Disney+ Movies You Are Sleeping On (But Shouldn’t)

There is a deep bench of films on Disney+ that quietly deliver strong stories, memorable performances, and polished craft. Many arrived with little fanfare as streaming premieres while others were theatrical titles that found a second life once they landed in the library. The service pulls from Walt Disney Pictures, 20th Century Studios, Searchlight, Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm, and National Geographic Documentary Films, which means the range runs from intimate dramas to large scale adventures.

If you are browsing and wondering what to put on next, this list keeps things simple. Each entry notes the essentials like who made it, when it came out, and what it is about. You will also see gentle cues to the original distributor where it helps place the title in context, whether that is Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures for a theatrical run or Disney+ itself for a straight to streaming debut.

‘Queen of Katwe’ (2016)

This biographical drama follows Ugandan chess prodigy Phiona Mutesi and her coach Robert Katende, directed by Mira Nair and starring Madina Nalwanga, David Oyelowo, and Lupita Nyong’o. The film was produced by Walt Disney Pictures and shot in Kampala and Johannesburg with a score by Alex Heffes.

It opened in select theaters before expanding wider under Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures and later arrived on Disney+. The story is based on a nonfiction book by Tim Crothers and covers Phiona’s path from finding the game at a community program to competing at international tournaments.

‘Togo’ (2019)

Set during the 1925 serum run to Nome, this adventure stars Willem Dafoe as musher Leonhard Seppala and centers on the lead sled dog Togo. Ericson Core directed and Tom Flynn wrote the screenplay, with principal photography in Alberta to capture winter conditions.

The film premiered directly on Disney+ as a Walt Disney Pictures release. It draws on Seppala’s accounts and historical records to show the longer and more dangerous leg of the relay that his team completed across the Norton Sound.

‘The One and Only Ivan’ (2020)

Based on the novel by Katherine Applegate, this family feature blends live action and CG to tell the story of a silverback gorilla who performs at a mall circus. The cast includes Sam Rockwell as the voice of Ivan and Bryan Cranston on screen, with Thea Sharrock directing.

Originally slated for theaters, it shifted to a Disney+ premiere handled by Disney Platform Distribution. The production used performance capture for animal characters and features original artwork inspired by the real Ivan, who lived at Zoo Atlanta.

‘Timmy Failure: Mistakes Were Made’ (2020)

This adaptation of Stephan Pastis’s books follows a Portland grade schooler who runs a detective agency with a polar bear partner. Tom McCarthy directed and co wrote, bringing in local locations across the city along with a young cast led by Winslow Fegley.

The film debuted on Disney+ under the Walt Disney Pictures banner. It retains the series’ dry humor and puzzle like cases, weaving in classroom scenes and neighborhood stakeouts that mirror the tone of the source material.

‘Safety’ (2020)

Inspired by true events, this sports drama covers Clemson University defensive back Ray McElrathbey and his efforts to care for his younger brother while on a football scholarship. Reginald Hudlin directed and filmed at Memorial Stadium with the cooperation of the school.

The movie launched on Disney+ with Walt Disney Pictures as the studio and Disney Platform Distribution handling release. It includes recreations of game day sequences, player training routines, and NCAA compliance hurdles drawn from the real timeline.

‘Stargirl’ (2020)

Grace VanderWaal stars in this coming of age story adapted from Jerry Spinelli’s novel, with Julia Hart directing and filming in New Mexico. The narrative follows a homeschooled teen whose arrival changes the dynamics at a public high school.

The production went straight to Disney+ and was released by Disney Platform Distribution. Its soundtrack features both original performances and needle drops, and the film later led to a follow up titled ‘Hollywood Stargirl’ that continued the character’s journey.

‘Flora & Ulysses’ (2021)

This family comedy adventure adapts Kate DiCamillo’s Newbery Medal winning book about a girl who discovers a squirrel with superhero abilities. Lena Khan directed, and the visual effects team created Ulysses using animation that matches the playful tone of the story.

