10 Best Disney Movies for Older Kids (& Adults) (2024)

Disney films have delighted families for generations. Children and adults alike love the characters and stories that Disney portrays. While people of any age are drawn to most Disney films, some are more enjoyable for older kids and adults.

These films are typically a little more serious than the typical fairy tales Disney is known for. They often feature older characters and darker storylines. Some of the best Disney films for older children and adults are also live-action to give the stories more realism. Much of the humor in these films is more sarcastic as well. There are hundreds of Disney films that families can enjoy, but these particular movies are a little more elevated for an older crowd.

Treasure Planet Is a Galactic Adventure

Based On Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island

Treasure Planet is a vastly underrated film based on Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island. This futuristic tale follows Jim Hawkins on his path to self-discovery set on a galactic voyage. Just as with Stevenson's tale, Treasure Planet retains some of the darker story elements, such as Billy Bones's Black Spot and subsequent demise, as well as First Mate Arrow's death at the hands of mutineers.

While there are several deaths in the film, Treasure Planet is the perfect tale for adults and older kids who are looking for something with more edge to it. The movie has great music that is much more contemporary (for its time) than the traditional show tunes. Plus, the action scenes are certain to keep viewers on the edges of their seats. Treasure Planet is one film that adults and older kids should check out if they're looking for something different.

Treasure Planet

Adventure

Family

Fantasy

Science Fiction

Director

Ron Clements , John Musker

Release Date

November 27, 2002

Cast

Joseph Gordon-Levitt , Emma Thompson , Martin Short , Corey Burton

Main Genre

Animation

The Parent Trap (1998) Is a Family Film

Remake of The Parent Trap (1961)

The Parent Trap (1998) is truly a movie for the whole family. The story follows two girls - Annie and Hallie - who discover they are twins after meeting at summer camp. They have been living separately with their respective parents and devise a plan to switch lives so they can meet the other parent. The Parent Trap (1998) brings back a sense of nostalgia for anyone who grew up in the 90s and 00s. There are plenty of camp shenanigans, as well as general mischief, as Annie and Hallie attempt to get their parents back together.

While this film does show an idealized image of divorce and reunion, it's still a great movie with some subtle humor for adults and kids to enjoy. It may not be as suited to very young children who aren't particularly interested in live-action films, but it certainly has its charm. Plus, the chemistry between the parents, Nick Parker and Elizabeth James, is palpable for any romantic comedy fan.

The Parent Trap

PG

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The Parent Trap is a charming and entertaining film with a fun and antic-filled plot. Directed by Nancy Meyers and starring Dennis Quaid, Natasha Richardson, and Lindsay Lohan, this PG-rated Disney movie is a remake of the 1961 film of the same name.

The Parent Trap begins with the marriage of Nick Parker and Elizabeth James, an American winemaker and a British wedding designer respectively, aboard the Queen Elizabeth 2 ship in 1986. Twelve years later, we meet Hallie Parker and Annie James, two young girls who are attending the same summer camp. When they meet, everyone remarks on their identical appearance, but the two almost immediately dislike one another. After they pull a series of pranks on each other, they are sent to the camp’s isolation cabin as punishment for their actions. During that time, they grow closer, eventually discovering that they are twin sisters, each in possession of one half of the same photograph from their parents’ wedding. The twins hatch a plan to meet their other parent and spend time with them, eventually reuniting them. In order to do so, they decide to pose as one another, with Hallie going to London to meet her mom and Annie going to Napa to meet her dad.

The Parent Trap features a strong ensemble cast and a well-curated soundtrack filled with iconic hits. With strong acting from Lindsay Lohan in her breakout role and incredible chemistry between the two romantic leads, this film is simply one of the best kids movies of all time.

Studio

Walt Disney Studios

Coco Gives Live to the Afterlife

Coco Is Pixar's First Musical

Coco is a Pixar film full of gorgeous colors and a true love of music. Miguel Rivera loves music but feels stuck in his family, who has rejected it. However, when he believes he's descended from a famous musician, a single strum sends Miguel to the Afterlife. Because it deals with death, this animated film has heavier themes than some Disney fans might be used to. It also has a complex story involving family conflicts that younger viewers may not get.

Despite this, Coco is one of the best movies for kids, teens, and adults who are a little more world-savvy. There are very powerful messages about life and death, as well as how to handle difficult family members. The animation and designs are also spectacular. It's truly a film Disney fans should watch with the lights out so they can enjoy all the splendor this movie holds.

Coco

PG

Adventure

Drama

Aspiring musician Miguel, confronted with his family's ancestral ban on music, enters the Land of the Dead to find his great-great-grandfather, a legendary singer.

