How to make Disney+ Educational: 99+ movies with a book title
Imagine a world where Disney and education intermingled and teaching children was as magical as the movies with fireworks exploding overhead as we see the sparks light up in our kids’ minds as they learn. Sounds like a fantasy right?
It doesn’t have to be! Disney Plus can actually be educational. In fact, it can even be an asset to you as a teacher or
We have officially binged 3 audiobooks this week just to dive into this vast collection of awesome movies. While I have many friends that are die-hard Disney lovers, I am not one of them. So with the release of Disney Plus, I honestly didn’t know that I wanted to take the plunge into the monthly fee. However, we did. And to make Disney+ worth it, we’re using it in our homeschool classroom to do educational
We have worked hard to compile a helpful life of resources. Links to Amazon are affiliate links. We earn from qualifying purchases.
Movies on Disney+ that can be included in a novel study.
Please note: each movie is linked, but some are future releases. Also, your watchlist will only show fifty at a time, but the ones beyond fifty will still be saved and seen once you remove something!
101 Dalmatians
There are actually 3 different movies available under this title and one that I am sure we all enjoyed as children. The original book is by Dottie Smith, but you can find several variations on Amazon.
Holes
This was actually one of the very first books we read as a family that we then watched the movie. It’s a fantastic movie but it’s an even better book!
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
Picking up any book by C.S. Lewis is such a delight and the Narnia series tops that list. Be sure to binge read the whole series and then start the movies! The Chronicles of Narnia Book Series.
Annie
It’s a hard knock life! There are several books, poems, and plays that feature little orphan Annie, making this a great unit to cover! Find more books on “America’s Spunkiest kid”.
The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad
If you have read the Wind in the Willows or the Legend of Sleepy Hollow, then this is such a great film to watch after finishing them.
The BFG
This book is a super fun one to read out loud because of all the crazy words and sounds! Definitely a must read and see.
Lady and the Tramp
Cook up a plate of spaghetti and snuggle up to read the book and watch the movie.
DUMBO
This has always been a favorite movie since childhood, but I honestly haven’t read the book because I believe it’s a novelization. Regardless, we will be reading it before our kids see the film!
Prince Caspian
Another installment in the Narnia series. Again, I would suggest completing the entire book series before diving into the movies!
Sleeping Beauty
Because this is a classic tale, there are several variations of the book from condensed early readers to the longer novel!
Find many of them in this referral link: Sleeping Beauty Books.
The Great Mouse Detective
You will love following the adventures of Basil, I am sure of it! There’s even an entire book series which means you’ll be hooked for awhile!
The Three MuskEteers
Originally by Alexandre Dumes, there are several adaptations depending on the age of your children!
The Love Bug
Yes, they’re books too!! Such a cute series of books and movies for the whole family or classroom to enjoy.
Herbie Rides Again
There are actually several Herbie movies, so be sure to search for all of them as well as the books.
John Carter
While the movie is a bit much for younger kids, this is a great read and watch for middle school and beyond and includes a 7 novel series.
Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey
This book and movie are perfect for the family of a variety of age groups! Both the main movie and sequel are available.
The Last Song
A love story by Nicholas Sparks, this is the perfect book for older students.
Mary Poppins
Written by Dr. P.L. Travers, there’s a whole set of books about the lovely Mary Poppins and two movies on Disney plus!
Oliver and Company
The story is an adaptation of Oliver Twist. You can also find books written by the Disney company, but any chance to read Dickens is a great decision!
The Nutcracker
From the classic to this beautiful picture book, there are plenty of literary options when it comes to the nutcracker. So dive into the story and watch the film!
The other Me
This is based on the book called Me Two by Mary Ryan. It’s all about a boy who accidentally creates a clone of himself!
Dr. Doolittle
For your older children, this book and newer movie are a good break just for some entertainment.
the Prince and the Pauper
Whether you’re looking for the Mickey version of the one from 1962, they’re both there. So read and enjoy one of the films!
The PArent Trap
Both old an new movies are on Disney, you could easily spend a lot of time comparing and contrasting… Maybe even a three circle diagram comparing and contrasting all of them.
The Princess Diaries
Grab the book collection through our affiliate link. Then you will be able to find both the first and second installment streaming.
The Sign of Zorro
As with all great characters, there are a multitude of books that follow Zorro’s adventures.
Queen of Katwe
This is a newer movie and rated PG. A story of a girl who discovers her talent for chess!
The Princess Diaries 2
These movies are cute and endearing, so continue to enjoy following along with the sequel movie.
