Tired of the never-ending pursuit of quality entertainment that is grown-up and magical? Well, time to dust off those glass slippers and call on your inner child, because we’re about to take you on a cinematic journey through the enchanted realms of Disney Plus. While the

classics from the House of Mouse have been beguiling generations, their robust library now has a raft of cinematic jewels tailor-made for adults seeking humor, adventure, and maybe even a tinge of nostalgia. From swashbuckling pirates to spunky superheroes, we’ve scoured the Disney Plus vaults to curate a list of the best movies for those who’ve discovered “happily ever after” doesn’t have to mean “kids only.” Get ready for a cinematic magic carpet ride that even your inner child will approve of.

20. Black Is King (2020)

‘Black is King’ is a visual masterpiece and a vibrant celebration of Black culture, identity, and excellence. It is a stunning visual album from the helm of Beyoncé that reimagines the story of ‘The Lion King’ through a modern, Afrocentric lens. With mesmerizing music, breathtaking visuals, and a star-studded cast, this film is actually a poignant cinematic journey of self-discovery and empowerment. The movie is a testament to the beauty of diversity and a strong ode to Black heritage that should not be missed by those in need of inspiration, artistry, and an immersive cultural experience. You can see the movie here.

19. The Pacifier (2005)

‘The Pacifier’ is a family-friendly comedy by Adam Shankman that puts action star Vin Diesel in a very different kind of role. Vin Diesel, starring as Shane Wolfe, a tough Navy SEAL, is tasked with the protection of the children of a deceased scientist against bad guys after a top-secret device. As the tough but sweet babysitter, Diesel’s character has to change diapers, combat teenage rebelliousness, and much more. Funny, touching, and heroically unexpected, ‘The Pacifier’ blends together action and family dynamics in a really fun way. You can see the film here.

18. Confessions of a Shopaholic (2009)

‘Confessions of a Shopaholic’ is a light comedy from director P.J. Hogan, based on the popular book by Sophie Kinsella. This is the story of Rebecca Bloomwood, played by Isla Fisher, who can’t stop shopping-a preposterous habit that has buried her in debt. Fortunately, she meets her Prince Charming, Luke Brandon, played by Hugh Dancy. With humor and poignancy, the film records the hilarious misadventures of Rebecca, a fashion journalist, as she fights her way toward economic solvency and true love. This is an enchanting romp with which any person having gone through a ‘Shoplifters anonymous’ experience will easily identify. You can watch it here.

17. While You Were Sleeping (1995)

‘While You Were Sleeping’ is directed by Jon Turteltaub and was released in 1995. A lonely token collector, Lucy, played by Sandra Bullock, saves the life of a handsome stranger, played by Peter Gallagher, then pretends to be his fiancée when he slips into a coma. Lucy navigates her way through this charming charade and, along the way, falls in love with the man’s brother, portrayed by Bill Pullman. Combining humor, sweet romance, and a touch of family dynamics, the film is timeless, a feel-good classic filled with the unpredictable twists of fate and the power of love. You can watch ‘While You Were Sleeping’ here.

16. Avatar (2009)

Directed, written, co-produced, and co-edited by James Cameron, ‘Avatar‘ is an epic science fiction film featuring a star-studded cast including Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Stephen Lang, Michelle Rodriguez, and Sigourney Weaver. Set in the mid-22nd century, the story unfolds on Pandora, a lush moon of a gas giant in the Alpha Centauri star system. Here, humans aim to extract the valuable mineral unobtanium, but their expansion threatens the indigenous Na’vi tribe’s existence. To interact with the natives, humans use genetically engineered Na’vi avatars operated remotely from the human brain, giving the film its distinctive title. ‘Avatar’ is the first installment in the Avatar film series. You can stream the film here.

15. 10 Things I Hate About You (1999)

Nestled amidst the cheerful animated kids’ movies, the razor-sharp wit of ’10 Things I Hate About You’ stands out in the best way possible. This late-1990s gem is a modernization of Shakespeare’s ‘The Taming of the Shrew,’ expertly transposed to an American high school setting. The plot centers on Gordon-Levitt’s Cameron, who falls for Bianca. To get around her overprotective father’s strict dating rules, he devises a plan: hire the bad boy Patrick to win the affection of Bianca’s standoffish sister, Kat. What ensues is a hilarious and tender teen comedy that holds up perfectly today. You can stream ’10 Things I Hate About You’ here.

