The 19 Best Disney Plus Movies Right Now (September 2020)

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

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.

Fantastic Four (2005): Best Mid-2000s Super Hero Movie

The second attempt at a Fantastic Four movie was more successful than the first. Affectionately known as "Fan4stic" among fans, this film does a much better job of capturing the spirit of the comics. It's a little talky for an action movie, but it delivers once the pace picks up.

Fantastic Four was nominated for Best Science Fiction Film at the Saturn Awards only to get beat out by Star Wars: Episode III. Jessica Alba, Michael Chiklis, Chris Evans, and Ioan Gruffudd all received nominations for MTV Movie Awards.

Back to the Titanic (2020): Best Documentary About the Titanic

Disney Plus now has a wide selection of movies about the Titanic. This one doesn't have Leonardo DiCaprio, but it does feature an underwater tour of the legendary passenger ship.

A team of scientists descended to the depths of the ocean to capture the first-ever 4K footage of the Titanic, and it's honestly not looking good. The ship has deteriorated significantly in the past 100 years, so this could be your last chance to see it close-up. Back to the Titanic will be available to watch on Disney+ starting August 28, 2020.

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

Disney Channel favorites Phineas and Ferb return in 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 will be available to watch on Disney+ starting August 28, 2020.

The One and Only Ivan (2020): Best Straight-to-Streaming Movie Based on a Book

Based on the book by K. A. Applegate, The One and Only Ivan is a family-friendly fantasy that combines live actors and animation in a way that only Disney can. It's a rather heart-warming story about a captive gorilla named Ivan (Sam Rockwell) who longs to return to the jungle.

Though originally slated to be released in theaters, The One and Only Ivan went straight-to-streaming in August 2020. It has enough depth to keep adults engaged and enough animals to entertain kids.

The Peanuts Movie (2015): Best New Take on a Classic Franchise

Charlie Brown (Noah Schnapp) and Snoopy star in their first feature film of the millennium. If you didn't grow up with the Peanuts gang, the movie serves as a faithful introduction for modern audiences.

The Peanuts Movie earned a Golden Globe Award nomination for Best Animated Feature Film. Some fans say the computer animation lacks the rugged charm of classics like A Charlie Brown Christmas, but the movie captures the spirit of the original characters.

Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time (2010): Best Adapatation of an Early 2000s Video Game

Movies based on video games don't have a great track record, but Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time is a decent adaptation of the 2003 game of the same name. It also includes story elements from other games in the franchise, although the film occasionally departs from the source material.

Prior to the release of Warcraft in 2016, The Sands of Time held the record for the highest-grossing video game movie of all time. The acting talents of Jake Gyllenhaal and the rest of the cast lend the silly dialogue some levity, and the action sequences are far more impressive than anything you'll see on the original Xbox.

Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018): Best Itsy-Bitsy Superhero Flick

If serious Marvel movies like Infinity Wars have you bummed out, why not try something a little lighter? One of the quirkier entries in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Ant-Man and the Wasp received near-universal acclaim when it came out.

The film's success can be attributed largely to the comedic performances of Paul Rudd and Evangeline Lilly. Both actors were nominated for Teen Choice Awards for their portrayals of the eponymous duo.

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. Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge: Adventure Awaits will be available to stream starting August 7th.

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 Greatest Showman will be available to stream starting August 14th.

Howard (2018): Best Documentary About a Classic Disney Composer

If the name Howard Ashman doesn't ring a bell, you'd surely recognize his songs. The legendary composer wrote the soundtracks for several of Disney's most popular animated features including The Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast. He was also responsible for the music in the stage version of Little Shop of Horrors.

Howard celebrates an unsung hero of our childhoods. It's a must-watch if you grew up with songs like Under the Sea and Be Our Guest. The documentary will be available to stream on Disney Plus starting August 14th.

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 at the same time 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.

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.

TRON (1982): Best Genre-Defying Sci-Fi Movie

TRON was groundbreaking when it came out in 1982. While the special effects aren't impressive by today's standards, TRON's innovative blend of CGI and live-action was so genre-defying that the Motion Picture Academy of America couldn't agree on how to categorize it. The story of a software programmer (Jeff Bridges) who gets sucked into a mainframe computer has since inspired dozens of comic books, video games, and a 2010 sequel.

Coco (2017): Best Family Movie Set in the Afterlife

Coco is a classic Pixar movie through-and-through. It features superb 3D animation, catchy songs, a diverse cast of characters, and an emotional story that adults and kids can enjoy together.

The story centers around a young boy named Coco (Anthony Gonzalz) who accidentally steps into the afterlife during Dia de Los Muertos (the Day of the Dead). Along the way, he meets his ancestors and learns to appreciate their history and culture.

Who Framed Roger Rabbit? (1988): Best Mix of Animation and Live-Action

In an alternate version of 1947 Hollywood where human actors and cartoon characters work side-by-side, a detective (Bob Hoskins) is tasked with investigating the death of a high-profile businessman. He begins to suspect that he's on to a conspiracy when the evidence points to an unlikely suspect: a cartoon rabbit named Roger (Charles Fleischer).

It's been decades since Who Framed Roger Rabbit? debuted in theaters, and there's still nothing else that compares to it. Part crime drama, part animated comedy, the film scored three Academy Awards and is credited for ushering in a new style of Disney animation.

Marry Poppins (1964): Best Recording-Making Musical Movie

When two out-of-control kids keep scaring away nanny after nanny, a mysterious woman named Marry Poppins (Julie Andrews) descends from the sky on a floating umbrella to restore order. Inspired by P.L. Traver's series of books by the same name, Marry Poppins was an instant classic when it was released in 1964.

The film received 13 Academy Award nominations, which remains a record for Disney. While Who Framed Roger Rabbit? broke new ground when it came to combining animated characters with live actors, it wouldn't have been possible with Dick Van Dyke and his dancing penguins.