The 50 Best Disney Movies to Watch for Family Night

• Suitable for: ages 6+
• Run Time: 1 hour 26 minutes

Anyone familiar with the book by Steven Kellogg will not be surprised to learn that this animated film features a number of very frantic characters and lots of chaos. (The sky is falling, after all.) There’s also quite a bit of peril that might be too scary for very young kids, but overall Chicken Little serves up plenty of fast-paced fun, and even some positive messages about family love, too.

• Suitable for: ages 5+
• Run Time: 1 hour 52 minutes

If you’re in the very small minority of parents who haven’t already seen the latest Disney sensation, Encanto, all you really need to know is that it does actually rock. The music is fantastic, the humor is on-point, the characters are refreshingly complex, the animation is stunning and the storyline about hurt and healing within a family is truly moving. Let’s just say we’re fans.

• Suitable for: ages 5+
• Run Time: 1 hour 51 minutes

Moana is a sweeping adventure featuring a strong female lead, an empowering storyline and a kickass soundtrack, courtesy of Lin Manuel Miranda (of Hamilton fame). Watch this one when you’re in the mood for good music and girl power vibes.

• Suitable for: ages 7+
• Run Time: 1 hour 47 minutes

Fast-paced and action-packed—this animated feature is an engaging whodunnit mystery with an entertaining cast of talking animals (Jason Bateman and Shakira lend their voices) and lots of positive messages about racism, justice and teamwork.

• Suitable for: ages 8+
• Run Time: 1 hour 50 minutes

A middle-aged man (Jamie Foxx) has a life-threatening accident and, in the aftermath, his soul evades the ‘Great Beyond’ and lands in the ‘Great Before,’ awaiting a trip back to his body on Earth. Needless to say, the existential themes on the meaning of life and death are likely to go over the heads of younger kids, but if you want something with substance for slightly older viewers, this thought-provoking film fits the bill.

• Suitable for: ages 6+
• Run Time: 1 hour 41 minutes

Set in a picturesque village on the Italian Riviera, Luca boasts breathtaking animation and a sweet storyline about two sea monsters who leave their homes to live among land-dwelling humans. If you replace the iffy romance and gender stereotypes of The Little Mermaid with a wholesome adventure focused on childhood friendship, this is what you’d get.

• Suitable for: ages 5+
• Run Time: 1 hour 39 minutes

Sophisticated computer-animation and a stellar cast of voice actors (Dave Foley, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Kevin Spacey, John Ratzenberger) bring the insect world to life in this action-packed movie about an epic battle between good bugs and bad bugs. Expect light scares—there’s peril and suspense, but no violence—and plenty of entertainment.

• Suitable for: ages 5+
• Run Time: 1 hour 27 minutes

Fans of the Disney Princess genre will swoon for this true classic, which features an incredibly kind-hearted damsel in distress, a gang of lovable dwarves and a witch with some sinister and (moderately scary) tricks up her sleeve.

• Suitable for: ages 6+
• Run Time: 2 hours 7 minutes

There’s no dialogue, only classical music and breathtaking animation in this oldie-but-goodie. Parents should know that Fantasia is artistic, abstract and likely to either totally mesmerize or utterly bore a kid. File this one under ‘family movie experiments.’

• Suitable for: ages 6+
• Run Time: 1 hour 31 minutes

Classic songs, beautifully restored animation and timeless (albeit somewhat heavy-handed) lessons on honesty and virtue are among the reasons why Pinocchio is worth a re-watch. That said, we’d be lying if we told you it’s not seriously dark and quite disturbing. Indeed, this one is a bit dated, which is why we suggest pre-screening before you press play on movie night.

• Suitable for: ages 5+
• Run Time: 1 hour 14 minutes

Both incredibly sweet and heart-wrenchingly sad—you’ll need a box of Kleenex to watch this classic film about a baby deer who forges new friendships in the forest after his mother is shot and killed. Bambi is a poignant and beautiful movie that’s likely too scary and emotionally intense for young and highly sensitive viewers.

• Suitable for: ages 5+
• Run Time: 1 hour 21 minutes

An animated number based on Lewis Carroll’s famous book by the same name, this trippy-dippy Disney movie is full of magic and a whole lot of fun to watch. That said, the surrealistic storyline and wacky characters might prove a tad overwhelming for younger audiences.

