Disney's best films of the 2020s so far

Mythical creatures and brotherly love? Check and check. There is something for everyone in Onward. Whether you're watching it with your siblings or friends with whom you play D&D weekly, you'll enjoy this bit of Disney/Pixar magic after you're finished wiping the tears from your eyes.

Where were you when Hamilton took the world by storm — at least on Disney+, that is? It was 2020, so you were probably at home, but for those of us who hadn't seen it on Broadway, we remember! Two hours and 40 minutes later, all of the hype made sense. You go, Lin-Manuel Miranda!

Is it even a Disney film if it doesn't leave you in tears? Soul's beautiful imagery, thought-provoking message, and soundtrack made it one of the best movies of the year. It won various awards, including Oscars for Best Animated Feature and Best Original Score. Along with Hamilton, it was one of the most-watched films to go directly to streaming in 2020.

Raya and the Last Dragon is pretty much exactly what we expected from Disney: a reliably enjoyable and uplifting film that's full of laughs. Though not particularly innovative, it is visually appealing and serves as an excellent family film.

I was fully prepared to hate Cruella ; however, Disney surprises me every now and then. Not only did Emma Stone and Emma Thompson do an amazing job, but the music and fashion were absolutely on point. The film rightfully won an Oscar for Best Costume Design in 2022.

Luca is nothing short of adorable. The film's beautiful animation has the power to somehow transport you to the actual Italian Riviera. The whole family can enjoy this coming-of-age story and will want to watch it repeatedly.

I enjoyed Jungle Cruise more than I thought I would, and we probably have Emily Blunt to thank for that. She, Dwayne Johnson, and Jack Whitehall make quite the team, and although it may not be one of the best films of the decade so far, it's pretty solid for Disney. A sequel is currently in the works, with no release date yet.

Free Guy is a wild ride; better yet, it's a full-on adventure. If you watch any video game-related movie of the decade, let it be this one. Not only is it hilarious, but we also get a little Green Lantern reunion with Ryan Reynolds and Taika Waititi that no one asked for.

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is one of the best Marvel films, automatically making it one of Disney's best of the 2020s. Director Destin Daniel Cretton, along with Simu Liu and the rest of the cast, brought something special to an already incredible script, making for an unforgettable cinematic experience.

It was refreshing to see Disney break free from its usual princess storyline and embrace new ideas with Encanto. With stunning animation and a soundtrack by Lin-Manuel Miranda, it's not surprising that it won an Oscar for Best Animated Feature.

Spider-Man: No Way Home is one of the best for various reasons, three of which are Tom Holland, Andrew Garfield, and Tobey Maguire, or the "Spider-Men," as it were. The film has been out for almost three years, so this doesn't count as a spoiler, right? It was a wonderful addition to the multiverse storyline and gave fans the ultimate crossover experience.

To me, Turning Red is a perfect film. You don't have to be an Asian Canadian who grew up in the early 2000s to empathize with the characters and appreciate the message. It is also sure to make anyone with a previous boy band obsession nostalgic for simpler times.

While Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness was essentially an extension of WandaVision, most didn't seem to mind. Doctor Strange and Scarlet Witch teaming up (more or less) was inevitable, given the events that played out in the series and Spider-Man: No Way Home. Director Sam Raimi seemingly gave the film the edge that it needed to be a success.

Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers is unique, thoroughly entertaining, and one of my favorite Disney movies of the 2020s thus far. Andy Samberg and John Mulaney as Chip and Dale are the perfect pairing that we never knew we needed.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 was an unexpected tearjerker and exactly what the trilogy needed. Though a bit darker than the previous two, fans seemed to appreciate Rocket's backstory among the chaos surrounding the Guardians. It's 10/10.

Elemental received relatively mixed reviews from critics, but based on what I've seen, it's a hit with kids, and that's all that matters. It feels familiar to other Disney films, although the romance between the two main characters is what sets it apart.

Yes, it is technically a Disney film. Theater Camp is for theater and non-theater kids alike, providing humor that, although specific to theater, everyone can appreciate. All in all, it's a charming little film. Give it a go if you're in the mood for fun!

Next Goal Wins is severely underrated and has everything you could want in a film: humor, heart, Michael Fassbender, and I suppose there's some soccer in there. Jokes aside, it's an incredibly inspiring film based on the 2014 documentary about the actual team. It's just a bonus that it also happens to be hilarious.

I'll leave the glaringly obvious ones to the end, i.e., Inside Out 2. The first film was so successful that, nine years later, we finally got the sequel. The film introduces new emotions as Riley enters puberty, really speaking to the adolescent experience and resonating with people of all ages.

To quote the man himself: "He has risen, baby girl!" The stars aligned with the masterpiece Deadpool & Wolverine , with Hugh Jackman returning as Wolverine and a handful of surprises that fans surely won't forget. I can confidently say that it's already one of Disney's best films from the 2020s.