It premiered on Disney+ under the Walt Disney Pictures label with distribution handled on platform. The film integrates comic book panels and type treatment as design elements while keeping the setting in modern day suburban America.

‘Crater’ (2023)

Set on a lunar mining colony, this science fiction adventure follows a group of teens who take a rover on a last trip before one of them relocates to a distant planet. Kyle Patrick Alvarez directed, and production involved soundstage work for interiors and practical rover builds.

The film arrived as a Disney+ original from Walt Disney Pictures with Disney Platform Distribution. It uses a blend of physical sets and digital environments to depict low gravity movement and the cratered landscape of the Moon.

‘Better Nate Than Ever’ (2022)

Based on Tim Federle’s novel, this musical comedy centers on a middle schooler who sneaks off to New York City to audition for a Broadway show. Federle wrote and directed, staging sequences in Times Square and theater district interiors.

The movie premiered on Disney+ through Walt Disney Pictures with on platform distribution. It incorporates choreography rehearsals, audition etiquette, and behind the curtain views that mirror real Broadway casting processes.

‘Howard’ (2018)

This documentary profiles lyricist Howard Ashman, covering his early theater work through his collaboration with Alan Menken on ‘The Little Mermaid’, ‘Beauty and the Beast’, and ‘Aladdin’. Don Hahn directed using archival footage, audio recordings, and interviews.

After festival showings, the film was released on Disney+ under Disney Platform Distribution. It traces workshop demos, story meetings, and song development to show how Ashman’s approach shaped the modern Disney musical.

‘Clouds’ (2020)

A biographical drama about musician Zach Sobiech, this film adapts the memoir by his mother Laura Sobiech. Justin Baldoni directed and worked with the Sobiech family to recreate key performances and family moments.

Originally planned for theaters, it was acquired for a Disney+ premiere with Disney Platform Distribution. The production recorded live music takes for authenticity and includes scenes at the real school and community spaces connected to Sobiech’s life.

‘The Rocketeer’ (1991)

Set in 1938 Los Angeles, this pulp inspired adventure follows stunt pilot Cliff Secord after he discovers an experimental jetpack. Joe Johnston directed, and the film features practical effects, period aircraft, and Art Deco design motifs.

It was released in theaters through Buena Vista Pictures Distribution and later added to Disney+. The screenplay draws from Dave Stevens’s comics and includes location work at Griffith Observatory and other Southern California landmarks.

‘John Carter’ (2012)

Adapted from Edgar Rice Burroughs’s ‘A Princess of Mars’, this science fiction epic follows a Civil War veteran transported to Barsoom. Andrew Stanton directed, and the production combined live action photography in Utah with extensive visual effects and motion capture.

The film was distributed theatrically by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures and now streams on Disney+. The world building draws on constructed languages, military cultures, and Martian geography that align with the source material’s lore.

‘Tomorrowland’ (2015)

Brad Bird directed this original adventure that connects a gifted teenager and a former boy genius to a hidden futuristic realm. Filming took place in multiple locations including the City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia and sets built in Vancouver.

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures handled the theatrical release before the film moved to Disney+. The story references real world innovators and the optimism embedded in mid century visions of the future, which informed the production design.

‘A Wrinkle in Time’ (2018)

Based on Madeleine L’Engle’s novel, this fantasy follows Meg Murry’s search across the cosmos for her missing father. Ava DuVernay directed with a cast that includes Storm Reid, Oprah Winfrey, Reese Witherspoon, and Mindy Kaling.

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures released the film in theaters, and it later joined Disney+. The adaptation highlights tessering as a scientific concept, visualizing it with large scale effects sequences and cosmic environments.

‘Treasure Planet’ (2002)

This animated feature reimagines ‘Treasure Island’ in a solar sailing space setting from directors Ron Clements and John Musker. The production pioneered a hybrid look by combining hand drawn characters with 3D backgrounds using the Deep Canvas process.

Buena Vista Pictures Distribution handled the original theatrical release before the film became a catalog title on Disney+. The screenplay preserves plot beats from Robert Louis Stevenson’s novel while introducing futuristic tech like map spheres and solar galleons.