The Reluctant Dragon
This book follows the story of a poetry loving dragon! The movie is different and kind of a behind the scenes look at Disney in the forties. However, at the end of the movie there’s an animated short, about twenty minutes, that follows the relationship between the boy and the dragon from the book.
Read it and Weep
A girl’s journey is accidentally turned into a writing contest and even wins!
Return from Witch Mountain
Kids trying to save their city from destruction, super powers, and criminal enemies. It’s a fun plot to both read and then watch this film from the seventies.
Race to Witch Mountain
You’ll have plenty of time to read this book before the streaming service is available. But this is a modern movie that you can watch with the whole family!
A Ring of Endless Light
The movie is based on a series of books called the Austin Family Chronicles. The premise? Just when the world is looking gloom, Veronica finds out that she can communicate with dolphins.
Return to oz
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is a fantastic read for all ages. But in this movie, can Dorothy save all her friends and help out with Emerald City? You’ll just have to watch to find out!
The Shaggy Dog
Did you know that these movies are actually based on a book called The Hound of Florence by Felix Salten? There is both the old version of this movie and the newer remake available!
The Shaggy D.A.
Watch as the District Attorney transforms into an English Sheepdog and does what he can to escape the dog catcher!
Secretariat
This is truly a story of heroes and unlikely friendship. You can find so many lovely stories about Secretariat!
Snowball Express
Doesn’t everyone inherit a ski resort and move there to take care of it? Read this book by Joe Claro and watch the movie too.
Twitches
Two girls separated at birth to showcase how magical they really are: there’s a whole series of books to enjoy along with the Disney channel movie.
Muppets Treasure Island
This adorable show is family-friendly and fun for all and a great movie to watch after listening to the classic novel.
The Ugly Duckling
This is the original version of the movie is full of heartache and love and based on the story by Hans Christian Andersen.
The Ugly Dachshund
Both in the movie and the book, a Great Dane is sad to not be treated like his Dachshund counterparts. Read the book by finding it in our affiliate link.
A Wrinkle in Time
This beloved tale is one families of all ages read over and over. If you haven’t, sit down and read it to your children! The movie will be coming soon to Disney in March 2020. Stay tuned to watch!
Unidentified Flying Oddball
This is a combination of oddness and backwards time travel. Join the time warp in the book and the movie.
Zapped
The book is actually called Boys are Dogs and is a tween novel. Think about a world where apps can control other people…you’ll see it happen in this movie!
You Wish
If you had a magical coin granted you one wish, what would your wish be? That’s what the book “If I had one wish” and the subsequent movie are about.
Peter Pan
There is both the old version of this movie and the newer remake available! Make certain to watch them all!
Pinocchio
Everyone loves this little wooden puppet that comes to life, but the written tale far exceeds the animation!
Cinderella
You’ll be entranced by her lost slipper and trying to get home from the ball before the clock strikes midnight! Have you actually read it and not just watched? Now’s the perfect time.
Dumbo
The original story of Dumbo was written by Aberson in 1938 and soon after turned into the animated classic we know. Don’t miss out on the new version and the cartoon version of this flick!
The Sword and the Stone
This book is filled with so much wonder and adventure that the movie could never do it justice even though the animated movie was a favorite of mine growing up!
Tuck Everlasting
The book is an American Children’s novel written in 1975. This is a love story that involves a girl falling in love with a boy from a family who is immortal.
Tall Tale: the Unbelievable Adventure
This is based off a book about Pecos Bill and is a western cowboy legend!
Journey to the center of the earth
At the time of writing this post, my husband Chris is reading this to our 4 kids! Watch as a professor realizes what it takes to get to the center of the Earth.
Davy Crockett
There are so many awesome stories and legends of this historic figure! Find many in our affiliate link. Davy Crockett books. Watch the video as only he could take on an alligator and battle an Indian!
The Adventures of Huck Finn
The book by Twain is really not appropriate for younger audiences by some adaptations could be depending on the age your kids! This ornery little boy knows how to survive in the world. Watch his shenanigans.
Shipwrecked
Alone on an island after a shipwrecked, watch how this little boy survives.
White Fang
This movie all about overcoming fears and tackling obstacles.
Muppet Christmas Carol
Don’t miss out on one of the cutest Christmas Carols ever! We actually read a shorter adaptation my oldest daughter’s kindergarten year and it’s a great intro into classic literature.
Escape to Witch Mountain
Two orphans with supernatural powers try to figure out their past.
