The Best Kids Movies on Disney Plus (January 2023)

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

When Kermit the Frog is framed for a jewel heist, the Muppets have to 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 as well.

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.

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.

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.

Disenchanted (2022): An Impressive Sequel About Disappointment

More than a decade since she got 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.”

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.

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.

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 girl with red hair 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’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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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 a matter of time before she has to break out her lightsaber again.

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