Top 10 Disney Movies That Make You Want to Follow Your Dreams

There are many different ways in which this bittersweet Pixar flick inspires us to go after what we want. After all, sweet grump Carl sets out to visit Paradise Falls, something he and his late wife Ellie always planned on doing. In the process, the grieving widower finds himself again, opening his heart to new possibilities and connections. Perhaps most importantly, he realizes that the real gift was the amazing life he shared with his love. Watching him, we see that no matter how old you are, or what obstacles life throws your way, there’s always an adventure worth embarking upon. Carl does it, and we believe we can, too. Yeah, there are levels here, so we can’t walk away from this story feeling directionless.

Disney princesses have a long and storied history of encouraging people to never stop dreaming. Things like Mulan’s bravery, Belle’s resilience and open-heartedness, and Cinderella’s positivity act as a beacon of hope in the darkness. Ariel embodies this phenomenon. She’s a mermaid who wants to be human. It doesn’t get much more far-fetched than that. Yet despite the fact that most think she’s delusional, she holds on to her heart’s greatest desire. In the end, she gets exactly what she’s always needed! Now, we’d advise against trusting a sea witch or signing any sketchy contracts. But Ariel demonstrates that no matter how unrealistic an idea may seem, going against the grain to pursue it can lead to incredible results.

Young Miguel wants nothing more than to be a musician. There’s just one hiccup: music is forbidden in his household. Thankfully, that changes after his wild ride in the Land of the Dead. There, he learns about his great-great-grandfather – a professional in the world he longs to be a part of – unearths the truth about his ancestry, and mends major intergenerational wounds. By the end, the joy of music is felt in his home, and his family is whole again. It’s all because he doesn’t let anyone extinguish his fire, and never truly loses hope. He teaches us that a passion is something worth fighting for and holding onto for dear life, even when it’s hard. We’ll always remember him for that.

Sometimes, the people around us don’t understand why we want certain things, or why we won’t conform. That doesn’t mean we should just lay down in defeat, though. Princess Merida loves archery. She doesn't love the custom that says she has to strategically marry to ensure the kingdom’s prosperity. She’s not shy about defending her beliefs, either, much to her mother’s initial dismay. Chaos ensues as the latter becomes a bear, and Merida must save the day. While this is a story about a mother and daughter coming together and learning to understand each other, it’s also a story about chasing what fulfills you. It’ll motivate anyone to grab their proverbial bow and arrow and shoot for the stars.

It’s common to think you don’t belong, and to yearn for something more. Hercules is in that same boat. The demigod, son of Zeus, goes on a hero’s quest as he tries to reunite with his birth family. This leads him to Meg, the love of his life. It’s a riveting journey, but it starts with something simple: him venturing into the unknown to find answers. “Go the Distance” encapsulates this, with its message about pushing through until you find your way. That’s what it takes to embrace your fate and make wishes come true, and it’s hard not to want to follow in his footsteps! You don’t need Herc’s superhuman strength, either – channel his determination, and you’ll be golden.

If you have a calling, but pursuing it seems outrageous or unattainable, let Moana be your guide. After all, the ocean literally picks her to restore the natural order by giving goddess Te Fiti her heart back. It’s a tall order! At first, it even requires upsetting her dad, convincing a cocky demigod to help make things right, and becoming confident in who she is through the hardships that ensue. Naturally, she pulls it off with grace, authenticity, and plenty of heart. It more than empowers us to follow our gut, steering our own ship towards our destiny. Thanks to Moana, we’re prepared to begin the voyage of our dreams.

Allow us to be blunt: if Remy, a rat, can become a chef, we can all follow our dreams. After all, there’s no way they’re more nonsensical than a rodent cooking in a restaurant kitchen. In all seriousness, we have no choice but to admire the way he doesn’t let anything stop him. He’s gifted, he’s passionate, and the rest is just noise. It’s a valuable mindset, and we not only root for him, we find ourselves wanting to be more like him. Every time we finish watching “Ratatouille,” we’re refreshed and excited to take on the world. We can bet you feel the same. We do hope your grand ambitions are a little more hygienic than Remy’s, though.

As kids, we believe we can do and be anything. Sadly, as we age, things like prejudice can make us second guess ourselves. It can be hard to block out the hate and ignorance and chase our goals anyway, but we must. Whenever we need a cinematic boost to help us do just that, we turn to “Zootopia.” Pretty much nobody thinks Judy can be a cop. It’s not standard for bunnies! But she persists because it’s the career she craves. She ends up being one of the best police officers the force has ever seen, solving a major mystery with help from her pal, fox Nick. We’ll never stop taking cues from the unlikely duo when it comes to defying expectations and dreaming big.

Most of us haven’t been kidnapped and forced to grow up in an isolated tower with an evil woman posing as our mother. We also don’t have magic hair, and aren’t royalty. Still, it’s easy to understand Rapunzel. She yearns to see the lanterns, and, on a deeper level, break free from the monotony of her daily life. Luckily, she finds all that, plus herself, love, and family – talk about a big payoff. At its core, her need to see what else the world has to offer is incredibly familiar. Her risking everything, even trusting a stranger to help, is in turn deeply heartening. She inspires us to take a leap of faith, and embrace new and old dreams alike.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Fulfillment Can Be Found Through Dreams Big & Small

There’s Nothing More Heroic Than Staying True to Yourself & What You Want

Your Quest May Take Unexpected Turns, but That Doesn’t Mean You Shouldn’t Forge Ahead

Don’t Be Afraid to Go On a Hunt for Your Life’s Treasure, Whatever It May Be

You Control Your Destiny

Dreams are basically vague ideas unless you take action to make them reality. The truth of the matter is, they aren't easy to achieve. Take Tiana. Her major ambition is to have her own restaurant. She has the goods – she’s talented, organized, smart – we could go on. Finances are an issue though. And isn’t that so often what we’re faced with in the real world? She pushes through, though! Granted, the whole becoming a frog and falling for a prince thing isn’t as relatable, but the crux of the message is. Even when it seems like hope is lost, Tiana perseveres, without taking the coward’s way out. That’s precisely why she’s such an energizing figure. With her on our side, we’re ready to hustle.