Can’t decide what to watch on Disney Plus? That’s not surprising, considering the massive library of content Disney’s streaming service has to offer. We screened Disney’s catalog to create this list of the best movies on Disney+ in a variety of categories to help narrow down your watch list.
Beauty and the Beast: A 30th Celebration (2022): Be Their Guest
Presented as a mix of live-action and animation, this 30th-anniversary celebration includes new musical numbers performed by H.E.R. as Belle, Josh Groban as the Beast, and Joshua Henry as Gaston.
IMDb Rating: 6.9/10
Beauty and the Beast: A 30th Celebration originally aired live on ABC, but you can stream it on Disney Plus whenever you want.
Cruella (2021): Best Classic Disney Villain Origin Story
Before she started dog-napping dalmatians, Cruella de Vil (Emma Stone) was a punk with dreams of becoming a big-time fashion designer. After falling in with a gang of petty criminals, she crosses paths with fashion guru Baroness von Hellman (Emma Thompson), who sets her down a dark path from which she never returns.
IMDb Rating: 7.4/10
The latest in Disney’s long line of live-action villain origin stories, Cruella is available for Disney Plus Premier Access subscribers while it’s still in theaters. Everyone else will have to wait until the summer to stream it.
Raya and the Last Dragon (2021): Best Modern Fairy Tale About a Friendly Dragon
After the land of Kumandra is invaded by demons, a warrior named Raya (Kelly Marie Tran) sets out in search of the last surviving dragon, whose ancestors saved her people centuries ago. When she finally meets the legendary Sisu (Awkwafina), Raya realizes that she might need more backup.
IMDb Rating: 7.6/10
The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special (2022): Christmas With Kevin Bacon
Christmas is a tough time of year for Star-Lord (Chris Pratt), so Mantis (Pom Klementieff) and Drax (Dave Bautista) visit Earth to find the perfect present. What better way to cheer him up than by kidnapping his childhood idol, Kevin Bacon?
IMDB Rating: 7.4/10
Phase four of Marvel’s Cinematic Universe concludes in appropriately off-beat fashion with The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special.
Free Guy (2021): Freshest Comedic Satire About Video Games
One day, Guy (Ryan Reynolds) suddenly realizes that he’s an NPC (non-player character) in a video game. At first, it’s a little distressing, until he discovers that he can do whatever he wants.
IMDb Rating: 7.2/10
It’s a concept that’s been done before in movies like The Truman Show, but Free Guy offers a fresh modern take, and Reynolds is perfect in his role as a happy-go-lucky video game NPC.
West Side Story (2021): Most Ambitious Musical Adaptation
From director Steven Spielberg comes the definitive version of Tony Kushner’s musical masterpiece. It’s a big-budget blockbuster that still manages to respect the original source material.
Despite not doing well at the box office, the movie was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture. Now you can stream West Side Story on Disney Plus from the comfort of your home.
The Fault in Our Stars (2014): Most Heartfelt Adaptation of a Young-Adult Novel
After meeting at a support group for young cancer patients, Hazel Grace (Shailene Woodley) and Gus (Ansel Elgort) share their mutual love of literature and begin to fall for one another. Determined the make Hazel Grace’s biggest wish come true, Gus arranges a trip to Amsterdam to meet her favorite author.
IMDb Rating: 7.7/10
Based on the best-selling novel by John Greene, The Fault in Our Stars was highly anticipated by the young adult audience, which is why it landed the number one spot at the box office during its opening weekend. Sincere performances by the young leads and veteran supporting cast make this film enjoyable for teens and adults.
Thor: Love and Thunder (2022): The Gods Crash Phase 4 of the MCU
Thor (Chris Hemsworth) and Jane Foster (Natalie Portman) reunite to combat the god-killing Gorr (Christian Bale), who has his eye on New Asgard. This time around, however, it’s Jane holding the hammer.
IMDb Rating: 6.6/10
Love and Thunder maintains the same balance of action and humor found in previous Thor films. On top of that, it has a rockin’ soundtrack.
Muppets Haunted Mansion (2021): Spookiest Original Disney Plus Muppet Special
Want to watch something that’s spooky but not scary? Join Gonzo as he tries to spend a night in a haunted mansion. The other muppets make appearances too, but not in their familiar earthly forms.
IMDb Rating: 6.8/10
Muppets Haunted Mansion is an instant holiday classic made for audiences of all ages. The movie clocks in at less than an hour, so it should keep the attention of kids and grown-ups.
