Intergalactic adventurers, cuddly animal companions, and true stories of triumph are all featured in the streamer's best kidfriendly films. The 26 best family f

Intergalactic adventurers, cuddly animal companions, and true stories of triumph are all featured in the streamer's best kid-friendly films.

The 26 best family films on Disney+ for movie night

Intergalactic adventurers, cuddly animal companions, and true stories of triumph are all featured in the streamer's best kid-friendly films.

By Devin Nealy and Ilana Gordon

on October 17, 2025 11:50 a.m. ET

Miguel (voice: Anthony Gonzalez) in 'Coco'; Chris Pratt as Peter Quill in 'Guardians of the Galaxy'; Jack Skellington (voice: Chris Sarandon) in 'The Nightmare Before Christmas'. Credit: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection (2); Buena Vista Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection

Disney+ cracked the vault open — forever. The younger generations will never know the agony of waiting for Disney classics to become available on DVD, only to watch them disappear into a cloud of fairy dust soon after. But thanks to Disney+'s extensive archive, kids (and adults) can experience films from the company's Golden Age and today.

Featuring daring princesses, underdog athletes, and enough talking animals to make George Orwell proud, these are the 26 best family movies on Disney+ right now. Pick your favorite and watch as the Disney magic transforms your autumn evenings.**

Beauty and the Beast (1991)

Belle (voice: Paige O'Hara) and the Beast (voice: Robby Benson) in 'Beauty and the Beast'.

Walt Disney Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection

Belle is a brainy beauty from a small village who desires a life beyond the provincial domesticity that's expected of young women. When a horrific man-beast abducts her father, she bargains with the monster to take his place. As Belle settles into the Beast's palatial castle — filled with a friendly staff of anthropomorphic furniture and glassware — she discovers that her captor and his servants owe their present state to a cruel curse.

If the Beast can give and receive true love from another, the spell will be lifted, but his irascible nature makes this quite the challenge. *Beauty and the Beast* is arguably the crown jewel of Disney's golden age circa the late '80s and early '90s. Fun fact: this movie was so well-received that it became the first animated film to earn a Best Picture Oscar nomination. *—Devin Nealy *

Where to watch *Beauty and the Beast*: Disney+

**EW grade:** B

**Directors: **Gary Trousdale, Kirk Wise

**Cast: **Paige O'Hara, Robby Benson, Jerry Orbach, Richard White, Angela Lansbury, David Ogden Stiers, Rex Everhart

Bend It Like Beckham (2002)

Parminder Nagra as Jess Bhamra (center) in 'Bend It Like Beckham'. Christine Parry/Fox Searchlight

This coming-of-age soccer movie (or, rather, football in England, where it's set) catapulted Keira Knightley to movie star status, but it's *Bend It Like Beckham*'s cultural perspective and commentary that truly make it special. The story follows Jess Bhamra (Parminder Nagra), a teen girl obsessed with soccer (and with David Beckham, who gave the film permission to use his name because he wanted to promote girls' soccer). Feeling suffocated by her strict Indian parents and their hope that she'll someday become a homemaker and devoted wife, Jess secretly joins a soccer team and must juggle responsibilities for both her family and her coach (Jonathan Rhys Meyers).

The film resonates with anyone who knows the acute angst of pretending around loved ones to be someone they're not. The result is director Gurinder Chadha's supremely watchable sports film about gender, culture, sexuality, diversity, and love — and it's a touching one to boot. *—Ilana Gordon***

Where to watch *Bend It Like Beckham*: Disney+**

**EW grade: **A**

**Director: **Gurinder Chadha**

**Cast: **Parminder Nagra, Keira Knightley, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Anupam Kher, Juliet Stevenson, Shaznay Lewis, Archie Panjabi

Big (1988)

Robert Loggia as MacMillan and Tom Hanks as Josh in 'Big'. Everett Collection

Josh Baskin can't catch a break. All our diminutive 12 year old protagonist wants is to be "big," and after plugging a quarter into a creepy fortune-telling machine, his dream comes true. The following morning, Josh doesn't only wake up in a larger body but a significantly older one as well (that of Tom Hanks).

