25 Hit Movies on Disney+ You Can Stream From the Comfort of Your Couch

25 Hit Movies on Disney+ You Can Stream From the Comfort of Your Couch
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Disney+ is known as the home of all things Marvel, Star Wars and (obviously) Walt Disney — some of the best, and most entertaining movie titles around. Now that the streaming service has been around for a few years it’s chock full of new and exclusive content to entertain you for months of movie nights to come.

Here are some of the best movies you can find on Disney+ right now from all your favourite pop-culture universes.

The best movies on Disney+

Poor Things

Emma Stone and Mark Ruffalo in POOR THINGS. Photo by Atsushi Nishijima. Courtesy of Searchlight Pictures. © 2023 20th Century Studios All Rights Reserved.
Image: 20th Century Studios

Poor Things was an Oscars darling at the 2024 ceremony, scoring lead actress Emma Stone her second Academy Award. In the movie, Stone stars as a young woman brought back to life by an unorthodox scientist who runs off with a lawyer and discovers the wonders and horrors of a fantastical world.

Watch it here.


Rise of the Planet of the Apes

dawn of the planet of the apes matt reeves
Image: 20th Century Fox

With Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes continuing the story of the trilogy in cinemas, there’s no better time to revisit the Planet of the Apes prequels on Disney+. Across Rise, Dawn and War for the Planet of the Apes we’re told the story of Caesar, an ape injected with a new drug that evolves him to have human-level intelligence which he then uses to lead a community of apes after humanity falls.

Watch it here.


The Creator

Image: 20th Century Studios

An original sci-fi from the director behind Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, The Creator examines a future war between humans and artificial intelligence. One special forces soldier is sent to find and eliminate the architect of all advanced AI, who is said to have created an advanced weapon – only for them to find it is in the form of a young child.

Watch The Creator here.


Avatar: The Way of Water

avatar way of water 2022 movies
Image: Disney

Over a decade after the first Avatar film climbed to become the highest grossing movie of all time (at the time), Avatar: The Way of Water continued the story of James Cameron’s sci-fi wonderland – and managed to make just as big of a splash. The Way of Water sees Jake Sully and his young family flee their home after an enemy from their past resurfaces to hunt them down. They find allies in the water tribes of Pandora but must adapt to their ways and help fight to keep their new home safe.

Watch Avatar: The Way of Water here.


Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour

taylor swift the eras tour
Disney+

Taylor Swift is currently embarking on the biggest global tour of her career – and it’s one that’s been basically impossible to get tickets to. Swifties who missed out or even those who just want to relive the magic can do so on Disney+ where the filmed version of Taylor’s Eras Tour is available in full.

Watch The Eras Tour here.


The Menu

the menu disney plus
The Menu (Image: 20th Century Studios)

We’re living in a renaissance of content that pokes fun at the classes of society, particularly the rich. The Menu is another example of that as it follows a group of diners to a prestigious off-shore restaurant where the head chef has assembled a very unusual tasting menu.

Watch The Menu here.


Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

black panther 2 Best Movies on Disney+
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (Image: Marvel Studios)

Black Panther is possibly the most important movie Marvel Studios has ever released, leaving Wakanda Forever big shoes to fill. Somehow the film managed to live up to that high bar with an impactful sequel that thoughtfully explores grief, family and political tensions in the nation of Wakanda after their King, T’Challa, is lost.

Watch Black Panther: Wakanda Forever here.


Prey

prey best movies 2022
Image: Hulu/Disney+

The Predator has seen a muddled reception over the years, but it remains one of the most iconic sci-fi creatures in pop culture. Prey is the latest instalment in the franchise that managed to win over both fans and critics. Set hundreds of years ago, a Comanche warrior fights to defend her tribe from an alien predator that is hunting them for sport.

Watch Prey here.


West Side Story

West Side Story 2021
West Side Story (Image: 20th Century)

Steven Spielberg’s take on the classic musical West Side Story saw plenty of awards attention this year, with Ariana DeBose even taking home the Best Supporting Actress Oscar in 2022.