Black Widow (2021): Most Long-Awaited Marvel Movie
The first film in Phase Four of Marvel’s cinematic universe tells the backstory of Natasha Romanoff (Scarlett Johansson), a KGB assassin turned Avenger who constantly finds herself on the run. Following the events of Captain America: Civil War, a tragedy from Romanoff’s past comes back to haunt her.
Hamilton (2020): Best Tony-Award Winning Live Musical
If you haven’t seen Hamilton on Broadway, here’s your chance. This live recording of the critically-acclaimed musical perfectly captures the excitement of watching in person. The play tells the story of Alexander Hamilton, picking up in 1776 New York City and concluding with the most famous duel in American history.
IMDb Rating: 8.8/10
The play has won dozens of accolades, including 11 Tony Awards and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. Now you can experience it with the entire original cast, including Lin-Manuel Miranda as the Founding Father.
McFarland, USA (2015): Coolest Cross Country Running Movie
Following a terrible mishap, disgraced former football coach Jim White (Kevin Costner) tries to turn his life around by leading a high school cross country team to victory. Although he feels like a fish out of water, the coach is confident his boys have what it takes to win the state finals.
Disney Plus already has more family-friendly sports movies and TV shows than any other streaming service. That said, McFarland, USA is still a welcome addition. Inspired by a true story, the movie was a hit with both critics and casual movie-goers.
Zombies 3 (2022): Aliens vs. Zombies
When we last left the town of Seabrook, zombies, werewolves, and humans had finally put aside their differences and were coexisting peacefully. How does Zombies 3 up the ante? Aliens, of course. Now, the fate of Seabrook rests in the hands of the high school cheerleading squad.
IMDb Rating: 5.4/10
If you need to catch up on the franchise, you can also watch the original Zombies and Zombies 2 on Disney Plus.
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021): Marvel’s Best Take on the Martial Arts Genre
After keeping his identity a secret for years, martial arts master Shang-Chi (Simu Liu) can no longer keep the truth hidden: He is the son of Xu Wenwu (Tony Chiu-Wai Leung), the notorious master of a powerful and mysterious clan called the Ten Rings.
IMDb Rating: 7.9/10
Shang-Chi is definitely a Marvel movie with its big-budget special effects and action sequences, but it’s also a solid martial arts flick grounded in Asian mythology.
Jungle Cruise (2021): Best Action Movie Based on a Theme Park Ride
In the early 1900s, Captain Frank Wolff (Dwayne Johnson) and Dr. Lily Houghton (Emily Blunt) set sail in search of the legendary Tree of Life. Along the way, they face endless dangers, including a group of competing explorers who want to beat them to their goal.
IMDb Rating: 6.5/10
Like the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, Jungle Cruise is a fantasy-adventure story inspired by a Disney World attraction of the same name. If you don’t like water rides, you can thankfully now enjoy the experience from the comfort of your living room.
Eternals (2021): An Ancient Alien Rivalry for the Ages
For thousands of years, extraterrestrial beings called the Eternals protected Earth from the Deviants, an evil alien species that wanted to wipe out humanity. Thanks to the Avengers’ time-traveling antics, the Deviants are back, and so are the Eternals.
Like every Marvel movie, Eternals boasts top-notch acting, special effects, and action sequences. While the Eternals aren’t as popular as the Avengers, they shouldn’t be overlooked since they’re a part of Marvel’s Cinematic Universe.
Remember the Titans (2000): Best Feel-Good Sports Movie
More than your typical teen sports movie, Remember the Titans tells the true-life story of Herman Boone (Denzel Washington), a high school football coach who led his team to victory during the first year of integration in 1971. This inspiring biopic offers an unflinching look at America’s history of racism while celebrating those who have struggled to change society for the better.
IMDb Rating: 7.8/10
An emotional story and memorable performances are complimented by an all-star soundtrack featuring Creedence Clearwater Revival, Bob Dylan, The Hollies, Marvin Gaye, James Taylor, The Temptations, and Cat Stevens. It’s no wonder why many critics consider Remember the Titans to be the best football movie ever made.
Isle of Dogs (2018): Best Stop-Motion Comedy for Older Audiences
If you’re in the mood for a quirky adult comedy, Wes Anderson’s Isle of Dogs will hit the spot. Koyu Rankin stars as the voice of Atari, a boy who solicits the help of a dog named Chief (Bryan Cranston) to reunite with his best friend. The all-star supporting cast includes Jeff Goldblum, Scarlett Johansson, Ken Watanabe, and Yoko Ono.
