Official Disney The Lion King Trailer
Return to the Magic
There’s no question that Disney has some of the most nostalgic movies from the 1990s and early 2000s. Since the company’s first feature-length movie Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs in 1937, Disney has continued to churn out more movies. From live-action remakes to new movies in the classic Disney style, Disney hasn’t yet exhausted what it’ll come out with. Beloved by adults and children alike, many Disney movies appeal to most age demographics.
But what about those movies that really make adults reminisce about their childhood? Disney movies in the ’90s and the early 2000s are some of the most rewatched movies for Disney lovers. While this list only covers the top ten between 1900-2009, many other nostalgic films are still available on Disney+.
10. Chicken Little (2005)
A hilarious little adventure comedy, Chicken Little may not be one of the best Disney movies out there, but it has an air of nostalgia to it. The movie follows the classic tale of The Sky Is Falling or The Boy Who Cried Wolf in which the titular character “Chicken Little” Cluck cries out to the town that the sky is falling when an acorn falls and hits his head. A year later, Chicken Little is infamous for his reputation that ruins everything. But when he discovers the sky is actually falling, he must build up his courage and rescue his town from an alien invasion. With mixed reviews across the board, Chicken Little still slipped into the tenth spot among most nostalgic Disney movies in the ’90s and early 2000s for its popular moral and memorable characters.
Chicken Little can be streamed on Disney+.
9. Hercules (1997)
Charming in its own way, Hercules may not have been seen as good as other Disney classics, but its core message and characters are worthy of praise. The movie follows the story of Hercules, the son of Zeus and Hera. After being turned partially mortal by Hades, Hercules is sent to Earth to grow up where he struggles to control his own strength. Hercules goes on to become a hero once he learns of his parentage, meeting Megara. Megara and the Muses are a part of what makes the movie so nostalgic alongside the themes of modern heroism and showcasing how anyone can become a hero. The movie is also very loosely inspired by the real myth of Hercules.
Hercules can be streamed on Disney+.
8. The Emperor’s New Groove (2000)
A bit of an outlier from other Disney movies, especially older ones, The Emperor’s New Groove was quick to grow into a cult classic. Arguably one of the funniest Disney films ever, the movie is filled with meta humor and visual gags galore. The story follows Emperor Kuzco who is turned into a llama by Yzma, his ex-administator. In order to regain his throne, Kuzco must depend on the gentle llama herder Pacha. Filled with hilarious quirks and a llama as the main character for a majority of the film, The Emperor’s New Groove is an underrated masterpiece. It is especially fun to rewatch and catch those adult-aimed jokes missed as a kid, giving viewers the nostalgia they missed and something new with their viewing.
The Emperor’s New Groove can be streamed on Disney+.
7. Lilo & Stitch (2002)
Filled with action-packed adventure, heartwarming moments, and a look into island life, Lilo & Stitch reworks a classic story structure into its own zany adventure. With multiple spinoffs from movies to a TV show, the story follows a little girl named Lilo who adopts a “dog” that is really a scientific experiment who escaped to earth. The two form a bond similar to the “boy and his dog” narrative, with Stitch, the alien, learning from Lilo about life as he tries to escape from other aliens that want to lock him up. The movie is known most notably for the quote, “’Ohana’ means ‘family.’ ‘Family’ means ‘no one gets left behind.'”
Lilo and Stitch can be streamed on Disney+.
6. WALL-E (2008)
With a strong social message and an exciting sci-fi adventure, WALL-E couldn’t be left out of this list. Paying homage to multiple pivotal eras of cinema including silent movies and musicals, WALL-E transforms the classic Disney animation into a story told mainly through its visuals. The movie follows the titular robot WALL-E, the last of the waste disposal robots that had been sent to clean Earth after it was decimated. Humanity has fled Earth to live in space until Earth was habitable again. Falling in love with a vegetation-scanning robot named EVE, WALL-E goes on an intergalactic voyage that would change the course of humanity. The movie is well known for its pointed yet heartwarming story and the commentary it has on taking care of the Earth.
WALL-E can be streamed on Disney+.
