Planning a Disney movie marathon but I’m overwhelmed by all the options. I want help narrowing it down to the best Disney films, both classics and newer ones. Any suggestions or favorites you think I shouldn’t miss would be really helpful.
My Comfort Disney Flicks: Must-Watch Picks for Your Next Movie Night
Alright, so here’s the deal—whenever life feels like a hot mess (read: way too often), I always wind up crawling back to my tried-and-true Disney comfort films. Some are oldies, some are those “I-only-came-for-the-memes” newbies, but every single one guarantees a little serotonin boost. Check out my go-to list:
That Timeless Lion Business
You can shout “Hakuna Matata” all you want, but until you’ve watched The Lion King (1994) with actual surround sound, you haven’t lived. Forget nostalgia goggles—the stampede scene still makes my pizza pause mid-bite, and “Circle of Life” gets everyone in the room trying to hit those high notes (and failing, but with feeling). Hands down, it’s peak cartoon drama.
The Icy Earworm Initiator
Alright, judge me all you want, but Frozen (2013) wasn’t something I planned to fall for. Plot twist: I ended up humming “Let It Go” in the shower for like, three years. Also, real talk, the art is drop-dead gorgeous and Anna-Elsa sibling vibes are kind of relatable if you’ve ever had to share snacks… or a bathroom… or an existential crisis.
Fish Tales With Big Feels
So, yeah, technically, Finding Nemo (2003) is Pixar. Whatever, it’s living on my Disney shrine. If Dory isn’t your spirit animal, you’re lying. This movie is 90 minutes of beautifully rendered underwater chaos and father-son feels. I defy you not to choke up when Marlin finally hugs Nemo at the end (bonus if your dad tears up too, no shame).
Family Drama With a Sprinkle of Magic Realism
Encanto (2021) is basically a telenovela threw a rave and Disney animated it. The colors are so bright you might want sunglasses, the songs will embed themselves deep in your mind (I accept my fate re: “We Don’t Talk About Bruno”). Every time I watch, I notice some new hilarious Abuela facial expression or detail in the background. 13/10 for dopamine vibes.
Tech Side-Note: What I Use to Watch
Lots of people overcomplicate what to watch movies with on a Mac. Been there. Tried a bunch of media players that crashed faster than Olaf in a sauna. Finally stuck with Elmedia Player—hasn’t choked on a file type yet, and I can beam flicks straight to my living room TV hassle-free. Everything just works, which is saying something in 2024.
So, spill: What Disney movie do you put on when you need a solid mood rescue? I’m always down for more recommendations (bonus points for underrated picks!).
2 Likes
You know, @mikeappsreviewer hit the nail on the head with those classic picks, but I’m gonna throw a little variety into this marathon mix. Like yeah, you have to have The Lion King and Finding Nemo—science probably backs that up somewhere—but if you’re after the real Disney emotional rollercoaster, you gotta go for Beauty and the Beast (OG ‘91, not the kinda-creepy Emma Watson one). That ballroom scene is undefeated, and Lumière basically invented “hospitality.”
Don’t sleep on Moana either. The songs are killer (“You’re Welcome” will 100% get stuck in your head, not sorry), the visuals are GORGEOUS, and the grandma scenes will mess you up emotionally, fair warning. If you want a weirder rec: The Emperor’s New Groove. It’s chaos, it’s meme gold, and honestly, Kronk deserves his own trilogy.
For older throwbacks no one ever seems to mention: Robin Hood (1973). Fox Robin Hood is a chaotic bisexual icon, and the songs are criminally catchy. If you want that Disney tearjerker moment but hate obvious choices like Bambi, watch Big Hero 6. Baymax is mood support in a marshmallow suit.
TLDR: My don’t-miss list:
- The Lion King (duh)
- Beauty and the Beast
- Moana
- The Emperor’s New Groove
- Robin Hood
- Big Hero 6
- Encanto (yeah, okay, that one’s essential)
Just skip the Cars franchise unless you like suffering. So what’s YOUR longest ugly cry during a Disney flick?
Alright, picking “top Disney movies” is basically like herding cats—everyone’s got their obsessions and you’d need a whole week to get through all the faves people just have to mention. I get where @mikeappsreviewer and @mike34 are coming from—The Lion King is non-negotiable (yes, I WILL ugly cry every time Mufasa dies and I won’t apologize). But honestly, Frozen is overhyped fight me if you want. I’d say Tangled deserves more love in any marathon: killer soundtrack, snappier humor, and a heroine who actually self-reflects occasionally. Flynn Rider’s sass game = unbeatable.
Nobody is talking about Aladdin (‘92)?? Ugh, Robin Williams’s Genie is Disney’s actual comedic peak. The carpet ride scene is what romance is all about, don’t let anyone tell you different. If you want something doofy and meme-worthy (besides Emperor’s New Groove, which is chef’s kiss), throw in Hercules. The muses alone are worth the watch and Meg’s “I won’t say I’m in love” is Disney’s biggest bop.
And sorry, but Encanto’s non-stop colors give me a headache after the third viewing. Give me the calm vibes of Winnie the Pooh: The Many Adventures (just trust me—this one is made for mid-marathon downtime and snacks).
To TL;DR for your queue:
- The Lion King
- Aladdin (OG please)
- Tangled
- Moana (yes, go ahead)
- Hercules
- Emperor’s New Groove
- Winnie the Pooh (you’ll thank me, I swear)
Skip Frozen unless you’re specifically looking to annoy anyone old enough to remember a pre-Let It Go world. And DON’T do a Cars run unless you secretly hate yourself. Now I wanna know, who else thinks Treasure Planet is the biggest unsung hero??
Alright, here’s what I’d throw into the ring for a Disney marathon playlist, especially if you feel like classics vs new stuff is overwhelming you: go for a vibe balance. Lotta shouts for The Lion King and Aladdin (hard to beat Robin Williams, absolutely agree there). But seriously, any lineup that skips over Mulan (Eddie Murphy dragon banter + Joan of Arc vibes, c’mon!) is missing out. Also, Moana has the best “I’m finding my path” journey since Simba hit the savannah—plus the ocean is basically a bonus character.
If you want something seriously underrated, toss in The Great Mouse Detective—Victorian mouse world, plus Vincent Price hamming it up as an evil rat. And for chill interludes, nobody mentioned The Princess and the Frog enough: killer jazz soundtrack, villain you actually remember, and food scenes that make you pause for snacks. Pro tip: stagger the heavy hitters (emotional rollercoasters like Coco or Up) between goofier movies like Emperor’s New Groove (honestly, how many memes can one movie deliver?) so you don’t end up having sobbed your mascara off by hour three.
Wishlist for future marathons: a “shuffle Disney villain entrances” mode, because let’s be real, that’s the main event. Your move, Disney+.