Just because you're diving into the warm, fluffy nostalgia trip that is Disney+ doesn't mean you can't add a little prestige to your night. Thanks to Disney's long-established dominance, the streaming service has no shortage of impressive Oscar winners, dating all the way back to the 1930s. (That would be Flowers and Trees, Best Animated Short winner of 1932). We've whittled down the list to bring you the very best, which you can scroll through below.
In the mood for something a little different? Check out the best comedies, action movies, or hidden gems on the platform, or browse the best movies on Disney+ across all genres.
Editor's note: This list was updated April 2023 to include Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
Coco (2017)
Run Time: 1 hr 45 min | Genre: Animated Fantasy | Director: Lee Unkrich
Cast: Anthony Gonzalez, Gael García Bernal, Benjamin Bratt, Alanna Ubach, Renée Victor, Ana Ofelia Murguía, Edward James Olmos
Oscars Won: Best Animated Feature Film of the Year, Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures (Original Song)
Coco is the kind of film that has the ability to connect with almost any viewer, no matter who they are or where they come from. Emotional and dazzling, Coco delights with beautiful animation and color, as well as a profound and beautiful score; main character Miguel (Anthony Gonzalez) is as endearing as he is talented, and his journey to not only understand his family history, but also the passion that lies within him, is one that almost everyone can relate to. This is a classic coming of age story given a level of detail and care very rarely seen; the attention and respect given to the main characters’ culture and history breathes life into an already vivacious story, and the twists and turns that the viewers are privy to create a wonderful and heart-wrenching ride. - Olivia Fitzpatrick
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022)
Run Time: 2 hrs 41 min | Director: Ryan Coogler
Cast: Letitia Wright, Lupita Nyong'o, Danai Gurira, Angela Bassett, Tenoch Huerta
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is a stunning and heartfelt tribute to the late star of Black Panther, Chadwick Boseman. Stars Letitia Wright, Lupita Nyong'o, and Danai Gurira, as well as Oscar nominee Angela Bassett, return for the second film in the franchise. The film explores how the fictional country of Wakanda protects itself from intervening world powers — particularly the new threat from the water: Namor (Tenoch Huerta). Uniquely tackling the devastating loss of its star, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever allows writer/director Ryan Coogler to infuse Black Panther’s next chapter with grief, resilience, and new hope. – Yael Tygiel
Tarzan (1999)
Run Time: 1 hr 28 min | Genre: Animated Adventure Musical | Director: Chris Buck, Kevin Lima
Cast: Tony Goldwyn, Minnie Driver, Brian Blessed, Glenn Close
Oscars Won: Best Original Song
Based on Edgar Rice Burroughs’ Tarzan of the Apes, Tarzan serves as the first animated adaptation of the story. Directed by Chris Buck and Kevin Lima, Tarzan features the voice of Tony Goldwyn in the titular role. Set in the 1880s, Tarzan is the story of an English man who was raised in the African jungle by gorillas after his parents were killed. Co-starring icons Minnie Driver and Glenn Close, Tarzan was praised for its cast and intricately detailed animation. With a universal message and themes of blood-related family versus chosen family, as well as finding one’s place in the world and belonging, the story of Tarzan continues to be shared with all generations. – Yael Tygiel
Brave (2012)
Run Time: 1 hr 33 min | Genre: Animated Fantasy | Director: Mark Andrews, Brenda Chapman, Steve Purcell
Cast: Kelly Macdonald, Billy Connolly, Emma Thompson
Oscars Won: Best Animated Feature
Brave is a delightfully relatable animated film for women of all ages. Highlighted by a Scottish cast of voices, including Kelly Macdonald (Boardwalk Empire), Billy Connolly, Kevin McKidd, and Craig Ferguson (How to Train Your Dragon), Brave reveals a tale of magic, courage, and perseverance. Introducing audiences to a new Disney princess, Merida (Macdonald) is a headstrong young woman who intends to prove her worth and strength, defying the traditional structures imposed upon her. After a wish goes awry, Merida is forced to face her fears and confront her mistakes to save her family and her kingdom. – Yael Tygiel
Cruella (2021)
Run Time: 2 hrs 14 min | Genre: Crime Comedy Family | Director: Craig Gillespie
Cast: Emma Stone, Emma Thompson, Joel Fry
Oscars Won: Best Costume Design
Cruella is the untold prequel chronicling the beginnings of 101 Dalmatians villain Cruella DeVil. Starring Emma Stone and Emma Thompson, Cruella is a visually stunning cinematic story that follows an aspiring fashion designer and the lengths to which she’ll go to achieve her dreams while also seeking revenge for her mother’s murder. Director Craig Gillespie brings to life the bold new origin tale, capturing the 1970s London punk movement and emphasizing the daring colors and fashion of that particular period. With two prodigious actresses at the forefront, Cruella glorifies Stone and Thompson in their element. – Yael Tygiel
Encanto (2021)
Run Time: 1 hr 49 min | Genre: Animated Musical Fantasy | Director: Jared Bush, Byron Howard
Cast: Stephanie Beatriz, María Cecilia Botero, John Leguizamo, Wilmer Valderrama, Jessica Darrow