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5. Beauty and the Beast (1991)
“A tale as old as time” like Beauty and the Beast is a must-see nostalgic Disney movie. As one of the most popular classic movies of all time, Beauty and the Beast weaves themes of love, loyalty, and looking beyond appearances, all creating a stunning movie. The movie follows village girl Belle who is seen as an oddity due to her love of reading. When her ill father is taken as a prisoner by the Beast, Belle offers to take his place. The Beast, cursed to be the way he is, must learn to love and earn it from a maiden before he is stuck as a beast forever. With the help of the enchanted staff, Belle falls in love with him, unaware of the trouble the egotistical hunter Gaston is stirring up. With its iconic songs, stunning ballroom dance scene, and messages, Beauty and the Beast is a core nostalgic movie that everyone should return to at least once every few years.
Beauty and the Beast can be streamed on Disney+.
4. Toy Story (1995)
Who didn’t think their toys came to life when they were alone? For those who dreamed and wondered what their beloved toys would do, Toy Story showed what toys do when their owners leave the room. With multiple sequels, and one coming out in 2026, it’s no surprise Toy Story is decently far up on this list. The classic is hard to beat, seeing how Andy’s toys come to life and go on their own adventures was the start of an entire franchise. The movie follows pull-string cowboy Woody, a toy that loves his owner Andy. But when Andy receives a new spaceman action figure, Buzz Lightyear, who becomes his new favorite, Woody aims to get rid of Buzz. The two end up begrudgingly working together to get back to Andy before he moves. With each new film, hearts are ripped to shreds with the impact these toys have on viewers. While the franchise is still going strong, the first Toy Story will always be a nostalgic Disney movie.
Toy Story can be streamed on Disney+.
3. Monsters Inc. (2001)
Appealing to previous generations and the modern kids alike, Monsters Inc. is a beloved classic that has spawned both a prequel movie and a sequel series. The usually frightening idea of the monster in the closet was amusingly spun into the movie which made kids want to find a monster in their closet. The story follows two monsters, Sulley and Mike, as they have to figure out a way to send a child that accidentally snuck into the world through her door and out of Monstropolis before someone sees her. Along the way, Sulley and Mike realize that things might not be the way they think in their world, where human screams fuel power. Beloved by adults and children alike with its fun storyline and stunning animation, Monsters Inc. deserves a spot in the top three.
Monsters Inc. can be streamed on Disney+.
2. Aladdin (1992)
A crowd pleaser, Aladdin has wowed viewers with its stunning animation and infectious songs since its release in 1992 — so much so that it was given a live-action remake in 2019. The movie follows street urchin Aladdin as he agrees to help Jafar, a power-hungry Grand Vizier, find a magic lamp that holds a fun-loving genie. With Genie’s help, Aladdin rises from a street urchin to woo Princess Jasmine, unaware of the devious plans Jafar has for the lamp and him. With masterful voice work from Robin Williams, Aladdin is hailed especially for the Genie character. One of the most memorable sidekicks in Disney movies, there’s not a single moment that’s dull when Genie is on screen. Williams’ memorable work is a huge part of what makes Aladdin so nostalgic and places it at the number two spot on the list.
Aladdin can be streamed on Disney+.
1. The Lion King (1994)
At number one, The Lion King, released in 1994, takes the crown for most nostalgic Disney movie in the ’90s and early 2000s. Anyone who has seen the movie, no matter their age, has surely been taken aback by what happens to Mufasa. The film is essentially an adaptation of Hamlet but with animals. It follows Simba, a lion cub destined to succeed his father Mufasa as King of the Pride Lands — that is until the cub is cast out of the kingdom by his conniving uncle Scar after he seizes the throne. Years later, Simba is called back to avenge his father and take his destined spot. A timeless classic when it comes to Disney animation, The Lion King deserves the top spot for most nostalgic in the 90s and early 2000s.
The Lion King can be streamed on Disney+.
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Author
Kendra Dennis is a Pennsylvania-based creative and content writer. While her passion lies within the creative realm, Kendra enjoys any time she gets to write. Kendra graduated from American Public University System in June of 2025 with a BA in English. She enjoys writing stories that open up to a larger world where readers can get lost. You can find her daydreaming about her newest stories or reorganizing one of her many bookshelves.
