20 Best Family Movies on Disney Plus New Zealand [2023]
Disney+ has been a household name for family entertainment for decades. The best feature of the platform is parental controls, which makes it much easier for exhausted parents to handle any R-rated content.
Pixar and Disney have carefully spent years building up a family-friendly repertoire, so parents can subscribe to a Disney bundle for just $14 per month and let the platform entertain the kids, or you can take a free trial of Disney Plus. The bundle includes not one but three platforms – Disney+, ESPN+, and Hulu, which, in our eyes, is definitely a steal.
So, if you’ve been wondering what to watch on family movie night, take a look at our list today of the 20 best family movies on Disney Plus New Zealand.
Best Family Movies on Disney Plus New Zealand
Let’s take a look at the best family movies that the platform has to offer:
1.Diary of a Wimpy Kid (2021)
Director: Thor Freudenthal
Writer: Jeff Filgo, Jackie Filgo, Gabe Sachs
Cast: Rachael Harris, Zachary Gordon, Robert Capron
IMDb Rating: 6.2/10
Watch the trailer of Diary of a Wimpy Kid on Youtube
Diary of a Wimpy kid is the story of a 12-year old kid, who is transitioning into middle school, where he learns that more adventure awaits him. School is no fun for the rather dorky Greg Heffley, and he has a hard time getting along with his peers.
2.Cheaper by the Dozen (2003)
Director: Shawn Levy
Writer: Craig Titley, Frank B.Gilbreth Jr, Ernestine Gilbreth Carey
Cast: Bonnie Hunt, Steve Martin, Hilary Duff
IMDb Rating: 5.9/10
Watch the trailer of Cheaper by the Dozen on Youtube
Cheaper by the Dozen, starring Steve Martin, is a remake of the 1950s movie. A father of twelve children (Yes, twelve!), Tom Baker is left behind by his wife to look after the kids. He receives a job opportunity while his wife is on a book tour, and it’s an opportunity he doesn’t want to miss. Tom placed his eldest daughter Nora on babysitting duty along with her boyfriend (Ashton Kutcher). Also, watch some of the best movies on Netflix NZ.
3.Turning Red (2021)
Director: Domee Shi
Writer: Julia Cho, Domee Shi, Sarah Streicher
Cast: Sandra Oh (Voice), Rosalie Chaing (Voice), Ava Morse (Voice)
IMDb Rating: 7.0/10
Watch the trailer of Turning Red on Youtube
Turning Red is about a 13-year old girl, called Meilin, who turns into a giant red panda. The red panda serves as a symbol of puberty, as the girl tries to make sense of her new emotions and feelings. An otherwise obedient girl, she becomes a red giant panda as soon as she gets too excited about something.
4.Encanto (2021)
Director: Byron Howard, Charise Castro Smith, Byron Howard
Writer: Byron Howard, Jared Bush, Charise Castro Smith
Cast: John Leguizamo (Voice), Stephanie Beatriz (Voice), Maria Cecilla Botero (Voice)
IMDb Rating: 7.2/10
Watch the trailer of Encanto on Youtube
Encanto is the tale of a Columbian teenage girl who has an unusual predicament; she’s the only one in her family without any magical powers. The computer-animated comedy film is a musical of sorts. The film focuses on the Madrigals family, who serve the rural community they live in with their own set of magical powers.
For more comedy movie recommendations, read Best Comedy Movies to Watch in 2023.
5.Ron’s Gone Wrong (2022)
Director: Jean-Philippe Vine, Sarah Smith, Octavio E.Rodriguez
Writer: Peter Baynham, Sarah Smith
Cast: Ed Helms (Voice), Zach Galifianakis(Voice), Jack Dylan Grazer (Voice)
IMDb Rating: 7.0/10
Watch the trailer of Ron’s Gone Wrong on Youtube
Ron’s Gone Wrong is about a middle-school student called Barney. Barney has a new friend, a walking and talking digital device called Ron. The robot malfunctions, which sets forth a series of events that will refine the meaning of friendship for Barney.
Check out Best Kids Movies to watch in 2023, it has all the latest and classic movies to watch with your child.
6.Luca (2021)
Director: Enrico Casarosa
Writer: Enrico Casarosa, Simon Stephenson, Jesse Andrews
Cast: Emma Berman (Voice), Jack Dylan Grazer (Voice), Jacob Tremblay (Voice)
IMDb Rating: 7.4/10
Watch the trailer of Luca on Youtube
Luca is a coming-of-age animated film by Pixar, set on the Italian Riviera. The film focuses on Luca Paguro, a young sea monster who can take the shape of humans. Luca decides to venture into the town Portorosso, in tow with his two new friends, Giulia Marcovaldo and Alberto Scorfano. The film has the honor of being the most streamed movie of 2021.
