The Best Disney Plus Movies Right Now (April 2024)

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.

The play has won dozens of accolades, including 11 Tony Awards and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. You can experience it with the original cast, including Lin-Manuel Miranda as the Founding Father.

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?

Soul is more colorful and creative than the average Pixar film, which is saying something. The first Pixar movie to go straight to streaming, Soul received three Oscar nominations, with wins for Best Original Score and Best Animated Feature).

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023): It'll Make You Laugh, Cry, and Rock-and-Roll

With Rocket out of commission and Gamora-from-an-alternate-timeline on the loose, the rest of the Guardians must keep defending the universe without them. Fortunately, they have a new kickin' soundtrack to accompany the excessive destruction that follows everywhere they go.

The long-awaited conclusion to the Guardians series is quite a bit darker than its predecessors, but plenty of big belly laughs help break up the more serious moments.

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, check out the book it's based on.

Isle of Dogs (2018): Best Stop-Motion Comedy for Older Audiences

Wes Anderson's Isle of Dogs will hit the spot if you're in the mood for a quirky adult comedy. 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 that adults might get more laughs from the jokes. The stop-motion animation is also top-notch.

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 improve society.

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.

Avatar: The Way of the Water (2023) - A Celebration of CGI and Special Effects

When an old enemy resurfaces, Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) and his wife Neytiri (Zoe Saldaña) must lead the people of Pandora in a revolt against colonizing invaders.

If that sounds like a rehash of the first film, it kind of is, but the special effects are what really matter. Like the original Avatar, Way of the Water is a spectacle to behold, so it doesn't disappoint in that sense.

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 must keep their true identities a secret.

The story has obvious parallels to The Little Mermaid but has a different, uplifting message about tolerance. Luca is the quintessential Pixar film in that it feels simultaneously original and familiar.

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.

Shang-Chi is a Marvel movie with big-budget special effects and action sequences, but it's also a solid martial arts flick grounded in Asian mythology.

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.

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 where the magic all started. You'll see everything from the early designs for Disney World to Walt Disney's personal office.

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 and famous actors like Mark Hamill and Kurt Russell.

Encanto (2021): An Original Fairy Tale Based on Colombian Folklore

Nestled in the Colombian mountains is an enchanted land called 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 the key to saving her home from those who wish to destroy it.

Encanto hits all 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.

The Little Mermaid (2023): A Faithful Remake of a Beloved Musical

Everyone's happy under the sea, except for mermaid princess Ariel (Halle Bailey), who wants to walk alongside Prince Eric (Jonah Hauer-King). In fact, Ariel's so desperate that she sells her voice to the sea witch Ursala for a pair of legs.

Like most of the other live-action Disney remakes, The Little Mermaid sticks close to the original cartoon. That said, one standout moment is a new song called “The Scuttlebutt” performed by Scuttle (Akwifina).

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 he can do whatever he wants.

It's a concept that's been done 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.

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, but it's still a Marvel movie with all the requisite action and humor. You can even choose between classic black-and-white or scratchy color versions.

West Side Story (2021): Most Ambitious Musical Adaptation

The definitive version of Tony Kushner's musical masterpiece comes from director Steven Spielberg. It's a big-budget blockbuster that still respects 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.

Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness (2022): The Marvel Cinematic Universe Just Got Bigger

Doctor Steven Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) has 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.

You might be 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.

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.

Beauty and the Beast: A 30th Celebration originally aired live on ABC, but you can stream it on Disney Plus whenever you want.

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.

Flamin' Hot (2023): A Spicy Take on a True Story

Have you ever wondered about the story behind Flamin' Hot Cheetos? No? Well, this movie makes it seem a lot more interesting than it probably was in real life.

Loosely based on the true story of Richard Montañez (Jesse Garcia), Flamin' Hot is a dramatization of how a Frito Lay janitor created an international sensation with a spicy idea.

Muppets Haunted Mansion (2021): Spookiest Original Disney Plus Muppet Special

Want to watch something eerie but not scary? Join up with 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.

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.

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.

Love and Thunder maintains the same balance of action and humor in previous Thor films. On top of that, it has a rockin' soundtrack.

Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023): A New Villain Invades the MCU

Ant-Man (Paul Rudd) and Wasp (Evangeline Lilly) planned to live happily after Thanos's defeat. Instead, they get sucked into the Quantum Realm, where they encounter a new enemy named Kang (Jonathan Majors).

Phase five of the MCU is in full swing, so if you want to keep up with the story, Quantumania is required viewing.