Disney+ has swiftly become one of the world‘s leading streaming services thanks to its unrivaled library of iconic movies. From classic animated tales to the blockbuster superhero films of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Disney+ offers acclaimed movies for viewers of all ages.
But with thousands of titles available, it can be tough to pinpoint the very best films available on the platform. That‘s why we‘ve turned to expert reviews and audience approval ratings to highlight Disney+‘s 10 top-tier movies that every subscriber should watch.
#10. Toy Story (1995)
The adventures of Woody, Buzz Lightyear, and the rest of Andy‘s sentient toy collection kicked off Pixar‘s groundbreaking run of animated smash hits. Expert reviewers praised the film‘s witty script, gorgeous computer animation (which was pioneering for its time), and universal themes that resonate with kids and adults alike. Toy Story also boasts a 100% Rotten Tomatoes critics‘ score. And over 25 years later, this sweet, thoughtful buddy comedy about the secret lives of toys remains one of Disney+‘s most beloved animated movies.
MPAA Rating: G
Runtime: 81 minutes
For Fans Of: Family-friendly animation, buddy comedies, imaginative worlds
#9. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)
Walt Disney‘s first-ever animated feature film was an ambitious adaptation of the Brothers Grimm fairy tale. And it paid off tremendously, with Snow White hailed as an instant classic upon its initial release 85 years ago. Today, experts widely regard it as one of the most influential films ever made thanks to its lush painted animation, musical numbers, and its impact on virtually all subsequent animated features. Plus, Disney+‘s restored digital transfer allows viewers to enjoy Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs in its full glory.
MPAA Rating: G
Runtime: 83 minutes
For Fans Of: Animation history, fairy tales, musicals
#8. Black Panther (2018)
Although superhero films dominate today‘s box office, Black Panther stood out from the pack as a blockbuster phenomenon. It earned overwhelming critical acclaim for its majority Black cast, celebration of African culture, and thought-provoking themes. In the process, Black Panther became the first superhero movie ever nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars. Audiences clearly agree – the film raked in over $1.3 billion globally, and Buzzfeed dubbed it Marvel’s best movie to date.
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Runtime: 134 minutes
For Fans Of: Superhero action, inclusive casts, Afrofuturism
#7. Frozen (2013)
Disney struck absolute gold with its musical computer-animated tale loosely inspired by Hans Christian Andersen‘s The Snow Queen. Buoyed by showstopping songs like “Let It Go,” Frozen and its empowering sisterly storyline won over critics and audiences alike to earn over $1.2 billion worldwide. Experts routinely rank it amongst the greatest animated films ever made. And with its broad appeal to kids, adults, and everyone in between, it‘s easy to see why Frozen is still leaving viewers utterly enchanted nearly a decade after its debut.
MPAA Rating: PG
Runtime: 102 minutes
For Fans Of: Family animation, musicals, princess tales
#6. Iron Man (2008)
It may be hard to believe now, but the Marvel Cinematic Universe spent years as a risky film proposition before the record-smashing success of Iron Man. Robert Downey Jr.’s witty, nuanced take on Tony Stark instantly turned the MCU into a critical and commercial juggernaut. And by centering on flawed-but-heroic Tony, Iron Man set the blueprint for the MCU’s beloved approach to humanizing its superheroes. The Atlantic summed up why the film remains so groundbreaking, saying it “somehow set into motion a collection of some two-dozen films that now seems infinite in its expansion.”
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Runtime: 126 minutes
For Fans Of: Superhero action, shared cinematic universes, Robert Downey Jr.‘s snark
#5. Hamilton (2020)
While Hamilton originated as an acclaimed Broadway musical, its hugely anticipated film adaptation has made it into a pop culture phenomenon. Filmed in 2016 with creator Lin-Manuel Miranda in the title role, the movie transports viewers into the middle of the show‘s sing-along retelling of Founding Father Alexander Hamilton‘s life story. Thanks to its boundary pushing melding of hip hop and musical theater, Hamilton earned ecstatic praise for revolutionizing the possibilities of filmed theater. And just one month after its Disney+ premiere, Bloomberg confirmed Hamilton was already the third most-watched title ever on the platform.
