Disney has been trying to capture the lightning of Pirates of the Caribbean for two decades. Haunted Mansion (2023) is their best attempt yet. Ignore the trailers—this film is genuinely scary for a PG-13 rating.
Why you missed it: Disney dumped it in July against Oppenheimer and Barbie. That was a crime. The cast (LaKeith Stanfield, Tiffany Haddish, Owen Wilson, Danny DeVito) has incredible chemistry. Stanfield, playing a widowed physicist, brings real pain to a movie about a ghost bride.
The Verdict: It is the sleeper hit of the year on streaming. For fans of the ride, the Easter eggs (the Hatbox Ghost, the busts in the graveyard) are perfection.
For your next family movie night, start at the top of this list. You won't be disappointed.
Looking back at 2023, Disney's 100th anniversary year brought a huge mix of heavy hitters from the Marvel Cinematic Universe , heartwarming
originals, and live-action reimaginings of absolute classics.
Here’s a breakdown of the top Disney movies from 2023 for your next movie night. The Animated Big Hits
: This Pixar film follows Ember (fire) and Wade (water) in a city where different elements live together. It was highly praised for its world-building and for tackling deep themes like the immigrant experience disney movies 2023 top
: Released for Disney’s 100th anniversary, this musical-comedy tells the origin story of the iconic wishing star. It’s available on
and features a unique art style inspired by hand-drawn animation. Once Upon a Studio
: Technically a short film, this 100th-anniversary celebration brought over 400 Disney characters together for a group photo . It’s a nostalgic must-watch for any long-time fan. Action & Blockbusters Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
: Often cited as the best MCU film of the year, this final chapter for the original team focused heavily on Rocket Raccoon’s emotional backstory. Critics from The Walt Disney Company and fans alike rated it as essential viewing. Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny
: Harrison Ford returned for one last adventure as the legendary archeologist. You can catch Indy walking around Adventureland in Disneyland to celebrate this release. The Marvels
: Carol Danvers, Kamala Khan, and Monica Rambeau teamed up in this high-energy sequel. While it had a rocky box office run, many fans on called it an underrated entry in the franchise. Live-Action & Streaming Favorites The Little Mermaid : Halle Bailey stars as Ariel in this visually stunning remake
that brought the underwater world to life with fresh songs and modern effects. Haunted Mansion Disney has been trying to capture the lightning
: Based on the iconic theme park ride, this supernatural comedy features a massive cast including LaKeith Stanfield and Rosario Dawson. It’s a great family-friendly pick for those who like a few "spooky" laughs. Flamin’ Hot : Eva Longoria directed this biopic (streaming on Disney+ and Hulu
) about Richard Montañez, the janitor who claimed to have invented the iconic Flamin' Hot Cheeto.
Which of these did you catch in theaters, or are you still catching up on most anticipated Disney movies coming out in the next year?
2023 was the year of the live-action remake. Peter Pan & Wendy landed softly on Disney+, but The Little Mermaid swam into theaters with the weight of nostalgia on its back. Despite a bizarrely loud online backlash, the film succeeded where others failed because of one element: Halle Bailey.
Why it makes the top three: Bailey’s performance of "Part of Your World" is definitive. She doesn't imitate Jodi Benson; she builds a new Ariel—more curious, more soulful. While the photorealistic animal sidekicks (Flounder and Sebastian) are visually unsettling, the underwater cinematography and Melissa McCarthy’s scene-stealing Ursula elevate the film.
The Verdict: It crossed $569 million globally and proved that diverse casting is not a "liability" but a strength when the talent is undeniable.
Box Office: The Little Mermaid (~$569 Million); Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (~$384 Million) Consensus: Mixed Financial Returns, Divided Audiences. Why you missed it: Disney dumped it in
Disney’s strategy of remaking animated classics continued with The Little Mermaid. While it performed well globally and was a domestic hit, the film faced headwinds regarding its CGI effects and "review-bombing" on aggregate sites. However, Halle Bailey’s performance was universally lauded, cementing the film as a cultural touchstone for a new generation, even if it fell short of the billion-dollar heights of The Lion King or Aladdin.
Conversely, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny represents one of the year’s most high-profile disappointments. Despite a massive budget and the return of Harrison Ford, the film struggled to find an audience. Its performance highlighted the risks of revisiting dormant franchises without a clear understanding of how to modernize them for contemporary audiences. While critically decent, it failed to justify its production costs, underscoring the limit of nostalgia as a standalone marketing tool.
Box Office: ~$170 Million (Global, still climbing) The Verdict: A masterclass in counter-programming.
Wait—is this Disney? Yes. Disney distributes Studio Ghibli internationally. In a year of CGI sludge, Hayao Miyazaki’s hand-drawn, abstract, surrealist meditation on grief and legacy became a blockbuster.
This is the most fascinating "top" film of 2023 because it disproves every corporate PowerPoint slide. The Boy and the Heron had no marketing hook, no toys in Happy Meals, and no post-credits scene. It relied on word-of-mouth about its artistic beauty. It succeeded because it offered the opposite of the Marvel/Disney formula. It treated children like adults. Disney should frame this one on the wall as a reminder of what they used to be.
When discussing the Disney movies 2023 top earners versus flops, The Marvels is the elephant in the room. It currently holds the record as the lowest-grossing film in Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) history. Why did it fail? It wasn't for lack of talent. Iman Vellani (Ms. Marvel) is widely praised as a scene-stealer.
However, the film suffered from "superhero fatigue," a confusing narrative requiring three Disney+ shows' worth of homework, and an actors' strike that prevented any promotion. While the body-swap action sequences were inventive, the film felt like a side-quest. For general audiences searching for the top Disney movies of 2023, this was the easiest one to skip in theaters.