‘Atlantis: The Lost Empire’ (2001)

This animated adventure follows linguist Milo Thatch on an expedition to find the lost city of Atlantis. Directed by Gary Trousdale and Kirk Wise, it draws on concept art by Mike Mignola which shaped the angular character designs and world aesthetic.

The film was released theatrically by Buena Vista Pictures Distribution and is now on Disney+. The constructed Atlantean language was created by linguist Marc Okrand and features a writing system that appears throughout the production design.

‘The Great Mouse Detective’ (1986)

Set in Victorian London, this animated mystery introduces Basil of Baker Street and his adversary Professor Ratigan. The directing team included Ron Clements, Burny Mattinson, Dave Michener, and John Musker, with notable early use of computer assisted imagery for the clockwork climax.

It reached theaters through Buena Vista Distribution and later joined the streaming library. The film adapts Eve Titus’s children’s books and integrates period details like gaslit streets and mechanical toys that anchor the setting.

‘The Black Hole’ (1979)

This science fiction film follows the crew of the Palomino as they encounter the long lost starship Cygnus near a singularity. Gary Nelson directed, using large scale miniatures, motion control photography, and early computer graphics for the opening sequence.

The movie was released by Buena Vista Distribution and is available on Disney+. It introduced Maximilian Schell’s character Dr. Reinhardt along with robots V I NCent and B O B, and it used a then new 70 mm six track Dolby Stereo mix.

‘The Kid Who Would Be King’ (2019)

Writer director Joe Cornish modernizes Arthurian legend by placing Excalibur in the hands of a British schoolboy. Filming occurred around London and Cornwall with practical stunts for mounted sequences and classroom set builds for school interiors.

The film opened in theaters under 20th Century Fox before finding a streaming home on Disney+ in many regions. It incorporates mythic elements like Morgana and the Round Table while grounding the action in present day settings.

‘Ron’s Gone Wrong’ (2021)

This animated feature from Locksmith Animation follows a socially awkward boy and his faulty B Bot companion. Jean Philippe Vine and Sarah Smith directed, with Octavio E Rodriguez as co director, and the production used a pipeline split between London and Los Angeles.

The film was distributed by 20th Century Studios theatrically before streaming on Disney+. The story explores algorithmic friend matching and device privacy features, which the art team translated into user interface screens and corporate branding in the film.

‘The Finest Hours’ (2016)

This historical drama recounts the 1952 Coast Guard rescue of the SS Pendleton crew off Cape Cod. Craig Gillespie directed, staging storm sequences in large water tanks and using practical ship sets alongside digital extensions.

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures released the film in theaters in 3D and IMAX formats prior to its streaming availability. The screenplay is adapted from the nonfiction book by Michael J Tougias and Casey Sherman and follows the real timeline of the rescue.

‘Million Dollar Arm’ (2014)

The film tells the story of sports agent J B Bernstein’s contest in India to find baseball pitching talent, leading to signings with Major League clubs. Craig Gillespie directed, and production included shoots at Dodger Stadium and in Mumbai.

It played in theaters under Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures and later appeared on Disney+. The narrative tracks tryout logistics, training camps, minor league assignments, and contract details that matched contemporary baseball operations.

‘McFarland, USA’ (2015)

This sports drama focuses on a high school cross country team in California’s Central Valley and their rise under coach Jim White. Niki Caro directed, using real agricultural towns as locations to reflect the team’s daily routines and landscape.

The theatrical release came via Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures before the title moved to Disney+. The film shows training regimens, league meets, and state championship structures while drawing from the real McFarland program’s records.

‘The Rescue’ (2021)

This documentary from Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin chronicles the 2018 Tham Luang cave rescue in Thailand. The filmmakers used reenactments with the actual divers, interviews, and previously unreleased footage to map the operation.

It was produced under National Geographic Documentary Films with a theatrical run and is available on Disney+. The film details cave topography, dive logistics, and the multinational coordination that brought the boys and their coach out safely.

Share your own hidden gems on Disney+ in the comments so everyone can compare watchlists.