Director

Lee Unkrich , Adrian Molina

Release Date

November 22, 2017

Studio

Walt Disney Studios

Cast

Anthony Gonzalez , Gael Garcia Bernal , Benjamin Bratt , Alanna Ubach

Writers

Lee Unkrich , Jason Katz , Matthew Aldrich

Runtime

1 Hour 45 Minutes

Main Genre

Animation

Production Company

Walt Disney Pictures, Pixar Animation Studios, Día de Muertos.

Zootopia Teaches Messages of Acceptance

Zootopia Contains Many References to Other Disney Films

Zootopia is a clever film that fulfills the longing to know what a complete animal society would look like. Judy Hopps may be a bunny, but she has big dreams for her future in the rich world of Zootopia. Unfortunately, there is still a lot of animosity toward Predators in the city, and Judy - along with her companion Nick Wilde - sets out to uncover Zootopia's truths.

Zootopia deals with a lot of adult struggles like racism, bullying, and achieving one's dream. While these can apply to young children as well, Zootopia's messages resonate with older audiences more. There are also a lot of subtle jokes about society and life that only adults would understand. Zootopia is a great movie that is fun for the whole family.

Zootopia

Action

Comedy

In a city of anthropomorphic animals, a rookie bunny cop and a cynical con artist fox must work together to uncover a conspiracy.

Director

Byron Howard , Rich Moore , Jared Bush

Release Date

March 4, 2016

Cast

Ginnifer Goodwin , Jason Bateman , Idris Elba , Jenny Slate , Nate Torrence , Bonnie Hunt , Don Lake

Runtime

108 minutes

Studio(s)

Walt Disney Animation Studios

Atlantis: The Lost Empire Brings Audiences to a Secret World

Based On the Writings of Plato

Atlantis: The Lost Empire is a departure from typical Disney elements. The animation is a lot sharper than the usual Disney fare, and the story is more mature. Milo Thatch is a cartographer and linguist who is underemployed at a museum. Yet, when Milo gets a chance to make his dream of seeing the lost city of Atlantis come true, he jumps at the chance.

This movie is action-packed from start to finish. It also has some of the most beautiful and unique designs that Disney has ever attempted. The voice cast is stellar, and many of the jokes are at just the right level where older kids and adults would both understand them. Some sequences may be too heavy for younger viewers, and they might not get some of the jokes. However, Atlantis: The Lost Empire is the perfect action drama for families with older children who still love Disney.

Atlantis: The Lost Empire

Science Fiction

Action-Adventure

A young linguist named Milo Thatch joins an intrepid group of explorers to find the mysterious lost continent of Atlantis.

Director

Gary Trousdale , Kirk Wise

Release Date

June 15, 2001

Cast

Michael J. Fox , James Garner , Cree Summer

Writers

Tab Murphy

Runtime

96 minutes

Production Company

Walt Disney Animation

The Emperor's New Groove Presents a New Perspective

Based on The Emperor's New Clothes

The Emperor's New Groove is one of the films from Disney's experimental age. In a time when Disney was trying to find something new to give to audiences, this retelling of The Emperor's New Clothes sprang forth. The story is set in ancient South America where a selfish emperor is accidentally turned into a llama. Emperor Kuzco must then discover humility while he also searches for a cure for his condition.

This movie leans hard into the comedy sphere. There are several fourth-wall breaks, plenty of sarcastic comments, and general irreverent humor. The film is goofy enough to still be entertaining to kids but wry enough to capture adults' attention. The Emperor's New Groove is a feel-good, buddy cop-esque movie that families shouldn't miss out on.

The Emperor's New Groove

G

Emperor Kuzco is turned into a llama by his ex-administrator Yzma, and must now regain his throne with the help of Pacha, the gentle llama herder.

Director

Mark Dindal

Release Date

December 15, 2000

Studio

Disney

Cast

David Spade , John Goodman , eartha kitt

Writers

Chris Williams , David Reynolds

Pirates Of The Caribbean Is a Swashbuckling Adventure

Based on the Disney Parks Ride

The Pirates of the Caribbean franchise was a worldwide sensation when it came out in 2003. Although it's based on a ride at the Disney Parks, the story was so compelling that fans couldn't seem to get enough of it. Johnny Depp's performance as Captain Jack Sparrow was particularly loved as a chaotic, neutral anti-hero who kept everyone on their toes.

There are many frightening sequences in this supernatural, nautical film. Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl is certainly not a show for young children. But preteens and teens who are looking to break from Disney animation could handle this movie. Pirates, stolen treasure, and skeletons are just a few of the things people can look forward to in this film. The first movie is one of the best Disney live-action movies and is still beloved by fans to this day.

Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl

PG-13

Action

Fantasy

Blacksmith Will Turner teams up with eccentric pirate "Captain" Jack Sparrow to save his love, the governor's daughter, from Jack's former pirate allies, who are now undead.

