These are the best Disney movies ever made. We're throwing it back with some classics and keeping it cool with new live-action titles...
Disney Plus subscriber and looking for the best Disney movies to watch? You've landed in just the right place. This best streaming service is home to all Disney movies from classics such as The Aristocats to new live adaptations such as Aladdin and Dumbo. That and Pixar movies, Marvel content, Star Wars TV series and movies and lots of stuff from National Geographic. If you're stuck on what to watch or are struggling to choose something, let our list guide you.
Enter: the best Disney movies, ranked. These are the best titles to introduce your little ones to. Or, if you're looking to get nostalgic, why not start a Disney marathon yourself? Our list has everything from old classics to new, live adaptations. Well, without further ado...
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The best Disney movies
25. Oliver & Company (1989)
Dickens' Oliver reimagined with cats and dogs? I am in! With songs from Billy Joel and Bette Midler it couldn't get more 80s, but it is sweet, fun and a must-watch for the whole family. Billy Joel plays the loveable Dodger who takes orphaned kitten Oliver under his paw, nawwww. Listen out for our fave song of the film by Billy/Dodger: "Why Should I Worry?". You'll have it in your head for days.
24. The Aristocats
This 1970 Disney classic is set in Paris and follows the high-society life of a family of artistocratic cats. After they're kidnapped (which we've now realized seems to be a plot line in about 50 percent of classic Disney movies) by a malevolent butler and stranded in the French countryside, they team up with an alleycat named O'Malley to get back to the city.
23. Annie (1999)
The musical Annie follows a young orphan – called Annie, obvs – who is determined to find her Mum and Dad. Even if you haven't seen this musical before, you'll be sure to know a few of the songs – Hard-Knock Life, Tomorrow, Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile.
22. The Fox and the Hound (1981)
This still hits us right in the feels – it really takes some emotional recovery time afterwards. Follow the tale of a fox and hound, born to be adversaries but who become close friends. As they grow up, life changes who they are and their friendship gets tested to the limit. A message for us all in dark times.
21. High School Musical (2006)
One for your older kids, High School Musical stars Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens as they sing their way through high school. It's a franchise so you'll naturally have to watch all three movies in one day, probably. This musical is brimming with catchy songs from Bop to the Top to We're All in this Together, Breakin' Free and Start of Something New. What a throwback.
20. Mary Poppins Returns
Yet to see this sequel? While we're more than happy to say it doesn't compare to the original (it's hard to beat!) Emily Blunt plays the part incredibly. It's just as much magical, you'll find yourself singing along without realising and it'll leave you smiling. Julie Walters, Colin Firth, Meryl Streep, Dick Van Dyke and more star. Just a spoonful of sugar...
19. The Little Mermaid (1989)
If you are between the ages of 25 and 40 and haven't recreated that moment trying to swoosh your hair out of a swimming pool, or tried to comb your hair with a fork, then who even are you? Yes, the Little Mermaid leaves quite the lasting impression, partly because of the magical world it is set in, but also the catchy songs and fun characters.
There are some slightly suspect messages for young girls in here – he will fall in love with you if you have nothing to say as long as your pretty right? – but just sing along and make sure you set aside some time after for why Ariel is not the best role model.
18. Wreck it Ralph & Ralph Breaks the Internet
These animated movies are funny, and if you haven't seen the first one you're missing out big time. Following Vanellope – a young troublemaking "glitch" from a candy racing game – and bad guy Ralph, these movies are set in an arcade. Ralph, tired of never being a hero, accidentally lets a deadly enemy loose into the arcade. And the rest is history...
17. Honey I Shrunk the Kids (1989)
A scientist working on his latest invention accidentally shrinks his kids and throws them out with the rubbish – dads eh? The wonderful Rick Moranis stars as said father whose kids (and their neighbours' kids – he's going to be popular) must try to find their way back through the back garden to be 'unshrunk'. Giant ants, and a near death experience in a bowl of cereal make this a memorable watch that sticks with you. It might also help put any recent parenting mishaps into perspective...
