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

Felicity Jones in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
Walt Disney Pictures

As of May 4, when Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker hits the service, all theatrically released Star Wars movies will be available on Disney+. As you're making your way through the Skywalker Saga, don't skip Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, the 2016 standalone prequel that tells the story of the ragtag rebels who stole the Death Star plans that Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) hides away in R2-D2 at the beginning of A New Hope. Unlike the rest of the franchise, Rogue One is a true war movie about strategy and sacrifice, and you'll come to care for its cast of mostly new characters quickly.

15
Moana

Still from Moana
Walt Disney Pictures

Though she's the daughter of the chief of her Polynesian village, Moana (voiced by Auliʻi Cravalho) isn't content to stay safely on her island. In fact, she's destined to return her missing heart to the goddess Te Fiti—though she must first steal it back from demigod Maui (voiced by Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson). Throughout her quest in this 2016 animated movie, you'll hear songs by Hamilton composer Lin-Manuel Miranda, though Johnson probably gets the best number of the bunch.

16
Cool Runnings

Leon, Rawle D. Lewis, Malik Yoba, and Doug E. Doug in Cool Runnings
Walt Disney Pictures

Based on a true story, Cool Runnings follows the first Jamaican bobsled team as they defy expectations and qualify for the 1988 Winter Olympic Games. Their journey is funny, inspiring, and more complex than your average underdog story. The 1993 film also marks the last released film performance of John Candy, who plays the disgraced bobsledder who comes out of retirement to coach the team.

17
The Muppet Movie

Still from The Muppet Movie
Walt Disney Pictures

There are plenty more Muppet movies on Disney+ where this came from, but we'll start you off with the first feature, from 1979. The Muppet Movie tells the origin story of the friendships between Jim Henson's creations, set in motion when Kermit the Frog decides to drive out to the West Coast to try to make it in Hollywood. Carol KaneSteve MartinOrson WellesRichard Pryor, and Bob Hope are just a few of the celebrity cameos you'll see, and the soundtrack includes well-known Muppet classics "Movin' Right Along" and "Rainbow Connection."

18
The Princess Diaries

Anne Hathaway in The Princess Diaries
Walt Disney Pictures

In this 2001 adaptation of Meg Cabot's young adult novel, Anne Hathaway stars as regular high school student Mia who learns that she's actually in line for the throne of a country she's never been to. With the help of her grandmother Clarisse (Julie Andrews), the current queen of Genovia, Mia starts to learn what it means to rule—but ultimately, the decision of whether to accept or reject her birthright is up to her. When you're done with this sweet story, you can click right over to 2004's The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement, which is also on Disney+.

19
Beauty and the Beast

Still from Beauty and the Beast
Walt Disney Pictures

Beauty and the Beast was the first animated film to be nominated for Best Picture at the Academy Awards. With unforgettable songs by Howard Ashman and Robert Menken, this 1991 Disney classic tells the story of a bookish young woman who is trapped in an enchanted castle by a captor who's never learned how to love. Disney+ also has the 2017 live-action/CGI adaptation, but we're still partial to this one.

Sage Young
Sage Young is the Deputy Entertainment Editor at Best Life, expanding and honing our coverage in this vertical by managing a team of industry-obsessed writers. Read more
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