The Best Kids Movies on Disney Plus (May 2022)

Better Nate Than Ever (2022): Best Disney Musical Since 'High School Musical'

Life is tough for a thirteen-year-old aspiring actor. Nate Foster (Rueby Wood) has big dreams of performing on Broadway, but he can't even get a callback for the middle school musical. Fed up with it all, Nate and his friend Libby (Aria Brooks) sneak away to the big apple to go big or go home.

Better Nate Than Never features classic tunes from Disney's Lilo and Stitch, and it has a talented cast to carry them. For his first movie, Rueby Wood especially shines in the lead role.

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 she is haunted by a family curse.

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

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.1 (2014): Most Fun Superhero Movie for Kids

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.1 is one of the best Disney Plus movies for kids due to its fun vibe, eclectic cast of characters, and a strong focus on family-friendly action and spectacle. While this Sci-Fi film can get quite big in scale, the real focus is the group of alien misfits who, eventually, learn to rely on and accept each other as family.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 is on Disney Plus as well, and one of the best things about the two movies is that they’re very much in their own stand-alone corner of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and don’t require the viewing of any other TV shows or films to understand or enjoy. If you’re planning to watch Avengers: Infinity War or Endgame, though, both Guardians flicks will enhance your enjoyment of those two enormously.

Mrs. Doubtfire (1993): One of Robin Williams' Most Heart-Warming Comedies

This mid-'90s comedy stars Robin Williams as a divorced actor who pretends to be a British nanny so he can spend more time with his kids. But trying to maintain this charade while furthering his acting career threatens to ruin everything. The film still holds up decades later as a great vehicle for Williams' humor. Outside of the visual gags and hijinks, it also conveys a wonderful message about accepting untraditional families in all their forms.

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’s 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.

LEGO Star Wars Terrifying Tales (2021): Because LEGO Spoofs Are Always Good Fun

The LEGO series is known for its fun send-ups of popular culture, and this Halloween special provides a goofy good time. Taking place after the events of The Rise of Skywalker, it sees Poe Dameron and BB-8 journeying to the volcanic planet Mustafar, home to Darth Vader's castle, which is now apparently the galaxy's first all-inclusive luxury hotel for Sith looking to unwind from their day jobs of villainy and wrongdoing. They meet Vader’s loyal servant, Vaneé, who relates to them three creepy stories featuring some of the Star Wars universe's most iconic villains.

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

Disney successfully spawned an entire 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.

Billie Eilish: Happier than Ever (2021)—A Love Letter to Los Angeles

Billie Eilish gives an intimate performance of her Happier Than Ever album in this special. Taking place at the Hollywood Bowl, it's the first and only time you'll see the Grammy award-winning musician perform every song on the album in sequential order. There are special guest appearances from Eilish's collaborator and brother, Finneas, the Los Angeles Children's Chorus, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and more. Meanwhile, animated segments showcase Eilish's hometown of Los Angeles.

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

Disney successfully crafted an origin story for its evil fairy Maleficent. Now, 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 on the streets as a London orphan. One day, she's given the 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?

The Ice Age Adventures of Buck Wild (2022): Best Film for Some Prehistoric Shenanigans

This latest installment in the popular Ice Age franchise focuses on thrill-seeking possums Crash and Eddie, along with the one-eyed weasel adventurer Buck Wild. Trapped in a massive cave filled with dinosaurs, they must band together to save the Lost World. If you have a little one who's obsessed with all things prehistoric, this is an obvious pick.

The Little Mermaid (1989): Best '80s Disney Franchise on Disney Plus for Kids

Few of Disney’s animated features have come close to The Little Mermaid's brilliance with its fun characters, captivating locations, and collection of songs that became instant classics upon its initial release. Disney’s The Little Mermaid may not have the bittersweet YOLO lesson of the Hans Christian Anderson original. Still, it makes up for this change with some genuinely rewarding exploration of father/daughter relationships and a strong warning about stranger danger.