16. Maleficent 1 & 2
Maleficent has been on Disney Plus for a while, but number 2 – Maleficent: Mistress of Evil – is new to this streaming service for June. Best suited to older kids and adults, Maleficent stars Angelina Jolie, Elle Fanning and several other famous faces. This film follows the story of Sleeping Beauty but from the antagonist – Maleficent's – point of view. Dark yet gripping.
15. Aladdin (2019)
Great casting paired with vibrant colours and even better singing makes this new Disney movie more than worthy of a place on our list. Directed by Guy Richie, it's based on the 1992 animated movie Aladdin but in our opinion, is much better. Will Smith stars as the genie and makes a truly incredible job of it. We loved it.
14. The Sound of Music (1965)
We're pretty certain that almost every musical lover would have seen The Sound of Music in theatre before: this classic is one of the best musicals ever made. The musical follows the motherless Von Trapp family as Maria, an inspiring nun, is sent as a governess to take care of the seven children. You'll be singing along to So Long, Farewell, Sixteen Going On Seventeen and Do-Re-Mi all day long.
13. The Parent Trap
Fresh out of 1998, this movie follows twins who are separated at birth, one goes with their mum to London and the other with their dad to California. The twins meet at camp and in a bid to get their parents back together, switch places. Both twins are played by Lindsey Lohan.
12. The Pirates of The Caribbean
The first of these movies will always be the best, in our opinion, but either way it doesn't matter because the entire franchise is available to watch on Disney+ now. Kiera Knightley, Orlando Bloom and Johnny Depp star these movies, which, by the way, are an adaptation of the ride! Interesting.
11. Peter Pan
An oldie but a goodie, Peter Pan will always be one of our top Disney movies. And yes, we're talking about the 1953 version. We're sure you already know the storyline, but if you don't, Peter Pan – the boy who never grew up – takes siblings Wendy, Peter and Michael on an adventure to Never Land. Here they see everything from mermaids to fairies, lost boys, pirates and crocodiles. After Captain Hook seeks revenge on Peter for cutting off his hand, will the children make it home with a story to tell? The kids will love it!
10. Inside Out
One of the most important Disney movies out there is Inside Out. Why? It's all about emotions and it reassures children that it's fine to feel sad sometimes. Following the life of 11-year-old Riley who has just moved home to San Francisco with her parents, she isn't at all happy about leaving her old life behind. Inside Out goes into Riley's head as you meet the five core emotions: Fear, Anger, Joy, Disgust and Sadness. As Riley struggles to adapt to her new life, she begins to feel more anger, fear and disgust than she has ever felt before. As Joy and Sadness are put to the back of her mind, how will she cope? As well as Amy Poehler playing a starring role, Bill Hadler, Mindy Kaling, Lewis Black and Phyllis Smith also star.
9. The Incredibles
Back for number 2 by popular demand, The Incredibles is one of the best Disney movies of all time. This movie is based on a superhero family of five who aren't allowed to use their powers since all super powered activities have been banned by the government. The Dad of the family, otherwise known as Mr Incredible, is itching to go on an adventure and finds himself on a mission to battle an out of control robot. When things go wrong, his family have to rescue him. Among our favourite characters are Jack-Jack and Edna. Samuel L Jackson also stars as Frozone.
8. Frozen
Popular for good reason, Frozen is one of Disney's newest animations and it's easy to see why kids are obsessed. Catchy songs, loveable characters and a great storyline. Based on two royal sisters – Anna and Elsa – the story begins as their city, Arundel, is turned to ice by accident from Elsa's uncontrollable powers. Anna sets off to find her sister in the depths of winter, along with an ice man named Kristoff and she meets a few special people on the way. An alternative ending to most Disney films, which is why it more than deserves a place on our list. Oh, and Idina Menzel, Kristen Bell and Josh Gud star.