The transformation thrusts him headfirst into adulthood, sending the naive pre-teen on a literal coming-of-age journey that emphasizes the old maxim: Be careful what you wish for. Revisiting director Penny Marshall's whimsical classic will be a treat for parents, but *Big*'s true genius is how it allows children to vicariously live out the universal fantasy of becoming a grown-up. *—D.N.*

Where to watch *Big*: Disney+

**Director: **Penny Marshall

**Cast: **Tom Hanks, Elizabeth Perkins, John Heard, Robert Loggia

Coco (2017)

Miguel (voice: Anthony Gonzalez) in 'Coco'.

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection

This modern Pixar classic boasts a dazzling aesthetic, complete with skeletal characters that are never too spooky for younger children. Our young hero, Miguel, loves two things: music and his family. Unfortunately for him, the former is banned in his home, and his grandmother breaks his guitar after discovering his passion for the forbidden art.

Distraught over the incident, Miguel visits the grave of his favorite musician, Ernesto de la Cruz, on the Day of the Dead. After strumming Ernesto's guitar, Miguel ventures into the Land of the Dead, where he learns the truth about his dearly departed relatives. *Coco*'s breathtaking character designs are the primary standout in this affecting, mystical romp while honoring the traditional iconography of Mexican culture. *—D.N.*

Where to watch *Coco*: Disney+

**EW grade: **B+

**Director: **Lee Unkrich

**Cast: **Anthony Gonzalez, Gael García Bernal, Benjamin Bratt, Alanna Ubach, Renée Victor, Edward James Olmos, Ana Ofelia Murguía

Cool Runnings (1993)

Malik Yoba as Yul Brenner, Leon Robinson as Derice Bannock, Doug E. Doug as Sanka Coffie, and Rawle D. Lewis as Junior Bevil in 'Cool Runnings'. Everett Collection

Following his failure to qualify for the 100-meter race at the 1988 Summer Olympic Games, Jamaican sprinter Derice Bannock (Leon Robinson) scrambles to find a new path toward athletic glory. In a desperate attempt to keep his dream alive, Bannock tries to build Jamaica's first Olympic bobsled team — despite the country's year-long tropical climate. To help bring his vision to fruition, Bannock enlists the aid of former bobsled champion Irving Blitzer (John Candy), who tarnished his reputation by cheating years prior. The two then begin to recruit a ragtag team of misfits as they all try to make history *and* a name for themselves.

With a breezy 98-minute runtime, *Cool Runnings* possesses a surprising emotional depth that balances perfectly with its humor and charm. *—D.N.*

Where to watch *Cool Runnings*: Disney+

**Director:** Jon Turteltaub

**Cast: **John Candy, Leon Robinson, Doug E. Doug, Malik Yoba, Rawle D. Lewis

The Emperor's New Groove (2000)

Emperor Kuzco (voice: David Spade), Kronk (voice: Patrick Warburton), and Yzma (voice: Eartha Kitt) in 'The Emperor's New Groove'.

Buena Vista Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection

Emperor Kuzco (David Spade) is an arrogant narcissist who is utterly oblivious to reality outside his lavish castle. Hoping to usurp him from the throne, Kuzco's advisor, Yzma (Eartha Kitt), cooks up a plot to poison the puerile figurehead.

However, her lovable lunkhead of a servant, Kronk (Patrick Warburton), gives the emperor the wrong vial of poison and turns him into a llama. After narrowly avoiding the assassination attempt, Kuzco befriends one of his subjects, Pacha (John Goodman), who aims to aid the fallen royal in regaining his humanity while simultaneously teaching him some humility. *—D.N.*

Where to watch *The Emperor's New Groove*: Disney+

**Director: **Mark Dindal

**Cast:** David Spade, John Goodman, Eartha Kitt, Patrick Warburton, Wendie Malik

Enchanted (2007)

Amy Adams as Giselle and Patrick Dempsey as Robert Philip in 'Enchanted'. Everett Collection

Giselle (Amy Adams) is the quintessential animated maiden, with a song in her heart and true love on her mind. As she starts to approach her highly coveted "happily ever after" with the dashing Prince Edward (James Marsden), the tyrannical Queen Narissa (Susan Sarandon) sends the princess from the two-dimensional land of Andalasia to the real world of New York City. After befriending her polar opposite in a divorce lawyer (Patrick Dempsey), Giselle begins to adapt to the big city lifestyle — until her friends from home come to call.

