Selecting the best movies on Disney Plus (Disney+) is no easy task. The platform is home to a vast array of titles spanning over 100 years of cinematic history, so narrowing your options can often feel overwhelming.
Gone are the days when Disney’s offerings consisted mainly of damsels in distress, charming princes and eccentric cartoon characters. Now, you can find just about everything — from multiversal superhero flicks and classic sitcoms to heart-tugging dramas and the most entertaining documentaries. To make your choices much easier, we’ve picked out the best Disney+ selections across every genre.
1. Action: Logan (2017)
In anticipation of the Deadpool & Wolverine movie slated for release this July 2024, it’s time to pickup where you left off with our favorite mutant. No, not the loudmouth in the fancy red suit, but the legend with the indestructible claws, Wolverine — AKA Logan Howlett.
This movie shows a much older wolverine, considerably weakened from the effects of his adamantium-infused skeletal framework. But he’s still able to take on multitudes of bad guys while also looking after our beloved Professor X and Laura, a young girl with similar wolverine abilities. Logan dies in this movie, so it would be interesting to see how they resuscitate his character in Deadpool & Wolverine.
2. Adventure: Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End (2007)
To be fair, all the Pirates of the Caribbean movies have been amazing, though the more recent titles seem a tad diminished compared to the first three installments. Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End brings back the iconic Captain Jack Sparrow and his fierce companions — Barbosa, Elizabeth Swann, Will Turner and more. Together, they battle possible extinction at the hands of the East Indian Trading Company, which now controls the fearsome Davy Jones and his undead crew.
3. Animation: The Incredibles 2 (2018)
Released four years after the first installment, The Incredibles 2 seamlessly continues the story of our beloved superhero family. This time, superheroes have been outlawed and the family must navigate the challenges of blending into a society where their services are no longer required — or so it seems. Overall, it’s a great, wholesome movie, especially with the development of the baby’s superpowers and hilarious yet relatable family dynamics.
4. Biography: Queen of Katwe (2016)
Queen of Katwe tells the true story of Phiona Mutesi, a young girl living in Katwe, Uganda, whose life is transformed by playing chess. It’s a beautiful tale that aptly captures the struggles of growing up in rural Africa and combating various obstacles in search of a better life. Phiona overcomes the odds, going on to represent Uganda in both national and international chess competitions — a true testament to what you can achieve with a little resilience and support from the right people.
5. Comedy: Free Guy (2021)
Free Guy is essentially Ryan Reynolds doing what he does best. It follows the story of a bank teller who discovers he’s actually a character in an open-world video game. He then decides to rewrite his story, making himself the hero of his world. The film is an all-around good time with lots of humorous scenes, a charming cast and some impressive special effects — definitely one of the best movies on Disney+ right now.
6. Drama: Hidden Figures (2016)
Hidden Figures is a movie based on the actual achievements of three brilliant African American women at NASA. Their work was integral to the launch of astronaut John Glenn into orbit, one of the greatest operations in the history of NASA and the United States. These women were exceptional mathematicians, able to perform calculations at a time when computers were still in their nascent stages. They also overcome racial discrimination in the workplace and navigate family troubles.
7. Fantasy: Avatar: The Way of Water (2022)
Undoubtedly one of the best movies on Disney Plus, Avatar: The Way of Water is an inspiring tale about the Sully family and the lengths they go to keep their home and each other safe. Trouble seems to follow them wherever they go and they must fight to stay alive. The movie also explores the nuances of Na’vi cultures and introduces a range of exotic sea creatures with the spectacular visual storytelling of director James Cameron.
8. Musical: Encanto (2021)
Encanto is an enchanting story about the extraordinary Madrigal family who live in a magical house. Every child is blessed with a unique magical gift except Mirabel. Naturally, she’s dejected and often feels out of place until the magic surrounding the Encanto is threatened, and she’s the only one who can set things right. The movie features eight original musical numbers, all rendered masterfully with striking visuals and melodious fanfare.
9. Romance: West Side Story (2021)
West Side Story is a fanciful narrative about forbidden love and romance across tribal barriers, somewhat reminiscent of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. The ill-fated lovers, Maria and Tony, must resist mounting pressures from their respective families. It all goes awry when Maria’s brother is killed, and the resulting revenge mission by his gang members ends with Tony being shot. He later dies in Maria’s arms. It’s a beautifully tragic movie interspersed with short but sweet musicals.
10. Sci-Fi: Star Wars
The Star Wars franchise is super broad and contains a mix of titular movies, animations and series. In fact, “The Mandalorian” and “Ahsoka” were among the most-watched series across all streaming platforms in 2023. Simply take your pick among the vast title selections and sit back as you explore galaxies far away. All Star Wars installments feature massive space battles, laser gun shootouts, thrilling lightsaber duels and humanoid droids — basically, everything you’d want to see in a sci-fi movie.
How Much Is Disney+?
The basic subscription starts at $7.99 monthly and gives you access to the platform’s massive content library. You can stream across multiple supported devices at once. However, this package comes with ads, which might be a dealbreaker if you fancy an uninterruptible viewing experience. The premium subscription is ads-free and costs $13.99 monthly or $139.99 yearly.
Stream the Best Movies On Disney Plus
Whatever mood you’re in, Disney+ has the best movies and shows to keep you entertained. Take your pick from these options and get your movie night rolling. Additionally, since the platform introduces new films regularly, we’ll update this guide periodically, so be sure to check back for the latest recommendations.
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