Disney/DexertoTired of Netflix’s constant price hikes and bored of waiting for Stranger Things? Well, the House of Mouse has the perfect streaming service for you and we’ve already picked out some of the best Disney+ movies to get your next movie night started.
Yes, there was no need to wish upon a star or gather the Infinity Stones to make your cinematic dreams come true. We here at Dexerto pride ourselves on knowing what you want before you want it. To that end, we got the TV and movies team to pour over the Disney+ back catalog to curate a list of the best movies that even the most vile Disney villain would have a hard time hating.
We’ve included everything from the best Marvel movies, timeless Pixar classics, and even Taylor Swift makes an appearance (we’re all Swifties here. Well, maybe not Cam).
Sadly, the reality is that we couldn’t include everything Disney has made on this list and we wanted it to reflect the width and breadth of Mickey’s cinematic empire. So if your favorite didn’t make the cut –#justiceforaladdin — Don’t Blame Me (Editor’s note: Had to get a Taylor reference in here somewhere), blame Walt for making too many good movies.
15. Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour
AMC Theaters- Release date: October 13, 2023
- Director: Sam Wrench
- Cast: Taylor Swift
- Region: Worldwide
- How long is it? 2 hours 49 minutes
What it’s about: Taylor Swift sings songs for arguably too long… oh and she dances too.
Why we like it: If you couldn’t get tickets to the Eras Tour, then The Eras Tour movie is the next best thing. I know that might sound absurd (how can a film match a concert?) but Wrench does an incredible job at capturing the joyous atmosphere that pervaded the stadiums Taylor visited, and even better, it puts you in the one place concert goers couldn’t go: the stage. Unsurprisingly, Swift sounds amazing and the film does a good job at putting some of the focus on aspects of the show – like the dancers – that you may have missed if you were lucky enough to get a ticket.
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Written by Tom Percival
14. Free Solo
National Geographic- Release date: September 28, 2018
- Director: Jimmy Chin, Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi
- Cast: Alex Honnold, Jimmy Chin, Tommy Caldwell, Dean Potter, Sanni McCandless
- Region: Worldwide
- How long is it? 1 hour 40 minutes
What it’s about: If you’ve ever been to Yosemite National Park, you’d have seen monster peak El Capitan in the flesh. If you haven’t, it’s the big mountain peak on your Mac desktop background. This is about a climbing-addicted maniac trying to scale it.
Why we like it: My dad became convinced he could shift up El Captain’s rock face “like a mountain goat” after watching Free Solo on a plane ride to California. Don’t take the wrong message from this – the doc is aspirational in the face of adversity, proving humans can do incredible things, pushing themselves beyond their limits. Do I ever want to cling to a mountain using a few pegs? No, but now I never have to.
Written by Jasmine Valentine
13. X-Men
Disney- Release date: August 18, 2000
- Director: Bryan Singer
- Cast: Patrick Stewart, Hugh Jackman, Ian McKellen
- Region: Worldwide
- How long is it? 1 hour 44 minutes
What it’s about: When Magneto starts tracking the new mutant Rogue, Charles Xavier and his merry band of mutants swoop in to protect the young girl and stop whatever the master of magnetism has planned.
Why we like it: Why we like it: Blade fans love nothing more than reminding you that the Day Walker kickstarted the superhero movie boom, but I’m sorry he didn’t. He certainly helped, but Blade’s first outing was not well received by critics. No, it was X-Men (2000), with its impressive box office and warm critical response that proved to studios that spandex-clad heroes (well they wore leather but you get the point) had a grand future on the silver screen.
Beyond this pretty impressive contribution to pop culture history, X-Men also gave us Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine, arguably the most remarkable piece of comic book movie casting of all time. As for the movie itself, it helped define the pattern most superhero movies would follow, balancing banter, battles, and… a third thing beginning with B… like bad costumes. Yeah, I’m sorry I’m still not onboard with the leather suits. Still the film’s great!
Written by Tom Percival
12. Up
Pixar- Release date: October 9, 2009
- Director: Pete Docter
- Cast: Edward Asner, Jordan Nagai, Bob Petersen, Christopher Plummer, Pete Docter
- Region: Worldwide
- How long is it? 1 hour 35 minutes
What it’s about: Carl is a grouchy old man who’s lost his wife and wants to be forgotten by the world. When Boy Scout Russell turns up at his door, the adventure of a lifetime begins.
