As the old saying goes, Disney is for both the young and the young at heart. Although the studio continues to deliver great new movies for the kids of today, kids of days past still have fond memories of their days spent watching the movies that the studio used to make. Now, with the advent of Disney+, watching those beloved classics is easier than ever.
Because your favorite Disney movies are so wrapped up in what you loved as a kid, everyone’s list is going to be different. And, now that Disney owns mega properties like Marvel and Star Wars, the roster of available movies continues to grow. You might not agree with this list, and there are plenty of great Disney movies not on it, but if you’re looking for some other options, we also have a list of the best Disney+ movies to stream right now.
14. The Greatest Game Ever Played (2005)
120m
Genre
Drama
Stars
Shia LaBeouf, Stephen Dillane, Josh Flitter
Directed by
Bill Paxton
This is the only live-action film on this list and choosing it was not an easy decision. The Greatest Game Ever Played is a golf movie, but it’s also a look into the history of the sport. The story follows a young, working-class boy named Francis Ouimet (Shia Labeouf) as he tries to make his dream of becoming a golf champion a reality. Though it’s primarily a drama, there are bits of humor and action sprinkled in throughout and it’s a live-action entry that showcases what Disney was always great at in this format: making something inspirational that never feels too saccharine for its own good.
13. Soul (2020)
101m
Genre
Animation, Comedy, Fantasy, Family
Stars
Jamie Foxx, Tina Fey, Graham Norton
Directed by
Pete Docter
Soul is one of the more recent Pixar movies, and it hasn’t gotten nearly as much attention as it deserves. The movie tells the story of a jazz musician who loses his life right before he gets his big musical break. When he meets a new soul on the other side who refuses to come to Earth, he finds himself rediscovering the true meaning of life through the eyes of someone who never had the chance to live.
12. Big Hero 6 (2014)
102m
Genre
Adventure, Family, Animation, Action, Comedy
Stars
Scott Adsit, Ryan Potter, Daniel Henney
Directed by
Chris Williams, Don Hall
There are plenty of worthy titles I could have put on this list over Big Hero 6, but there’s something ineffable about this wonderful, slightly unusual Disney animated film. The cast is excellent and the animation is great, but what really sets it apart is the unique storyline and setting. The main character is a young kid filled with hope for his future who is confronted head-on by tragedy. There is no fairy godmother or magical genie that can come save the day here, however. Instead, all he has is the lingering kindness of an inflatable robot and his own undying spirit, which in the end proves to be more than enough.
The Manual streaming roundup
11. Up (2009)
96m
Genre
Animation, Comedy, Family, Adventure
Stars
Ed Asner, Christopher Plummer, Jordan Nagai
Directed by
Pete Docter
Up is both one of the most heartbreaking and heartwarming Disney movies ever made. Right off the bat, this Pixar film punches you in the gut with a wrenching look into the inevitable end of all good things. It’s perhaps the most notorious tear-jerker in Disney’s long history. Fortunately, what starts as a depiction of loss and despair quickly turns into the heartwarming story of a depressed old man who finds hope in a young child who needs him. Pixar movies are famous for hitting you in the gut, and Up may be the most effective in that regard. If I’m being honest, though, this movie also landed on the list because because of how much I love Doug the talking dog.
10. The Emperor's New Groove (2000)
78m
Genre
Adventure, Animation, Comedy, Family, Fantasy
Stars
David Spade, John Goodman, Eartha Kitt
Directed by
Mark Dindal
One of the most hilarious Disney movies of all time (guaranteeing it a place on our list), The Emperor’s New Groove tells the story of an adventure into the Peruvian jungle and features characters that have quickly become both memes and icons. When the young, bratty, and spoiled new Emperor Kuzco (David Spade) is accidentally turned into a llama and lost in the jungle after a plot to kill him goes awry, he winds up on an adventure back to his palace with the help of a new, reluctant friend and subject named Pacha (John Goodman). In addition to stylish animation and a joke-filled script, it’s worth highlighting the movie’s fantastic voice performances from David Spade, John Goodman, Eartha Kitt, Wendie Malick, and especially Patrick Warburton as Kronk.
9. Tangled (2010)
100m
Genre
Animation, Family
Stars
Mandy Moore, Zachary Levi, Donna Murphy
Directed by
Byron Howard, Nathan Greno
You may be thinking to yourself, “Why is Tangled on this list if Frozen isn’t?” The answer to that is quite simple: Tangled is, to my mind, a better movie than Frozen. It never caught on in quite the same way, and I’ll admit that it doesn’t have the same standout songs, but it’s a much more idiosyncratic movie, and all the better for it. Much like Mulan, the movie features a princess who doesn’t have to rely on someone else to save her. What’s more, the prince that does come to save her is actually just a thief, who, while funny, is fairly useless. This is also the only Disney movie I know of where a character is aware of how weird it is for a group of strangers to burst into song together — which makes it worthy of my list in and of itself.
8. Sleeping Beauty (1959)
75m
Genre
Fantasy, Animation, Romance, Family
Stars
Mary Costa, Bill Shirley, Eleanor Audley
Directed by
Clyde Geronimi
Perhaps the most beautiful Disney film ever made, the story of Sleeping Beauty is not the reason for its inclusion. It deserves its spot because the incredible tableaus, its brilliant score, and the character of Maleficent, who may still be the most terrifying creation in the entire Disney catalog. Sleeping Beauty is a reminder that, at its peak, Disney had some of the best animators in the world. Even the simple story of Sleeping Beauty could be transformed into something magnificent in their hands, and in the end, Sleeping Beauty became one of the finest movies Disney produced while Walt was still alive.
