From the battlefields of World War II to ancient clashes in mythical lands, Disney war movies transport us to different eras and immerse us in stories of bravery, resilience, and triumph. These films not only entertain but also provide valuable lessons about courage, teamwork, and the power of hope.
Complete list of Disney War Movies in order by year
Disney has produced a number of captivating war movies over the years, each with its own unique storyline and memorable characters. Take a journey through history as we explore the complete list of Disney war movies, arranged chronologically by year :
40. Mulan (2020)
Walt Disney Pictures will release Mulan, a fantasy action drama, in the United States in 2020.
Directed By: Niki Caro
Starring: Yifei Liu, Donnie Yen, Tzi Ma, Jason Scott Lee, Yoson An, Ron Yuan, Gong Li, and Jet Li
Revenue: $70 million
Synopsis:
A courageous young woman assumes the identity of a male soldier in order to protect her sick father from being drafted into the Imperial Army and sent to fight the Northern invaders in China.
39. Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019)
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker is a 2019 American epic space opera film produced by Lucasfilm and Abrams’ production company Bad Robot Productions and distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures. It is the third installment of the Star Wars sequel trilogy, following The Force Awakens (2015) and The Last Jedi (2017), and the final episode of the nine-part “Skywalker saga.”
Direct by: J. J. Abrams
Revenue: $1,074,144,248
Starring: Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Anthony Daniels, Naomi Ackie, Domhnall Gleeson, Richard E. Grant, Lupita Nyong’o, Keri Russell, Joonas Suotamo, Kelly Marie Tran, Ian McDiarmid, and Billy Dee Williams
Synopsis:
After a year has passed since the events of The Last Jedi, Rey, Finn, and Poe Dameron lead the Resistance in one last battle against Kylo Ren and the First Order, who have been backed by the return of the Galactic Emperor Palpatine. The events of The Rise of Skywalker take place one year after The Last Jedi.
38. Avengers: Endgame (2019)
The Avengers: Endgame is a Marvel Comics-inspired American superhero film released in 2019. The 22nd film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), it was produced by Marvel Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures.
In addition, at 3 hour, 2 minutes, Avengers: End game (2019) is the longest running film ever.
Direct by: Anthony, Joe Russo
Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, Don Cheadle, Paul Rudd, Brie Larson, Karen Gillan, Danai Gurira, Benedict Wong, Jon Favreau, Bradley Cooper, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Josh Brolin
Revenue: $2.799 billion
As the highest-grossing film of all time from July 2019 to March 2021, it earned $2.798 billion globally, surpassing Infinity War’s entire theatrical run in just eleven days and setting multiple box office records in the process.
Synopsis:
Tony Stark, alone in space without food or drink and with his oxygen supply rapidly depleting, sends a desperate plea to Pepper Potts. Thor, Black Widow, Captain America, and Bruce Banner are the only surviving members of the Avengers, and they need to find a way to revive their fallen comrades so that they can face off against Thanos, the evil demigod who wiped out half the population of the universe.
37. Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018)
Through a series of daring escapades deep within a dark and dangerous criminal underworld, Han Solo meets his mighty future copilot Chewbacca and encounters the notorious gambler Lando Calrissian.
Director: Ron Howard
Revenue: $392,952,373
36. Christopher Robin (2018)
Christopher Robin, the boy who had countless adventures in the Hundred Acre Wood, has grown up and lost his way. Now it’s up to his spirited and loveable stuffed animals, Winnie The Pooh, Tigger, Piglet, and the rest of the gang, to rekindle their friendship and remind him of endless days of childlike wonder and make-believe, when doing nothing was the very best something.
Director: Marc Forster
Revenue: $99,138,899
35. Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
The Avengers: Infinity War is an American superhero film released in 2018 that is based on the Marvel Comics team of the same name. It is the nineteenth film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and the sequel to 2012’s The Avengers and 2015’s Avengers: Age of Ultron. It was produced by Marvel Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures.
