The Best Kids Movies on Disney Plus (June 2023)

Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017) — A Novel Spin on Marvel's Mascot

Peter Parker (Tom Holland) gets entangled in the web of the Avengers when Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) recruits the low-key superhero. After Iron Man decides his protege isn't ready to hang with the rest of the team, Spider-Man sets out to prove him wrong.

There's no word on when the sequels are coming to Disney Plus, but you can catch more of Tom Holland as Peter Parker in Captain America: Civil War and Avengers: Infinity War.

Cruella (2021): A Classic Disney Villain Gets an Origin Story

Disney successfully crafted an origin story for its evil fairy Maleficent. It's doing the same for another classic villain, Cruella de Vil. As a teenager, Estella (Emma Stone) dreams of becoming a fashion designer while living as a London orphan on the streets. One day, she's given a chance to create a signature piece for a rockstar, but she also has the scheming Baroness (Emma Thompson) to deal with. Maleficent's backstory managed to spawn two successful movies. Could Cruella be Disney's next hit?

Pinocchio (2022): What You Get When You Wish Upon a Star

A puppeteer named Gepetto (Tom Hanks) longs for a son, so he's ecstatic when his puppet Pinocchio (Benjamin Evan Ainsworth) comes to life. However, if he wants to be a real boy, Pinocchio must heed the advice of the wise Jiminy Cricket (Joseph Gordon-Levitt).

This reimagined fairy tale stands tall alongside the other live-action Disney remakes. Of course, if you prefer, you can always watch the original Pinocchio on Disney Plus.

Peter Pan & Wendy (2023): A Reimaging of a Retelling of a Childhood Classic

Young Wendy (Ever Anderson) joins Peter Pan (Alexander Molony) and his fairy friend Tinker Bell (Yara Shahidi) for a journey through Neverland. In this world, kids never grow up and have no worries, save for the ferocious pirate Captain Hook (Jude Law). 

Given the insane number of Peter Pan adaptations over the years, it's unlikely that anyone in your home isn't familiar with the story, but it's nice to get a new big-budget retelling of a classic tale. You can also watch the original animated Peter Pan on Disney Plus.

Jungle Cruise (2021): Disney's Latest Theme Park Ride Turned Feature Film

Disney successfully spawned a film franchise based on the Pirates of the Caribbean theme park ride. Can they do the same with Jungle Cruise? The film stars Dwayne Johnson as a boat captain who agrees to ferry a researcher (Emily Blunt) down the Amazon River in search of an ancient tree with fabled healing powers. Like the Pirates films, it injects a supernatural element into the narrative and offers plenty of big-budget action.

Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers (2022): Most Creative Chipmunk Comeback Story

Don't like it when your favorite hand-drawn cartoons get remade as computer-generated models? Neither does Chip, but Dale has fully embraced the third dimension, going as far as getting the controversial “CGI surgery.”

Despite their differences, the Rescue Rangers must reunite to save an old friend in this self-aware reboot. Even if you're not familiar with the duo, you'll get a laugh out of their nutty antics.

Luca (2021): Best Film About Sea Monsters on an Adventure

Luca is a whimsical tale about a pair of sea monsters in human form having an adventure on the Italian Riviera. It's the second recent Pixar film to debut on Disney+ instead of in theaters. The first was the Oscar-winning Soul, a beautiful movie about finding your purpose in life that's also worth checking out.

Raya and the Last Dragon (2021): A Sassy Girl and Her Sassier Dragon BFF

Raya and the Last Dragon is a fantasy story about a mythical world called Kumandra, where humans and dragons once lived in harmony. But, 500 years later, monsters are threatening the land, so Raya (Kelly Marie Tran) must find the last dragon Sisu (Awkwafina), and convince her to use her magic to save the world. The studio responsible for Moana and Frozen made this latest Disney offering.

Schoolhouse Rock! 50th Anniversary Singalong (2023): Learn to Love Learning

Schoolhouse Rock! 50th Anniversary Singalong introduces a new generation to childhood hits like “Conjunction Junction” and “I'm Just a Bill." The special is hosted by Ryan Seacrest and features renditions of classic Schoolhouse Rock songs performed by popular figures like Black Eyed Peas, Raven-Symoné, and The Muppets, as well as cast members from the Broadway versions of Aladdin and The Lion King.

Turning Red (2022): Cutest Coming-of-Age Pixar Movie

Your teenage years can be tough, especially if you happen to turn into a red panda every time you get emotional. That's what happens to Mei Lee (Rosalie Chiang), who learns that a family curse haunts her.

Turing Red stands out for its focus on Chinese culture, but the story is relatable to everyone, including kids and adults.

Lightyear (2022): To Infinity and Beyond, Again

This Toy Story spin-off follows the adventures of the real Buzz Lightyear (Chris Evans), the fictional character who inspired the beloved action figure from that franchise. With the help of his cat Sox (Peter Sohn), Buzz must rescue a crew stranded on a strange planet ruled by hostile robots.