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Runtime: 160 minutes
For Fans Of: Musical theater, U.S. history, star-studded casts
#4. The Incredibles (2004)
Long before superhero films dominated every multiplex, animation pioneer Brad Bird told a groundbreaking story about a family of superheroes forced to live normal suburban lives thanks to an anti-superhero law. Smart, thrilling, and heartfelt, The Incredibles features dazzling action sequences, hilarious jokes for all ages, and a retro-futuristic aesthetic all its own. Experts universally praised the film as Pixar‘s best outing since Toy Story. And The Hollywood Reporter argued no previous animated film achieved such across-the-board box office success. Nearly 20 years later, it remains one of Disney+‘s most legendary animated movies.
MPAA Rating: PG
Runtime: 115 minutes
For Fans Of: Superheroes, action-packed animation, family dynamics
#3. Star Wars: A New Hope (1977)
The film that kicked off the Star Wars saga forever changed Hollywood. George Lucas‘ space fantasy/samurai mashup wowed audiences with its fully immersive universe, trailblazing special effects, and timeless hero’s journey storyline. Today, critics and fans alike regularly dub A New Hope the greatest blockbuster ever made for good reason – adjusted for inflation, it still ranks as the second highest-grossing movie in U.S. history. The Library of Congress also recognized the first Star Wars film as “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant” by preserving it in the National Film Registry.
MPAA Rating: PG
Runtime: 121 minutes
For Fans Of: Sci-fi action, epic mythology, rebels vs. evil empires
#2. Avengers: Endgame (2019)
The Marvel Cinematic Universe‘s pops culture dominance culminated with its 22nd film, which brought together over a decade‘s worth of superhero storytelling. Critics praised Avengers: Endgame as a surprisingly emotional culmination paying off countless threads and character arcs. And earning well over $2.7 billion worldwide, it ultimately dethroned Avatar as the highest grossing film ever. Plus, snagging a 94% Rotten Tomatoes score for satisfying longtime franchise fans while still welcoming new viewers, Endgame shows off the MCU at its crowdpleasing peak.
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Runtime: 181 minutes
For Fans Of: Superhero team-ups, special effects-driven action, cinematic culminations
#1. The Lion King (1994)
Even nearly 30 years later, The Lion King remains peak Disney animation. Set in Africa‘s Serengeti desert, it tells a Shakespearean story filled with showstopping musical numbers. With its lush hand-drawn visuals, universal themes, and iconic songs by Elton John, critics unanimously praised The Lion King upon release as a new Disney classic in its own right Rather than fading over time, nostalgia and word-of-mouth have only amplified its reputation. The Lion King still ranks among Disney‘s top 10 highest-grossing films ever, it‘s the single best-selling home video ever in the U.S., and everyone agrees it deserves its place as one of the most beloved animated movies ever made.
MPAA Rating: G
Runtime: 88 minutes
For Fans Of: Disney classics, musicals, Hamlet-inspired tales
After highlighting Disney+‘s ten highest-quality films based on expert opinions and incredible popularity, it‘s easy to see why the streamer has so quickly dominated the competition. Simply put, no other streaming platform can compete with Disney+‘s unmatched array of award-winning hits spanning genre classics, record-breaking blockbusters, acclaimed musicals, and nostalgic animated tales.
Viewers must simply remember that Disney+ offers more than just family-friendly content. With mature films from Star Wars, Marvel, 20th Century Fox and beyond, subscribers can easily customize parental controls to access a full range of movies tailored exactly for their tastes. For these reasons and more, Disney+ clearly sets the gold standard for must-see movies everyone will enjoy.