If you’re wondering what the fuss is all about, the Oscar-winning movie has since made its way to Disney+. If you’re unfamiliar, West Side Story follows the romance between Tony and Maria who are on opposing sides of a street gang war in New York’s Upper West Side.

Watch West Side Story here.


Turning Red

turning red Best Movies on Disney+
Turning Red (Image: Pixar/Disney)

Turning Red is a massive step forward for diversity and representation in animation, particularly for teenage girls. The story follows Mei, a straight-A student who splits her time between fangirling over her favourite boy band with helping her parents run their family’s temple in Toronto.

But as Mei enters that tricky time called puberty she unlocks a family tradition that has her turning into a giant red panda every time her emotions get out of control.

Watch Turning Red here.


Encanto

encanto movie oscar award mirabel
Encanto (Image: Disney)

Encanto was another stunner at the Oscars in 2022, taking home Best Animated Picture. But even before all that, it was a must-watch.

The delightful animated musical takes place in Colombia where the magical Madrigal family reside. Each family member is blessed with a special gift, except Mirabel, who ends up becoming her family’s last hope.

Watch Encanto here.


Nomadland

nomadland best picture
Nomadland (Image: Searchlight Pictures)

Thanks to Star on Disney+ we Aussie have access to an epic catalogue of critically acclaimed and blockbuster movies. One of those is 2021’s Best Picture winner Nomadland.

Directed by Chloe Zhao, who is only the second woman to win Best Director at the Oscars, Nomadland stars Francis McDormand as a van-dwelling nomad who travels America doing interesting jobs and meeting even more interesting people.

Watch Nomadland here.


Star Wars: A New Hope (Episode IV)

star wars disney+ movies
Star Wars: A New Hope (Image: Lucasfilm)

The entire Star Wars catalogue is available on Disney+, but if you want to go back to where it all began you can’t go past A New Hope.

The epic heroes tale introduces us to Luke Skywalker who teams up with Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi on a galaxy-hopping adventure to save Princess Leia and put a stop to Darth Vader and the Empire.

Watch Star Wars: A New Hope here.


Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings

shang chi best movies 2021
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (Image: Marvel Studios)

Shang-Chi was delayed in cinemas far too many times during the pandemic but it was definitely worth the wait and now you can re-watch it as many times as you like on Disney+.

Marvel’s first Asian-led superhero movie certainly did not disappoint. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is full of epic fight sequences, awesome mythology and a bunch of new characters you’ll absolutely love. Shang-Chi has a big future ahead of him in the MCU so don’t miss his origin story.

Watch Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings here.


Luca

luca disney+ movies
Luca (Image: Disney)

Want to take a summer European vacation without all the associated costs? Look no further than Luca.

Pixar’s latest heartwarming tale takes place in the beautiful Italian Riviera where two young sea monsters dream of living life as humans. As Luca starts to get attached to his new human life his identity as a sea monster is put in jeopardy.

Watch Luca here.


Cruella

Cruella disney+
Cruella (Credit: Disney)

Disney has a history of famous villains but we hardly ever get to hear their side of the story. Cruella gives us insight into how Estella went from a young aspiring fashion designer to the notorious Cruella de Vil of 101 Dalmations fame.

Emma Stone is unbeatable in the role and there’s a sequel coming down the pipe so make sure you catch up on Cruella first.

Watch Cruella here.


Jojo Rabbit

jojo rabbit disney+ movies
Jojo Rabbit (Image: Fox Searchlight)

Another Oscar-winner on Disney+ you can’t miss is Taika Waititi’s Jojo Rabbit.

A young German boy whose imaginary best friend is Hitler has to re-evaluate his thinking after he learns a Jewish girl is hiding in his house. Jojo Rabbit will have you crying both tears of sadness and of laughter.

Watch Jojo Rabbit here.


Free Solo

free solo
Free Solo (Image: National Geographic)

Disney+ is also home to National Geographic and one of the best films from the brand is undoubtedly Free Solo.

