Best Disney+ movies and series for families – and for parents (when your kids are in bed)
Disney+ is packed with screen treats for the whole family. Here’s a handy round-up of all the best it has to offer you this summer
Looking for plenty of brilliant movies and series to help keep you and the kids entertained this summer? We’ve picked a selection of unmissable favourites you can watch on Disney+, whether you’re after fun movies for the kids or something you can unwind to once you’ve put them to bed. Not only that; we’ve also included age suitability and key reasons to watch.
At £7.99 a month – or a cut-price £79.90 for the entire year – a subscription to Disney+ offers unbelievable entertainment, at an unbelievable price.
Encanto
Age suitability: From 6 years
In a nutshell: Encanto tells the tale of The Madrigals, an extraordinary family living in a magical house in the Colombian mountains.
Why it’s a must-watch:
This heart-warming movie will have the whole family smiling. Nominated for three Golden Globes, it’s been praised for its relatability and exploration of transgenerational trauma and how to heal it. Encanto also has a great soundtrack that you can’t help but sing along to.
Raya and the Last Dragon
Age suitability: From 6 years
In a nutshell: Long ago, when an evil force threatened Kumandra, the dragons sacrificed themselves to save humanity. Now, 500 years later, that same evil has returned and it’s up to a lone warrior, Raya, to track down the legendary last dragon.
Why it’s a must-watch: You can completely lose yourself in Raya’s epic adventure and her stunningly intricate and immersive world. But ultimately, it’s the important messages about trust, forgiveness and unity that form the heart of this moving movie.
Moana
Age suitability: From 6 years
In a nutshell: Moana sets sail on a daring mission to save her people. Along the way she meets the mighty demigod Maui – together they cross the ocean on a fun-filled, action-packed voyage.
Why it’s a must-watch: Courageous, independent and smart, Moana is one of the most refreshing Disney heroes you’ll meet, as she proves she’s brilliantly capable of pursuing her goals by herself. Not only is this movie deeply moving, but the soundtrack is also exceptional.
Lightyear
Age suitability: From 6 years
In a nutshell: The definitive origin story of Buzz Lightyear, the legendary space ranger who inspired the toy.
Why it’s a must-watch: With its dazzling visuals and impressive cast, which includes Chris Evans (Captain America), Taiki Waititi (Thor: Love and Thunder) and James Brolin (Catch Me If You Can), this is the perfect family movie, with action scenes that aren’t too scary for younger viewers. Sox, Buzz’s trusty robo-cat, will also have everyone laughing!
Luca
Age suitability: From 6 years
In a nutshell: Set in a seaside town on the Italian Riviera, Luca is coming-of-age story about a young boy experiencing an unforgettable summer.
Why it’s a must-watch: Filled with gelato, pasta and scooter rides, Luca provides a nice bit of escapism, while on a deeper level it’s also a lovely story about the importance of friendship. The cast includes Maya Rudolph (Bridesmaids) and Sacha Baron Cohen (Ali G).
Start streaming now for just £7.99 a month or with an annual subscription at £79.90 a year!
Turning Red
Age suitability: From 9 years
In a nutshell: Introducing Mei Lee, a confident, dorky 13-year-old torn between staying her mother’s dutiful daughter and the chaos of adolescence – plus, whenever she gets excited, she turns into a giant red panda!
Why it’s a must-watch: This movie is full of positive messages and role models for kids and even offers some important lessons about parenthood. It’s also a great conversation starter for kids who are about to enter adolescence.
Ms Marvel
Age suitability: From 12 years
In a nutshell: An original series from Marvel Studios that introduces Kamala Khan, a Muslim American teenager growing up in Jersey City.
Why it’s a must-watch: This may not be Marvel’s first coming-of-age-story, but it’s definitely the most unique. Yes, it has the action sequences and run-ins with galactic forces you’d expect, but the story lies more within Kamala’s personal struggles than it does her cosmic powers. Essentially, it’s a touching story about a Muslim-American girl searching to find her own identity.
