The 30 Best Disney Plus Movies Right Now (April 2021)

The Book of Life (2014): Most Original Fairytale About the Afterlife

As childhood friends Manolo (Diego Luna) and Joaquin (Channing Tatum) compete for the hand of the beautiful Maria (Zoë Saldana), two deities place bets on each man to determine the fate of humanity. However, when Manolo is tricked into believing that Maria has died, he travels to the afterlife to be reunited with his true love.

Set during the holiday of Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead), The Book of Life is a colorful celebration of Mexican culture. Its story may be too fantastical for some tastes, but the amazing visuals will keep casual viewers engaged. The excellent main cast is rounded out with the voice talents of Christina Applegate, Ice Cube, and Ron Perlman.

Cheaper by the Dozen (2003): Best Family-Friendly Comedy Starring Steve Martin

Two parents aren't really enough to handle 12 kids, but what happens when one of the parents goes on a national book tour? It's up to super-dad Tom (Steve Martin) to hold things together when his wife, Kate (Bonnie Hunt), leaves him in charge of their dozen children.

Cheaper by the Dozen feels like a 1990s Steve Martin movie, but it came out half-a-decade too late. At the time of its release, critics trashed the film for its lack of originality; however, today, its regarded as another solid entry in Martin's long career of family comedies.

Garfield: A Tail of Two Kitties (2006): Most Purrfect Sequel to a Kids Movie

A reluctant Garfield (Bill Murray) accompanies Jon (Breckin Meyer) to London only to be confused for royalty. The world's laziest cat soon finds himself lording over a castle, caught in the middle of a royal family feud.

A Tail of Two Kitties is admittedly aimed at young children, but if you're looking for something to watch that adults and kids can agree on, the animated Garfield films are a good compromise. You can also catch the first one, Garfield: The Movie, on Disney Plus.

Raya and the Last Dragon (2021): Best Modern Fairy Tale About a Friendly Dragon

After the land of Kumandra is invaded by demons, a warrior named Raya (Kelly Marie Tran) sets out in search of the last surviving dragon, whose ancestors saved her people centuries ago. When she finally meets the legendary Sisu (Awkwafina), Raya realizes that she might need more backup.

If you pay for Disney Plus Premier Access, you can stream Raya and the Last Dragon starting March 5, the same day it comes out in theaters. Otherwise, you'll have to wait until later this year when it becomes available for all subscribers.

Flora & Ulysses (2021): Cutest Animal Movie That Might Make You Cry in a Good Way

In this touching story about a girl and her squirrel, disaffected Flora (Matilda Lawler) finds an unlikely friend in her neighbor's backyard. Ulysses is no ordinary squirrel; he can communicate by typing and possesses supernatural strength, which makes him a target for a vindictive animal control officer.

Inspired by Kate DiCamillo's children's novel, Flora & Ulysses is a Disney Plus exclusive. If your kids love animal movies, but you don't want to show them Old Yeller, Flora & Ulysses is a safe bet. Without spoiling anything, rest assured that it has a happy ending.

Marvel's Behind the Mask (2021): Learn the Real-Life Backstories of Your Favorite Superheroes

How much do you know about the Marvel Universe? No matter how many MCU movies you've seen or how many comics you've read, you'll probably learn something new from Marvel's Behind the Mask.

This docuseries introduces fans to the writers and artists who made the X-Men, the Avengers, and other superheroes household names. It also explores the cultural themes that inspired the comics and how Marvel has come to permeate pop culture.

Mary Poppins Returns (2018): Most Anticipated Disney Musical Sequel

Released more than a half-century after the original film, Mary Poppins Returns is the Disney sequel that few people ever expected to see. Adult Jane (Emily Mortimer) and Michael Banks (Ben Whishaw) are equally surprised when their old nanny returns to bring merriment to the Great Depression.

Mary Poppins Returns made several "best movies of the year lists" in 2018, and it received dozens of nominations for its music and production. Dick Van Dyke returns alongside other notable actors like Colin Firth and Meryl Streep, who play minor characters, but the real star is Emily Blunt as the titular nanny.

Isle of Dogs (2018): Best Stop-Motion Comedy for Older Audiences

If you're in the mood for a quirky adult comedy, Wes Anderson's Isle of Dogs will hit the spot. Koyu Rankin stars as the voice of Atari, a boy who solicits the help of a dog named Chief (Bryan Cranston) to reunite with his best friend. The all-star supporting cast includes Jeff Goldblum, Scarlett Johansson, Ken Watanabe, and Yoko Ono.

Isle of Dogs isn't a movie for young children, but the humor is tame enough for older kids. The clever writing is directed at more mature audiences, so adults might get more laughs out of the jokes. The stop-motion animation is also top-notch.

Ramona and Beezus (2010): Best Reimaginging of a Children's Book Series

When their parents fall on hard times, sisters Ramona (Joey King) and Beatrice (Selena Gomez) try to step up and help their family. Unfortunately, all of their good efforts comedically fail. Will Romana have to move away from the only home she's ever known if her dad takes a new job?