Twenty-first-century Disney films with a metatextual lens on the studio's own classics have become a subgenre of their own, but few do it as saliently as *Enchanted*. This movie is required viewing for anyone who knows their princess mythos inside and out. *—D.N.*

Where to watch *Enchanted*: Disney+

**Director: **Kevin Lima

**Cast: **Amy Adams, Patrick Dempsey, James Marsden, Idina Menzel, Susan Sarandon, Rachel Covey, Timothy Spall

Freaky Friday (2003)

Lindsay Lohan as Anna and Jamie Lee Curtis as Tess in 'Freaky Friday'.

Walt Disney/Everett Collection

A charming story about a mother and daughter learning to understand each other, *Freaky Friday *(2003) is a remake of a film from 1976 and features smart writing, top-notch physical comedy, and real chemistry between stars Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan. Curtis plays Tess Coleman, a widowed psychologist and author who doesn't agree with any of her daughter Anna's (Lohan) choices. The two clash heads until forces beyond their control switch their bodies, making them live as each other.

Curtis does some of her best comedic work playing Tess as seen through Anna's eyes, throwing her whole being into her performance as a teenager trapped in a grown-up's body. The film is a millennial favorite, and its 2025 sequel got an A– review and enthusiastic approval from an EW critic. *—I.G.***

Where to watch *Freaky Friday*: Disney+

**Director:** Mark Waters

**Cast: **Jamie Lee Curtis, Lindsay Lohan, Harold Gould, Chad Michael Murray, Mark Harmon

Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)

Chris Pratt as Peter Quill, Dave Bautista as Drax, Rocket (voice: Bradley Cooper), Zoe Saldaña as Gamora, and Groot (voice: Vin Diesel) in 'Guardians of the Galaxy'. Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection

Peter "Star-Lord" Quill (Chris Pratt) is a fast-talking, slightly dim-witted intergalactic thief who ends up in a brutal space prison after swiping a valuable alien artifact. Inside the facility, Peter meets (and reluctantly befriends) an oddball crew of fellow inmates, including the enigmatic Gamora (Zoe Saldaña), who is regarded as the deadliest woman in the galaxy. With his new friends in tow, our antihero escapes the facility and uncovers a nefarious plot that threatens the entire universe.

As it turns out, Star-Lord & Co. are the only ones who can intervene. What can possibly go wrong? Although interwoven into Marvel's massive 23-film Infinity Saga, James Gunn's *Guardians of the Galaxy* is so effortlessly artful that it succeeds as a stand-alone story. *—D.N.*

Where to watch *Guardians of the Galaxy*: Disney+

**EW grade:** A–

**Director: **James Gunn

**Cast: **Chris Pratt, Vin Diesel, Dave Bautista, Zoe Saldaña, Bradley Cooper, Lee Pace, Michael Rooker, Glenn Close, Karen Gillan

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Hocus Pocus (1993)

Kathy Najimy as Mary Sanderson, Better Middler as Winnifred Sanderson, and Sarah Jessica Parker as Sarah Sanderson in 'Hocus Pocus'.

Buena Vista Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection

A millennial classic that is sure to put a spell on you, *Hocus Pocus *is the story of what happens when three 17th-century witches face off against 20th-century teenagers. Back in the 1690s, the Sanderson sisters were condemned to death after the witches drained the life force from a young girl to keep themselves from aging. Three hundred years later, their home of Salem, Mass., is now a typical New England suburb — and the sisters are back to finish what they started.

Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy, and Sarah Jessica Parker combine their comedic and musical powers to create the best three witch team since the Weird Sisters. And this original trio of stars returned for the film's sequel, released on the Disney+ platform in 2022. *—I.G.*

Where to watch *Hocus Pocus*: Disney+

**Director: **Kenny Ortega

**Cast: **Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kathy Najimy, Omri Katz, Thora Birch, Vinessa Shaw

Home Alone (1991)

Macaulay Culkin as Kevin McCallister and Joe Pesci as Harry in 'Home Alone'.