• Suitable for: ages 7+
• Run Time: 1 hour 39 minutes

Hercules ranks among the scarier movies on the list—there’s relentless peril and considerable gore that’s only somewhat offset by lighthearted, Gospel-style musical interludes—so this one is best watched with a slightly older kid. That said, the voice talent is outstanding: Danny Devito, Tate Donovan and Susan Egan all give stellar performances, and James Wood makes Hades one of the most memorable Disney villains of all time.

• Suitable for: ages 8+
• Run Time: 1 hour 37 minutes

Social pariahs are the heroes of this dark, but thrilling Disney flick—based on Victor Hugo’s classic work of fiction—about a hunchback (voiced by Tom Hulce) who is shunned for his physical deformities, a brave Gypsy woman (Demi Moore) who befriends him and an intensely frightening villain (Tony Jay) with an evil agenda and a heart full of hate.

• Suitable for: ages 5+
• Run Time: 2 hours 23 minutes

Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke star in this classic musical about an irresistibly charming nanny with magic powers and a whole lot of good sense. Long, but never boring—Mary Poppins is a family-friendly winner.

• Suitable for: ages 6+
• Run Time: 1 hour 32 minutes

If you’re looking for cheap laughs, this 1970s comedy about a kid’s gold egg-laying pet duck and his particularly stupid, but well-meaning parents is a safe choice. The Million Dollar Duck is pretty far from high-quality entertainment—it is, however, an age-appropriate choice that will incite riotous laughter from kids who enjoy watching adults act silly. (Plus, the duck is pretty darn cute.)

• Suitable for: ages 4+
• Run Time: 1 hour 25 minutes

Another animated classic, Disney’s Robin Hood tells the story of the legendary outlaw who stole from the rich to feed the poor with charming animal characters, catchy tunes and a solid dose of comedy and romance. (It’s remarkably unscary, too.)

• Suitable for: ages 8+
• Run Time: 1 hour 38 minutes

A mother (Jamie Lee Curtis) and her teenage daughter (Lindsay Lohan) switch bodies for a day after being served a magic fortune cookie at the Chinese eatery where they had been overheard bickering. Needless to say, hilarity and quite a bit of awkwardness ensue…but will they emerge from the experience with a deeper understanding of one another? (We bet you can guess.)

• Suitable for: ages 3+
• Run Time: 1 hour 12 minutes

Everybody loves Pooh…and Tigger, too. Yep, this 1977 film features the familiar cast of lovable animal characters from A.A. Milne’s classic stories. We’re particularly fond of this one as a movie night pick for the pre-K crowd (and younger) —namely because it’s scare-free, 100 percent wholesome and has a low-key pace that’s unlikely to overstimulate little kids.

• Suitable for: ages 6+
• Run Time: 1 hour 24 minutes

Much like with Bambi, The Fox and the Hound revolves around themes of loss and friendship. There’s some violence, peril and sadness—all of which might be too intense for very young viewers—but the poignant storyline goes down easy, with some help from lighthearted humor and cute, hand-drawn animated characters.

• Suitable for: ages 11+
• Run Time: 1 hour 44 minutes

This comedy-drama about a disorganized hockey team and their inspiring coach (Emilio Estevez) boasts positive messages about teamwork and sportsmanship. That said, it’s best-suited to tween audiences, since there’s some mild adult language and humor.

• Suitable for: ages 5+
• Run Time: 1 hour 24 minutes

Lots of humor, sass and adventure is in store when you tune into this 90s charmer about a trio of real-life animals (voiced by Sally Field, Michael J. Fox and Don Ameche) who go on a long and intrepid trek to reunite with their out-of-town owners.

• Suitable for: ages 10+
• Run Time: 1 hour 36 minutes

This cult classic starring Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy as mischievous witch sisters is a Halloween favorite that’s pretty darn fun to watch any time you’re in the mood for something equal parts silly and spooky.

• Suitable for: ages 6+
• Run Time: 1 hour 19 minutes

Another Halloween flick with all-season potential—The Nightmare Before Christmas is a magical and whimsical animated feature that boasts Tim Burton’s signature gothic style and enchanting musical numbers, courtesy of Danny Elfman. This one is just what you’d expect from the aforementioned duo: A little creepy, very weird and totally cool.

• Suitable for: ages 6+
• Run Time: 1 hour 33 minutes

The Lion King is one of Disney’s greatest musical successes—so much so that it spawned a Tony Award-winning Broadway show. Needless to say, this one is well worth a watch, but parents should know that the sadness (parent loss) and moderate violence in the storyline might be too much for very young viewers.