Why we like it: Life truth – there’s never a Pixar animation you’ll cry over more than Up. Equal parts heart-breaking and heart-warming, the movie takes us through feelings we know all too well using an impossible journey. On top of that, there’s a balloon-ridden house, cookies, and a dog who can talk. What more can you ask for from the world of animation?
Written by Jasmine Valentine
11. Avatar
20th Century Studios- Release date: December 18, 2009
- Director: James Cameron
- Cast: Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Stephen Lang, Michelle Rodriguez, Sigourney Weaver
- Region: Worldwide
- How long is it? 2 hours 42 minutes
What it’s about: In 2154, as Earth sits on the brink of an ecological collapse, humans try to colonize Pandora, a faraway, habitable moon that’s home to unobtanium, one of the most powerful materials in the universe. Jake Sully joins the Avatar program to learn more about the moon’s people (and push them out when required) – but as he embraces the natives, his allegiances evolve.
Why we like it: Avatar took us to a whole new world – and as Jake said, “the most dangerous thing about Pandora is that you may grow to love her too much.” In fact, James Cameron realized a planet so thoroughly and dreamily that it left audiences (and me) with a genuine affliction: post-Pandora depression syndrome. Feel free to keep ignoring the “no cultural impact” ignoramuses: this is one of the most important and best sci-fi movies ever made.
Written by Cameron Frew
10. Logan
Disney- Release date: March 3, 2017
- Director: James Mangold
- Cast: Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart, Dafne Keen
- Region: Worldwide
- How long is it? 2 hours 17 minutes
What it’s about: Set in a terrible future where the X-Men are dead, a dying Wolverine eaks out a meager existence on the US-Mexico border. When a chance encounter with a young girl similar to himself convinces Logan to pop his claws one more time, however, it soon becomes clear Wolverine’s hero days may not be a thing of the past.
Why we like it: A contender for the best superhero movie ever made and undoubtedly the best X-Men movie, Logan was a mature and violent deconstruction of the classic superhero tale. Or at least that’s what the marketing wanted us to believe, in fact, Logan is a reminder of the importance of connection and family in the face of an uncaring world. It’s bleak at times but it’s also beautiful and the final battle, and Logan’s ultimate sacrifice never fail to make me cry.
Written by Tom Percival
9. Spider-Man 2
Sony Pictures- Release date: June 30, 2004
- Director: Sam Raimi
- Cast: Tobey Maguire, Alfred Molina, Kirsten Dunst
- Region: Worldwide
- How long is it? 1 hour, 57 minutes
What it’s about: While struggling to juggle school, work, love, and being Spider-Man, Peter Parker befriends nuclear scientist Otto Octavius, who becomes something of a mentor, until artificially intelligent tentacles fuse to his spine, turning Otto into super-villain Doc Ock, driven mad by the death of his wife, and hell-bent on revenge.
Why we like it: Sam Raimi and Tobey Maguire’s second Spidey movie continues to explore how great power comes with great responsibility for Peter Parker, all while he struggles with work-life balance which is fun. Still what elevates the movie is Otto’s story, with Doc Ock one of the most sympathetic villains in the history of comic book movies, and Alfred Molina delivering a genuinely heart-breaking performance that lends the movie a spellbinding emotional charge. Raimi channels his horror past for some genuinely terrifying sequences, while other scenes look like the genius of Stan Lee and Steve Ditko made real, resulting in the greatest superhero movie of them all.
Written by Chris Tilly
8. Beauty and the Beast
Disney- Release date: November 22, 1993
- Director: Gary Trousdale, Kirk Wise
- Cast: Paige O’Hara, Robby Benson, Jerry Orbach
- Region: Worldwide
- How long is it? 1 hour, 24 minutes
What it’s about: A handsome prince is turned into a beast because of his selfish behavior, and the spell can only be broken by earning the love of a local woman called Belle.