Lightyear might have bombed at the box office, but those who saw it gave the movie great reviews. Now you can stream it alongside the original Toy Story on Disney Plus.

Zootopia (2016): Best Disney Plus Kids Movie About Prejudice

Zootopia, named Zootropolis in several regions, is a profound Disney kids movie that explores racism through the lens of a world of animals where humans never existed. To the film’s credit, Zootopia doesn’t speak down to viewers nor oversimplify the discussion and impressively manages to cover the various nuances surrounding race rather well, all within a beautifully animated, thoroughly entertaining, and age-appropriate package.

Ginnifer Goodwin from Once Upon A Time, also on Disney Plus, and Jason Bateman voice the two leads and are backed up by an impressive supporting cast of actors ranging from talents such as Idris Elba and Bonnie Hunt to Octavia Spencer, Alan Tudyk, and Shakira.

King Shakir Recycle (2023): Best Space Saga With an Environmental Message

When scientists think they've dealt with the planet's trash problem by launching it into space, aliens show up, claiming that Earth's garbage is landing on their planet. It's up to King Shakir to solve the intergalactic climate crisis.

Based on a Turkish kid's show, King Shakir Recycle has been available internationally on Disney Plus for a while, but now everyone can enjoy the movie in English or its original language.

Muppets Most Wanted (2014): A European Vacation Gone Wrong

When Kermit the Frog is framed for a jewel heist, the Muppets must solve the case and clear his name. Of course, they have to sing a few musical numbers along the way.

If you only watch one Muppets movie, it should be Muppets Most Wanted. Disney Plus has most of the other Muppet theatrical films and specials.

Disenchanted (2022): An Impressive Sequel About Disappointment

More than a decade since she married and moved to New York, Giselle (Amy Adams) is ready for a change of scenery. Unfortunately, suburbia is ruled by Malvina Monroe (Maya Rudolph), a power-hungry town councilwoman who wants to use Giselle's magic for her own malevolent purposes.

In 2007, Enchanted put a clever spin on classic Disney fairytale stereotypes. Disenchanted is an equally twisted sequel that looks beyond “happily ever after.”

Frozen (2013): Most Empowering Kids Movie on Disney Plus

Frozen was a mega-hit for Disney due to its ground-breaking digital animation, chart-topping songs, and strong messaging. Adult viewers may laugh at some noticeable plot holes and corny character moments. However, the powerful theme of sisterly love and wintery visuals will keep everyone entertained.

If you've already seen the original, Frozen 2 is also available on Disney Plus. The sequel successfully adds depth to the original characters while achieving phenomenal world-building in the process. What sets it apart from the original and other kid's movies on Disney Plus, for that matter, are its scenes that show how to navigate stressful, even traumatic, situations even when all hope is lost. This movie is a sequel that easily surpasses its predecessor and boasts a maturity that’s equally surprising and welcome.

The Peanuts Movie (2015): A Family Movie for All Generations

Few things in life are more wholesome than Snoopy and Charlie Brown. While the former faces off against his foe, the Red Baron, the latter has his eyes set on a red-haired girl who just moved in down the street.

This big-screen adaptation of the famous comic strip looks modern enough for kids to enjoy, but it maintains the style and charm of the original cartoons. With a legacy spanning over 70 years, nothing brings families together like Peanuts.

The Princess and the Frog (2009): Best Disney Kids Movie About Strong Work Ethics

The Princess and the Frog is a modern reinterpretation of the classic frog princess fairy tale set in New Orleans. This kids movie, one of Disney’s last to be made in the traditional 2D animation format, received praise for its focus on a strong female black character upon release. However, what gives it legs is its superb animation, strong chemistry between its two frog leads, and powerful message about having a dream and working hard to make sure that it comes true.

Trevor The Musical (2022): A Coming Out Story for All Ages

A teenage boy obsessed with Diana Ross is ostracised at school once it's revealed that he has a crush on a male classmate. It's up to the adults in his life to step up and defend Trevor against bullies.

Trevor The Musical is based on the 1994 Academy Award-winning short film Trevor. In addition to a musical, the original movie inspired the Trevor Project, a crisis hotline for LGBT+ youth that still exists today.

Lego Star Wars Summer Vacation (2022): The Empire Strikes Back at the Beach

After defeating Emperor Palpatine in The Rise of Skywalker, Rey (Helen Sadler) and her friends are ready for a well-deserved beach trip. However, the Dark Side doesn't take summer vacations, so it's only time before she has to break out her lightsaber again.

This is a must-watch if you enjoyed the other Lego Star Wars specials on Disney Plus. Make sure you have Lego Star Wars Terrifying Tales and The Lego Star Wars Holiday Special on your watchlist for later this year.