Oscars Won: Best Animated Feature
Set in Colombia, the Oscar-winning Encanto tells the story of Mirabel (Stephanie Beatriz) and her magical family, the Madrigals. When the magic that’s blessed her family starts to fade away, it’s up to Mirabel to save the family miracle. With all of its catchy music, courtesy of Lin-Manuel Miranda, and beautiful animation, Encanto also explores family dynamics, generational trauma, and the crushing weight of anxiety. Though Mirabel is the only one in her family without a special power, she discovers that her superpower is bringing her family together through healing and understanding. So yes, we do talk about Bruno! - Meredith Loftus
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (2006)
Run Time: 2 h 31 min | Genre: Fantasy Swashbuckler | Director: Gore Verbinski
Cast: Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom, Keira Knightley, Bill Nighy, Jack Davenport, Tom Hollander, Stellan Skarsgård, Kevin McNally, and Jonathan Pryce
Oscars Won: Best Visual Effects
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest is the sequel to Disney’s ambitious live-action adaptation of their ever-popular Walt Disney World and Disneyland ride by the same name. Following the events of the first film, Dead Man’s Chest opens on Will Turner (Orlando Bloom) and Elizabeth Swann’s (Keira Knightley) ill-fated wedding day, as Lord Cutler Beckett (Tom Hollander) arrives with arrest warrants for the nearly-wedded couple and their compatriot Jack Norrington (Jack Davenport) who allowed Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) to escape capture.
From there, things get pretty daunting as the trio reunites with Sparrow and finds themselves caught in the path of the legendary pirate Davy Jones (Bill Nighy) of The Flying Dutchman. While the plot of the film is as equally heavy as the first, there are moments of levity, such as the iconic “I’ve got a jar of dirt” scene that has been memed and remixed for years now. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest is undoubtedly the best out of the franchise, particularly in the visual effects department which is exactly why it won an Oscar. — Maggie Lovitt
Star Wars: A New Hope (1977)
Run Time: 2 hr 1 min | Genre: Epic Space Opera | Director: George Lucas
Cast: Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Harrison Ford, Peter Cushing, Alec Guinness, Anthony Daniels, Kenny Baker
Oscars Won: Best Art Direction-Set Decoration, Best Costume Design, Best Sound, Best Film Editing, Best Effects, Visual Effects, Best Music, and Original Score
Star Wars: A New Hope was the start of a vast and wonderful universe, where people and creatures of all kinds could make their mark. Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, and Harrison Ford remain iconic for their roles, setting a standard for Star Wars’ future leads and bringing to life a galaxy that few could have imagined prior. While the story itself is classic at this point, the art and creativity that went into making the movie feel truly real and believable remain some of the most masterfully done in film history; even as time continues forward and technology advances, the rush of adrenaline when that first star ship appears on screen can rarely be overstated. Even now, years later, the practical effects and costume design only add to this movie’s appeal. — Olivia Fitzpatrick
The Sound of Music (1965)
Run Time: 2 hr 54 min | Genre: Musical | Director: Robert Wise
Cast: Julie Andrews, Christopher Plummer, Richard Haydn, Peggy Wood, Charmian Carr, Eleanor Parker
Oscars Won: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Film Editing, Best Film Score, and Best Sound
The hills are alive with the sound of music! The Sound of Music is the 1965 Oscar-winning musical about love and music in a time of war. Maria (Julie Andrews), a carefree nun, gets more than she bargains for when she’s sent off from the abbey to become a governess to a retired naval captain’s seven children. She wins over the children through the power of music, and in the process, she and Captain Von Trapp (Christopher Plummer) fall in love. Set at the onset of the Nazi invasion of Austria, the family learns how to love again and how to survive after leaving their home. Directed by Robert Wise, this movie musical will charm you with its infectious songs yet ground you with its serious themes of choosing between complicity versus standing for what’s right. — Meredith Loftus
Up (2009)
Run Time: 1 hr 36 min | Genre: Animated Comedy-Drama Adventure | Director: Pete Docter, Bob Peterson
Cast: Ed Asner, Jordan Nagai, Christopher Plummer, John Ratzenberger, Delroy Lindo
Oscars Won: Best Animated Feature, Best Original Score
There’s nowhere to go but up (literally) for 78-year-old Carl Fredericksen (Ed Asner), a retired balloon salesman whose inner adventurer is shrouded by his curmudgeonly demeanor and reclusive lifestyle. Knowing that he isn’t getting any younger, Carl decides to fulfill his childhood dream of visiting Paradise Falls by tying thousands of balloons to his home in the hopes of whisking away. What he doesn’t realize is that Russell (Jordan Nagai), the wide-eyed 8-year-old Wilderness Explorer looking to fulfill his badge requirements that Carl shooed away, is in fact still on his front porch…also airborne. The Oscar-winning film Up puts these two on an unplanned and emotional adventure fueled by reflection, retrospection, and friendship. Pack your tissues! — Emily Bernard