If you remember reading the Ramona Quimby books by Beverly Cleary as a kid, Ramona and Beezus might feel strangely familiar. That's because the film is inspired by the classic children's stories.

LEGO Star Wars Holiday Special (2020): Best Wookie Holiday Movie

In this love letter to the classic 1978 Star Wars Holiday Special, The LEGO Star Wars Holiday Special celebrates the solemn Wookie holiday of Life Day. After the events in The Rise of Skywalker, Rey explores the mysteries of the Jedi temple where she gets trapped in a time warp. Will she make it home in time to share the holiday with her companions?

All of your favorite characters from the Star Wars sequel trilogy are here, including BB-8, Finn, and Chewie. There are also flashback appearances from Luke Skywalker, Darth Vader, Yoda, Obi-Wan, and others. Star Wars and LEGO lovers won't be disappointed.

Miraculous World: New York, United Heroez (2020): Best Disney Channel Original Movie Based on a TV Show

Marinette (Cristina Valenzuela) and Adrien (Bryce Papenbrook), better known as Ladybug and Cat Noir, are on their way to the Big Apple for French-American Friendship Week. When their archnemesis Hawk Moth shows up to spoil their vacation, they must team up with American superheroes to save the day.

Miraculous World: New York, United Heroez is a Disney Channel original movie set in the same universe as the popular animated series Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir. Though it originally aired on French TV, you can catch the entire series in English on Disney Plus.

The Wolverine (2013): Best Superhero Origin Story

The Wolverine is one of three X-Men spin-offs starring everyone's favorite clawed superhero. The movie takes place during World War II when Logan Howlett (Hugh Jackman) was a prisoner of war in Japan.

Wolverine doesn't stray from the superhero movie formula. So, if you like the other X-Men films, then you'll likely be satisfied. It was nominated for a few awards, including a Screen Actors Guild award for best stuntwork.

Home Alone (1990): Best Classic Slapstick 90s Kids Comedy

If you've never seen Home Alone, now's a perfect time. After accidentally getting left behind by his family on their Christmas vacation, eight-year-old Kevin must protect himself from a duo of robbers using homemade traps.

Home Alone made Macaulay Culkin a star and spawned countless parodies. The image of Culkin clasping his cheeks is perhaps one of the most imitated faces in history. The film held the distinction of being the highest-grossing comedy for over two decades.

Clouds (2020): Best Tragic Love Story Based on True Life

Clouds is a biopic about Zach Sobiech (Fin Argus), a teenage singer and songwriter who is given six months to live at the beginning of his senior year in high school. Instead of giving up on his musical aspirations, Zach decides to make an album as soon as possible.

As you can probably guess, the movie is a major tear-jerker aimed at young teens and the young at heart. Still, the music and the story are ultimately uplifting, making Clouds a great movie for parents and teens to watch together.

The Real Right Stuff (2020): Best Documentary About The Space Race

After you've watched the Disney show The Right Stuff, check out National Geographic's The Real Right Stuff. This documentary uses never-before-seen archival footage to tell the story of the Mercury 7, the first Americans to visit space.

There's no commentary from modern experts, only interviews and newsreel from the mid-19th century. The Real Right Stuff allows viewers to relive the space race as it unfolded in real time. If you like this film, make sure to watch Hidden Figures, which is about the brilliant mathematicians who made space exploration possible.

Ralph Breaks The Internet (2018): Best Meta-Humor and Social Commentary in a Kids Movie

Wreck-It Ralph (John C. Reilly) and Vanellope von Schweetz (Sarah Silverman) reunite for a brand new adventure. When the steering wheel falls off of Vanellope's favorite racing game, they must traverse the internet, a giant digital city where websites are skyscrapers and programs have personalities, to find a new one on eBay.

The follow-up to Wreck-It Ralph lives up to its predecessor in every way. Like the original, Ralph Breaks The Internet received dozens of award nominations, and it features appearances by characters from various universes. Keep an eye out for your favorite Disney Princesses and Marvel superheroes.

X2 (2003): Best X-Men Sequel of the Early 2000s

With so many X-Men movies and spin-offs these days, it's refreshing to go back to the original trilogy of films that brought the superheroes to the big screen. The second entry in the series introduces new mutants like Mystique (Rebecca Romijn-Stamos) while bringing back old favorites like Storm (Halle Berry) and Wolverine (Hugh Jackman).

An all-star cast led by Patrick Stewart as Professor X makes an otherwise cheesy comic book story feel like a serious drama. X2 won a Saturn Award for Best Science Fiction Film in addition to awards for special effects and stunt work.

Mulan (2020): Most Original Disney Live-Action Remake

Disney's Mulan is a serious departure from the source material and the company's other live-action remakes. It provides a serious take on the legend of a young Chinese woman who takes up the sword to defend her family and her country.

If you're a fan of the original, you might be disappointed that this remake isn't a musical, and many of the classic characters are missing. Nonetheless, it's still a good movie.

If you want to watch Mulan now, you'll have to pay for Disney Plus Premier Access or wait until December 4, when it becomes available for everyone.