Any time is the best time to revisit *Home Alone*, the John Hughes-penned classic that made us yearn for the holidays, our families, and a lovely cheese pizza for one. *Home Alone *is the story of Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin), an 8-year-old accidentally left in suburban Chicago while his family travels internationally, who attempts to foil a home invasion using household items and American ingenuity.

A '90s movie in the best way possible, *Home Alone *offers hijinks, holiday cheer, and suggestions for how to economically booby trap your home. Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern make a perfect pair of criminal buffoons, and director Chris Columbus knows how to create Christmas chaos in a way that feels nostalgic, regardless of whether this is your first watch or your 50th. *—I.G.*

Where to watch *Home Alone*: Disney+

**EW grade: **B

**Director: **Chris Columbus

**Cast: ** Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern, John Heard, Catherine O'Hara

Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey (1993)

Chance (voice: Michael J. Fox), Shadow (voice: Don Ameche), and Sassy (voice: Sally Field) in 'Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey'.

Columbia Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection

There are plenty of movies chronicling the triumph of the human spirit, but what about triumphs of sheer animal will? *Homeward Bound* follows three pets temporarily left at a farm while their family moves to the city — but these pets will not be denied. Determined to find their way back to their humans, the wise Shadow, the sarcastic Sassy, and the impulsive Chance attempt to navigate their way home using only their wiles and each other.

While the film doesn't technically qualify as a nature documentary, the shots of the three pets crossing the Sierra Nevada make for some solid cinematography. And if the bickering and bantering between the animal leads doesn't win you over, the ending will take you down. *Homeward Bound *is a great movie to watch with kids and pets, as long as you don't mind them seeing you cry. *—I.G.*

Where to watch *Homeward Bound*: *The Incredible Journey*: Disney+

**Director: **Duwayne Dunham

**Cast: **Michael J. Fox, Sally Field, Don Ameche

The Incredibles (2004)

Dash (voice: Spencer Fox), Violet (voice: Sarah Vowell), Mr. Incredible (voice: Craig T. Nelson), and Elastigirl (voice: Holly Hunter) in 'The Incredibles'.

Walt Disney/Courtesy Everett Collection

*The Incredibles* is the perfect antidote for audiences that have grown numb to the constant bombardment of superhero cinema. Bob Parr (Craig T. Nelson) is a suburban father of three who lives in the shadow of his former career as the uber-strong Mr. Incredible. To satiate his hunger for the glory days, Bob begins moonlighting as a vigilante, much to the chagrin of his wife and fellow retired "Super," Helen, a.k.a. Elastigirl (Holly Hunter).

However, when Bob overestimates his abilities and bites off a little more than he can chew on a secret mission, his other half has to come out of retirement to save him with their children in tow. *The Incredibles* is often considered to be one of the best Pixar movies ever created, which, considering the studio's almost unassailable reputation, should count for a lot. *—D.N.*

Where to watch *The Incredibles*: Disney+

**EW grade: **A

**Director: **Brad Bird

**Cast:** Craig T. Nelson, Holly Hunter, Samuel L. Jackson, Jason Lee, Sarah Vowell, Spencer Fox

Mary Poppins (1964)

Julie Andrews as Mary Poppins and Dick Van Dyke as Bert in 'Mary Poppins'. Everett Collection

The aptly named Mr. Banks is a successful and, by extension, extremely busy banker from London who desperately requires a new nanny to supervise his two imaginative children. While father yearns for an authoritative caretaker, his kin, Michael and Jane, have their own qualifications for the perfect guardian.

Enter Mary Poppins (Julie Andrews), an angelic young woman with a carefree nature who uses her magical powers and cheerful disposition to help unite the Banks family. *Mary Poppins* is as iconic as Disney movies get, and while its "dated" special effects may not sit well with children raised on contemporary media, the film's stellar soundtrack, performances, and timeless plot will more than compensate for any perceived shortcomings. *—D.N.*

Where to watch *Mary Poppins*: Disney+

**Director: **Robert Stevenson

**Cast: **Julie Andrews, Dick Van Dyke, Glynis Johns, David Tomlinson, Karen Dotrice, Hermione Baddeley, Matthew Garber, Arthur Treacher

Miracle (2004)

Kurt Russell as Herb Brooks (center) in 'Miracle'.

