Ever found yourself scrolling Disney Plus for ages, paralyzed by too many options? You're not alone. Last Tuesday, my family spent 40 minutes debating what to watch before giving up and rewatching Moana again. That's why I dug through Disney's entire movie library to find truly worthwhile picks. Forget algorithm-generated lists – this comes from actual viewing experience.
What Makes a Disney Plus Movie "Good"?
Let's be honest: Disney's catalog has filler. We filtered for movies that either scored 80%+ on Rotten Tomatoes OR became cultural classics despite reviews. Also considered rewatchability – because sometimes you just need comfort food cinema. Important note: Availability changes monthly, so we've flagged regional variations.
Must-See Movies on Disney Plus Right Now
These aren't just quality films – they're conversation starters. Perfect for when you want more than background noise.
| Title (Year) | Genre | Why It Stands Out | Runtime | IMDb/Rotten |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Soul (2020) | Animation Family | Pixar's deepest exploration of life's purpose. Jazz soundtrack elevates every scene | 1h 40m | 8.0/95% |
| Hamilton (2020) | Musical Historical | The Broadway phenomenon filmed with original cast. History has never been this energetic | 2h 40m | 8.3/99% |
| Free Solo (2018) | Documentary | Alex Honnold's rope-free Yosemite climb. Will make your palms sweat | 1h 40m | 8.1/97% |
| The Princess Bride (1987) | Adventure Comedy | Timeless fairy tale parody. Mandatory viewing for humans aged 8-80 | 1h 38m | 8.0/97% |
Confession: I avoided Soul for months thinking it'd be heavy. Big mistake. The way it balances existential questions with visual humor? Masterful. My teen actually paused it to discuss the "spark" concept.
Hidden Gems You Might Have Skipped
Disney buries some treasures. These under-the-radar picks deliver surprise value:
Overlooked Winners
- The Emperor's New Groove (2000) - Absurdist comedy that aged beautifully. Kronk alone justifies watching
- Treasure Planet (2002) - Stunning steampunk space adventure. Flopped in theaters but developed cult following
- Togo (2019) - True sled dog story with Willem Dafoe. More emotional than any fictional animal tale
Fun fact: Disney almost shelved The Emperor's New Groove mid-production. You'd never guess from its razor-sharp comedic timing. Seriously, David Spade's deadpan llama insults? Gold.
Good Movies to Watch on Disney Plus By Mood
Because sometimes you need specific cinematic medicine:
Feeling Nostalgic?
| Movie | Core Memory Trigger | Best With |
|---|---|---|
| Hocus Pocus (1993) | 90s Halloween vibes | Spiced cider |
| Hercules (1997) | Gospel-inspired Muses | Greek food takeout |
Need a Good Cry?
Warning: These require hydration prep
- Coco (2017) - Final scene destroys everyone
- Bridge to Terabithia (2007) - Brutal emotional gut-punch
Just Want Eye Candy?
Visually stunning options:
- Avatar (2009) - Pandora in 4K remains unreal
- Moana (2016) - Water animation breakthroughs
Franchise Deep Dives
Disney owns everything now. Here's where to start with major series:
Marvel Essentials
| Movie | Required Viewing? | Rewatch Score |
|---|---|---|
| Black Panther (2018) | Yes - cultural landmark | ★★★★☆ |
| Thor: Ragnarok (2017) | No - but most rewatchable | ★★★★★ |
Hot take: You can skip The Incredible Hulk unless you're completion-obsessed. Edward Norton's version feels disconnected from later films.
Pro Tip: Use "Marvel Timeline Order" in Disney+ search to filter properly. Watching Captain Marvel between Infinity War and Endgame? Game-changer.
Star Wars Rankings
My controversial personal tier list:
- S-Tier: Empire Strikes Back, Rogue One
- Great But Flawed: A New Hope, The Last Jedi
- For Completionists Only: Rise of Skywalker
Unpopular opinion: The Force Awakens gets worse with rewatches. That Death Star 3.0 plot? Lazy. But the Rey/Kylo dynamic? Still fascinating.
Maximizing Your Disney Plus Experience
Little-known features that transform viewing:
GroupWatch Secrets
Initiate from mobile app > Details page > GroupWatch icon. Works with 6 people max. Crucial for long-distance movie nights.
Sound matters. If dialogue feels muffled:
- Enable "Reduce Loud Sounds" in profile settings
- Switch audio track to 5.1 if available
- Old-school solution: Subtitles (30% of viewers use them regularly!)
What's New This Month
Fresh arrivals worth your time (August 2023):
- Elemental (2023) - Pixar's latest. Better than initial reviews suggest
- Indiana Jones 1-4 - Raiders still holds up shockingly well
Departing soon: Pirates of the Caribbean 2 (Sept 15) - binge while you can
Good Movies to Watch on Disney Plus: Your Questions Answered
Are Disney Classics Edited on Disney+?
Sometimes. Controversial scenes from Dumbo, Peter Pan and Aristocats now have disclaimers instead of cuts. Full edits remain rare.
Why Can't I Find [Specific Movie]?
Regional licensing is messy. Solo: A Star Wars Story vanished from Canadian libraries last month. Always check your country's "Coming Soon" section.
Any Good R-Rated Options?
Through Star/Hulu section (varies by region):
- Deadpool 1-2
- Logan (2017)
- Prey (2022)
Enable parental controls to restrict access if needed.
Last-Minute Movie Night Saves
When decision fatigue hits, try these crowd-pleasers:
| Situation | Pick | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Mixed age group | Encanto (2021) | Banger songs, multigenerational trauma themes |
| Date night | 10 Things I Hate About You (1999) | Heath Ledger + Shakespeare = timeless |
| Solo viewing | Whale Rider (2002) | Under-seen masterpiece about Maori girl |
Pro Tip: Create a "Movie Night Shortlist" profile with 5 pre-selected options. Ends family arguments instantly.
When Good Movies Disappoint
Not every Disney+ offering lands. Recent misses:
- Strange World (2022) - Stunning visuals, forgettable characters
- Turning Red (2022) - Divisive (loved by teens, lost some parents)
Personal rant: Lightyear was such wasted potential. Removing Tim Allen? Fine. Replacing him with charisma-free Chris Evans? Mistake.
Making the Choice Easier
Ultimately, the best good movies to watch on Disney Plus depend on your crew. Toddlers? Stick with Bluey shorts. Film buffs? Dive into National Geographic documentaries. My last advice: Don't overthink it. Pick something and press play. Even mediocre Disney looks gorgeous in 4K.
What's your go-to Disney Plus comfort watch? Mine's still The Mandalorian season 1 - that Baby Yoda reveal gets me every darn time.