Why we like it: The Little Mermaid is considered the start of the ‘Disney Renaissance’ in 1989, but Beauty and the Beast truly changed everything four years later, becoming the first animated movie to gross $100 million in the States, win the Golden Globe for Best Musical or Comedy, and be nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars. All that critical and commercial acclaim is down to a charming script, beautiful songs courtesy of Howard Ashman and Alan Menken, and truly ground-breaking computer animation that helped revolutionise the industry.
Written by Chris Tilly
7. The Sound of Music
20th Century Fox- Release date: March 29, 1965
- Director: Robert Wise
- Cast: Julie Andrews, Christopher Plummer, Charmian Carr, Heather Menzies, Angela Cartwright
- Region: Worldwide
- How long is it? 2 hours 52 minutes
What it’s about: Junior nun (or Nunette, if you will) Maria is assigned to be governess to the seven motherless Von Trapp children. Instead of forcing them to do their maths homework and feeding them hummus, she turns them into musical and running-away-from-Nazi experts.
Why we like it: The hills are alive with the sound of your family pretending to be the Von Trapps for the duration of whichever day you choose to watch this. Personally, I always preferred being the Lonely Goatherd. It’s a rite of passage to give this musical odyssey a spin, and frankly nothing has ever made the events of WW2 look more appealing. Julie Andrews is as magical as you remember, cementing her GOAT status (see what I did there?)
Written by Jasmine Valentine
6. Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark
Paramount Pictures- Release date: June 12, 1981
- Director: Steven Spielberg
- Cast: Harrison Ford, Karen Allen, Paul Freeman
- Region: Worldwide
- How long is it? 1 hour 55 minutes
What it’s about: Adventurer and archaeologist Indiana Jones takes a break from grave robbing (I know he gives the artefacts to museums, no need to tell me off) to try and prevent the Nazis from discovering the legendary Ark of the Covenant.
Why we like it: An exciting reimagining of the classic adventure serials, this whip smart (pun intended) movie has more to offer than a tomb full of treasure. The set pieces are imaginative and well directed (what would you expect from Spielberg), the baddies are brilliantly boo-able (who doesn’t like punching Nazis), and it has a great sense of humor which helps keep things light. Arguably, though the film’s not-so-secret weapon is the ever charismatic Harrison Ford, he just oozes effortless charm, making Indiana Jones both a rugged action hero and a lovable rogue. What I’m saying is that this film belongs in a museum… of the best movies ever made.
Written by Tom Percival
5. Black Panther
Disney/Marvel- Release date: February 16, 2018
- Director: Ryan Coogler
- Cast: Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong’o
- Region: Worldwide
- How long is it? 2 hours 14 minutes
What it’s about: Following the superhero Civil War, T’Challa returns home to take his father’s throne and sets about reforming Wakanda’s isolationist policies. Yet, not all Wakandans believe they should reveal themselves to the world, and when a challenger to T’Challa’s authority emerges, the kingdom is thrown into a violent war of its own.
Why we like it: One of the best Marvel movies, Black Panther is both an exciting action movie and a thoughtful meditation on the nature of community and colonialism (not exactly what you expect from a superhero movie). While a lot of digital ink has been spilled since its release talking about the incredible cast, the emotional story, and Ludwig Göransson’s lush score, I think the best thing about it is the world building.
Not since Lord of the Rings’ Middle-earth has a fictional place felt so real and lived in. So much work has gone into making Wakanda an Afro-futuristic utopia from the exquisitely designed cities to the detailed costumes and the Wakandan technology, everything feels like real thought went into it; nothing is throwaway or disposable and that’s remarkable for a Marvel movie. Let’s just not talk about those CGI rhinos.
Written by Tom Percival
4. Toy Story Trilogy
Disney Pixar- Release date: November 22, 1995 (Toy Story), November 24, 1999 (Toy Story 2), June 18, 2010 (Toy Story 3)
- Director: John Lasseter (Toy Story 1 and 2), Lee Unkrich (Toy Story 3)
- Cast: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Annie Potts, John Ratzenberger, Don Rickles, Wallace Shawn, Jim Varney
- Region: Worldwide
What it’s about: The Toy Story trilogy explores the lives of a group of toys who come to life when humans aren’t in the room.
