When it comes to family entertainment, Disney has always seemed synonymous. It’s why there’s little surprise that some of the most popular and entertaining family movies can be found on the streaming service Disney+. But where do you start? There’s so much to choose from in Disney’s heavy library of titles that includes everything from Disney animated classics to acquired franchises Star Wars and Marvel. Here are some of the best titles that Disney+ has to offer for family movie nights.
1. Turning Red
Pixar’s Turning Red is a real trailblazer of an animated film for touching upon womanhood in a manner that previously felt taboo. Set in early-2000s Canada, the young teenager Mei can’t wait to grow up, desiring more independence. While her period doesn’t come early, there is something else she inherits: Her family’s curse where all the women transform into red pandas. Struggling to deal with this transformation, Mei tries to come to terms with family and friends to conquer this rocky time of adolescence. Cute and compelling, Turning Red blends eccentric anime style with retro touches of boybands to create one of the most unique and personal Pixar films to date. Despite not hitting theaters in 2022, this is one of Pixar’s best that shouldn’t be missed on Disney+.
2. Encanto
As Disney’s award-winning animated feature of 2021, having won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature, Encanto is one of Disney’s more intoxicating CGI animation features. Taking place in a Columbian village, Mirabel resides in a busy household where every member of the family has a special power. Well, all of them except Mirabel. As she struggles to be the black sheep of the family, Mirabel soon uncovers a dark past and a danger that could threaten her entire family. Despite how dire that premise may sound, this film is loaded with catchy musical numbers, vibrant animation, and a heartfelt theme of family togetherness.
3. Chip n Dale: Rescue Rangers
Based on the iconic Disney Afternoons cartoon series, the Chip n Dale movie manages to feel like more than just a retread of the familiar. This meta parody portrays the rodent stars of the adventure cartoon as actual actors, ala Who Framed Roger Rabbit. When their co-star goes missing, Chip and Dale find themselves investigating the disappearance by probing into the dark underworld of cartoon characters. What follows is a self-aware parody of animation convention, mocking everything from the ugly Sonic the Hedgehog design to the uncanny valley of CGI characters. It’s a surprisingly astute comedy that merges styles well with direction by Akiva Schaffer (Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping) and a cast that includes John Mulaney, Andy Samberg, KiKi Layne, Will Arnett, Eric Bana, Flula Borg, Dennis Haysbert, Keegan-Michael Key, Tress MacNeille, Tim Robinson, Seth Rogen, and J.K. Simmons.
4. Muppets Haunted Mansion
Disney merges the Muppets with one of their theme park rides to create a perfectly silly and musical Halloween comedy. The film finds the Muppets Gonzo and Pepe exploring a haunted mansion owned by the famed magician, The Great MacGuffin. The duo soon finds themselves haunted by ghosts who want to sing, dance, and, even worse, tell jokes. There are plenty of great haunted house gags that can please any age for the cleverness at play, occasionally breaking the fourth wall as Muppet movies tend to do. A host of Muppets and guest stars populate this eccentric Halloween comedy. The guest stars include Will Arnett, Yvette Nicole Brown, Darren Criss, Taraji P. Henson, and John Stamos.
5. A Goofy Movie
Considered a sleeper hit of the 1990s, A Goofy Movie still holds up as one of Disney’s finest animated films depicting a father-son adventure. As a sequel of sorts to the TV series Goof Troop, the teenager Max is finding himself frightened of the possibility of turning into his father, Goofy. At the same time, Goofy fears he may be losing touch with his son. The two learn to bond on a cross-country road trip that takes them from absurd tourist traps to a musical concert. Directed by Kevin Lima (102 Dalmatians), this iconic animated comedy features the voice talents of Bill Farmer, Jason Marsden, Jim Cummings, Kellie Martin, Rob Paulsen, Wallace Shawn, and Jenna von Oÿ.
6. Muppet Christmas Carol
As one of the first Muppet movies made by Disney, it’s hard not to be charmed by this Christmas classic. It’s a musical rendition of the familiar Charles Dickens Christmas Story but with Muppets inhabiting most of the roles. Worth noting is Gonzo in the role of Charles Dickens himself, acting as a narrator within his own story and hilariously playing off the scrutinizing Rizzo the Rat. The film is worth watching not just for the ear-worm musical numbers, but for the fantastic performance by Michael Caine as Ebenezer Scrooge. The film was released in theaters 30 years ago and continues to entertain audiences of all ages to this very day, easily being a staple for the holiday season.
7. Home Alone
Directed by Chris Columbus (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone) and written by John Hughes (Ferris Bueller’s Day Off), Home Alone is relatable as the ultimate wish fulfillment for kids. The young Kevin doesn’t desire to leave home for the holidays with his crowded family and that wish comes true when they leave him behind. With the house all to himself, Kevin delights in his independence, but must also contend with the burglar duo known as the Wet Bandits. This leads to some iconic slapstick hijinks where Kevin turns his home into the ultimate trap of swinging paint cans, tar-filled stairs, icy steps, and flamethrowers. This family slapstick classic stars Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern, John Heard, and Catherine O’Hara.
8. The Peanuts Movie
Before the Blue Sky animation studio closed, one of their most heartfelt odes was The Peanut Movie, an exceptional CGI adaptation of the Charles Shultz newspaper comic. Set in a Minnesota suburb, the hapless kid Charlie Brown finds himself smitten by the arrival of a red-haired girl at his school. Hoping to gain her attention, Charlie tries to find ways to impress the girl but ultimately finds himself helping out others instead. At the same, Charlie Brown’s dog, Snoopy is entertaining himself with a tale of action and love in his compelling stories. The film is whimsically adorable for its childlike sensibilities of kids who speak with great intelligence, adhering to the tradition of keeping the kid characters voiced by kid actors.
9. Zootopia
As one of Disney’s more fascinating worlds, Zootopia takes place in a society of anthropomorphic animals that struggle with nature versus nurture. The small bunny Judy Hopps ventures off to the city to become a cop. Bunnies, however, are not as highly regarded in the city environment. In her quest to prove herself, she allies with the cunning thief Nick. Together, they uncover a conspiracy within the metropolis of Zootopia that aims to pit predator and prey against each other. The adventure is exciting but the world of Zootopia itself is also dazzling, featuring buildings and environments built for a host of different creatures. Directed by Byron Howard (Tangled) and Rich Moore (Wreck-It Ralph), this animated detective comedy features the voices of Ginnifer Goodwin, Jason Bateman, Idris Elba, Jenny Slate, Nate Torrence, Bonnie Hunt, Don Lake, Tommy Chong, J. K. Simmons, Octavia Spencer, Alan Tudyk, and Shakira.