Disney+ recently debuted The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers, ushering in another classic Disney property revisited for new stories to tell in beloved, nostalgic worlds. But while the complete Mighty Ducks collection is available to stream on the service, there are also a number of movies to scratch the story's various itches once the two shows and three movies have been completed.
It's about more than just enjoying the screen presence of Emilio Estevez and Lauren Graham, though. The following movies embody thematic spirit of The Mighty Ducks, for all its storied and treasured narratives.
High School Musical (2006)
Considering The Mighty Ducks does not dabble in the musical side of filmmaking, High School Musical might seem like an unconventional pairing at first. However, there is actually quite a bit of overlap between the thematic development of both movies.
The Mighty Ducks, for example, is all about the emphasis of teamwork for maximizing success. While teamwork occurs on the stage more than on the court in High School Musical, those elements of youthful learning are still enchanting throughout.
Inside Out (2015)
Similarly, Inside Out is interested in much more cerebral, emotional aspects of the human spirit than a simple underdog, "teamwork makes the dream work" sports stories. A core motif of Inside Out posits it as a worthwhile cohort of The Mighty Ducks, though.
After all, Riley is a character who is obsessed with ice hockey. It may not be the focus of the film, but if the Ducks turn viewers into hockey fans, then Inside Out makes for a logical next step.
Cars (2006)
While Cars has often been considered lesser-tier Pixar, the first film from 2006 has sizable merits. Not last among these is the satisfaction that comes from watching a cocky lead character learn the benefits of kindness and unity, while also getting comeuppance for his past actions.
There are a great many parallels to be found in Lightning McQueen and Gordon Bombay. But if the small town redemption arcs are enjoyed by viewers, then Cars is the next stop to make on the long drive through the streamer.
Safety (2020)
The recent movie Safety tells the true story of Ray McElrathbey, a member of the Clemson college football team who conquered adversity to become one of the most inspiring athletes in recent memory.
Not every sports movie dabbles in inspiration, but most Disney sports movies emphasize the idea that sports provide tales of heroics, collaboration, and glorious victory. Yet, it's Safety that emphasizes the valued notion of family.
The Game Plan (2007)
Speaking of family threads in Disney sports movies, Dwayne Johnson's The Game Plan takes to the gridiron with a charming dynamic between a quarterback and the daughter he never knew he had.
The balance between home life and sports life is a crucial aspect of The Mighty Ducks and it's emphasized to the nth degree in The Game Plan. Ducks fans will definitely want to check this out for even more lighthearted sports fare.
The Santa Clause (1994)
The Santa Clause also follows themes of family, but the stronger tether between the Christmas classic and The Mighty Ducks is the notion that Scott Calvin must learn to put aside his selfish desires for the good of everyone else.
Of course, in a Disney movie, the characters will find a happy ending either way. But it's the personal journey of reckoning that makes the experience a high-quality one when exploring the streaming service.
Invincible (2006)
Invincible is an underrated sports film from 2006 starring Mark Wahlberg. Again based on a true story (this one is headed by Vince Papale), Invincible is not only an uplifting tale, but it helps keep the emphasis on the thrill of sports.
That can often be forgotten in sports movies. Sometimes, the games and matches are what fans want to see on the big screen. Invincible emphasizes how there can sometimes be nothing more dramatic than a game of football, just as The Mighty Ducks showcases how exciting hockey can really be.
DuckTales the Movie: Treasure of the Lost Lamp (1990)
Now, there may be some people who check out The Mighty Ducks simply because the team is named after their favorite animal. Even if locating the real team in Anaheim isn't quite the most geographically consistent moniker.
If that's the case, then there's a whole wealth of Disney duck content to check out. The DuckTales series would make for a good watch, but 1990's DuckTales: The Movie did justice to the original version of Donald's nephews and his Uncle Scrooge.
Remember The Titans (2000)
There may not be a more iconic Disney sports movie than Remember the Titans. The football classic has long lived in the memories of fans of Disney, fans of sports, fans of movies, and fans of when all three intersect. Those concepts definitely connect in The Mighty Ducks and the pattern rolls on to Remember the Titans.
Much like The Mighty Ducks, Remember the Titans shows what can happen when kids have someone who believes in them. They can genuinely attain a sports miracle.
Miracle (2004)
Speaking of sports miracles, the most famous might just be when the U.S. national hockey team downed the Soviet team at the 1980 Winter Olympics. "Do you believe in miracles?" Al Michaels called at the match. The rest is history as it became the basis for Disney's adaptation of the famed event in a 2004 film.
This is unquestionably a must-watch for Mighty Ducks fans. When Disney dabbled in hockey, it was The Mighty Ducks and Miracle that rose to the most prominence - and both deserve that status, too.