Obi-Wan Kenobi
Age suitability: From 12 years
In a nutshell: During the reign of the Empire, Obi-Wan Kenobi embarks on a crucial mission.
Why it’s a must-watch: Ewan McGregor and Hayden Christensen return with outstanding performances as Obi-Wan and Darth Vader respectively. Plus, Star Wars fans will love how the series offers a deeper understanding of the tragic fall of Anakin Skywalker, along with an insight into the childhoods of both Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia.
Modern Family, Seasons 1-9
Age suitability: From 12 years
In a nutshell: A comedy series that views three different households, from the same family, through the lens of a documentary filmmaker and his crew.
Why it’s a must-watch: This long-running award-winning comedy series has masses of humour and heart in equal measure. Plus, it’s perfect if you’re looking for something chunky to blitz, as there are 9 seasons of this classic feel-good series to get your teeth into.
Disney+ offers multiple parental control features, so you can rest easy about what your children are watching. For instance, you can set content ratings for each of your children’s profiles. Once set, series and movies rated higher than the profile’s content rating won’t be shown when browsing or searching the platform. Simply head to the Profile page, then select Edit. Select your chosen profile, then under Parental Controls, select Content Rating. Enter your password, choose the content rating you’d like to set and save. Easy!
If you set up a Kid’s Profile, you’ll get an easy-to-navigate interface that will only ever feature content that’s suitable for young viewers. You can also enable the Kid-Proof Exit feature to ensure young viewers can’t select other profiles without completing an exit challenge. You could also set up or manage a 4-digit PIN for each profile. To do this, select your chosen profile following the steps previously mentioned, then choose Profile PIN under Parental Controls.
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
Age suitability: From 14 years
In a nutshell: Journey into the unknown with Doctor Strange, who, with the help of mystical allies both old and new, traverses the Multiverse to confront a mysterious new adversary.
Why it’s a must-watch: If you’re looking for something to watch with older kids and you aren’t put out by a little gore, then you’ll love this movie. It’s one of Marvel’s darker productions, but it’s sprinkled with some laugh-out-loud humour and a fantastic cast that includes Benedict Cumberbatch who, of course, reprises his role as Doctor Strange himself, as well as Elizabeth Olsen (WandaVision) and Chiwetel Ejiofor (12 Years a Slave).
She-Hulk: Attorney at Law (Streaming 18 August)
Age suitability: From 14 years
In a nutshell: A new comedy series about a lawyer who specialises in superhuman-oriented legal cases.
Why it’s a must-watch: The next exciting instalment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, this new series is the perfect mix of action and comedy. Jennifer Walters’ life is turned upside down when she becomes She-Hulk, a 6’7 green superhuman, largely thanks to her cousin – the Hulk himself (Mark Ruffalo).
Only Murders in the Building, Season 2
Age suitability: From 16 years
In a nutshell: An unlikely trio of true crime-obsessives once again find themselves caught up in solving a murder in their apartment building in New York.
Why it’s a must-watch: Who doesn’t love a good ol’ whodunnit? Especially one that includes such a fabulous ensemble cast, in this case Steve Martin, Martin Short and Selena Gomez. It’s worth watching for the hilarious banter between the cast alone!
Fire Island
Age suitability: From 16 years
In a nutshell: An unapologetic, modern-day rom-com showcasing a diverse, multicultural examination of queerness and romance.
Why it’s a must-watch: If you’re after feel-good viewing, this is it. Echoing the story of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice but with a super-modern, queer twist, this is an intelligently written and highly entertaining movie that will definitely get you in the mood for summer.
Prey
Age suitability: From 16 years
In a nutshell: Set in the Comanche Nation 300 years ago, this is the story of Naru, a fierce and highly skilled warrior who sets out to protect her people from an alien predator.
Why it’s a must-watch: If you’re a fan of the Predator franchise or even just love a good combination of action and sci-fi, then you’ll love this prequel. What’s more, it’s packed with plenty of impressive real effects, just like the original.
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