7. Mary Poppins (1964)
Mary Poppins is more than worthy of first place in this list. This musical – the original one that is – stars Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke at its heart. It follows the Banks family, who are looking for a nanny. Mary Poppins, their new nanny, brings a change in their lives and spreads happiness through singing. You'll be singing along to Super‐cali‐fragil‐istic‐expi‐ali‐docious in no time. As well as Just a Spoonful of Sugar, Let's go Fly a Kite and Chim Chim Cheree.
6. The Nightmare Before Christmas
We're firm believers that you can watch this Tim Burton movie at anytime of the year. But, due to its nature, it's obviously extra special if watching in October, November or December. A Tim Burton kid-friendly movie that doesn't involve people who have buttons as eyes, The Nightmare Before Christmas follows a Halloween Town who spend all day every day preparing for the most important day of the year on the 31st of October. That is until one of their residents – Jack the Pumpkin King – discovers Christmas Town and becomes obsessed. With lots of catchy songs, a Santa Claus kidnapping, a Boogey Man and a ghost dog, among famous voices you'll recognise Catherine O'Hara, Ken Page and Danny Elfman. It really is worth a watch but maybe is more suitable for older children.
5. Beauty and the Beast (2017)
While we do love the classic Beauty and the Beast from 1991, the new, live-action adaptation is well worth a watch. Starring the one and only Emma Watson as Belle and Dan Stevens as the Beast, this movie brings the original to life in an even better light. It still has all of your favourite songs and characters in – Lumière, Chip, Mrs.Potts – as well as an incredible cast including Emma Thompson, Ewan McGregor, Ian McKellen, Stanley Tucci and Josh Gad.
4. Finding Nemo
Just keep swimming, just keep swimming, just keep swimming, swimming, swimming, what do we do? we swim, swim, swim. You're welcome for having that stuck in your head for the rest of the day! This Disney classic had to make it onto our top list, mostly for the character of Dory, who is played by Ellen Degeneres. A movie based on two clown fish – Marlin and Nemo – you can probably guess by the name of the film that Nemo goes missing and Marlin tries to find him. Where does he end up? 42 Wallaby Way, Sydney. On the way, Marlin meets a whole bunch of sea animals from chilled out turtles to hungry sharks, and Nemo learns a lesson or two about humans – Darla in particular – and the journeys other fish have been on. William Dafoe, Geoffrey Rush, Barry Humphries, Eric Bana and John Ratzenberger also star. It's Oscar winning for a reason...
3. UP
Get the tissues ready, because this one is a tearjerker. A story about an old man whose wife passes away (we're already tearing up), UP follows his life as he goes on an adventure in his flying house to Paradise Falls, a place his wife always dreamed of visiting. There's a boy scout, a talking dog and Kevin, the South American bird who end up joining on route. And of course, a bad guy. It's a Disney film for all ages and a great Saturday evening watch. John Ratzenberger stars in this too, as well as Cars, Toy Story and Monsters Inc.
2. Lilo & Stitch
Ohana means family, and family means nobody gets left behind – a life motto we live by. This heartwarming classic is all about a science experiment gone wrong, otherwise known as Stitch who is a genetically modified creature. Stitch manages to escape to planet earth and *kinda* disguise himself as a dog. He meets Lilo who tries to train him and they become best of friends. The kids will love it! While it hasn't got an all-star casting, Ving Rhames stars as a character called Cobra Bubbles.
1. Toy Story
And here it is: the number one rated Disney movie by us is... Toy Story. Not only are there four (!!!) of these films to watch, but the storyline really hits you deep in parts. If you've not already seen it, these movies follow a group of toys who come to life once their owner (Andy) leaves the room. From Woody to Buzz, Rex the dinosaur, Mr & Mrs Potato Head and Jessie, and we can't forget Little Bo-Peep (and all of her sheep) as well as Ham – yes, that's the pig – and Slinky the dog. Oh, and newbie to the gang Forky. Not only do these movies have Tom Hanks and Tim Allen at the heart of them, but also Joan Cusack, Timothy Dalton, Wallace Shawn, Kelsey Grammer, Keanu Reeves, Michael Keaton and many more.