Direct by: Anthony and Joe Russo
Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Benedict Cumberbatch, Don Cheadle, Tom Holland, Chadwick Boseman, Paul Bettany, Elizabeth Olsen, Anthony Mackie, Sebastian Stan, Danai Gurira, Letitia Wright, Dave Bautista, Zoe Saldaña, Josh Brolin, and Chris Pratt
Revenue: $2.052 billion
As the highest-grossing film of 2018, the highest-grossing Marvel Cinematic Universe film, and the highest-grossing superhero film, Avengers: Infinity War earned a worldwide total of $2.052 billion, including $678.8 million in the United States and Canada and $1.374 billion in other territories.
Synopsis:
The Avengers, consisting of Iron Man, Thor, the Hulk, and the rest of the team, band together to fight off the terrible Thanos. Thanos wants to wield the Infinity Stones to impose his twisted will on the universe, so he’s on a journey to acquire all six of them. Everything the Avengers have fought for up until this point has led to this one decisive moment, and the fate of the world and existence itself has never been more unclear.
34. Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017)
The Last Jedi (or Episode VIII – The Last Jedi) is the eighth episode in the nine-part “Skywalker saga” and the second installment in the Star Wars sequel trilogy, following The Force Awakens (2015). It was produced by Lucasfilm and distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures in 2017. The film is a tribute to Fisher, who passed away in December 2016, and features her first film appearance since her death.
Direct by: Rian Johnson
Revenue: $1,206,728,146
Starring: Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Andy Serkis, Lupita Nyong’o, Domhnall Gleeson, Anthony Daniels, Gwendoline Christie, Kelly Marie Tran, Laura Dern, and Benicio del Toro
Synopsis:
While General Leia Organa, Finn, and Poe Dameron try to evade a First Order attack on the shrinking Resistance fleet, The Last Jedi follows Rey as she seeks the aid of Luke Skywalker in the hopes of reversing the tide for the Resistance in the struggle against Kylo Ren and the First Order.
Revenue: $1,206,728,146
33. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales (2017)
Thrust into an all-new adventure, a down-on-his-luck Capt. Jack Sparrow feels the winds of ill-fortune blowing even more strongly when deadly ghost sailors led by his old nemesis, the evil Capt. Salazar, escape from the Devil’s Triangle. Jack’s only hope of survival lies in seeking out the legendary Trident of Poseidon, but to find it, he must forge an uneasy alliance with a brilliant and beautiful astronomer and a headstrong young man in the British navy.
Director: Joachim Rønning, Espen Sandberg
Revenue: $794,861,794
32. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (or simply Rogue One) is a 2016 American epic space opera film directed by Gareth Edwards. Lucasfilm produced it, while Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures released it. It is the first entry in the Star Wars anthology series and serves as a direct prequel to Star Wars (1977).
Direct by: Gareth Edwards
Revenue: $1,056,057,273
Starring: Felicity Jones, Diego Luna, Ben Mendelsohn, Donnie Yen, Mads Mikkelsen, Alan Tudyk, Riz Ahmed, Jiang Wen, and Forest Whitaker
Synopsis:
Set a week before Star Wars, the plot follows a group of rebels who get together to steal the schematics for the Death Star, the Galactic Empire’s greatest weapon. It describes the Rebel Alliance’s first effective triumph over the Empire, which was initially mentioned in Star Wars’ opening crawl.
31. Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015)
The Force Awakens, also known as Episode VII – The Force Awakens, is an American epic space film released in 2015.
Direct by: J. J. Abrams
Revenue: $2,068,223,624
Starring: Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong’o, Andy Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson, Anthony Daniels, Peter Mayhew, and Max von Sydow.
Synopsis:
Thirty years after the events of Return of the Jedi, Rey, Finn, Poe Dameron, and Han Solo continue their search for Luke Skywalker while also fighting alongside General Leia Organa and other former members of the Rebel Alliance in the Resistance against Kylo Ren and the First Order.
30. The Wind Rises (2013)
A lifelong love of flight inspires Japanese aviation engineer Jiro Horikoshi, whose storied career includes the creation of the A-6M World War II fighter plane.
Director: Hayao Miyazaki
Revenue: $117,932,401
29. The Lone Ranger (2013)
Gore Verbinski helmed and co-wrote the 2013 American Western action picture The Lone Ranger with Justin Haythe, Ted Elliott, and Terry Rossio. Since William A. Fraker’s The Legend of the Lone Ranger in 1981, this was the first theatrical feature to star the Lone Ranger and Tonto.