14. The Rookie (2002)

‘The Rookie’ by John Lee Hancock is an inspiring sports drama, which is an adaptation of the true-life story of Jim Morris, played by Dennis Quaid, a high school science teacher and baseball coach who makes a miraculous comeback in Major League Baseball at age 35. Overcoming personal and professional obstacles, Morris follows his lifelong dream to become a major league pitcher. The film’s heartwarming narrative, coupled with good performances, renders it a very engaging and motivating watch for viewers of all ages. Free-flowing sports passion combines with a tale of second chances and determination. You can stream it here.

13. Free Solo (2020)

‘Free Solo’ is a visually arresting documentary film by Jimmy Chin and Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi. The film tracks the incredible journey of rock climber Alex Honnold as he attempts the impossible: to scale a 3,000-foot vertical rock formation in Yosemite National Park, El Capitan, without any safety ropes or harnesses. The film not only captures the sheer audacity of this feat but also dives into the intense physical and emotional preparation that goes into such a death-defying endeavor. ‘Free Solo’ is a visually stunning, gripping look into human determination, fear, and the pursuit of the extraordinary. Feel free to check out the documentary here.

12. West Side Story (2021)

Steven Spielberg’s ‘West Side Story’ is a groovy musical romance and the second feature-length adaptation of the iconic 1957 stage musical. This movie, starring Ansel Elgort and Rachel Zegler, masterfully tells the story of forbidden love and the fierce rivalry between two teenage street gangs, the Jets and the Sharks, from rival ethnicities. With Spielberg at its helm, the movie not only paid homage to the classic tale but infused it with new energy, dazzling choreography, and an emotionally resonating narrative. If you are a fan of musicals and have been waiting for a brand-new take on this eternal love story, this is a must-watch. You can stream it here.

11. Encanto (2021)

Helmed by Jared Bush and Byron Howard, ‘Encanto’ is an animated musical drama dealing with the theme of family. We follow Mirabel, the only member of the Madrigal family who doesn’t have magical powers. As cool as she is about it, she takes on the mammoth task of tracing her family’s roots after the magic begins to disappear. In the endeavor, she comes across saddening secrets that have kept her family divided in ways more than one. The emotions, the stories, and the feelings are all explored via songs and colorful and stunning visuals, all of which make ‘Encanto’ a wonderful movie about what it means to be together and how. You can watch it here.

10. Deadpool & Wolverine (2024)

The third ‘Deadpool’ film and the first one to belong to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Shawn Levy’s ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ follows Wade Wilson/Deadpool in his search for a certain Wolverine/Logan variant who can help him save his world, which means basically his family. While he finds him, Wolverine agrees to help only after Wade has assured him that he would be able to change his tragic past. Starring Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman, ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ is a comic book fan’s nostalgic ride, mainly for fans of Jackman’s Wolverine. Large-scale action compiled with Deadpool’s humor and the savagery of Wolverine make the movie a must-watch. It can be streamed here.

9. Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)

Years after it dropped, ‘Captain America: The Winter Soldier’ still stands out as one of the finest entries in the expansive MCU library. Helmed by Anthony and Joe Russo, the film drops Steve Rogers into a riveting spy yarn that rocks the very core of the US government. He’s joined by Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow and Sebastian Stan as the mysterious Winter Soldier, while Anthony Mackie makes his debut as Sam Wilson. Directed by Anthony and Joe Russo, this film is a game-changer for the superhero genre and engages audiences with a captivating storyline and appealing characters. You can see ‘Captain America: The Winter Soldier’ here.

8. Saving Mr. Banks (2013)

Helmed by John Lee Hancock, this film is inspired by the making of the 1964 musical fantasy film ‘Mary Poppins.’ One of the most cherished Disney classics ever, it narrates the story of author P. L. Travers, author of the book series ‘Mary Poppins,’ and film producer Walt Disney while the two try to come to a common point and crack a deal so that Disney can attain the film rights for Travers’ immortal character. It took 20 years for Disney to convince Travers, but he finally got them in 1961, although she got the script-approval rights. ‘Saving Mr. Banks’ also looks into the backstory of the creation of Mary Poppins, including Travers’ tragic childhood, her alcoholic father, the strained relationship of her parents, and her mother’s attempted suicide. Tom Hanks plays the role of Walt Disney, while Emma Thompson plays the role of P. L. Travers. The film can be streamed here.

7. The Straight Story (1999)

‘A Straight Story’ is a drama film directed by David Lynch. This heartwarming and understated gem tells the true story of Alvin Straight, played by Richard Farnsworth, an elderly man who embarks on a remarkable journey to visit his ailing brother, covering hundreds of miles on his lawnmower. It’s a poignant exploration of family bonds, determination, and the beauty of life’s simple moments. Farnsworth’s exceptional performance earned him an Academy Award nomination. ‘A Straight Story’ is a departure from Lynch’s usual surreal and enigmatic style, offering a touching and visually stunning portrayal of an ordinary man’s odyssey across the American heartland. You can stream ‘The Straight Story’ here.