Buena Vista/Courtesy Everett Collection

Rolling into the 1980 Winter Olympics, the Soviet ice hockey team seemed invincible after snagging four consecutive gold medals. Looking to help America secure a victory against its Cold War rival, coach Herb Brooks (Kurt Russell) begins to employ a fresh approach to come out on top. After quelling the various egos on the team, Brooks is able to galvanize his players toward an impossible goal while embarking on one of the most memorable and miraculous wins in the game's history.

Sports movies based on true stories are a dime a dozen, but Russell's enthralling performance as the inspirational Brooks helps art imitate life, as the actor's skills rally his costars to success. *—D.N.*

Where to watch *Miracle*: Disney+

**EW grade: **B

**Director: **Gavin O'Connor

**Cast: **Kurt Russell, Noah Emmerich, Patricia Clarkson

Moana (2016)

Maui (voice: Dwayne Johnson) and Moana (voice: Auliʻi Cravalho) in 'Moana'.

Now that *Moana 2 *is also streaming on Disney+, what better time to revisit the original? Featuring one of the best soundtracks in recent Disney history, *Moana *is set in Polynesia and tells the story of a young girl who loves the water, but is forbidden by her father from venturing beyond their island. After the ocean chooses her to return a goddess' heart, Moana must brave the sea to save her people.

Featuring a diverse cast, with special attention paid to the Polynesian myths on which the film is based, *Moana *retains all the old Disney magic, but adds a little special something for the new generation. *—I.G.*

Where to watch *Moana*: Disney+

**Directors: **John Musker, Ron Clements

**Cast: **Dwayne Johnson, Auliʻi Cravalho, Rachel House, Temuera Morrison, Jemaine Clement, Nicole Scherzinger, Alan Tudyk

Mulan (1998)

Mushu (voice: Eddie Murphy), Mulan (voice: Ming-Na Wen), and Khan (voice: Frank Welker) in 'Mulan'. Walt Disney Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection

As the Huns begin their incursion into China, the government institutes a draft requiring at least one male resident in every home to enlist for military service. As the lone man of the house, the aging and disabled father of Fa Mulan (Ming-Na Wen) begins to prepare himself for the war effort. Fearful of his chances of survival in war, Mulan disguises herself as a boy and joins the army on his behalf.

To aid in her quest, Mulan's ancestors grant her a family guardian in the form of a talkative dragon named Mushu (Eddie Murphy). Although *Mulan* is replete with stellar performances and gorgeous 2-D animation, the film's iconic soundtrack is truly the star of this show. *—D.N.*

Where to watch *Mulan*: Disney+

**Directors: **Barry Cook, Tony Bancroft

**Cast: **Ming-Na Wen, Eddie Murphy, B.D. Wong, Pat Morita, George Takei, Miguel Ferrer, June Foray, James Hong

The Muppet Movie (1979)

Kermit the Frog (voice: Jim Henson), Gonzo (voice: Dave Goelz), Camilla (voice: Jerry Nelson), and Fozzie Bear (voice: Frank Oz) in 'The Muppet Movie'.

Henson Associates/Courtesy Everett Collection

A chance encounter with a talent agent inspires Kermit the Frog to try his hand at a music career and embark on a road trip to Hollywood. During his journey across the country, he meets a plethora of like-minded Muppets, including fan favorites like Fozzy Bear, Gonzo, Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem, and the group's unhinged drummer, Animal, who eventually join the affable amphibian on his quest for fame and fortune. Meanwhile, a conniving restaurateur, Doc Hopper, intends to make Kermit the mascot for his fried frog legs franchise by any means necessary.

It's hard to slot any Muppet movie above another, as the Muppet Cinematic Universe is replete with many classics, but 1979's *The Muppet Movie* isn't just another entertaining entry; it's also a satisfying origin story. *—D.N.*

Where to watch *The Muppet Movie*: Disney+

**Director: **James Frawley

**Cast:** Jim Henson, Frank Oz, Jerry Nelson, Richard Hunt, Charles Durning, Dave Goelz

The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

Sally (voice: Catherine O'Hara) and Jack Skellington (voice: Chris Sarandon) in 'The Nightmare Before Christmas'. Touchstone Pictures/Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty

Jack Skellington (Chris Sarandon) is one of the most beloved citizens in the delightfully spooky Halloween Town, populated by every conceivable ghoul and monster imaginable. Although Jack serves as the spokesperson for their elaborate festivities, he begins to feel disillusioned by the monotonous nature of the seasonal celebrations. During a walk through the forest, the sad skeleton finds portals to several other holiday-inspired lands embedded in the trees.

