Disney's top 5 best films of 2024 (and why you should watch)

As Disney continues to rebuild its magic after 2023's "flop era," 2024 scored some much-needed wins.

MOANA - From Walt Disney Animation Studios comes “Moana,” an epic adventure about a spirited teen who sets sail on a daring mission to prove herself a master wayfinder and fulfill her ancestors’ unfinished quest. During her journey, Moana (Auliʻi Cravalho) meets the mighty demigod Maui (Dwayne Johnson), and together they cross the ocean on a fun-filled, action-packed voyage, encountering enormous sea creatures, breathtaking underworlds and impossible odds. Along the way, Moana discovers the one
MOANA - From Walt Disney Animation Studios comes “Moana,” an epic adventure about a spirited teen who sets sail on a daring mission to prove herself a master wayfinder and fulfill her ancestors’ unfinished quest. During her journey, Moana (Auliʻi Cravalho) meets the mighty demigod Maui (Dwayne Johnson), and together they cross the ocean on a fun-filled, action-packed voyage, encountering enormous sea creatures, breathtaking underworlds and impossible odds. Along the way, Moana discovers the one

2023 was a rough year for The Walt Disney Company, and things are only starting to bounce back in 2024. That said, that doesn't mean Disney didn't have some major wins this year. Being the first studio to take over $2 billion at the domestic box office will certainly do wonders for anyone.

While Disney didn't have its usual bang-out year, it's not leaving the box office empty-handed. Additionally, Disney defied many (including this writer's) expectations by both branching out into new territories and returning to what truly worked in its favor. Although the studio has its Mickey Mitts in a lot of pies like Fox and Lucasfilm, these five films were the biggest wins of 2024.

Alien: Romulus (2024)

Taking home $350,865,342 worldwide, Fede Álvarez took fans of Ridley Scott's sci-fi horror franchise back to basics as Alien: Romulus reignites that claustrophobic terror as a group of spacers encounters extraterrestrial terrors in a derelict space station.

Disney hasn't had a true-blue relationship with the Xenomorphs since The Great Movie Ride at Disney's Hollywood Studios, but seeing a new Alien movie under the Disney regime feels strangely fitting. Harkening back to the darker films of the '80s, it feels like Disney tried to tap into that same energy by investing in this thrilling creature feature.

Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes (2024)

Keeping with the sci-fi theme, Disney and 20th Century Studios had another haul with Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes taking $397,369,969 globally. As the new race of genetically superior apes took over the earth with a massive empire, so did the film dominate audiences for Disney.

While this writer will always have a soft spot for Tim Burton's adaptation and the Caesar series, this follow-up has an epic vibe that shouldn't be ignored. Simply put, it was a big film that made big bucks for both studios involved.

Moana 2 (2024)

While still in theaters, Moana 2 technically still has today to improve its numbers. With a current worldwide box office of $883,194,616, Disney probably doesn't have much to worry about (even with a lukewarm reception).

While the follow-up to the original film was designed to be a series on Disney+, the oceanic princess Moana and her muscle-bound Maui clearly have a big enough fanbase to ride the waves again. That said, it still lacks a certain "shiny" quality without Lin-Manuel Miranda's contributions.

Deadpool & Wolverine (2024)

Not only did Disney and Marvel make bank with one of the biggest hits of the summer taking home boatloads of profit at the box office, but they practically had superhero fans flooding the theaters as they drooled at the screens. Of course, that's what happens when they give the people what they want.

With the legendary Hugh Jackman reprising his role as Wolverine and enough Marvel easter eggs and fan service to choke even the most dedicated comic book buff, $1,338,071,348 worldwide was certainly a logical outcome. Even if Deadpool gave a massive spandex-clad finger to Disney, that kind of payout would soothe any number of hurt feelings.

Inside Out 2 (2024)

If it's not broke, don't fix it. That's a lesson Disney needs a refresher course on, but Inside Out 2 proves the maxim brilliantly. After a series of misses in 2023, Disney and Pixar rose back to the top with this phenomenal follow-up to one of the company's most "emotional" adventures.

$1,698,472,914 worldwide makes this Pixar sequel Disney's most successful film of the entire year, and it's easy to see why. After sinking with Wish (2023), Disney and Pixar went back to what they knew worked in the past. Not only did they tell a new story with familiar characters, but they made it a relatable family feature that drew the target audience back with gusto.

2024 wasn't perfect, but it did score some wins for the studio. Fans can catch up with these movies and more on Disney+.