Why we like it: Yes, we know putting a trilogy on here is cheating, but asking us to pick one of these films is like asking a kid to choose their favorite toy. Anyway, the Toy Story movies are the films that put Pixar on the map and they helped revolutionise computer animation. It’s not hyperbole to say that the animation world would look radically different without these movies, each of which helped push the boundaries of what people thought was technically possible.
Beyond this incredible contribution to the genre, these films are simply amazing. Each one tells a funny and heartfelt story about the power of friendship, loyalty, and the value of change. It’s genuinely mindboggling how good these movies are, especially considering they’re about CHILD’S PLAY THINGS!
Written by Tom Percival
3. Star Wars
20th Century Fox- Release date: May 25, 1977
- Director: George Lucas
- Cast: Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher
- Region: Worldwide
- How long is it? 2 hours 1 minute
What it’s about: Desperate to escape his boring life, Luke Skywalker finally gets to go on the adventure he’s been craving after two lost droids introduce him to the wise Jedi Knight Ben Kenobi. Soon enough Luke finds himself embroiled in the Galactic Civil War, joining the Rebels in a desperate attempt to destroy a new Imperial superweapon known as the Death Star.
Why we like it: A classic story of good versus evil, what makes Star Wars so compelling is that it balances accessible ideas with exciting action and vibrant world building. What’s more, the casting and character work is impeccable, each of our three main heroes – Han, Leia, and Luke – feel immediately iconic, presumably because Lucas based them on such broad and recognizable archetypes that despite all the sci-fi gubbins they remain likably relatable.
You know who’s not likable? The imposing villain, Darth Vader, whose violent temper, intimidating armor, and rasping breath make him one of the most memorable antagonists in movie history. Oh we’ve not even started to talk about the practical effects, John Williams’ score, or its lasting influence on cinema … basically Star Wars is a masterpiece and one of the best sci-fi movies ever so if for some reason you haven’t seen it, go check it out.
Written by Tom Percival
2. Avengers: Infinity War
Marvel Studios- Release date: April 27, 2018
- Director: Joe and Anthony Russo
- Cast: Josh Brolin, Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Benedict Cumberbatch, Don Cheadle, Tom Holland, Chadwick Boseman, Paul Bettany, Elizabeth Olsen, Anthony Mackie, Sebastian Stan
- Region: Worldwide
- How long is it? 2 hours 29 minutes
What it’s about: If Thanos gets his gold-gauntlet fingers on all of the Infinity Stones, he’s vowed to “balance the universe” – in other words, he’ll snap away half of all life in existence. Whether they’re on Earth or lightyears away in the cosmos, the Avengers team up with the Guardians of the Galaxy to stop the titan and (hopefully) save the world.
Why we like it: There was an idea… to bring together all of the remarkable people in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Avengers: Infinity War was a gargantuan endeavor that shouldn’t have worked – and yet, it does, somehow tying together everything the franchise in a neat, pacy, and gut-wrenching bow. Even now, its dust-crumbling ending feels incredibly bold; seriously, how did they get away with killing Spider-Man?
Written by Cameron Frew
1. The Lion King
Disney- Release date: June 15, 1994
- Director: Roger Allers, Rob Minkoff
- Cast: Jeremy Irons, James Earl Jones, Matthew Broderick
- Region: Worldwide
- How long is it? 1 hour, 28 minutes
What it’s about: When his father King Mufasa is murdered by Uncle Scar, lion cub Simba flees home and lives in exile, where he makes friends and finds love, then returns years later to reclaim his throne.
Why we like it: The Lion King has pretty much everything you want from a movie, combining comedy, romance, drama, and even a spot of horror, all underscored by memorable songs from Elton John and Tim Rice. The hero is likable, the villain terrifying, and the story that’s loosely based on Hamlet genuinely compelling, making a heady mix that helped turn Lion King into the biggest film of 1994, and one of the most successful animated movies of all-time.
Written by Chris Tilly
And that’s it for the best Disney+ movies righ. If you’re not pleased with our rankings, I’d offer you your money back, but you didn’t pay for this, so I can’t offer you any cash. Thankfully, we do have more lists including the best Netflix shows, the best Netflix thrillers, the best movies on Apple TV+, the best horror movies, and every new film coming out in 2025!