3 comforting movies on Disney+ that will warm your millennial heart — then break it

Introduction to Millennial Nostalgia on Disney+

With hundreds of titles spanning animated classics, live-action throwbacks, and early-2000s Disney Channel originals arriving on streaming platforms, millennials have plenty of options to tap into a deep sense of nostalgia. Whether you are looking for a comforting escape after a long workday or craving the specific emotional resonance of your childhood, Disney+ holds an extensive library of throwback films that hit right in the heart.

However, these comforting favorites often come with a heavy dose of emotional baggage. From classic ghost stories with unforgettable romance to heartbreaking pet adventures and inspiring sports comedies, here are three movies currently streaming on Disney+ that will warm your millennial heart before breaking it all over again.

1. 'Casper' (1995)

"Can I keep you?" Has a single line of kids' movie dialogue ever hit a romantic millennial heart quite as hard? This 1995 supernatural comedy gave an entire generation a collective crush on a young Devon Sawa, who played the human version of the kind-hearted titular ghost, Casper.

The film follows Christina Ricci's Kathleen "Kat" Harvey as she and her paranormal-expert father James (Bill Pullman) move into a crumbling, ghost-infested Maine mansion. While Dad has been hired to rid the premises of wicked spirits and help them cross over to the other side, Kat forms a sweet, bittersweet bond with the friendly ghost. Balancing spooky Halloween-ready vibes with genuine melancholy regarding Casper's tragic past, it remains a quintessential 90s classic.

2. 'Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey' (1993)

Break out your tissues: By the end of this 1993 adventure-comedy centered on three furry friends, you will inevitably be tearing up. A remake of the 1963 film, the heartwarming tale follows a trio of pets—playful American bulldog Chance (voiced by Michael J. Fox), pampered Himalayan cat Sassy (Sally Field), and wise old golden retriever Shadow (Don Ameche)—as they embark on a perilous trek across the rugged California wilderness.

Believing they have been left behind during a family vacation, the loyal animals navigate mother bears, mountain lions, and treacherous rivers to reunite with their owners in San Francisco. The emotional final sequence between Shadow and his owner is guaranteed to bring a tear to the eye of anyone who grew up watching it.

3. 'Ice Princess' (2005)

This 2005 teen-sports comedy carries a deeply nostalgic and bittersweet resonance for millennials. Starring the late Michelle Trachtenberg as brainy, Harvard-bound high schooler Casey Carlyle, the film follows her journey as she revives her childhood hobby of figure skating for a physics project.

Using mathematical algorithms generated by her computer to improve her skating technique, Casey disrupts the status quo, much to the frustration of champion junior skater Gennifer Harwood (played by the late Hayden Panettiere) and her demanding coach. Blending early 2000s teen movie tropes with themes of ambition, self-discovery, and academic pressure, it remains a beloved comfort watch.