7. Coco (2017)
105m
Genre
Family, Animation, Fantasy, Music, Comedy, Adventure
Stars
Anthony Gonzalez, Gael García Bernal, Benjamin Bratt
Directed by
Lee Unkrich
A more recent Disney/Pixar collaboration, Coco is a beautiful and touching affirmation of life and heritage that will completely bowl you over. Not only is it a culturally conscious movie that integrates Spanish into its dialogue, it also tells a pretty weighty story, one reminiscent of great Disney tragedies like The Lion King. As usual, this movie features some awesome original songs that will live in your head for weeks, as well as some fabulous motion capture technology, which was used to animate the movie’s standout side character: a Xoloitzcuintli — I know it’s a nightmare to read, but it’s a fairly common Mexican street dog — named Dante, who is a constant companion to the film’s main character.
6. Hercules (1997)
93m
Genre
Animation, Family, Fantasy, Adventure, Comedy, Romance
Stars
Tate Donovan, Josh Keaton, Roger Bart
Directed by
Ron Clements, John Musker
Hercules was one of my first introductions to Greek mythology, but that’s not the only reason it’s on this list. With a soundtrack featuring artists like Michael Bolton and Destiny’s Child, the music alone makes this film worth watching. It has the same zero-to-hero story structure as many of the classic Disney movies on this list, but grafts that story onto one about Greek heroes, which gives it a different flavor. As is the case with most of the movies on this list, the voice cast really brings the movie to life. Personally, I have never been able to look at Danny Devito as anything other than a goat-man since I first watched this film and that’s okay with me.
5. Beauty and the Beast (1991)
84m
Genre
Romance, Family, Animation, Fantasy
Stars
Paige O'Hara, Robby Benson, Richard White
Directed by
Gary Trousdale, Kirk Wise
If The Little Mermaid kicked off the Disney renaissance, then Beauty and the Beast made it crystal clear that Disney was back in a major way. Telling what is either a quirky love story or a severe case of Stockholm syndrome depending on who you ask, the movie is bouied by incredible songs from Howard Ashman and Alan Menken, and animation that does right by the source material. Beauty and the Beast seems like a dark story for Disney to be adapting, but they handle it with a light touch that still does justice to the story’s weightiest themes.
4. The Lion King (1994)
89m
Genre
Family, Animation, Drama
Stars
Matthew Broderick, James Earl Jones, Jeremy Irons
Directed by
Roger Allers, Rob Minkoff
The only reason The Lion King isn’t at the top of this list is that it’s basically just Hamlet, but with lions. That obviously makes it a little bit derivative, but it’s also what makes it great. With likable animal characters, complicated themes, and a memorable soundtrack from the minds of Elton John and Tim Rice, it has everything you could ever want from a Disney movie. It’s also become one of the most successful Broadway musicals of all time, which speaks to the enduring power of the story. If you want more proof of how special the original Lion King is, look no further than the lifeless “live-action” remake, which was largely CGI. The original film also spurred a couple of above-average sequels, The Lion King 2 and The Lion King 1 and 1/2, but if you want to experience the magic of this story, it’s best to start with the original.
3. Mulan (1998)
88m
Genre
Animation, Family, Adventure
Stars
Ming-Na Wen, Eddie Murphy, BD Wong
Directed by
Tony Bancroft, Barry Cook
I first watched Mulan when I was a kid, and it jumped all the way up my list of favorite movies. Looking back now, it was one of the first times a Disney “princess” was portrayed as a capable human that didn’t need saving. When I watched it as a kid, though, I really just thought it was genuinely entertaining. The soundtrack is amazing and Eddie Murphy’s Mushu is better than anything he would eventually do in Shrek. Mulan is about an unlikely hero overcoming insurmountable odds, which is what Disney does so well. Even so, Mulan stands apart from the standard Disney fare because of Mulan herself, who is a totally unique creation.
2. Tarzan (1999)
88m
Genre
Family, Adventure, Animation, Drama
Stars
Tony Goldwyn, Minnie Driver, Glenn Close
Directed by
Kevin Lima, Chris Buck
Tarzan is a classic story brought to life through gorgeous animation and fueled by a heavenly score from Phil Collins. This film has everything a good Disney movie should — action, talking animals, conflict, and a story filled with plenty of heart. The soundtrack was so good that it became a genuine phenomenon in and of itself — I still listen to it from time to time. The Tarzan franchise has gone downhill since the original film, but that doesn’t change its place on the list. There are so many great lines and memorable moments from the first movie that still bring me joy all these years later.
Read more: Best Movies
1. Aladdin (1992)
90m
Genre
Animation, Family, Adventure, Fantasy, Romance
Stars
Scott Weinger, Robin Williams, Linda Larkin
Directed by
Ron Clements, John Musker
I was born in the ’90s, so naturally, Aladdin had to take the top spot on this list. While you could argue that the only reason this movie is so great is Robin Williams, there’s plenty of other elements that have earned it its place. With magic, fighting, and a rags-to-riches main character, Aladdin is more than just a diamond in the rough. The songs from Howard Ashman and Alan Menken are some of the best in the Disney canon, and you’ll be hard-pressed to find a song catchier than “Friend Like Me” even if Williams improvs his way through most of it.
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