10 Best Pixar and Disney Animated Movies on Disney+ for Family Movie Night

Disney+ is home to nearly the entire Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios library, which makes it the go-to service for family movie night in the US. With so many classics in one place, the challenge is choosing. We picked the best animated movies on Disney+, ten films that delight kids and genuinely move adults, with notes on ratings, runtimes and the right age to start.

All films below were listed on Disney+ in the US at the time of writing, according to TMDB and JustWatch data. Disney's own films rarely leave the service, but always check the Where to Watch box on each title page.

Pixar vs. Walt Disney Animation: what's the difference?

Both studios are owned by Disney, but they are separate. Walt Disney Animation Studios made the classic fairy tales, from Snow White to The Lion King and Frozen. Pixar Animation Studios pioneered computer animation with Toy Story in 1995 and became famous for original stories that layer humor with deep emotion. Disney acquired Pixar in 2006. The official Pixar website lists the studio's full filmography.

The 10 best animated movies on Disney+

1. Toy Story (1995)

Studio: Pixar · Director: John Lasseter · Rated: G · Runtime: 1 h 21 min

The first fully computer-animated feature film introduced Woody, Buzz Lightyear and the toys who come to life when no one is watching. Toy Story still holds up thanks to its sharp script and timeless buddy-comedy dynamic. The sequels, especially Toy Story 3, are also on Disney+.

2. The Lion King (1994)

Studio: Walt Disney Animation · Directors: Roger Allers, Rob Minkoff · Rated: G · Runtime: 1 h 29 min

Young lion Simba must reclaim his place as king after a family tragedy. With songs by Elton John and Tim Rice and a score by Hans Zimmer, it is the high point of Disney's 1990s renaissance and TMDB's highest-rated film on this list at 8.3/10. One early scene can upset young children, so be ready to talk about it.

3. Finding Nemo (2003)

Studio: Pixar · Director: Andrew Stanton · Rated: G · Runtime: 1 h 40 min

An overprotective clownfish crosses the ocean to find his son, helped by the forgetful, irrepressible Dory. Funny, gorgeous and about letting kids grow up, it won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.

4. The Incredibles (2004)

Studio: Pixar · Director: Brad Bird · Rated: PG · Runtime: 1 h 55 min

A family of superheroes forced into suburban hiding returns to action. Part spy movie, part family comedy, it is the best superhero film for families and works brilliantly for parents who love action.

5. Ratatouille (2007)

Studio: Pixar · Director: Brad Bird · Rated: G · Runtime: 1 h 51 min

Remy, a rat with a gift for cooking, teams up with a hapless kitchen worker in a Paris restaurant. A celebration of creativity and food, it ends with one of the finest speeches about criticism ever written for an animated film.

6. WALL·E (2008)

Studio: Pixar · Director: Andrew Stanton · Rated: G · Runtime: 1 h 38 min

A lonely trash-compacting robot on an abandoned Earth falls in love with a sleek probe named EVE. Its first half-hour has almost no dialogue, and it is pure visual storytelling. WALL·E is a romance, a comedy and an environmental fable at once.

7. Up (2009)

Studio: Pixar · Director: Pete Docter · Rated: PG · Runtime: 1 h 36 min

A grieving widower ties thousands of balloons to his house and floats toward South America, with an eager young Wilderness Explorer accidentally along for the ride. Up opens with a famously moving wordless sequence. It was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture, a rare honor for an animated film.

8. Inside Out (2015)

Studio: Pixar · Director: Pete Docter · Rated: PG · Runtime: 1 h 35 min

Inside the mind of 11-year-old Riley, five emotions, Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear and Disgust, struggle to guide her through a difficult move. Inside Out gives kids language for their feelings and gives parents a good cry. Its 2024 sequel, Inside Out 2, introduces new emotions, including Anxiety.

9. Zootopia (2016)

Studio: Walt Disney Animation · Directors: Byron Howard, Rich Moore · Rated: PG · Runtime: 1 h 49 min

Rookie bunny cop Judy Hopps teams up with a con-artist fox to crack a conspiracy in a city of animals. A sharp buddy-cop comedy with a thoughtful message about prejudice, it won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.

10. Coco (2017)

Studio: Pixar · Director: Lee Unkrich · Rated: PG · Runtime: 1 h 45 min

Aspiring musician Miguel crosses into the Land of the Dead during Día de los Muertos to uncover his family's history. Vibrant, musical and deeply moving, Coco won Academy Awards for Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song ("Remember Me"). It is the perfect pick for late October and early November.

Quick guide by age

Every child is different. Use the official rating and the trailer on each title page to judge. Our explainer on G, PG and PG-13 ratings explains what the labels mean.

Honorable mentions

Monsters, Inc., Frozen, Big Hero 6 and Toy Story 3 are also on Disney+ and could easily make this list. The Nightmare Before Christmas and Home Alone, featured in our Christmas movie guide, are on Disney+ as well. Home Alone is live action, but it is a family favorite.

Making the most of Disney+

• Use Kids profiles to limit content by rating.
• Download films for road trips and flights on supported plans.
• Check what's new on the official Disney+ website, which lists plans and upcoming arrivals.
• Browse by studio: Disney+ groups Pixar, Disney, Marvel, Star Wars and National Geographic into separate hubs on its home screen.

Explore our Animation and Family pages, or the Disney+ platform page, for more titles with trailers. If you are deciding whether Disney+ fits your household, our guide to choosing a streaming service can help.