Look, we’ve all been there. You open Disney+ or look at the local theater marquee and feel that weird mix of "oh, another sequel" and "wait, is that actually going to be good?" It’s a mood. Honestly, the conversation around disney movies to watch has changed a lot lately. It used to be just about the next big princess movie or whatever Marvel was doing. Now? It’s a chaotic, fascinating mess of high-budget bets and weird little experimental projects that most people are completely ignoring.
If you’re just looking for the stuff everyone else is talking about, you already know the names. Toy Story 5 is coming this June. Moana (the live-action one) is hitting in July. But if you actually want to spend your time on something that won't make you feel like you're just watching a corporate spreadsheet come to life, you have to dig a bit deeper.
The 2026 Shift: Why Disney Movies to Watch Aren't What They Used to Be
The "Disney Fatigue" thing is real. Or at least, it’s evolving. We saw it with Snow White last year—huge budget, massive controversy, and then it just sort of... thudded at the box office, losing over $100 million. People are getting pickier. They don't just want the brand; they want a reason to care.
That’s why the 2026 slate is actually kind of a pivot. Disney is leaning hard into nostalgia, sure, but they're also greenlighting things that feel genuinely risky. Take Hoppers, the Pixar movie coming in March. It’s about a girl who puts her brain into a robot beaver to talk to animals. That is weird. That is "early Pixar" weird. And frankly, those are the types of disney movies to watch if you’re tired of the same old "hero’s journey" beats.
What's Actually on the Horizon
The big hitters are lined up like a military parade.
- The Mandalorian & Grogu (May 22): This is the big test. Can Star Wars still command a theater after years of being a "TV show" brand?
- Toy Story 5 (June 19): Pixar is tackling "the era of technology." Basically, Woody and Buzz vs. an iPad. It sounds a bit "old man yells at cloud," but Andrew Stanton is back, so there’s hope.
- Moana (July 10): This is the live-action remake. People are mostly going just to see Dwayne Johnson do "You're Welcome" in person.
- Avengers: Doomsday (December 18): The return of Robert Downey Jr., but as Doctor Doom. It’s the ultimate "break glass in case of emergency" move for Marvel.
Don't Sleep on the Streaming Gems
While the theaters are busy with the billion-dollar bets, Disney+ is becoming a weird little art house for things that don't fit the mold. Right now, in January 2026, the biggest thing on the platform isn't even a cartoon. It’s TRON: Ares.
💡 You might also like: Ashley My 600 Pound Life Now: What Really Happened to the Show’s Most Memorable Ashleys
It’s funny, actually. TRON: Ares had a rough theatrical run last year, but now that it’s on streaming, it’s blowing up. It’s that classic Tron thing—looks cool, sounds amazing (even without Daft Punk this time), but works way better on a home setup where you can just soak in the vibes. If you’re scrolling tonight and want something that feels like a fever dream from the future, that’s your move.
Then there’s The Tale of Silyan. It just dropped. It’s a Macedonian-inspired folktale about a boy who turns into a stork. It is quiet, it is beautiful, and it is the exact opposite of a loud Marvel movie. It’s the kind of disney movies to watch when you actually want to feel something other than "whoa, look at that explosion."
The "Microcontent" Experiment
Disney recently announced at CES 2026 that they’re bringing "microcontent" to the app. Think TikTok-style clips from Zootopia or Inside Out tailored to your watch history. It’s a blatant play for the younger crowd, but it also means the way we "watch" these movies is changing. You might not watch all of Moana 2 (which, by the way, crossed a billion last year), but you’ll probably see the best three minutes of it while you're waiting for the bus.
The Movies Everyone is Ignoring (But Shouldn't)
We have to talk about Hexed. It’s coming out in November. It’s tucked right between the massive success of Zootopia 2 and the upcoming Frozen 3 in 2027. Most people haven't heard of it.
The premise is a teenage boy and his mom discovering magic powers and getting pulled into another world. Sounds standard, right? But the word from the early screenings is that it’s much darker and more character-driven than the usual "princess" fare. It’s being handled by the same people who did Encanto, and that movie worked because it was about family trauma, not just magic.
📖 Related: Album Hopes and Fears: Why We Obsess Over Music That Doesn't Exist Yet
Also, keep an eye on Whalefall in October. It’s technically 20th Century Studios (so, Disney-owned). Josh Brolin gets swallowed by a whale. He has one hour of oxygen. It’s basically Pinocchio but as a terrifying survival thriller. If that doesn't pique your interest, I don't know what will.
How to Choose Your Next Disney Watch
Stop just clicking on the "Featured" banner. The algorithm is just trying to sell you the stuff with the highest merchandising potential.
If you want a classic "Disney" feel but are tired of The Lion King, go back to The Great Mouse Detective or Treasure Planet. Those movies were "flops" in their time but they have more soul than half the live-action remakes we’ve seen in the last five years. Treasure Planet in particular looks incredible in 4K—the mix of 2D and 3D was way ahead of its time.
For the modern era, the "must-watch" list for 2026 is actually quite short:
- For the kids: Hoppers. It’s fresh, it’s weird, and it’s not a sequel.
- For the nostalgia hit: The Devil Wears Prada 2 (May). Seeing Meryl Streep and Emily Blunt back together is going to be the "Disney" event of the spring for anyone over 25.
- For the spectacle: Avengers: Doomsday. You can't avoid it. You might as well embrace the chaos of RDJ as a villain.
The Actionable Strategy for Your Watchlist
Instead of aimlessly scrolling, try this: filter by "Studio." Look at the 20th Century Studios or Searchlight sections on Disney+. That’s where the "adult" Disney lives. You’ll find things like The Dog Stars (coming in August), which is a post-apocalyptic sci-fi movie that feels absolutely nothing like a "Disney" movie.
👉 See also: The Name of This Band Is Talking Heads: Why This Live Album Still Beats the Studio Records
If you're looking for the best disney movies to watch this weekend, don't just go for the newest release. Go for the "underrated" section. Find Atlantis: The Lost Empire. It’s basically an Indiana Jones movie but animated. It’s smart, it’s got a great voice cast (Michael J. Fox!), and it doesn't have any singing.
Start by checking your "Continue Watching" list. Clear out the stuff you're only half-interested in. Then, go to the search bar and type "4K Ultra HD." Watch something that actually uses your TV's potential, like Avatar: Fire and Ash when it inevitably hits the platform, or even the original Tron.
The real secret to enjoying Disney in 2026 is realizing that they own almost everything now. You aren't limited to fairy tales. You have horror (like the R-rated Psycho Killer coming in February), deep sci-fi, and weird indie-style documentaries. Expand the definition of what a "Disney movie" is, and your watchlist will suddenly get a lot more interesting.
Check the release dates for the big four: Hoppers (March 6), The Mandalorian & Grogu (May 22), Toy Story 5 (June 19), and Avengers: Doomsday (December 18). Mark them down, but spend the time in between looking at the stuff Disney is too scared to promote heavily. That's where the real magic is hiding.