As millions of children across the United States get ready to go back to school, if they haven’t already, there have been many films that looked at education. Disney+ is one of the many streaming services that offers films and series focused on education in some way. The shows and films may be educational or they may take place in a school setting. Let’s take a look at some of the best Back to School films available on Disney+.

AN EXTREMELY GOOFY MOVIE

Max goes to college, but to his embarrassment his father loses his job and goes to his son’s campus. The sequel to the immensely popular “A Goofy Movie” continues the story of the father-son bond between Max and Goofy. This is a nice film for parents who are sending a child off to college as well as any older person who may be going back to school to get a leg up down the road.

THE PRINCESS DIARIES

Mia Thermopolis has just found out that she is the heir apparent to the throne of Genovia. With her friends Lilly and Michael Moscovitz in tow, she tries to navigate through the rest of her sixteenth year. The popular film demonstrates the main character’s struggles with going to a new setting. While she must be educated on how to be a royal, there’s certainly a cross section that works with children going to a new school.

UP

78-year-old Carl Fredricksen travels to Paradise Falls in his house equipped with balloons, inadvertently taking a young stowaway. While “Up” is not a traditional educational experience, Carl and Russell still learn a lot in their journeys. It may not take place in a school, but it’s the education both of them need.

TOY STORY 3

The toys are mistakenly delivered to a day-care center instead of the attic right before Andy leaves for college, and it’s up to Woody to convince the other toys that they weren’t abandoned and to return home. This is an excellent film to tackle both the experience of going away to college and leaving behind the only world you’ve ever known, as well as the experience of going to pre-school and the love for the toys of your youth.

TOY STORY 4

When a new toy called “Forky” joins Woody and the gang, a road trip alongside old and new friends reveals how big the world can be for a toy. This is a great back to school film for anyone who may have a child about to start Kindergarten. Many children may be scared of the new experience, and this film helps parents recognize that and plan a fun adventure to help their child ease into the new surroundings.

WE BOUGHT A ZOO

Set in Southern California, a father moves his young family to the countryside to renovate and re-open a struggling zoo. Another film with a nontraditional educational experience, it’s unlikely anyone watching this film will be inspired to go buy their own zoo. But, it can provide inspiration to get out there and try something different which can be great for a Back to School experience.

MONSTERS UNIVERSITY

A look at the relationship between Mike Wazowski (Billy Crystal) and James P. “Sully” Sullivan (John Goodman) during their days at Monsters University, when they weren’t necessarily the best of friends. The prequel to the popular “Monsters Inc.” provides viewers with a look at the college experience for the monsters. This could be a lot of fun for those who are going to college.

ALEXANDER AND THE TERRIBLE, HORRIBLE, NO GOOD, VERY BAD DAY

Alexander’s day begins with gum stuck in his hair, followed by more calamities. However, he finds little sympathy from his family and begins to wonder if bad things only happen to him, his mom, dad, brother and sister – who all find themselves living through their own terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day.

INSIDE OUT

After young Riley is uprooted from her Midwest life and moved to San Francisco, her emotions – Joy, Fear, Anger, Disgust, and Sadness – conflict on how best to navigate a new city, house, and school. With a new school year, students can be overwhelmed with emotions. This film does a great job of demonstrating feelings to help prepare for what’s to come.

MOANA

In Ancient Polynesia, when a terrible curse incurred by the Demigod Maui reaches Moana’s island, she answers the Ocean’s call to seek out the Demigod to set things right. This is another film that’s not a traditional educational setting as it takes place on the ocean rather than at a school. Still, Moana has a lot to learn, and it can provide inspiration for those seeking something that seems scary to them.

Those are just some of the films that can serve as encouragement for the challenge of Back to School. While some are set in schools, others focus on alternative educations. Still, they can be a lot of fun for your child.

Jeremy Brown

Jeremy has been a big Disney fan since he was a kid growing up during the Disney Renaissance. One day he hopes to go to every Disney Park in the world.

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