Director

Gore Verbinski

Release Date

June 28, 2003

Cast

Johnny Depp , Geoffrey Rush , Orlando Bloom , Keira Knightley , Jack Davenport , Jonathan Pryce

Writers

Ted Elliott , Terry Rossio , Stuart Beattie , Jay Wolpert

Runtime

2 hours 33 minutes

Main Genre

Adventure

Production Company

Walt Disney Pictures, Jerry Bruckheimer Films

Turning Red Is a Treatise on Girlhood

Based on Puberty

Turning Red is a grossly underrated movie about growing up as a young girl. Although the story is set in 2002, the central message of blossoming womanhood and familial expectations resonates with viewers from any generation. Meilin Lee is a thirteen-year-old living her best life in Toronto, Canada, when she discovers that she can transform into a gigantic red panda when her emotions get the better of her.

This film feels spot-on for anyone who grew up in the early to mid-2000s. The analogies between Mei's Panda and the concept of someone's first menstrual cycle are prevalent in this story - making it all the more relatable for people who menstruate. Turning Red is also one of the first children's films to address the menstrual cycle in all its normal awkwardness. The animation has influences from Eastern animation, as well, giving it a more playful vibe than other Pixar films. The music is also great for boy band fans. Turning Red is a fantastic film that is credibly relatable and tugs at the heartstrings at the same time.

Turning Red

PG

Animation

Adventure

Comedy

A thirteen-year-old girl named Mei Lee is torn between staying her mother's dutiful daughter and the changes of adolescence. And as if the challenges were not enough, whenever she gets overly excited she transforms into a giant red panda.

Director

Domee Shi

Release Date

March 11, 2022

Studio

Pixar

Cast

Rosalie Chiang , Sandra Oh , Ava Morse , Hyein Park

Writers

Domee Shi

Runtime

100 minutes

Main Genre

Animation

Hocus Pocus Is a Spellbinding Tale

Featuring the Talents of Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy, & Sarah Jessica Parker

Hocus Pocus wasn't all that popular in its day, but when the people who watched it as children grew up, they revealed how much they loved it when they were younger. Hocus Pocus has since become a cult classic and has even inspired Disney World's Halloween celebration. The story of Hocus Pocus centers around a teen named Max who tries to impress a girl and inadvertently unleashes three long-dead witches. The Sanderson Sisters then continue their search for children so that they can steal their essence and remain young for eternity.

Hocus Pocus has all the best elements of 90s camp movies. Everything from the acting, the over-the-top action sequences, and a ragtag team of kids trying to take down evil. Some scarier elements of this show may not be suitable for very young children. However, it's the perfect not-so-scary film for teens and tweens looking for something spooky to watch that isn't straight-up horror. The music, the fashion, and the story all come together to make one of the best live-action Disney films for tweens, teens, and adults.

Hocus Pocus

PG

Comedy

Family

Fantasy

A teenage boy named Max and his little sister move to Salem, where he struggles to fit in before awakening a trio of diabolical witches that were executed in the 17th century.

Director

Kenny Ortega

Release Date

July 16, 1993

Studio

Walt Disney Pictures

Cast

Sarah Jessica Parker , Bette Midler , Kathy Najimy , Omri Katz , Thora Birch , Vinessa Shaw

Runtime

96 minutes

Holes Is the Best Book-to-Film Adaptation

Based on Louis Sacher's Holes

Holes is perhaps the best book-to-film adaptation of all time. Louis Sacher's Holes story follows a teen named Stanley Yelnats IV, who finds himself in trouble when he is discovered with a stolen pair of sneakers. Stanley is then sentenced to stay at a troubled youth center called Camp Green Lake. Stanley is led to believe that it'll be a therapeutic summer camp, but the reality is a lot bleaker.

Instead, Camp Green Lake is a hard-labor correctional facility where the young men are asked to dig a five-foot by five-foot hole every single day in the Texan heat. The lake has long since dried up, and there is nothing but dirt for miles. There is also a B-plot to the film about a young school teacher named Kate Barlow who becomes a deadly outlaw. There are flashbacks to Stanley's family history with the Zeronis and Kate Barlow's time, and they all somehow converge to solve the mysteries of Camp Green Lake. Holes is a great movie for preteens to adults. It's a unique tale in an unexpected setting that grips viewers from the beginning. Viewers should be warned that they will be craving peaches and onions by the end of the film.

Holes

PG

Adventure

Comedy

Drama

Family

A teenage boy is wrongly convicted of theft and sent to a harsh juvenile detention camp in the desert. The camp's warden forces the boys to dig large holes daily, claiming it's to build character. As the protagonist and his new friends uncover the true purpose behind the digging, they stumble upon a long-buried family curse and hidden treasure.

Director

Andrew Davis

Release Date

April 18, 2003

Cast

Sigourney Weaver , Jon Voight , Tim Blake Nelson , Shia LaBeouf , Khleo Thomas , Jake M. Smith

Writers

Louis Sachar

Runtime

117 minutes

Main Genre

Adventure