Disney+ has been available to customers for almost two months now! Audiences young and old are enjoying the wide array of Disney content, available for only $6.99 per month. Competing with the likes of Hulu and Netflix, Disney+ is certainly giving its streaming service rivals a run for their money, gradually pulling the majority of its shows and films from other streaming services so that Disney fans only have to come to one place to view their favorite content.
As a new decade arrives, the time is now to reflect and reminisce about the best moments of the past. Here is a list of popular Disney shows and films to fulfill a nostalgic craving for your next binge-session!
Parent Trap
The film that introduced Linsday Lohan to stardom at the age of twelve! The Parent Trap (1998) was a remake of the 1961 film (also available on Disney+) by the same name. Lohan portrays a set of twins, Annie and Hallie, who meet in summer camp and switch places in an attempt to reunite their parents.
This film is filled with 90’s fashion, music and the most memorable one-liners that fans have been quoting for twenty years! The humor and timeless love story of The Parent Trap have maintained this film as a classic that never gets old, and a perfect addition to any nostalgic movie-night.
Recess
Recess (1997) was an animated series about the perils and triumphs of the children from a seemingly normal American public school.
With an eight-year run, airing from 1997-2006, Recess and its beloved cast of characters can still be seen in the Halloween costumes of the millennials who grew up watching this show. This comedy will offer some laughter as well as a few valuable life lessons that still hold up by today’s standards.
Hercules
A Disney classic! Just the thought of this film brings memories of the old smell of a VHS box. Hercules (1997) remains an iconic staple in the line-up of Disney’s best works, especially where nostalgia is concerned.
This film takes western 90’s culture and drops in in the middle of Ancient Greece. Hercules reimagines the Greek mythological story of the son of Zeus who lived among mortal men. A natural choice to bring back fond childhood memories.
Flubber
When Robin Williams and Disney get together, there’s bound to be a product that stands the test of time! Flubber (1997) is an adaptation of another film produced by Walt Disney (also available on Disney+) called The Absent-Minded Professor (1961).
Both films follow the story of a scientist after the development of a new energy source who stumbles across “Flubber” an elastic-like jelly substance that moves and interacts with the professor. Flubber delivers the best of Robin Williams’ brand of physical comedy as well as character and vocal comedy that he is adored are remembered for.
Inspector Gadget
One of the more recent entries for this list is Inspector Gadget (1999). Starring Matthew Broderick and a young Michelle Trachtenberg, this film is the story of a clumsy yet earnest security guard who becomes badly injured by an explosion.
He is rehabilitated by a robotics surgeon who replaces his injured limbs gadgets and tools. Inspector Gadget is filled with campy physical humor and wacky 90’s technology that makes it a perfect addition to any trip down memory lane… Go-go-Gadget… Binge-Watch!
A Goofy Movie
Talk about iconic! No nostalgic list would be complete without A Goofy Movie (1995). What makes this film such a staple in the canon of Disney classics is it’s relatability to both kids and adults, played out by beloved Disney characters. A Goofy Movie tells a “parents just don’t understand” tale that 90’s children’s programming in particular really capitalized on. This film also introduced audiences to the most iconic fictional Popstar that defined a generation: Powerline!
Darkwing Duck
This series is a bit of a deep-cut. It’s the dark color palette, and action-packed adventures give it a unique juxtaposition against comical Disney characters and parody styled crime-fighting. Darkwing Duck (1991) is available on Disney+ for your binging pleasure. This series follows Darkwing, a slightly egotistical crime-fighting Duck who lives an unassuming life by day while being a superhero by night.
Of course, being that this show aired on The Disney Channel, it’s fighting sequences are more slapstick antics than hard-hitting combat. A real feel-good and familiar show to make any nostalgic binge-night complete.
Steamboat Willie
One of the best advantages to Disney+ is its complete library of Disney content stretching all the way back to the very origins of Mickey Mouse himself. What a gift this is to Disney fans to be able to experience the core of Disney magic with this array of original Walt Disney cartoons.
Steamboat Willie (1928) features possibly the single most iconic scene of an early Mickey Mouse steering a boat down a river and whistling that iconic tune… available on Disney+ with a plethora of other early Mickey cartoons; see what made the world fall in love with the mouse!
The Little Mermaid
The Little Mermaid (1989) will add a bit of sing-a-long to any movie night. A true turning point for Disney and it’s princess stories, this film is revered as somewhat of a masterpiece for the studio. There’s truly something for everyone in this colorful and diverse world. With iconic songs, loveable humor, and a masterfully evil villain, this film is a blueprint for what makes Disney great!
Toy Story
Disney+ was nice enough to organize itself according to the studio/brand. Viewers can find all of the available Pixar films in one organized place! What better place to start than with the film that truly put Pixar on the map: Toy Story (1995).
This film is filled with iconic colors, loveable characters, and voiced by the legendary duo Tom Hanks and Tim Allen. A favorite of audiences of all ages, Toy Story follows a truly unique experience of what it feels like to live as a child’s toy. Unsurprisingly, the life of a toy is similar to the desires and struggles of life as a human being. It’s a relatable story that is both hilarious, as well as tear-jerking, has maintained this film as a necessary addition to any Disney fan’s nostalgic favorites!
