5 Hidden Gem Movies You Must Watch On Disney+ Right Now

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Disney+ showcases how much media ownership has changed. The streaming service brings together many of the biggest and most beloved franchises of the past 100 years, including classic Disney animation, the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and *Star Wars*. This focus on popular, big-budget movies and shows makes them easy to find and watch. For many people, having access to characters like Iron Man, Luke Skywalker, and Indiana Jones is reason enough to subscribe.

While Disney+ heavily promotes its most popular franchises, many worthwhile movies are easily overlooked. Beyond the constant stream of sequels and remakes lies a collection of unique films and older favorites that deserve to be seen. These hidden gems offer a glimpse into a different period for the studio, when films weren’t always created as the start of massive, interconnected stories.

5) Remember the Titans

The lasting popularity of *Remember the Titans* comes from its compelling story. It takes the broad and complex issue of racial integration in the South and focuses it on the personal lives and struggles of a high school football team. The film uses the intense atmosphere of a football training camp to show how people can change, particularly through the conflict and eventual connection between the new Black head coach, Herman Boone, and the white coach who was moved to an assistant position, Bill Yoast.

The way the coaches went from not trusting each other to working together as a team mirrors the team’s own journey toward unity. By focusing on the developing relationships between the main characters and tying them to the bigger story, *Remember the Titans* delivers a strong and easy-to-understand message about overcoming differences and finding common ground.

4) Splash

Released in 1984, *Splash* was a significant film for both Disney and actor Tom Hanks. The movie, directed by Ron Howard, centers on Allen Bauer (Hanks) who is rescued from near-drowning off the coast of Cape Cod by a woman named Madison (Daryl Hannah). Unbeknownst to him, Madison is a mermaid, and her choice to join him on land sparks a humorous, wild, and genuinely touching love story.

Though the story seems like a typical fantasy, the movie portrays the main relationship with a refreshing honesty, making Madison’s adjustment to human life feel genuinely moving. This mix of romance, comedy, and fantasy influenced many films that followed, successfully combining magical ideas with real emotions. Tom Hanks and Hannah’s great chemistry adds a heartwarming touch, and John Candy’s funny performance offers a delightful contrast to the film’s more sensitive moments.

3) The Brave Little Toaster

As a lifelong movie fan, I always thought *The Brave Little Toaster* seemed like a sweet story about some appliances trying to find their human. But what really stuck with me, and what people still talk about, is how surprisingly deep and even a little unsettling it is. It tackles some pretty heavy stuff – feeling left behind, becoming outdated, and even questioning what it all means – all wrapped up in an animated package!

The movie centers around a group of household appliances—a toaster, lamp, electric blanket, radio, and vacuum cleaner—who venture from their peaceful country life to find their owner in the city. Despite its heartwarming characters, *The Brave Little Toaster* doesn’t shy away from danger, showing the appliances facing real threats in places like a scary junkyard and a unsettling repair shop. This willingness to tackle darker themes and complex feelings is what gives the film a surprising emotional depth, helping it become a beloved cult classic that appeals to both children and adults.

2) Holes

Based on the popular book by Louis Sachar, the movie *Holes* is one of Disney’s most creative live-action films. It tells the story of Stanley Yelnats (Shia LaBeouf), a teen who is unfairly sent to a harsh desert camp. There, the warden makes the inmates dig holes all day in the scorching heat. But what starts as a strange punishment soon turns into a long-running mystery, connecting Stanley’s situation to a family curse that’s been around for over a hundred years.

I really enjoyed *Holes*. What struck me most is that it never treats its audience like they’re kids – it’s a surprisingly complex story that mixes humor, sadness, and ultimately, hope. It’s not just fun and games; the film deals with important themes of fairness and breaking negative patterns, and those themes feel incredibly relevant even now. That’s what makes *Holes* special – it’s one of those rare family movies that genuinely makes you think, while still being a blast to watch.

1) The Rocketeer

Following the success of Tim Burton’s *Batman*, which dramatically changed the way comic book movies were made with its dark and complex style, *The Rocketeer* stands out as a refreshing alternative. The film celebrates a more straightforward kind of hero in Cliff Secord (Billy Campbell), a relatable stunt pilot motivated by his loyalty and the situation he’s in. This is a clear contrast to the troubled and brooding heroes that were becoming popular at the time.

The film’s straightforward storytelling is also reflected in its villains. By having the hero fight against the clearly evil Nazis, it avoids any difficult moral questions and delivers a simple, exciting story of good versus evil, much like the old serial adventures it’s inspired by. This simplicity is actually *The Rocketeer*’s biggest strength, offering a hopeful and uncomplicated vision of heroism at a time when things were becoming increasingly bleak.

What’s another great show or movie on Disney+ that you think we should include? Share your thoughts in the comments and join the discussion on the ComicBook Forum!

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2025-10-10 20:52