• Suitable for: ages 5+
• Run Time: 1 hour 24 minutes

An all-star cast (Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Wallace Shawn and Don Rickles, to name a few) lend their voice talent to this story about toys that come to life. Energetic characters, clever dialogue and perfectly paced action put this animated feature at the top of the family movie night list.

• Suitable for: ages 7+
• Run Time: 1 hour 45 minutes

If there’s a gamer in the fam, Wreck-It Ralph is a particularly apropos movie night pick—namely because it tells the story of a video game villain who comes to life and chooses a different course. The games portrayed in this animated feature are quite realistic, so you can expect some video game violence, but the messages about identity and self-image dig much deeper.

• Suitable for: ages 9+
• Run Time: 1 hour 40 minutes

Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island is reworked into a fantastical sci-fi adventure in this truly imaginative and lesser-known Disney film. The content is best-suited for big kid and tween audiences—there’s plenty of peril and some key characters die—but slightly more mature viewers with an appreciation for great story-telling and spectacular animation will delight in this one.

• Suitable for: ages 13+
• Run Time: 2 hour 18 minutes

This superhero flick based on the Marvel Comics character follows T’Challa, the Black Panther and heir to the extremely powerful African kingdom of Wakanda, as he battles to defeat powerful enemies that threaten his country and his people. An empowering story with impressive special effects that also grapples with big themes like race and identity.

• Suitable for: ages 6+
• Run Time: 2 hours 9 minutes

Summer camp is full of surprises—particularly for long-lost twin sisters Annie and Hallie, who are unexpectedly reunited there, and try to do the same for their estranged birth parents. This one is funny, sweet and wholesome—but, for obvious reasons, might be a more complicated watch for children of divorced parents.

• Suitable for: ages 10+
• Run Time: 1 hour 54 minutes

Inspired by the true story of a recently integrated high school football team in 1971 Alexandria, Virginia, Remember the Titans has a seriously impressive cast (Denzel Washington, Ryan Gosling and Hayden Pannettiere, to name a few) and a dramatic storyline that’s sure to pave the way for meaningful family conversations about race and prejudice.

• Suitable for: ages 8+
• Run Time: 1 hour 40 minutes

Calling all academics: A scrawny linguist is the protagonist in this sweeping and beautifully animated, maritime adventure. The whole thing is certainly exhilarating to watch, but parents should know that the storyline features peril, guns and death in a way that’s reminiscent of wartime, so it’s best reserved for slightly older kids.

• Suitable for: ages 8+
• Run Time: 1 hour 56 minutes

Unpopular high school kid, Mia (Anne Hathaway), gets a more sophisticated version of the Clueless-style makeover once she discovers she’s actually a princess in a European kingdom. Yes, the whole premise feels a bit like tween-baiting—but at its core The Princess Diaries is actually a coming-of-age story that’s more substantive than superficial.

• Suitable for: ages 5+
• Run Time: 1 hour 32 minutes

Monsters Inc. is a cute, silly and (ironically) almost entirely scare-free feature that’s sure to charm little kids—mostly thanks to the comedic stylings and voice talent of John Goodman and Steve Buscemi. (The top-notch, muppet-like animation is icing on the cake.)

• Suitable for: ages 5+
• Run Time: 1 hour 39 minutes

Pixar’s offbeat animated film WALL-E—a touching robot love story that takes place on a post-apocalyptic Earth—has strong environmental messages, a thought-provoking storyline and a whole lot of heart.

• Suitable for: ages 5+
• Run Time: 1 hour 44 minutes

Andrew Stanton, Ellen Degeneres and William Dafoe star in this animated film about the bond between a father and son fish. There are positive messages aplenty—loyalty, love, perseverance, you name it—but there’s also lots of peril and a few fairly intense scares, so the pre-K crowd might need to wait a couple years on this one.

• Suitable for: ages 7+
• Run Time: 1 hour 56 minutes

The Parrs have hung up their superhero hats (or capes, as it were) and decided to settle into a peaceful suburban life, but when a disillusioned superhero wannabe turns evil, the clan must reclaim their superhero status and save the city. Fast-paced and full of (near constant) action, The Incredibles will keep viewers of all ages on the edge of their seats.

• Suitable for: ages 4+
• Run Time: 1 hour 41 minutes

If you think your kid would never sit through a black and white movie from the 50s, think again. The Shaggy Dog is slapstick comedic gold that will have viewers of all ages in stitches from start to finish.

• Suitable for: ages 7+
• Run Time: 1 hour 39 minutes

A child genius in an orphanage invents a memory machine to help him identify and find his birth mother—but after a rather confusing series of events, he ends up seeing into the future instead, where he’s living happily with a particularly quirky but loving family. In order to make it to the future, he must contend with a villain in the present. This brave orphan story is full of adventure and positive messages—and, yes, there’s a happy ending, too.