6. Isle of Dogs (2018)

‘Isle of Dogs’ is a stop-motion sci-fi animated comedy by Wes Anderson. The winner of two Academy Awards is set in a place called Trash Island, where Mayor Kobayashi of Megasaki has exiled all its dogs due to a canine flue. Now, 12-year-old Atari joins hands with five mongrels to find his pet dog Spots at the Trash Island AKA the Isle of Dogs. Dealing with themes like human-animal hierarchy, political corruption, discrimination, and friendship, ‘Isle of Dogs’ is an animated masterpiece which got Anderson the Silver Bear for Best Director at the 68th Berlin International Film Festival. You can watch it here.

5. Inside Out 2 (2024)

Directed by Kelsey Mann, ‘Inside Out 2’ is the sequel to ‘Inside Out’ (2015) and follows the beloved emotions Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear, and Disgust as they try to cope with the new arrivals, Anxiety, Envy, Embarrassment, and Ennui (boredom), thanks to Riley hitting puberty. Of all the new emotions, it is Anxiety who wreaks the most havoc despite not wanting to, and the movie addresses this most brilliantly, one that adults will connect to, easily. The film has managed to give personalities to complex emotions and excels in the endeavor, giving us a film that has deservingly become the highest-grossing animated film ever. You can watch it here.

4. Logan (2017)

Tenth in the X-Men film franchise and third/final part of the Wolverine trilogy, ‘Logan’ shows Logan/Wolverine living his final days while caring for an ill Professor Charles Xavier/Professor X and Laura / X-23, a little girl experiment who Logan finally finds out to be his biological daughter and has to protect her from being taken away by a sinister corporation who created Laura from Logan’s very DNA. Perhaps the best film in the whole franchise and in the trilogy, ‘Logan’ goes beyond a superhero movie to become a grim portrayal of the last days of a man who spent more than half of his life searching for his own identity and a purpose to live. The film is directed by James Mangold. You can watch it here.

3. Soul (2020)

Maybe one of the top 5 movies to have come out from Pixar, ‘Soul’ follows aspiring pianist Joe Gardner, voiced by Jamie Foxx, who dies right on the very day of his break and his soul arrives at the “Great Before” after somehow escaping from the “Great Beyond.” The “Great Before” is where souls are prepared for life on Earth. How Joe manages to bring his soul back to Earth by helping another stubborn new soul find her “spark,” i.e., her purpose, is what the film entails. With themes of existential crises, culture, life and death, ambition, life’s purpose, and more, ‘Soul’ is as much for adults as it is for kids, if not more. You can watch it here.

2. The Devil Wears Prada (2006)

Considered one of the greatest films ever, ‘The Devil Wears Prada’ has the not-yet-ready young Andrea “Andy” Sachs, who has just become the junior personal assistant of Miranda Priestly, the by-the-clock editor-in-chief of Runway fashion magazine. As tough as it gets for Andy to keep up with Miranda’s orders, she has the latter’s senior assistant, Emily Charlton, for help. The silent chemistry among these three people takes center stage in the movie, while showing us how Andy navigates her new job and personal life, with one taking a toll on the other. Featuring stellar performances by Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt, and Anne Hathaway, ‘‘The Devil Wears Prada’ is a cult classic drama adapted from Lauren Weisberger’s bestselling novel. You can enjoy it right here.

1. Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)

Directed by Gore Verbinski, this cult pirate film is the first installment of the now-popular ‘Pirates of the Carribean’ franchise. The film follows Captain Jack Sparrow and blacksmith Will Turner as they embark on the mission to rescue Elizabeth Swann, who, under false identity as Will Turner, is onboard the Black Pearl, a ship headed by Captain Barbossa. Barbossa and his crew are looking for a medallion, one of the many pieces of an Aztec gold stone chest that they must return to the ocean to lift a curse that has befallen them. If you haven’t seen this film, to tell you how the medallion is connected to Swann and Will would be to spoil it for you. Starring Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow, a role he immortalized, along with Orlando Bloom as Will Turner, Keira Knightley as Elizabeth Swann, and Geoffrey Rush as Captain Barbossa, ‘Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl,’ and the other ‘Pirates of the Carribean’ films are based not on any book or legend but a Disney theme park ride. You can watch the film here. Read More: Best Adult Movies on Peacock