7.Soul (2022)
Director: Kemp Powers, Pete Docter
Writer: Mike Jones, Kemp Powers, Pete Docter
Cast: Tina Fey (Voice), Jamie Foxx (Voice), Graham Norton (Voice)
IMDb Rating: 8.0/10
Watch the trailer of Soul on Youtube
Soul is about a New York pianist who lands the opportunity of a lifetime. However, he is stuck in limbo, between Earth and the world beyond death. The lead role is voiced by Jamie Foxx and it also stars Tina Fey, Graham Norton. Alice Braga and more. The film also happens to be the first Pixar film to have a black lead.
8.Raya and the Last Dragon (2021)
Director: Paul Briggs, Carlos Lopez Estrada, Don Hall
Writer: Adele Lim, Qui Nguyen, Paul Briggs
Cast: Gemma Chan (Voice), Awkwafina (Voice), Kelly Marie Tran (Voice)
IMDb Rating: 7.3/10
Watch the trailer of Raya and the Last Dragon on Youtube
Raya and the Last Dragon is based on SouthEast Asian cultures, and it features the story of an ancient civilization. The plot follows a warrior princess who desires to locate the known dragon alive. By seeking this dragon, the warrior princess hopes to bring back her father by means of the dragon gem. The film was the third most streamed movie on 2021.
You can also check out Best Family Movies on Netflix.
9.Onward (2020)
Director: Dan Scanlon
Writer: Keith Bunin, Jason Headley, Dan Scanlon
Cast:Tom Holland (Voice), Julia Louis-Dreyfus (Voice), Chris Pratt (Voice)
IMDb Rating: 7.4/10
Watch the trailer of onwards on Youtube
Onward is about two brothers who embark on a tumultuous journey to bring their father back. The duo of elven brothers, seeks to bring back their deceased father for only 24 hours.
10.Spies in Disguise (2019)
Director: Troy Quane, Nick Bruno
Writer: Brad Copeland, Cindy Davis, Lucas Martell
Cast: Jarrett Bruno (Voice), Claire Crosby (Voice), Rachel Brosnahan (Voice)
IMDb Rating: 6.8/10
Watch the trailer of Spies in Disguise on Youtube
Spies in Disguise, as the name suggests, is about a talented spy, who is turned into a pigeon by a talented, young scientist. The two must now work together and help the spy revert to his human form as they have to defeat a terrorist in his devious plan. The voice stars include Tom Holland, Will Smith, DJ Khaled, Rashida Jones and more.
11.Christopher Robin (2018)
Director: Marc Forster
Writer: Alex Ross Perry, Ernest Shepard, A.A. Milne
Cast: Hayley Atwell, Ewan McGregor, Bronte Carmicheal
IMDb Rating: 7.2/10
Watch the trailer of Christopher Robin on Youtube
Seeking inspiration from the Winnie-the-pooh children’s book series, the film follows a now grown-up Christopher Robin who seems to have forgotten all things fun that he knew of. He reunited with his childhood friend, Winnie-the-pooh who helps him find joy in his life, once again. Watch more epic movies on TVNZ.
12.Ferdinand (2017)
Director: Carlos Saldanha
Writer: Tim Federle, Brad Copeland, Robert L.Baird
Cast: Kate McKinnon (Voice), Bobby Cannavale (Voice), John Cena (Voice)
IMDb Rating: 6.7/10
Watch the trailer of Ferdinand on Youtube
Ferdinand is based on the book by Robert Lawson and Munro Leaf called The Story of Ferdinand. The stellar voice cast includes Peyton Manning, John Cena, Anthony Anderson, Kate McKinnon and more familiar names. The story follows a placid bull called Ferdinand, who does not wish to partake in the vicious ritual of bullfighting. However, he’s forced into the arena with the world’s best bullfighter, and must come to terms with the challenge in front of him.
13.Descendants 3 (2019)
Director: Kenny Ortega
Writer: Sara Parriott, Josann McGibbon
Cast: Sofia Carson, Dove Cameron, Cameron Boyce
IMDb Rating: 6.4/10
Watch the trailer of Descendants 3 on Youtube
Descendants 3 is the third installment in the series and it follows a group of teenagers who return to the Isle of the Lost to bring a new group of offspring aboard. The teenagers all belong to famous villains and the recruiting process is just something every villain offspring goes through.
14. Jack (1996)
Director: Francis Ford Coppola
Writer: Gary Nadeau, James DeMonaco
Cast: Diane Lane, Robin Williams, Brain Kerwin
IMDb Rating: 5.8/10
Watch the trailer of Jack on Youtube
The movie Jack stars the late Robin Williams, as the plot follows Jack Powell, a young boy who begins to age at a rate 4 times faster than normal. His condition is known as Werner syndrome and due to the rarity of the disease, the young boy barely aged 10, in a 40-year old man’s appearance, joins school for the first time, having been homeschooled before.