Isle of Dogs isn’t a movie for young children, but the humor is tame enough for older kids. The clever writing is directed at more mature audiences, so adults might get more laughs out of the jokes. The stop-motion animation is also top-notch.
Luca (2021): Best Original Fairy Tale Based on Italian Folklore
In mid-20th century Italy, two sea monsters living along the Riviera decide to go ashore. Despite warnings from their families, Luca (Jacob Tremblay) and Alberto (Jack Dylan Grazer) are eager to explore the human world, but they have to keep their true identities a secret.
The story has obvious parallels to The Little Mermaid, but it has a different, more uplifting message about tolerance. Luca is the quintessential Pixar film in that it feels simultaneously original and familiar.
Black Is King (2020): Best Disney Plus Original Musical
Best described as a visual album, Beyoncé’s Black Is King debuted on Disney Plus to praise from critics and audiences alike. It tells the story of an exiled African king and his journey to reclaim his kingdom at the behest of his ancestors. If it sounds like Lion King, that’s because the movie is based on it.
IMDb Rating: 5.5/10
In addition to stunning music and cinematography, Black Is King features a strong cast, which includes several notable musical artists. African culture is placed front and center, making this film stand out among Disney’s live-action musicals.
Hidden Figures (2016): Most Inspirational Story About Unsung American Heros
Behind every great man stands a great woman, or sometimes multiple women. Hidden Figures is the real-life story of three African American mathematicians who helped John Glenn go to the moon: Katherine G. Johnson (Taraji P. Henson), Dorothy Vaughan (Octavia Spencer), and Mary Jackson (Janelle Monáe).
The film finally gives these unsung American heroes the recognition they deserve. On top of that, it’s well-acted and inspiring. If you like the movie, be sure to check out the book it’s based on.
Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness (2022): The Marvel Cinematic Universe Just Got Bigger
Doctor Steven Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) has some disturbing dreams that suddenly start coming to life. Could it be the work of the Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen)? He’ll have to travel through multiple dimensions to find out.
IMDb Rating: 7.3/10
You might be a little lost if you haven’t watched Wandavision, What If, and the original Dr. Strange. Fortunately, they’re all on Disney Plus, so you can get caught up.
Werewolf by Night (2022): Marvel Reimagines Old Hollywood Horror
Based on one of Marvel’s less-celebrated heroes, Werewolf by Night is about a lycanthrope who uses his preternatural powers for good rather than evil. When the legendary Bloodstone comes up for grabs, Jack Russell (Gael García Bernal) must make sure that it doesn’t fall into the wrong hands.
Werewolf by Night is an obvious tribute to old Universal monster films like The Wolf Man, The Mummy, and Frankenstein. That said, it’s still a Marvel movie with all the requisite action and humor.
Adventure Thru the Walt Disney Archives (2020): Best Behind-the-Scenes Look at Disney Studios
Through archival footage and original interviews, Adventure Thru the Walt Disney Archives takes viewers on a behind-the-scenes tour of the place where the magic all started. You’ll see everything from the early designs for Disney World to Walt Disney’s personal office.
IMDb Rating: 8.5/10
Host Don Hahn and film historian Leonard Maltin thoroughly explore the evolution of Disney from a small animation company to a global media conglomerate. The documentary also includes interviews with filmmakers from Marvel Studios, Pixar, and Lucasfilm as well as famous actors like Mark Hamill and Kurt Russell.
Soul (2020): Best Modern Animated Pixar Musical
Joe (Jamie Foxx) always saw himself as a professional jazz musician, but he’s teaching middle-school band instead. After finally getting an opportunity to fulfill his dream, he falls into a portal to another dimension. Isn’t life ironic?
IMDb Rating: 8.1/10
Soul is more colorful and creative than the average Pixar film, which is really saying something. The first Pixar movie to go straight-to-streaming, Soul received three Oscar nominations, and it won Golden Globes for Best Animated Film and Best Original Score.
Encanto (2021): An Original Fairy Tale Based on Colombian Folklore
Nestled in the Colombian mountains is an enchanted land known as the Encanto, where Mirabel (Stephanie Beatriz) lives with her family. The only child without magical powers, Mirabel feels like she doesn’t belong, but she is actually the key to saving her home from those who wish to destroy it.
Encanto hits all of the notes you’d expect in a Disney animated film, including a cast of colorful characters, family-friendly humor, and unforgettable tunes. The movie didn’t get much public attention when it was released, but it’s worth watching if you missed it in theaters.
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