10 Great Disney Movies

You guys have no idea how hard it was to put this list together. There are so many great Disney movies and I love them all! But if I were stuck on an island and I could only take 10 with me to watch for the rest of my life, these would definitely be the movies I would choose.

10. Honey, I Shrunk the Kids

This movie has it all! Mischevious kids, some romance, a crazy inventor, and a wild adventure you can’t get bored. The adventure begins when Amy (Amy O’Neill), Nicky (Robert Oliveri), Russ (Thomas Wilson Brown), and Ron (Jared Rushton) get shrunk down to 1/4 of an inch and end up in Amy and Nicky’s backyard. At the normal height, a backyard might not be so scary, but at 1/4 of an inch, it’s a whole new world! They encounter ants, a scorpion, and even have to escape a lawn mower before they make it home! It’s an exciting movie that I just love watching.

9. Cinderella (live adaptation)

The live adaptation of Cinderella is one of the most visually stunning films I’ve ever seen. Besides the fact that the graphics are magically phenomenal, the colorful costume design, and the detailed props and sets truly bring it to life. What’s also great about this film is that there is a lot of character development for Cinderella (Lily James). You really see how she became a servant for her Stepmother (Cate Blanchett), Drisella (Sophie McShera), and Anastasia (Holliday Grainger). Of course, who could forget the wonderfully fun performance of  Helena Bonham Carter as the Fairy Godmother? This is a fantastic film and I hope the rest of Disney’s live adaptations are like this one!

8. The Pirates of the Caribbean (movies 1-3)

Okay, okay, I know I’m cheating just a bit but these three movies are worth it! The adventures of Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp), Will Turner (Orlando Bloom), and Elizabeth Swan (Keira Knightley) are simply too exciting to pass up! Jack Sparrow is a sneaky and humorous pirate that gets himself in hot water with Captain Barbosa (Geoffrey Rush) a ghost pirate, and Davy Jones (Bill Nighy) the Captain of the Flying Dutchman. Besides the crazy antics of Jack Sparrow and the romance between Will and Elizabeth, the visual effects make these movies special to me. The ghost pirate crew in the first movie is creepier than what you could imagine and the Flying Dutchman is frighteningly realistic.

7. Beauty and the Beast (Animated)

This tale as old as time is a magical story of looking past a book’s cover to discover the beauty of the story inside. It was really inspiring as a young girl to see a Disney princess who was smart, independent, and so strong-willed. Belle was such a relatable character because she loved to read as much as I do but was always ready for adventure. I also couldn’t help but fall in love with the movie score that got me singing along every time I watched the film! The characters in this movie are so lovable and the story is just as exhilarating as it is romantic!

6. Star Wars (the entire series)

Alright, last time I cheat I promise! But really if you’re a Star Wars fan you get this, they’re all so good how can I pick just one? If you have yet to see Star Wars it’s time to get with the program! The whole series takes place long ago in a galaxy far, far away. This is an epic story about good and evil and the ongoing battle between these two forces. These films have some amazing characters, ridiculously cool fight scenes, and visual effects like you’ve never seen! I could go on and on about these films if you let me.

5. Frozen

For the first time in forever, we have two Disney princesses whose stories are more about their love for each other than a handsome prince. This beautifully animated film takes place in Arendelle where Queen Elsa and Princess Anna reside. After Elsa accidentally freezes the kingdom she runs away and Anna goes after her to bring her home. With the help of Kristoff, Olaf, Sven, and some trolls Anna finally finds her sister. This is another movie with some really fun music and a magical story with some really sweet characters!

4. The Lion King

What can I say? This is a Disney classic everybody has to see! The colorful animation, the catchy music, and the characters really make this story stand out. Timon and Pumba really bring the humor to this movie and it wouldn’t be the same without them. The conniving Scar and his hyena henchmen are a bone-chilling team that takes over the Pride Lands. Finally, we have our heroes Simba and Nala who grew up as best friends but fall in love with each other in adulthood. This is a great movie with love, adventure, and songs that you can’t help but sing along to.

3. Finding Dory

If you enjoyed Finding Nemo then get comfortable because you’re going to want to watch Finding Dory on repeat. The most wholesome character I think Disney has ever created takes center stage as she (Dory) goes on a journey with Marlin and Nemo to find her family. She travels across the ocean to land in an aquarium where she meets Hank the octopus, Bailey the beluga whale, and Destiny her childhood pipe pal. This is a sweet movie about family and friendship that will warm you to your core.

2. The Little Mermaid

You guys need to understand how much I love The Little Mermaid! The songs are so fun and energetic it really creates an amazing vibe for this movie! On top of that, the concept is just so magical, a beautiful mermaid who becomes a human to find her true love. Ariel is a curious, independent girl who knows what she wants and goes after it. That’s definitely something I can admire. My favorite part of the movie though is the “Under the Sea” scene, it doesn’t get any better than that. This movie is a must see in my opinion!

1. Moana

See the line where the sky meets the sea? That’s where you’ll see Moana on her boat with the demigod Maui on their way to return the Heart of the Sea. Moana is a unique Disney character because she defies the roles of a princess, she saves her island by defying her father, she demands the help of the stubborn Maui and perseveres through an emotionally and physically tolling mission across the sea. Besides having an inspiring female character, the artistic animation in this movie is beyond beautiful and the music really makes this my number one movie. I’ve watched it too many times to count and I’ll watch it again in the future, you cannot help but fall in love with this movie.

Photo credits: The Walt Disney World Company