Movies On Disney+ To Watch While Social Distancing
A few days ago, we shared a few television programs on Disney+ to binge while you are social distancing yourself during the Coronavirus. This time, we thought we'd share ten movies that you should check out, all available on the streaming service. We hope you enjoy. Stay safe and healthy!
The Reluctant Dragon
This is one of our favorite Disney films bar none. It follows comedian Robert Benchley as he tours Walt Disney Studios before meeting with Walt himself to pitch making Kenneth Grahame's book into a movie. For any fan of Disney history, this is a must as we get treated to all kinds of archival footage as well as some fun animated shorts.
The Journey Of Natty Gann
This is a wonderful and often forgotten Disney classic that takes place in Depression era America. Young Natty Gann (Meredith Salenger) journeys across the United States in search of her father who has gone to work somewhere in Washington state. Along the way, she finds friendship in a wolf and a kindly young man named Henry (John Cusack). The movie contains beautiful locales and does a great job representing the bleakness of the time. Salenger plays Natty Gann beautifully as a tomboy without making her into a caricature.
Queen of Katwe
In an age when Disney starting doing remakes and sequels came this original movie based on a true story. A young Ugandan girl named Phiona (Madina Nalwanga) finds that she is quite good at chess and goes on to become a chess champion, forever changing her family's lives. Lupita Nyong'o plays her mother and David Oyelowo plays her coach. This film is so inspiring and makes you appreciate all that you have.
The Ugly Dachshund
This film is utterly charming. First of all, it has some of the cutest dogs in the world. But, Dean Jones and Suzanne Pleshette are such a joy to watch on the screen and their chemistry is just perfect. Jones and Pleshette play Mark and Fran Garrison who adopt a giant Great Dane named Brutus after their dachshund Danke delivers three pups of her own. There's lots of fun to be had with this film, especially if you are a dog lover.
The Rocketeer
We think this is one of the best superhero films of all time. Taking place in the 1930s, we follow Cliff Secord (Bill Campbell), a young pilot who finds himself in the possession of a jet pack and helmet that can help him save the day from Nazis. There's lots of high flying action in this film by veteran Joe Johnston (who also directed Captain America: The First Avenger).
Sister Act
Want a good laugh? Then Sister Act is for you. The film follows Deloris Van Cartier (Whoopi Goldberg) who has to hide out at a nun's convent while waiting to testify against her gangster ex-boyfriend. While Deloris finds it difficult to fit in, she also finds herself making a difference in the sisters lives. The movie is hilarious while retaining a lot of heart. And, the music is great with Goldberg doing her own singing.
Togo
This is one of the original films on Disney+ and it cannot be said enough that this film is one of Disney's finest. The movie is based on a true story about the dog pack relay that brought medicine to Gnome, Alaska amidst a Diphtheria outbreak. While many have heard of Balto, few learned the story of Togo, the dog leader that pulled the majority of the journey. The scenery is just beautiful, but really makes you feel how cold and harsh the climate really was. Willem Dafoe plays musher Leonhard Seppala beautifully.
The Sign Of Zorro
The Sign of Zorro is actually a compilation of episodes of the Zorro television series. It follows the exploits of Don Diego de la Vega (Guy Williams) who is also the masked swashbuckler Zorro by night. The film has all that kind of face paced action and is a great way to familiarize yourself with the series. Williams is suave and debonair as the titular hero!
Big Business
Big Business is one of the funniest of the 80s Touchstone films. It involves two sets of twins who were switched at birth. Two grew up as rich business owners while the other two grew up poor in a poor mining town. Bette Midler and Lily Tomlin play the twins to perfection. Whenever I want to cheer up, especially in times like these, I put in this film to get a good laugh.
Escape To Witch Mountain
This was one of my favorite Disney films growing up. It follows brother and sister Tony(Ike Eisenmann) and Tia (Kim Richards) who both possess supernatural powers. They go on a journey to find out where they came from all while trying to escape the clutches of an evil businessman who wants to exploit them. Who wouldn't want to be a kid with powers. We still find this film to be a fun one.