Best Movies on Disney Plus: 12 Picks for Every Kind of Movie Night
Key takeaways
- Choose from animation, adventure, superhero stories and historical drama to match the mood of your movie night.
- Disney+ catalogs vary by country and can change, so check your local app before planning a movie night.
- Animation does not necessarily mean a film is suitable for every child; review local age ratings and content guidance.
- For a broadly appealing starting point, consider Ratatouille, Coco or Rogue One.
Table of contents
The best movies on Disney Plus depend on what you’re in the mood for: Pixar for thoughtful animation, Marvel for superhero action, Star Wars for space adventure, or a family favorite everyone can watch together. These picks span those styles and more, with a quick note on why each one is worth seeking out.
One important caveat: Disney+’s movie catalog varies by country and can change. Treat this as a shortlist of titles to look for, not a guarantee that every film is currently available in your local app. Disney+ brings together movies from several entertainment brands, but its official site doesn’t establish that every title is available in every region. Check your local catalog before planning movie night, and review age ratings and content guidance for younger viewers.
Best Disney Plus movies for animation fans
Coco (2017)
For a heartfelt animated adventure, Coco follows Miguel, a boy who dreams of becoming a musician despite his family’s ban on music. His journey into the Land of the Dead gives the film room for playful visuals, lively songs and an emotional story about family and remembrance.
It’s a strong pick when you want an uplifting movie with real feeling. The story includes themes of death and grief, so its bright animation doesn’t mean it will feel light to every child.
Ratatouille (2007)
Ratatouille pairs Parisian food and kitchen comedy with an unlikely hero: Remy, a rat who wants to cook. Its appeal isn’t limited to food lovers. The film is also about ambition, creative work and the people who get overlooked.
Choose it for a warm, funny movie night that’s a little less centered on action than many family animations. Its kitchen mishaps and fast-moving sequences keep the story lively without making it a superhero-style spectacle.
Inside Out (2015)
In Inside Out, a girl’s emotions—Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear and Disgust—help shape the story as she adjusts to a major change in her life. The imaginative setup gives the film a clear way to explore feelings that can be hard to talk about directly.
It works well for families who want something funny but also thoughtful. Younger viewers can enjoy the colorful characters, while older kids and adults may connect with its ideas about change and emotional growth.
WALL-E (2008)
This science-fiction romance begins with WALL-E, a small robot left to clean up an abandoned Earth. Much of the film’s early storytelling relies on movement and visual detail rather than lengthy dialogue, making it a distinctive choice among animated features.
Pick it for a quieter, more visually driven watch. It offers a gentler pace than The Incredibles or Moana, alongside an adventure that raises questions about technology and the environment.
The Incredibles (2004)
For a more action-packed animated pick, The Incredibles follows a family of superheroes trying to balance everyday life with extraordinary abilities. The family dynamics give the movie its humor, while the set pieces deliver the momentum of a traditional superhero film.
It’s a good fit for viewers who want animation with a brisk pace and plenty of action. Expect superhero peril and combat, so check the local age guidance if you’re choosing it for younger children.
Best Disney Plus movies for adventure and action
Moana (2016)
Moana is a musical adventure about a young voyager who sets out across the ocean to help her people. Its sea journeys, songs and partnership between Moana and the demigod Maui make it an easy choice when you want an energetic, family-oriented story.
The film is especially suited to viewers who like a clear quest and memorable musical numbers. It has moments of danger, but its focus stays on courage, discovery and responsibility.
Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)
For live-action swashbuckling, the first Pirates of the Caribbean film follows Captain Jack Sparrow and blacksmith Will Turner as a pirate crew’s curse draws them into a fight over stolen treasure. The mix of sword fights, supernatural scares and comedy gives it a different tone from a straightforward adventure film.
Choose it if you want something playful with a darker edge. Cursed skeletons, battles and peril may make it less suitable for very young viewers; check the rating where you live.
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)
Rogue One is a space-war adventure built around a mission to obtain plans for the Empire’s Death Star. Because it tells a story on the edges of the main Star Wars saga, it offers a different perspective from the series’ central family storyline.
It’s a good option for viewers who want a more military-minded, ensemble adventure. The film includes sustained combat and a more serious tone than some of the franchise’s lighter entries.
Best Disney Plus movies for superhero fans
Black Panther (2018)
In Black Panther, T’Challa returns to Wakanda after the death of his father and faces challenges tied to the future of the kingdom. The film combines superhero action with questions about leadership, heritage and how a powerful nation should relate to the rest of the world.
It’s a strong pick if you want a superhero story with a vivid setting and more to discuss than its action scenes. It includes violence and peril, so consult the local rating and content information when choosing it for a family audience.
Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
A mismatched group of space travelers becomes an unlikely team in Guardians of the Galaxy. Its science-fiction adventure is balanced with irreverent humor and a soundtrack that helps set it apart from more serious superhero films.
The film is a good choice for viewers who want comic-book action with a lighter, more chaotic tone. It contains action violence and some mature humor, so it may suit older children and adults better than the youngest viewers.
Best Disney Plus movie for a historical drama
Hidden Figures (2016)
Hidden Figures dramatizes the work of Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson, Black mathematicians whose work supported NASA during the Space Race. It offers a grounded alternative to fantasy and franchise stories, focusing on the women’s professional achievements and the barriers they faced.
Choose it for an accessible historical drama with an inspiring central story. As with other dramatizations, it’s best understood as a movie portrayal of historical events rather than a documentary.
How to choose the right Disney Plus movie
If you’re picking for a mixed-age family, start with Ratatouille, Coco or Moana, then check the rating and content guidance in your region. For a faster-paced night, try The Incredibles, Guardians of the Galaxy or Pirates of the Caribbean. If you’d rather watch something more reflective, Inside Out, WALL-E and Hidden Figures offer different kinds of emotional or historical storytelling.
For Marvel or Star Wars films, it can help to know the wider franchise, but these picks have a clear central story of their own. If you’re new to either series, choose by genre: Black Panther for a superhero drama, Guardians of the Galaxy for comedy-forward space action, or Rogue One for a more serious war-adventure feel.
Frequently asked questions
Are these movies available on Disney+ in every country?
No. Disney+ catalogs differ by region, and titles can move in or out of a service. Search your local app before you settle on a film.
Is every animated Disney+ movie suitable for young children?
No. Animation describes a style, not an age rating. Films such as The Incredibles and Coco include peril or heavier themes, while live-action picks like Pirates of the Caribbean feature battles and supernatural scares. Check the rating and content guidance shown in your region.
What’s a good Disney Plus movie for adults?
For a historical drama, try Hidden Figures. If you want animation with more reflective themes, consider WALL-E or Inside Out. For action, Rogue One offers a more serious tone than the comedic Guardians of the Galaxy.
The quickest way to find your next pick is to choose by mood, then confirm that the title appears in your local Disney+ catalog. For a broadly appealing starting point, try Ratatouille for a warm comedy, Coco for a musical family story or Rogue One for a more dramatic adventure.