• Suitable for: ages 6+
• Run Time: 1 hour 51 minutes

A rat with an unusually sophisticated palate and a passion for cooking finds himself at home in a Michelin-star kitchen in Paris, where most everyone is more interested in exterminating him than discovering his natural culinary talent. The one exception is a kitchen helper named Linguini—and when the two pair up, they can make dreams come true. This one is highly entertaining to watch, but parents should know that there’s quite a bit of cartoon violence and the humor is often aimed more at adults.

• Suitable for: ages 7+
• Run Time: 1 hour 33 minutes

Rick Moranis stars as Wayne Szalinski, a nerdy inventor dad who accidentally and unknowingly shrinks his kids with his latest creation. The rest of the story unfolds from the perspective of the itty-bitty gang of teens and involves one peril after another—giant bugs, brooms, lawn mowers, you name it. It’s all quite silly and fun for audiences who are old enough not to take the premise too seriously; otherwise, it can be quite intense.

• Suitable for: ages 9+
• Run Time: 1 hour 36 minutes

This 2007 film is based on the beloved young adult novel by Katherine Paterson and it stays true to the book: A Narnia-like, fantasy kingdom provides a safe space for two teens to process death, family dysfunction, bullying and love. The themes are mature and the message on friendship is truly touching, so have some tissues ready.

• Suitable for: ages 4+
• Run Time: 1 hour 23 minutes

Lucy Liu, Jesse McCartney and Raven-Symoné lend their voices to the fairy crew in this easy-to-watch animated feature, in which Tinkerbell finally gets the top billing status she deserves. It’s wholesome and not too scary, but still not snoozy. In other words, this one was clearly made with the needs of little kids in mind.

• Suitable for: ages 6+
• Run Time: 1 hour 36 minutes

An elderly and quite crotchety widower ascends into the sky, house and all, with help from a bunch of balloons. Alas, there’s an unwanted boy scout on board and a whole lot of adventure ahead. This quirky Pixar flick is a whimsical and poignant story of loss, healing and friendship that viewers of all ages can enjoy.

• Suitable for: ages 11+
• Run Time: 2 hours 15 minutes

Grab a comic book-loving tween and step into the Marvel Cinematic Universe with this action-packed superhero origin story, which features lots of violent combat and a dose of comedy for good measure.

• Suitable for: ages 8+
• Run Time: 1 hour 47 minutes

There are coming-of-age movies and there are ‘OMG, I just came of age’ movies. Turning Red is a pioneer of the latter category in that it deals with menstruation in a way that’s far more kid-friendly than, say, Carrie. Beyond the girl-becomes-panda puberty angle, though, there’s a really tender story about family relationships and enough relatable content to fuel many fireside chats with tween and teen viewers.

• Suitable for: ages 4+
• Run Time: 1 hour 46 minutes

No list of Disney movies would be complete without Frozen—the animated feature turned cultural phenomenon that you could only have missed if you were living under a rock. If your own child has not yet been introduced to Elsa, Anna, Olaf and the rest of the charismatic crew, just know that you’re in store for a dramatic adventure, featuring strong female characters, plenty of wit and positive messages about loyalty, friendship and emotional openness.

• Suitable for: ages 7+
• Run Time: 1 hour 35 minutes

Another animated film with a strong female protagonist, Brave is a princess story that takes place in Scotland and revolves around a mother-daughter relationship. Compared to others in its genre, this one is relatively scary (think: violent bear fights and brawling men with weapons). That said, it’s totally gripping and sure to tug on the heart strings, too.

• Suitable for: ages 12+
• Run Time: 2 hours 43 minutes

Marvel fans will be right at home watching this one—a Black and women-led sequel to the wildly popular Black Panther movie. Expect similar amounts (i.e., a lot) of violence and non-stop action that will keep teens and adults engaged from beginning to end.

• Suitable for: ages 9+
• Run Time: 1 hour 38 minutes

This classic boasts vaudeville-style humor ( à la Mel Brooks), sweeping romance, exhilarating adventure and an all-star cast that includes Robin Wright, Cary Elwes, Mandy Patinkin, Wallace Shawn and Fred Savage (to name a few). Parents should know that this winning flick is somewhat mature and likely too scary for the youngest viewers, but well worth a watch with tweens and teens. Let’s just say it puts other rom-coms to shame.