The movie follows the incredible white-knuckle journey of professional rock climber Alex Honnold who attempts to be the first to climb El Capitan’s 900-metre rock face without a rope.

Watch Free Solo here.


Hamilton

Hamilton logo
Hamilton (Image: Disney)

Hamilton is easily one of the biggest musicals to break through on Broadway in recent memory. The show launched itself into the cultural conversation, made stars out of its cast and remains almost impossible to get tickets to.

For years the only way to see Hamilton was to fork out hundreds of dollars on both tickets and airfares to catch the show live on Broadway or the West End but thanks to the official recording hitting Disney+, you no longer need to be in the room where it happens.

You’ll come away with new knowledge of America’s founding fathers plus a bunch of hit songs you’ll never get out of your head.

Watch Hamilton here.


Free Guy

free guy
Free Guy (Image: 20th Century Studios)

One movie you have missed when it released in cinemas was Free Guy. Ryan Reynolds stars in the film as Guy, a bank teller who learns he’s a background character in an open-world video game and decides to become the hero of his story.

Free Guy is full of video game easter eggs and plenty of comedy thanks to its stellar cast which also includes Jodie Comer, Taika Waititi and Joe Keery.

Watch Free Guy here.


The Rescue

the rescue disney+ movies
The Rescue (Image: National Geographic/Disney)

Adding to Disney+’s repertoire of excellent documentaries is The Rescue, which catalogues the unbelievable true story behind the rescue of 12 young Thai boys who are trapped inside a rapidly flooding cave system.

The documentary takes you deep into the cave with the divers who undertook a crazy yet effective plan to get the boys home safely. It’s an inspiring and nail-biting watch.

Watch The Rescue here.


The French Dispatch

the french dispatch movies on disney+
The French Dispatch (Image: Disney)

Wes Anderson’s 2021 film is a quirky ode to journalism, in particular The New Yorker.

Set out like a series of features or vignettes in a magazine, The French Dispatch tells a series of odd tales with an all-star cast including Timothee Chalamet, Francis McDormand, Owen Wilson, Bill Murray, Adrien Brody and more.

Watch The French Dispatch here.


Kingsman: The Secret Service

best movies on disney+ kingsman
Kingsman (Image: Disney)

If you’re looking for a younger, bloodier and more insane take on the spy genre, look no further than Kingsman: The Secret Service.

The film stars Taron Edgerton as Eggsy, a street kid who is picked up by the mysterious Kingsman organisation, a group of secret gentleman spies, and helps to take down world-ending threats. Kingsman is known for its insane action, wild characters and dark jokes, which have attracted stars like Colin Firth, Julianne Moore and Channing Tatum.

The third film The King’s Man, which is a prequel about the origins of the group, is also on Disney+.

Watch Kingsman here.


Toy Story 3

toy story 3 best movies disney plus
Toy Story 3 (Image: Pixar)

You can’t go wrong with any of the Toy Story films, they are essential animated movies from many of our childhoods. But something about Toy Story 3 hits different.

The third movie sees Buzz, Woody and the rest of Andy’s toys reckon with their kid growing up, and they must learn to adapt to their new home, which also involves going to preschool, the land of the damned for toys. I’m convinced if you don’t cry in this movie you don’t have a heart.

Watch Toy Story 3 here.


The Devil Wears Prada

devil wears prada
The Devil Wears Prada (Image: 20th Century Studios)

The Devil Wears Prada is a must-watch for anyone who thinks their boss is bad. Wait until you meet Miranda Priestley.

The movie stars Anne Hathaway as Andy, a young aspiring journalist who scores a job as an assistant to the editor of Runway, a fashion magazine run with an iron fist by Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep).

Watch The Devil Wears Prada here.


This is just the tip of the iceberg of all the great titles you can watch on Disney+.

If you want to check it out for yourself you can sign up to Disney+ here and while you’re at it, check out our list of the best TV series on the service.

This article has been updated with additional titles.

Lead Image Credit: Disney+/Marvel/20th Century Studios

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