The film will have you in tears, as well as laughing along, thanks to the spectacular performance by Robin Williams. You can also binge-watch some of the best movies on Disney Plus.
15. Pinocchio (2022)
Director: Robert Zemeckis
Writer: Chris Weitz, Carlo Collodi, Robert Zemeckis
Cast: Tom Hanks, Joseph Gordon-Levitt (Voice), Benjamin Evan Ainsworth (Voice)
IMDb Rating: 5.2/10
Watch the trailer of Pinocchio on Youtube
Pinocchio is a classic tale that we all grew up listening to. The story follows a puppet, who is brought to life by a fairy. The puppet is meant to lead an innocent life, however, the puppet slowly begins to land into trouble. By his side is a cricket, who serves to act as his conscience.
The film is easily one of the greatest films to be ever made, and holds a certain place in everyone’s heart, 82 years later too.
16. A Goofy Movie (1995)
Director: Kevin Lima
Writer: Chris Matheson, Jymn Magon, Brain Pimental
Cast: Jim Cummings (Voice), Jason Marsden (Voice), Bill Farmer (Voice)
IMDb Rating: 6.9/10
Watch the trailer of a Goofy movie on Youtube
A Goofy Movie is a spin-off of the TV series called Goof Troop. The movie follows Goofy, a single dad, as he tries to form a connection with his son, Max. Max, on the other hand, is petrified that he might grow up to be exactly like his father. To add to his woes, his father almost ruin’s his love life by taking him on a cross-country trip he had no intention of going to.
17.Holes (2003)
Director: Andrew Davis
Writer: Louis Sachar
Cast: Jon Voight, Sigourney Weaver, Shia LaBeouf
IMDb Rating: 7.0/10
Watch the trailer of Holes on Youtube
Holes is by far, one of the most iconic films of Shia LaBeouf. The plot revolves around Stanley Yelnats IV, who is wrongfully convicted for stealing a pair of sneakers. He is sentenced to 18 months at Camp Green Lake, where along with others, he’s forced to dig holes in the desert by a corrupt warden. He becomes friends with Hector “Zero” who helps him survive the brutal camp.
17. The Lone Ranger (2012)
Director: Gore Verbinski
Writer: Justin Hayes, Terry Rossio, Ted Elliot
Cast: Armie Hammer, Johnny Depp, William Fichtner
IMDb Rating: 6.4/10
Watch the trailer of The Lone Ranger on Youtube
Starring Johnny Depp, The Lone Ranger follows a native American warrior called Tonto, who tells the unknown story of John Reid.
18. Frankenweenie (2012)
Director: Tim Burton
Writer: Tim Burton, Leonard Ripps, John August
Cast: Martin Short (Voice), Winona Ryder (Voice), Catherine O’Hara (Voice)
IMDb Rating: 6.9/10
Watch the trailer of Frankenweenie on Youtube
Frankenweenie is a remake of the 1984 short film by the same name, and it serves to be a homage and parody of sorts to the classic Frankenstein film. The film follows a young boy who loses his beloved pet dog. The young child attempts to bring his dog back to life by means of a science experiment.
19. The Black Cauldron (1985)
Director: Richard Rich, Ted Berman
Writer: David Jones, Lloyd Alexander, Vance Gerry
Cast: Freddie Jones (Voice), Grant Bardsley (Voice), Susan Sheridan (Voice)
IMDb Rating: 6.3/10
Watch the trailer of The Black Cauldron on Youtube
The Black Cauldron is a dark fantasy film that is largely based on Welsh mythology. The film follows a wicked emperor called the Horned King, who desires to secure an ancient magical cauldron that will enable him to conquer the world. However, his attempts are in vain, as he is strongly opposed by a swineherder called Taran and a bunch of other misfits. The film is narrated by John Huston, an acclaimed actor and director.
20. Coco (2017)
Director: Lee Unkrich, Adrian Molina
Writer: Jason Katz, Matthew Aldrich, Lee Unkrich
Cast: Benjamin Bratt (Voice), Anthony Gonzalez (Voice), Gael Garcia Bernal (Voice)
IMDb Rating: 8.4/10
Watch the trailer of Coco on Youtube
Coco is about an aspiring musician named Miguel, who decides to confront and unravel why his family has had a ban on music since generations. He soon learns that his grandfather was none other than the legendary Ernest de la Cruz. Following the revelation, he finds himself in the land of the dead as, cursed and alone, or maybe that’s what he thought so.
Summary:
Disney plus serves to be your one-stop solution for the entire family. Do share your thought on which movie titles will be watching from our list of the 20 best family movies on Disney Plus New Zealand.
If you don’t like our recommended movies, then you can check out the list of shows on Disney Plus that, includes Dancing with the Stars Season 31. Still, if you are unsatisfied with the service, you can cancel your Disney Plus subscription at any time or try another streaming platform like HBO Max in New Zealand.