The Princess and the FroG
Meeting the frog prince changes everything for Tiana in this film. But first, read The Frog Princess by E. D. Baker.
Freaky Friday
What child wouldn’t want to trade bodies and lives with their parents? Both movie versions are a fun watch after reading it and imagining the scenario yourself with your own imagination.
Hercules
This fits into a mythology unit well. So read all about Greek Myths and then watch this animated film.
Aladdin
Take a ride on the magic carpet with this dazzling animated movie! While they don’t have the TV series streaming, there are some movies. The movie was originally based on a book called the Thief of Baghdad.
Beauty and the Beast
The beast isn’t what he appears to be…How long will it be before Belle finds that out?
The Lone Ranger
Study the U.S. Deputy Marshal Bass Reeves and then enjoy this exciting movie on or after April 2021.
20,000 Leagues under the Sea
This movie and book are both classic. Watch Captain Nemo wages war against a country that he perceives as being evil.
Swiss Family Robinson
Shipwrecked and stranded, see how the family comes together to beat all the odds.
That Darn Cat
Only the cat holds the answer to the bank robbery. This novel was originally published as Undercover Cat by The Gordons.
Bedknobs and Broomsticks
This movie is It is based upon the books The Magic Bedknob; or, How to Become a Witch in Ten Easy Lessons and Bonfires and Broomsticks both by Mary Norton. You can find the combined edition of the books as well!
Tangled
With her golden long hair, it’s time that she gets out of the tower to explore. Read your children the fairy tale of Rapunzel and then watch this adaptation.
The Little Mermaid
Ariel just wants to be human! She longs for legs and realizes that to get them, she’ll have to give up a lot as well. Read the classic Danish fairytale.
The Incredible Journey
Three house pets travel 200 miles in search of their lost family. Follow along on their journey!
Alexander and the terrible, no good, very bad day
Just when you thought that you were having a no good day, Alexander more than likely has you beat. A cute book with a movie coming soon.
The Black cauldron
This movie is all about stopping the evil before it spreads!
Pollyanna
Pollyanna is the sweetest orphan ever, but her Aunt just doesn’t approve. Read through these children’s novels written around the turn of the twentieth century.
Old Yeller
Old Yeller is about as loyal and faithful as they come. He’s always there to be that loyal companion. Dog tales are always hard-to-put-down reads and this one definitely is no different.
The Many AdventUres of Winnie the Pooh
Just how many adventures can Winnie the Pooh have? He loves his life and loves to show those how much he cares. The books are just as endearing as the movies and TV show.
Snow White
If only she’d never taken a bite of the dreadful apple…but instead, her circumstance led her to meet many other wonderful people to include in her life.
James and the Giant Peach
We love Roald Dahl books. I will say though that for sensitive kids this movie along with others in the Tim Burton style are bit much! So know your children before diving in.
The Hunchback of Notre Dame
Quasimodo is just looking for a friend. He leaves his tower in search of one but ends up fighting for a whole lot more.
Tarzan
Raised by gorillas, Tarzan knows how to live and survive in the jungle. But when he meets other humans, everything he thought he knew is going to change.
Bambi
Bambi is surrounded by friends in the forest. This very short book can be read in about an hour and teaches so much about the circle of life. In fact we completed the audiobook before making it out of the city during rush hour.
Robin Hood
Adventure books are always better than their movie counterparts because of the vivid imagination they inspire. Definitely crack open The Adventures of Robin Hood before watching the cinematic production.
The Jungle Book
Rudyard Kipling wrote a very long novel that you could read with your family. In the end, we could all learn a little bit about the “bare necessities” of life from this adorable film.
The Fox and the Hound
This movie is loosely based on a book by the same name. It’s about and from the perspective of the animals. The book is darker and more realistic than the movie so it would be a good parent read to then just enjoy a film with the kids or one to wait and read with older teens.
Alice in Wonderland
Take a trip down the rabbit hole to see a world full of magic, fun, and adventure. This was the first audiobook I saw my daughter walking around the house listening to with headphones on. It’s a vibrant and magical story that really gets the imagination going!
Peter Pan
The book is a bit darker and the characters more selfish and mean than the lighthearted movie. But nonetheless, this could be a great middle school read and then re-watch of the movie.
More movie resources for families
Kara is an author and advocate for positive, grace-filled parenting. She is homeschooler to her 6 children living on a farm in New England. She believes in creative educational approaches to help kids dive deeper into a rich learning experience and has her degree in Secondary Education & Adolescent Childhood Development. She is passionate about connecting with and helping other parents on their journey to raise awesome kids!
