Over the years, Disney has given us several amazing and spectacular movies. These movies have a permanent home in our brains, and we’ve almost watched every one of these films. That being said, sometimes it’s difficult to keep track of great movies by the studio. So, here’s a list of the best Disney movies you should watch in 2024.
1. Monsters Inc.
- Year of Release: 2001
- Runtime: 92 Minutes
- IMDb: 8.1
When Pixar gets involved in a project, it has to be excellent. Pixar created this masterpiece for Walt Disney, and fortunately, the film was loved by every enthusiast. Monster Inc. is an animated film that can be enjoyable for fanatics of every age group. You meet many strange creatures and immediately fall in love with them. Despite the presence of monsters, this film will not scare or freak you out.
Monster Inc. takes place in a world that sees no humans but only monsters. The city is called Monstropolis, and everyone here sees human child screams as the source of energy. So, the Monsters Incorporated Factory sends some skilled monsters to the human world through doors that take them directly to the closet of the human children. However, when the main characters, James and Mike, spend some time with the adorable toddler Boo, they realize that human children are way different from what they believed.
2. Beauty and the Beast
- Year of Release: 1991
- Runtime: 84 Minutes
- IMDb: 8
Again, on the list is a Disney film loved by fans of every age. Beauty and the Beast is a tale that never gets old and stays with us forever. The 1991 film is admired more than any modern-age animated project. You can’t get over the music, the animation, and the characters, of course, who make you grin a little more from the beginning to the end.
Beauty and the Beast starts with a prince who is cursed by an enchantress who shows up at his castle out of the blue seeking shelter. She hands the prince a magical flower and curses him that till the last petal falls, the prince must fall in love with someone and make that person love him back.
3. Toy Story
- Year of Release: 1995
- Runtime: 81 Minutes
- IMDb: 8
The animated classic from Pixar and Disney came out at a time when computer-generated animation was beginning its heyday. However, the film still managed to earn massive fame, thanks to the mind-boggling storyline and the detailed animation. Besides that, what makes the film iconic is the presence of Tom Hanks, our very own Forest Gump. The reputed actor lent his voice to the lead toy of the film, i.e., Woody.
Wonder what would happen if your toys started talking and walking someday? Well, Toy Story allows us to know the situation if something like this ever happens. Andy’s birthday is near, and his toys suddenly start behaving like human beings. They become envious after learning that Andy will receive several toys on his birthday that might replace them.
4. Up
- Year of Release: 2009
- Runtime: 96 Minutes
- IMDb: 8.3
The heartwarming film by Pixar and Walt Disney shows us what true companionship looks like. While some scenes will make you giggle, several will certainly make your eyes watery. Up is an animated film that will make you stick to your seats until the very end. It is certainly one of the best Pixar movies.
Up is the story of Carl and Ellie, two of the biggest fans of a prestigious explorer named Charles Muntz, who move to Paradise Falls after getting defamed. Young Carl and Ellie dream of moving their clubhouse to Paradise Falls one day. However, before fulfilling the dream, Ellie dies, and Carl becomes more determined toward his wife’s unfulfilled desire.
5. Aladdin
- Year of Release: 1992
- Runtime: 90 Minutes
- IMDb: 8
Aladdin is one of the films associated with millennials’ childhood memories. The majority of Gen Y kids grew up watching this Disney animated movie. Aladdin features a set of spectacular and unique characters, but no one can deny that the blue Genie steals the show every time he appears on the screen. Thanks to the scriptwriters who created such funny dialogue for the character and to the award-winning actor Robin Williams for being the voice of Genie.
Aladdin revolves around a kind-hearted street Urchin, Aladdin, who gets his hands on a magical lamp and meets Genie, a wish-granting creature living inside the ancient lamp. After befriending Genie, Aladdin takes his help to stop the evil sorcerer, Jafar, from succeeding in his intentions.
6. The Lion King
- Year of Release: 1994
- Runtime: 88 Minutes
- IMDb: 8.5
The Lion King is undoubtedly one of the best movies Disney has produced. From the flawless animation to the strong voice performances and the exemplary soundtracks, the movie has it all. Moreover, The Lion King also comes with some real teachings.
King Mufasa and his son Simba fall prey to the dirty mind games of Scar, the king’s brother. While Scar kills Mufasa, Timon, and Pumba, find an injured Simba. On the other hand, Scar takes over the Pride Rock in the real King’s absence. Simba, who gets haunted by the nightmares of his past, gets ready to return to the kingdom and fight for his rights.
7. The Little Mermaid
- Year of Release: 1989
- Runtime: 83 Minutes
- IMDb: 7.6
Earlier, a majority of the enthusiasts didn’t enjoy watching a film with a female character in the central role. However, that stereotype was broken by The Little Mermaid as it comes with the most stunning female protagonist. The underwater animation and the unique fantasy story made it a lot more interesting.
Getting bored of her underwater life, a mermaid, Ariel, decides to go to the surface to see what the human world looks like. One day, she, along with a crab named Sebastian, witnesses a birthday party of Prince Eric after reaching the surface. Ariel falls in love with the prince so she seeks the sea witch’s help. However, the witch demands an unexpected thing from Ariel in exchange for the favor.
8. The Princess and the Frog
- Year of Release: 2009
- Runtime: 97 Minutes
- IMDb: 7.2
The 90s was considered the golden age of Disney animation films as several movies released in the 2000s disappointed the fandom to the extent that they stopped watching Disney movies. However, The Princess and the Frog is one such film that can bring your interest back. That’s because it comes with a vibe similar to the classics The Lion King and Cinderella in terms of storytelling and animation.
The Princess and The Frog tells us the story of an arrogant Prince, Naveen, and an ambitious waitress, Tiana of New Orleans. When the prince gets turned into a frog by an evil doctor, Tiana kisses him and gets the transformation as well. Now, they must make an alliance to find a solution to the unfortunate situation.
9. Finding Nemo
- Year of Release: 2003
- Runtime: 100 Minutes
- IMDb: 8.2
Pixar has created many wonders, and Finding Nemo is one of them. With its animation, the film leaves you speechless. The story consists of a lot of humor with a pinch of tear-jerking elements that provoke you to cry for more at the end. The adorable fish and other underwater creatures make you curious to learn about aquatic life.
Being a single parent, Clownfish Marlin is overprotective of his son Nemo. One day, when Nemo gets captured by the scuba divers on his first birthday, Marlin’s life turns upside down. While making efforts to reach Nemo, Marlin crosses paths with Dory, a blue-eyed fish suffering from short-term memory loss. While the duo accompanies each other to search for Nemo, they come across many threats. On the other side, Nemo gets stuck in a fish pot and now he has to find a way out to reunite with his father.
10. Frozen
- Year of Release: 2013
- Runtime: 102 Minutes
- IMDb: 7.4
Mostly, we have seen siblings as rivals in every other film out there, and this is where Frozen stands out. It makes us realize that if you have a sibling who can do anything for you, no one else is required. Frozen is no complex story but a straightforward fairy tale that sees two female characters in lead roles.
Elsa and Anna are two sisters who have been fond of each other since childhood. The elder one is Elsa, who accidentally hurts her baby sister, Anna, with her icy magic. So, she is restricted from using the magic until she learns how to use it efficiently. However, one incident gets Elsa out of control, and she seals the kingdom of Arendelle in ice. After that, she isolates herself. Now, Anna must find her sister and save the kingdom.
