On this long holiday weekend, you might find yourself looking for a little binge-worthy entertainment. Who could blame you? When faced with the prospect of crowds, heat, and humidity, the wisest choice is sometimes just parking yourself in front of the TV for a couple days. And sometimes? Sometimes you just want to watch a great Disney film.
Disney’s own streaming service is reported to be coming in late 2019, and the details of that service are anything but clear. So how many of the classic films from Disney’s catalog will remain on other streaming sites, such as Netflix, is still up in the air.
But for now, these are your best bets (in no particular order) for classic Disney animation that can be found on the most popular streaming services. Do note that this list is by no means exhaustive; there’s plenty more animated Disney on Netflix and Hulu. And we also haven’t included live-action, Marvel, or Star Wars films that are available to stream.
Moana (Netflix)
The story of Moana and Maui, coupled with Lin-Manuel Miranda’s catchy songs, seems tailor-made for lazy holiday weekends like this. Shiny!
Mulan (Netflix)
Come on, you know it’s one of the best Disney films ever – historical accuracy aside. And you can never watch it enough. Ming-Na Wen will always be my warrior princess.
Finding Dory (Netflix)
Though it might not have quite as much charm – or be as much of a tearjerker as the original (which I maintain is one of the best films about fatherhood ever made) — this 2016 sequel still surpassed expectations and was a phenomenally told story about loss and finding yourself.
Lilo & Stitch (Hulu)
“This is my family. I found it all on my own. It’s little and broken, but still good.” Hands down, this is the best Disney film about the meaning and importance of family. And there’s never a bad time to remember that’s what Ohana means.
Short Films Collection (Netflix)
Some of the best Disney films aren’t features at all. And this collection gathers together 12 of the very best, including Feast, Get a Horse!, Paperman, and John Henry.
Mickey and the Beanstalk (Netflix)
This 1947 short was originally released theatrically with Fun and Fancy Free and is an adorable retelling of the Jack and the Beanstalk fairy tale with Mickey Mouse. Hidden with this one on Netflix are a few other classic Mickey shorts, including Gulliver Mickey and The Brave Little Tailor – “I killed seven with one blow!”
The Prince and the Pauper (Netflix)
Another great Mickey Mouse short from 1990 that retells the Mark Twain story of the same name. Starring twin Mickeys!
Hercules (Netflix)
This 1997 film is one of Disney’s underappreciated gems. Once you get past Hercules’s ridiculous chin curl, you’ll find great songs, a fun story, and a fantastic villain (for several reasons). Plus, the five stunning gospel-singing muses steal the show with their “Greek chorus” narration.
Cars 3 (Netflix)
Cruz Ramirez. Need I say more? Oh, it also has almost no Mater. Though not quite as charming as the original, it’s vastly better than its immediate predecessor, and Cars 3 managed to find a heart we forgot the franchise had.
Fantasia 2000 (Hulu)
Certainly not as ambitious or groundbreaking as Walt Disney’s 1940 original, this update is still remarkable on its own terms. Worth it for the “Rhapsody in Blue” and “The Carnival of the Animals” segments alone, both directed by legendary Disney animator Eric Goldberg.
What streaming Disney classic is your favorite? Tell us in comments.
Images: Disney
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