10 Best Films To Watch On Disney+

Exhausted the entirety of Netflix and Amazon Prime? It’s time to get involved with the newest streaming platform on the block: Disney+, which features over 1000 movies and TV shows from Disney’s expansive library of titles. We’ve gone through and picked out some of our favourites, from animated classics to nostalgic noughties gems.  

The Parent Trap

Anyone else grow up thinking Lindsay Lohan had a twin? There are so many great things about this 1998 remake: the famous handshake, the prank wars, the excellent soundtrack, and Natasha Richardson as the endlessly cool Elizabeth James – who’s stellar performance is even more poignant since her tragic death in 2009.

The Lion King (1994)

One of the greatest films in Disney animation history, The Lion King needs no introduction. The unwavering bond between Mufasa and Simba, the hilarious sidekicks and a childhood-defining soundtrack make this a classic for all the ages.

The Lizzie McGuire Movie

The Lizzie McGuire Movie serves as the finale of the hit TV series starring Hilary Duff, following Lizzie (Duff) and her friends on a school trip to Rome. Once there, Lizzie is mistaken for pop star Isabella, and begins to fall for her Italian boyfriend Paolo, also a famous singer. If the plot itself isn’t enough to revisit Lizzie, it’s worth watching for the outfits alone: plaid skirts, platform trainers and crimped hair will take the noughties kids among you on trip down memory lane. And let’s not forget the final song: ‘What Dreams Are Made Of’ – a true anthem.

Freaky Friday (2003)

This remake of the 1976 bodyswap comedy sees a sparky performance from its new leads, Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan. Therapist Tessa (Lee Curtis) and her aspiring rock star teenage daughter (Lohan) struggle to see eye to eye, but waking up inside each other’s bodies prompts the pair to look at life from the other’s perspective. A heart-warming comedy about the powerful mother-daughter relationship.

The Princess Diaries

Before its release, many predicted this coming-of-age movie to be a total failure – how wrong they were. A winning performance from Anne Hathaway as Mia Thermopolis turned this into a classic – and marked the beginning of Hathaway’s sparkling acting career. Not to mention the film’s other stars: Julie Andrews as Queen Clarisse Renald, a young Mandy Moore as head cheerleader and Sandra Oh pre-Grey’s Anatomy.

High School Musical

First aired in 2006, this Disney Channel staple does what it says on the tin, following the story of a group of high school students as they work on rehearsing and performing the school musical. Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens and an impossibly catchy soundtrack make for the ultimate feel-good viewing. Yes, it’s one of the cheesiest films of all time, but who can resist singing along to ‘Breaking Free’?

GettyImages

Tangled

A more recent addition to the Disney princess canon, Tangled is a take on the Rapunzel tale, starring Mandy Moore. Great characters give this film its flair: Rapunzel and Flynn might just be Disney’s cutest couple, and the fabulously evil Mother Gothel is thrilling to watch. The whip-smart script and fantastic animation are also key to its success, and Rapunzel’s computer-generated golden locks – which took a whopping six years to perfect – deserve a mention of their own.

Beauty and the Beast

There are few animated films that cast shadows as long as Beauty and the Beast. Though its 2017 live-action remake was a success, nothing beats the original. From the film’s titular Oscar-winning song to the courageous, charming heroine, this film is a timeless joy.

101 Dalmatians (1996)

What’s not to love about a film featuring hundreds of adorable dogs? Particularly when combined with one of cinema’s greatest villains, played to perfection by the wonderful Glenn Close. This remake of the 1986 animation manages to avoid trampling on a classic; its mix of adventure and comedy making it the perfect family film.

Holes

Based on the wildly successful children’s book by Louis Sachar, Holes tells the story of Stanley Yelnats (Shia LaBeouf), who is sent to a detention centre for a crime he didn’t commit. Here, he and his fellow inmates are made to dig holes in the desert each day, for what turns out to be a very special purpose. Jon Voight as the warden’s lieutenant, Mr Sir, is one of this film’s greatest victories, alongside its inspiring core message that despair and devastation can be overcome.

A subscription to Disney+ costs £5.99 a month, or £59.99 for annual subscription. Sign up here.

Feel-Good Movies To Watch Now / Virtual Events & Tutorials To Stream