Also available on Disney Plus are the two sequels, The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea, which follows Ariel and Eric’s daughter, and The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning, a prequel that reveals the tragic fate of Ariel’s mother. The former is admittedly rather forgettable though the latter is a surprisingly solid entry in the franchise with a good amount of real emotion and heartfelt exploration of family grief. The Little Mermaid cartoon series, which is set between Ariel’s Beginning and the original film, is also a lot of fun and should keep kids engaged for several days.

Mary Poppins Returns (2018): Best Musical for Kids on Disney Plus

Mary Poppins Returns is a follow-up to the original classic that focuses on the two children whom Mary Poppins looked after all those years ago. They're now struggling with adult situations such as unemployment and financial difficulties. As with the original, Mary Poppins Returns brilliantly balances profound life lessons about embracing your inner child and stopping to smell the flowers with several fun animated sequences that keep the viewer engaged.

The filmmakers integrated the original's numerous iconic songs into the film’s score rather than lazily reprising them. It leaves room for several new songs and a chance for Mary Poppins Returns to stand on its own rather than rely on nostalgia and brand recognition. A Disney Plus movie for kids and adults alike.

Night at the Museum (2006): The Most Fun You'll Ever Actually Have in a Museum

When Larry (Ben Stiller) accepts a job as a night watchman at the Museum of Natural History in New York City, he discovers that all of the exhibits come to life after dark. Although it leans a bit too heavily on CGI, it's a pleasant adventure flick that might, at worst, make your kid look forward to their next field trip to the local museum.

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

Zootopia, named Zootropolis in several regions, is a rather 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.

Aladdin (1992): Best Version of Aladdin on Disney Plus

Disney’s Aladdin remains one of the company’s best animated features with its skillfully crafted tale of the orphan who learns a powerful lesson about being honest while encountering a genie, a princess, and an evil sorcerer intent on conquering the kingdom.

It’s a thoroughly entertaining movie for kids packed with adventure, lovable characters, catchy songs, and strong performances by everyone involved. Its two sequels, The Return of Jafar and King of Thieves, are also available to watch on Disney Plus, as is the Aladdin cartoon series set between them.

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 of the noticeable plot holes and corny character moments. However, the powerful theme of sisterly love and wintery visuals will still 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 characters from the original while achieving some 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.

Mulan (1998): Best Disney Kids Movie About Family Honor

Disney’s Mulan is a super-fun animated interpretation of the Chinese folk tale featuring loads of comedy, quirky characters, and action sequences which were considered groundbreaking when it came out back in 1998. Ming-Na Wen, who modern audiences will recognize from Marvel’s Agents of SHIELD and the Disney Plus Star Wars The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett series, shines as the teenage girl learning about the meaning of honor and family. And the creatively cast Eddie Murphy is instantly iconic as the dragon sidekick.

2020’s live-action Mulan remake gets a lot of attention, but it didn’t come close to this animated version in terms of messaging, plot, characters, and entertainment value.

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, which is a beautiful movie about finding your purpose in life that's also worth checking out.

Black Panther (2018): Most Unique Superhero Movie on Disney Plus

Black Panther was a major cultural moment when it premiered back in 2018, and it’s not hard to see why with its skillfully shot action sequences, fun cast of characters, and the big-screen debut of the fictitious futuristic city of Wakanda. It’s not all fun and action, though, with a strong sense of family and a powerful message about the flaws of protectionism being ever-present throughout.

Like Guardians of the Galaxy, Black Panther requires very little knowledge of the MCU and can be enjoyed entirely on its own. And the story started in this film continues in Avengers: Infinity War, also on Disney Plus.

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. This latest Disney offering was made by the studio responsible for Moana and Frozen.

Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace (1999)—Best Place to Start in the Star Wars Franchise

Star Wars is a fantastic, family-friendly adventure franchise that’s a reliable option when looking for something to entertain the kids with. With every single Star Wars film and TV series available to watch on Disney Plus, deciding what to throw on can be intimidating and time-consuming. It can also be a bit of a gamble when confronted with a kid who’s never seen a Star Wars movie before and might be bored with some of the original ones, no matter how much the adults in the room dig them.

So, why not start at the chronological beginning? Episode 1 has a great variety of colorful locations, kid-friendly characters such as Jar Jar Binks, interesting aliens, and one of the best lightsaber fights of the entire saga.