Inspired by the discovery, Jack uses his stature within the community to spearhead Halloween Town in its first Christmas celebration — but things soon take a grim turn. The Tim Burton-produced *The Nightmare Before Christmas* is an undeniable classic and still considered the gold standard in the world of stop-motion animation. *—D.N.*

Where to watch *The Nightmare Before Christmas*: Disney+

**Director: **Henry Selick

**Cast: **Danny Elfman, Chris Sarandon, Catherine O'Hara, Paul Reubens, William Hickey, Glenn Shadix, Ken Page

The Princess Bride (1987)

Robin Wright as Buttercup and Cary Elwes as Westley in 'The Princess Bride'.

20thCentFox/Courtesy Everett Collection

Action fantasies aren't made much better than *The Princess Bride*. Full of giants and princesses, pirates and torturous counts, the film remains as beloved today as it did in the late '80s when Mandy Patinkin first said, "My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die."

The film kicks off with a grandfather (Peter Falk) telling a bedtime story to his sick grandson (Fred Savage), then devolves into a quest for lost love, overdue revenge, and general adventure. Highlights include Wallace Shawn's appearance as Vizzini, the small Sicilian; Billy Crystal's comedic work as Miracle Max; and the love story between Westley (Cary Elwes) and Buttercup (Robin Wright). A swashbuckling romantic comedy, *The Princess Bride* is a reminder that "death cannot stop true love. All it can do is delay it for a while." *—I.G.*

Where to watch *The Princess Bride*: Disney+

**Director: **Rob Reiner

**Cast:** Cary Elwes, Robin Wright, Mandy Patinkin, Chris Sarandon, Christopher Guest, Wallace Shawn, André the Giant

Ratatouille (2007)

Remy (voice: Patton Oswalt) and Alfredo Linguini (voice: Lou Romano) in 'Ratatouille'.

Walt Disney Co./Courtesy Everett Collection

Remy (Patton Oswalt) dreams of becoming the world's next great chef like his hero, Auguste Gusteau (Brad Garrett). Luckily, he lives in Paris, one of the best culinary cities on the planet. However, Remy is also a rat, which makes his goal of working in a kitchen next to impossible. As he comes to terms with his limitations, the rodent learns that he can puppeteer the limbs of a sympathetic human named Alfredo Linguini (Lou Romano) by pulling his hair.

Safely concealed under the cook's hat, Remy starts to live his dream while trying not to spill the beans about their big secret. *Ratatouille* is brilliantly paced and stuffed to the brim with enough levity and pathos to satiate the most jaded film critic. Plus, the ending will leave audiences wondering who started cutting onions. *—D.N.*

Where to watch *Ratatouille*: Disney+

**Director: **Brad Bird

**Cast: **Patton Oswalt, Ian Holm, Brad Garrett, Lou Romano, Peter O'Toole, Janeane Garofalo, Will Arnett, Brian Dennehy

Sleeping Beauty (1959)

Princess Aurora (voice: Mary Costa) in 'Sleeping Beauty'. Everett Collection

Cursed as an infant by the evil Maleficent, Princess Aurora has spent a large portion of her life in hiding to avoid the dark magic designed to end her life. On her 16th birthday, the day fated to initiate the curse, the sorceress discovers Aurora's safe house in the woods and lures the young girl into a tower where she succumbs to the enchantment.