Hidden Figures (2016): Most Inspirational Story About Unsung American Heros

Behind every great man stands a great woman, or sometimes multiple women. Hidden Figures is the real-life story of three African American mathematicians who helped John Glenn go to the moon: Katherine G. Johnson (Taraji P. Henson), Dorothy Vaughan (Octavia Spencer), and Mary Jackson (Janelle Monáe).

The film finally gives these unsung American heroes the recognition they deserve. On top of that, it's well-acted and inspiring. If you like the movie, be sure to check out the book it's based on.

Christopher Robin (2018): Quirkiest Modern Take on a Childhood Icon

Unlike most of Disney's recent live-action movies, Christopher Robin isn't a retelling of an old story. Instead, it's a new entry in a classic franchise. In Christopher Robin, an older Christopher (Ewan McGregor) reunites with his childhood friends, who have found their way into the real world.

For adults who grew up with Winnie the Pooh, Christopher Robin is a nice serving of innocent nostalgia. For kids, it's a great introduction to one of the greatest childhood icons of the 20th century.

The Fault in Our Stars (2014): Best Adaptation of a Young Adult Novel

Based on a young adult novel of the same name by John Greene, The Fault in Our Stars is a tear-jerker about two teenagers with cancer who fall in love. The teens vow to make each other's dreams come true, only to learn that they already have.

Like the book, the movie was extremely popular among youth, but it's mature enough for adults to enjoy. The movie picked up several accolades at the 2014 Teen Choice and MTV Movie Awards.

Phineas and Ferb the Movie: Candace Against the Universe (2020): Best Disney Channel Reboot

Disney Channel favorites Phineas and Ferb return for their first movie in nearly a decade. This time, the titular pair must traverse outer space to save their sister Candace from aliens. In other words, it's a typical day for the duo.

Phineas and Ferb the Movie: Candace Against the Universe debuted on Disney+ in August 2020 to universal praise. Like the original show, this new adventure appeals to adults and kids alike.

Hamilton (2020): Best Tony-Award Winning Live Musical

If you haven't seen Hamilton on Broadway, here's your chance. This live recording of the critically-acclaimed musical perfectly captures the excitement of watching in person. The play tells the story of Alexander Hamilton, picking up in 1776 New York City and concluding with the most famous duel in American history.

The play has won dozens of accolades, including 11 Tony Awards and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. Now you can experience it with the entire original cast, including Lin-Manuel Miranda as the Founding Father.

Black Is King (2020): Best Disney Plus Original Musical

Best described as a visual album, Beyoncé's Black Is King debuted on Disney Plus to praise from critics and audiences alike. It tells the story of an exiled African king and his journey to reclaim his kingdom at the behest of his ancestors. If it sounds like Lion King, that's because the movie is based on it.

In addition to stunning music and cinematography, Black Is King features a strong cast, which includes several notable black musical artists. African culture is placed front and center, making this film stand out among Disney's live-action musicals.

Star Wars Galaxy's Edge: Adventure Awaits (2019): Best New Star Wars Documentary

As if there weren't enough Star Wars movies on Disney Plus, you can now watch a documentary about the making of the new Star Wars-themed areas at Disneyland and Disney World. If you can't go to the theme parks in Floria or California anytime soon, this could be the only way you get to experience it for the foreseeable future.

Remember the Titans (2000): Best Feel-Good Sports Movie

More than your typical teen sports movie, Remember the Titans tells the true-life story of Herman Boone (Denzel Washington), a high school football coach who led his team to victory during the first year of integration in 1971. This inspiring biopic offers an unflinching look at America's history of racism while celebrating those who have struggled to change society for the better.

An emotional story and memorable performances are complimented by an all-star soundtrack featuring Creedence Clearwater Revival, Bob Dylan, The Hollies, Marvin Gaye, James Taylor, The Temptations, and Cat Stevens. It's no wonder why many critics consider Remember the Titans to be the best football movie ever made.

The Greatest Showman (2017): Best Biopic About Show Business

Hugh Jackman plays P.T. Barnum in this musical biopic about one of America's most iconic entertainers. The film centers around the historic American Museum in New York and the entertainers who called it home.

Despite criticism for taking creative liberties with Barnum's story, the movie remains one of the highest-grossing musicals ever. The film's soundtrack received numerous accolades, including a Grammy Award and the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song.

The Princess Bride (1987): Best Keeps-Getting-Funnier Comedy Film

The Princess Bride is one of those rare movies that gets funnier with age. It follows the antics of a young farmhand (Cary Elwes) on his quest to rescue the beautiful Princess Buttercup (Robin Wright) from a forced marriage to an unkind Prince.

The Princess Bride was a moderate success upon its theatrical release, but it later became a cult classic on VHS. Like other movies on this list, The Princess Bride is preserved in the National Film Registry thanks to its historical significance.

10 Things I Hate About You (1999): Best Quintessential 90s Teen Movie

What makes 10 Things I Hate About You stand out among the glut of late-90s romantic comedies? For one, it's loosely based on the plot of The Taming of the Shrew, William Shakespeare's original romcom. It also stars young versions of several notable actors, including Heath Ledger, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Julia Stiles. Round it all out with an epic 90s soundtrack, and you have the quintessential teen movie.