Furthermore, at 2 hour, 29 minutes, Lone Ranger (2013) is the longest running film ever.
Direct by: Gore Verbinsk
Starring: Johnny Depp, Armie Hammer, William Fichtner, Barry Pepper, Ruth Wilson, James Badge Dale, Tom Wilkinson, Helena Bonham Carter and Curtis Cregan
Revenue: $260.5 million
Synopsis:
A Native American from the distant past is unearthed by a young boy in a carnival tent in 1933. Tonto (Johnny Depp) is an old friend of the lawman John Reid (Armie Hammer), better known as the Lone Ranger. Tonto uses this chance to clear the air regarding his and Reid’s exploits, detailing their joint efforts to capture notorious outlaws like Butch Cavendish (William Fichtner) and others in the Wild West. Tonto and Reid first met in 1869.
28. John Carter (2012)
The American science fiction action-adventure film John Carter (2012) is based on Edgar Rice Burroughs’s A Princess of Mars (1912), the first book in the Barsoom series.
Direct by: Andrew Stanton
Starring: Taylor Kitsch, Lynn Collins, Samantha Morton, Mark Strong, Ciarán Hinds, Dominic West, James Purefoy and Willem Dafoe.
Revenue: $284.1 million
Synopsis:
John Carter (Taylor Kitsch), a veteran of the Civil War, has no idea what kind of adventure awaits him when he wakes up on the surface of Mars (also known as Barsoom). The people of the red planet, especially Tars Tarkas (Willem Dafoe) and Princess Dejah Thoris (Lynn Collins), draw Carter into an epic war, despite his best efforts to stay out of it. Carter, a battle veteran, regains his humanity just as Barsoom is on the verge of collapse and he learns that the destiny of everyone depends on him.
27. War Horse (2011)
Follows a young man named Albert and his horse, Joey, and how their bond is broken when Joey is sold to the cavalry and sent to the trenches of World War One. Despite being too young to enlist, Albert heads to France to save his friend.
Director: Steven Spielberg
Revenue: $177,584,879
26. Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)
The Marvel Comics character Captain America was the inspiration for a 2011 American superhero film titled Captain America: The First Avenger. It is the fifth film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), produced by Marvel Studios and distributed by Paramount Pictures.
Direct by: Joe Johnston
Starring: Chris Evans, Tommy Lee Jones, Hugo Weaving, Hayley Atwell, Sebastian Stan, Dominic Cooper, Toby Jones, Neal McDonough, Derek Luke, and Stanley Tucci.
Revenue: $370.6 million
Synopsis:
The year is 1941, and war has broken out over the globe. Chris Evans’ Steve Rogers (Captain America) gets rejected from the military due to his short stature, despite his desire to do his part and serve his country. Steve gets his break when he enrolls in a secret program that transforms him into the super soldier Captain America. Captain America, aided by Sebastian Stan’s Bucky Barnes and Hayley Atwell’s Peggy Carter, takes on the Nazi-backed HYDRA organization.
25. The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian (2008)
One year after their incredible adventures in the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Peter, Edmund, Lucy and Susan Pevensie return to Narnia to aid a young prince whose life has been threatened by the evil King Miraz. Now, with the help of a colorful cast of new characters, including Trufflehunter the badger and Nikabrik the dwarf, the Pevensie clan embarks on an incredible quest to ensure that Narnia is returned to its rightful heir.
Director: Andrew Adamson
Revenue: $419,651,413
24. Miracle at St. Anna (2008)
Miracle at St. Anna chronicles the story of four American soldiers who are members of the all-black 92nd “Buffalo Soldier” Division stationed in Tuscany, Italy during World War II.
Director: Spike Lee
Revenue: $9,323,833
23. Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (2005)
The evil Darth Sidious enacts his final plan for unlimited power — and the heroic Jedi Anakin Skywalker must choose a side.
Director: George Lucas
Revenue: $850,000,000
22. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005)
Siblings Lucy, Edmund, Susan and Peter step through a magical wardrobe and find the land of Narnia. There, the they discover a charming, once peaceful kingdom that has been plunged into eternal winter by the evil White Witch, Jadis. Aided by the wise and magnificent lion, Aslan, the children lead Narnia into a spectacular, climactic battle to be free of the Witch’s glacial powers forever.