*Sleeping Beauty* has grown increasingly relevant in the Disney catalog over the years, as Maleficent's series of spinoff films have made the villain a household name. By revisiting the original movie, younger fans can watch the dark fairy in all of her maniacal glory while gaining a broader context of her character. *—D.N.*

Where to watch *Sleeping Beauty*: Disney+

**Directors: **Clyde Geronimi, Wolfgang Reitherman, Eric Larson, Les Clark

**Cast: **Mary Costa, Bill Shirley, Verna Felton, Eleanor Audley, Barbara Luddy, Taylor Holmes, Barbara Jo Allen, Bill Thompson

Star Wars: Episode IV — A New Hope (1977)

Anthony Daniels as C-3PO, Alec Guiness as Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker in 'Star Wars: Episode IV — A New Hope'. Lucasfilm

A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, a despotic, imperial government led by the ruthless Darth Vader (James Earl Jones) controlled a large swath of the known universe. With the gigantic Death Star space station — capable of destroying a planet in seconds — under their command, the evil empire faces scant opposition, barring a fringe rebel alliance and the brave Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher).

In a desperate bid to save the galaxy, Leia summons an old hero, Obi-Wan Kenobi (Alec Guinness), and his teenage apprentice, Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), who possesses a mysterious power called the force. *Star Wars: Episode IV — A New Hope* isn't just the movie that launched George Lucas' iconic franchise; it's also the foundation of modern Hollywood blockbusters. *—D.N.*

Where to watch *Star Wars: Episode IV — A New Hope*: Disney+

**Director: **George Lucas

**Cast: **Mark Hamill, James Earl Jones, Carrie Fisher, Harrison Ford, Alec Guinness, Peter Cushing

Toy Story (1995)

Buzz Lightyear (voice: Tim Allen) and Woody (voice: Tom Hanks) in 'Toy Story'.

Buena Vista/Courtesy Everett Collection

A story about a charismatic cowboy doll and his arch rival, the shiny new astronaut toy, Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen), *Toy Story* is a film about love, loss, and growing up. And if the heartwarming and genuinely funny script isn't enough to draw you in, *Toy Story* has earned its place in cinematic history as the film that inspired the current wave of 3-D animated movies, and heralded the Pixar dynasty that still reigns today.

While its animation may seem dated compared to recent successes, this Disney movie's narrative is structured so intelligently that, much like its protagonist, it can still hang with its newer, glossier competition. *—D.N.*

Where to watch *Toy Story*: Disney+

**Director: **John Lasseter

**Cast: **Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Annie Potts, Laurie Metcalf, John Ratzenberger, Don Rickles, Jim Varney, Wallace Shawn

Turning Red (2022)

Abby (voice: Hyein Park ), Miriam (voice: Ava Morse), Priya (voice: Maitreyi Ramakrishnan), and Meilin (voice: Rosalie Chieng) in 'Turning Red'. Pixar

Showcasing the relatable struggles of adolescence through the lens of fantasy, *Turning Red* focuses on 13-year-old Meilin "Mei" Lee (Rosalie Chiang), who is initially enjoying her inaugural year as a teenager. However, as she struggles to balance her mother's (Sandra Oh) expectations with her budding interest in boys and pop music, our protagonist makes an unusual discovery. It turns out that stress causes the pubescent women in her family to transform into giant red pandas.

To quote EW's critic, "Has there ever been a better metaphor for puberty than a feral, rampaging animal?" *—D.N.*

Where to watch *Turning Red*: Disney+

**EW grade: **B+

**Director: **Domee Shi

**Cast: **Rosalie Chiang, Sandra Oh, Ava Morse, Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, Orion Lee, Hyein Park, Orion Lee, Wai Ching Ho, James Hong

WALL-E (2008)

WALL-E (voice: Ben Burtt) in 'WALL-E'.

If Pixar knows anything, it's how to make existentialism adorable. A film about corporate greed, overconsumption, and overreliance on technology, *WALL-E *is the animation studio's ninth feature, and arguably one of its best.

The movie follows WALL-E, a roving trash compactor left alone on Earth to consolidate the garbage that caused humans to flee the planet. Director Andrew Stanton knows how to speak volumes with silence, and a good portion of the movie is wordless, or communicated with beeps and other electronic sounds. But a good love story doesn't require much talking, and WALL-E does eventually find a partner — and a purpose — in this beautiful, introspective film. *—I.G.*

Where to watch *WALL-E*: Disney+

**Director:** Andrew Stanton

**Cast:** Ben Burtt, Elissa Knight, Jeff Garlin, Fred Willard, John Ratzenberger, Kathy Najimy, Sigourney Weaver

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