Director: Andrew Adamson
Revenue: $748,806,957
21. Valiant (2005)
Set in 1944, Valiant is a woodland pigeon who wants to become a great hero someday. When he hears they are hiring recruits for the Royal Homing Pigeon Service, he immediately sets out for London. On the way, he meets a smelly but friendly pigeon named Bugsy, who joins him, mainly to get away from clients he cheated in a game of find-the pebble, and helps him sign up for the war.
Director: Gary Chapman
Revenue: $61,746,888
20. Return to Never Land (2002)
The classic tale of ‘Peter Pan’ continues in Disney’s sequel ‘Return to Never Land’. In 1940 on a world besieged by World War II, Wendy, now grown up, has two children, one of them is her daughter, Jane.
Director: Robin Budd, Donovan Cook
Revenue: $109,862,682
19. Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones (2002)
Following an assassination attempt on Senator Padmé Amidala, Jedi Knights Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi investigate a mysterious plot that could change the galaxy forever.
Director: George Lucas
Revenue: $649,398,328
18. Pearl Harbor (2001)
The lifelong friendship between Rafe McCawley and Danny Walker is put to the ultimate test when the two ace fighter pilots become entangled in a love triangle with beautiful Naval nurse Evelyn Johnson. But the rivalry between the friends-turned-foes is immediately put on hold when they find themselves at the center of Japan’s devastating attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941.
Director: Michael Bay
Revenue: $449,220,945
17. Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999)
Anakin Skywalker, a young slave strong with the Force, is discovered on Tatooine. Meanwhile, the evil Sith have returned, enacting their plot for revenge against the Jedi.
Director: George Lucas
Revenue: $924,317,558
16. Miracle at Midnight (1998)
Doris soon was out of the Nazi’s hands and met up with her family.
Director: Ken Cameron
15. Mulan (1998)
Mulan is a 1998 American animated musical adventure film produced for Walt Disney Pictures by Walt Disney Feature Animation. It is the 36th Disney animated feature film and the ninth animated picture created and released during the Disney Renaissance. It is based on the Chinese mythology of Hua Mulan.
Directed By: Barry Cook and Tony Bancroft
Starring: Ming-Na Wen, Eddie Murphy, BD Wong, Miguel Ferrer, June Foray, James Hong, Pat Morita and George Takei
Revenue: $304.3 million
Synopsis:
Mulan (Ming-Na Wen) volunteers to replace her dying father in the Chinese military, despite the fact that, as a female living under a patriarchal society, she is officially unqualified to serve. She cleverly disguises herself as a guy and goes off to train with other recruits. She uses her wits to help ward off a Hun invasion, aided by her dragon, Mushu (Eddie Murphy), while falling in love with a gorgeous captain along the way.
14. Operation Dumbo Drop (1995)
Five Green Berets stationed in Vietnam in 1968 grudgingly undertake the mission of a lifetime — to secretly transport an 8,000-pound elephant through 200 miles of rough jungle terrain. High jinks prevail when Capt. Sam Cahill promises the Montagnard villagers of Dak Nhe that he’ll replace their prized elephant in time for an important ritual. But for Capt. T.C. Doyle, the mission becomes a jumbo-sized headache!
Director: Simon Wincer
13. The Rocketeer (1991)
Straight from the pages of a pulp comic from a past era, the Rocketeer recreates 1930s Hollywood, complete with gangsters, Nazi spies, and the growth of the Age of Aviation. Young pilot Cliff Secord stumbles on a top secret rocket-pack and with the help of his mechanic/mentor, Peevy, he attempts to save his girl and stop the Nazis as The Rocketeer.
Director: Joe Johnston
Revenue: $62,000,000
12. Chips, the War Dog (1990)
In this made-for-tv movie, misfits Danny Stauffer and Chips (a chicken-chasing German shepherd) are teamed up in the Army’s “Dogs for Defense” program during WWII.
Director: Ed Kaplan
11. A Friendship in Vienna (1988)
Inge Dournenvald and Lise Mueller are best friends in pre-WW2 Austria, despite the fact that Inge is Jewish and Lise is the daughter of a Nazi sympathizer. When they are forbidden to see each other, they meet secretly. After the Germans invade Austria in 1938, Inge and her family escape to America with the help of Lise
Director: Arthur Allan Seidelman
10. Return of the Jedi (1983)
As Rebel leaders map their strategy for an all-out attack on the Emperor’s newer, bigger Death Star. Han Solo remains frozen in the cavernous desert fortress of Jabba the Hutt, the most loathsome outlaw in the universe, who is also keeping Princess Leia as a slave girl. Now a master of the Force, Luke Skywalker rescues his friends, but he cannot become a true Jedi Knight until he wages his own crucial battle against Darth Vader, who has sworn to win Luke over to the dark side of the Force.
Director: Richard Marquand
Revenue: $572,700,000
9. The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
The epic saga continues as Luke Skywalker, in hopes of defeating the evil Galactic Empire, learns the ways of the Jedi from aging master Yoda. But Darth Vader is more determined than ever to capture Luke. Meanwhile, rebel leader Princess Leia, cocky Han Solo, Chewbacca, and droids C-3PO and R2-D2 are thrown into various stages of capture, betrayal and despair.
Director: Irvin Kershner
Revenue: $538,400,000
8. Star Wars (1977)
Princess Leia is captured and held hostage by the evil Imperial forces in their effort to take over the galactic Empire. Venturesome Luke Skywalker and dashing captain Han Solo team together with the loveable robot duo R2-D2 and C-3PO to rescue the beautiful princess and restore peace and justice in the Empire.
Director: George Lucas
Revenue: $775,398,007
7. One Little Indian (1973)
An Army deserter (James Garner) flees by camel across the desert with a white boy (Clay O’Brien) raised by Indians.
Director: Bernard McEveety
6. Bedknobs and Broomsticks (1971)
Three children evacuated from London during World War II are forced to stay with an eccentric spinster (Eglantine Price). The children’s initial fears disappear when they find out she is in fact a trainee witch.
Director: Robert Stevenson
Revenue: $17,900,000
5. Miracle of the White Stallions (1963)
In WWII Austria, Col. Alois Podhajsky must protect his beloved Lipizzaner stallions and make sure that they are surrendered into the right hands. But Patton’s something of a horse fancier and can help…if he sees the stallions perform.
Director: Arthur Hiller
4. Tonka (1958)
In Dakota territory in the 1870s, White Bull, a young Sioux, proves his manhood by catching and training a wild colt he names Tonka. When a cruel cousin claims the horse as the privilege of rank, White Bull lets Tonka go. The horse ends up in the hands of a captain in the US cavalry about the time that Sitting Bull gathers the tribes to confront the growing US presence, epitomized by the bigoted General Custer. All paths, including those of White Bull and Tonka, lead to the confluence of the Little and Big Horn rivers.
Director: Lewis R. Foster
3. Johnny Tremain (1957)
When an injury bars him from pursuing his trade, Revolutionary War-era silversmith’s apprentice Johnny Tremain (Hal Stalmaster) finds a new life in the ranks of the Sons of Liberty army, taking part in the Boston Tea Party and Paul Revere’s legendary ride. Based on the novel by Ester Forbes, this Disney classic was originally crafted for “Walt Disney Presents” in two segments, which have been blended into a single film for viewing.
Director: Robert Stevenson
2. The Great Locomotive Chase (1956)
During the Civil War, a Union spy, Andrews, is asked to lead a band of Union soldiers into the South so that they could destroy the railway system. However, things don’t go as planned when the conductor of the train that they stole is on to them and is doing everything he can to stop them. Based on a true story.
Director: Francis D. Lyon
1. Victory Through Air Power (1943)
This is a unique film in Disney Production’s history. This film is essentially a propaganda film selling Major Alexander de Seversky’s theories about the practical uses of long range strategic bombing. Using a combination of animation humorously telling about the development of air warfare, the film switches to the Major illustrating his ideas could win the war for the allies.
Director: James Algar, Clyde Geronimi, Jack Kinney, H. C. Potter
Revenue: $788,000
