While the streamer doesn’t have the most consistent influx of enticing original content, Disney+ still hosts some of the best movies to stream right now thanks to a combination of periodic new originals and legacy additions. Disney is known for trying to appeal to the widest audiences possible, with franchises like Star Wars, Marvel, and National Geographic aimed at satisfying various demographics at once. And as accessible as the streaming platform is, this regularly updated list should help you parse through the best movies on Disney+ right now.
If you aren’t already an active subscriber, consider taking a look at the Disney Bundle, which nets you Disney+, ESPN+, and the basic ad-based Hulu plan for just $13 a month. It’s a great value, as it essentially gets you three major streaming services for the price of two.
If you want to expand your search, we’ve also rounded up the best shows on Disney+, as well as the best movies on Netflix, the best movies on Amazon Prime, and the best movies on Hulu.
Recently added to Disney+
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Chang Can Dunk2023 -
- Fire of Love2022
- Lightyear2022
- We Feed People2022
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115m
Genre Comedy, Adventure, Science Fiction
Stars Ryan Reynolds, Jodie Comer, Joe Keery
Directed by Shawn Levy
One of the theatrical surprise hits of 2021, Free Guy takes on a quirky video game premise filled with familiar Hollywood faces. A bank teller named Guy — played by Ryan Reynolds — realizes that he’s a nonplayable character in a video game called Free City — which is set to be permanently taken offline.
From there, he embarks on a wild journey alongside a player as they attempt to prove that a gaming company’s CEO stole the player’s source code to develop Free City. Audiences will get all the endearing charm and comedy they expect from Reynolds, and Free Guy is also filled with clever meta humor about video games and pop culture.
108m
Genre Family, Comedy, Drama
Stars Bloom Li, Dexter Darden, Ben Wang
Directed by Jingyi Shao
Outside of Disney’s titanic IPs and usual suspects, Disney+ releases the occasionally charming small-scale endeavor like this one. An original movie for the streamer, Chang Can Dunk follows the titular 16-year-old Asian American high schooler as he takes on the challenge of dunking a basketball by Homecoming.
It’s quite the task since he’s only 5’8″ tall. As he goes on his mission to learn how to dunk, he ends up on a journey of introspection along the way. Chang Can Dunk is an endearing, entertaining, and poignant teen coming-of-age dramedy that is sure to please all generations.
149m
Genre Adventure, Action, Science Fiction
Stars Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo
Directed by Anthony Russo, Joe Russo
One of the biggest comic book movie events in recent years, Marvel Studios’ Avengers: Infinity War is a jam-packed crossover event. The first in a two-part story with the sequel Endgame, Infinity War finally sees the cosmic threat Thanos — played menacingly by Josh Brolin — take his universe-wide fight to Earth and its mightiest heroes.
It delivers a long-awaited series of clashes and interactions between various heroes and villains, and is a major bright spot in the MCU’s catalog. Infinity War is constantly tense with action and revelations, setting the stage for this universe’s biggest narrative payoff.
78m
Genre Documentary
Stars John C. Reilly
Directed by Alastair Fothergill, Keith Scholey
For those looking to take a break from dramas and action, Disney+ has plenty of engaging nature documentaries to get lost in. Coming from the company’s Disneynature brand, Bears is a beautifully executed documentary film following the ventures of a loving bear family. Narrated by actor John C. Reilly, the movie begins with a brown bear dubbed Sky and her cubs as they awaken from hibernation, and it continues to see the family venture across the landscape to find food and avoid the natural perils that pose threats to them.
81m
Genre Animation, Comedy, Family, Adventure
Stars Ray Romano, John Leguizamo, Denis Leary
Directed by Chris Wedge
Though the franchise may have diluted itself with the several sequels that followed, the original 2002 Ice Age was a beloved animated classic of the decade. That says something considering its top-tier animated contemporaries, with the central theme of the “found family” heartwarming and the humor that arises from the unlikely group landing. As the title suggests, Ice Age takes place during the prehistoric age of mammals, where a woolly mammoth named Manny, a giant sloth named Sid, and a saber-toothed cat named Diego find themselves tasked with returning an infant human to its tribe.
147m
Genre Adventure, Action, Science Fiction
Stars Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson
Directed by Anthony Russo, Joe Russo
Marvel Studio’s Captain America trilogy raised the stakes with The Winter Soldier, often praised as being among the MCU’s best. Steve Roger’s trilogy closer, Civil War, was another solid follow-up this time functioning as a sort of mini Avengers film. In the aftermath of Avengers: Age of Ultron, the titular superhero team finds themselves starkly divided when pressures of international oversight mount over metahuman activity. Effectively divided into “Team Captain America” and “Team Iron Man,” Captain America: Civil War pits friends against friends in an explosive story.
162m
Genre Action, Adventure, Science Fiction
Stars Letitia Wright, Lupita Nyong'o, Danai Gurira
Directed by Ryan Coogler
Since the tragic passing of actor Chadwick Boseman, the sequel to Black Panther was always going to have a somber atmosphere about it. However, Ryan Coogler’s Black Panther: Wakanda Forever succeeds in being a tasteful and touching tribute that advanced the story from this corner of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. In the wake of King T’Challa’s death, the leaders of the nation need to rally together as Namor — the king of an ancient underwater civilization — leads an assault on Wakanda. Angela Bassett, in particular, leads the film with a commanding performance.
101m
Genre Family, Animation, Comedy, Adventure
Stars John C. Reilly, Sarah Silverman, Jack McBrayer
Directed by Rich Moore
The 2012 animated comedy Wreck-It Ralph is a great choice for family entertainment, and it takes a clever meta spin on the video-game-to-movie adaptation. It colorfully brings to life the nostalgic days of arcade gaming with charismatic characters played by the likes of John C. Reilly, Sarah Silverman, Jane Lynch, and more. Wreck-It Ralph follows the story of the titular video game villain that tires of the role of the antagonist and chooses to pursue his dream of becoming a hero.
100m
Genre Animation, Family
Stars Albert Brooks, Ellen DeGeneres, Alexander Gould
Directed by Andrew Stanton
Disney’s Pixar Animation Studios can always be trusted to put together a memorable animated family movie. 2003’s Finding Nemo has since been regarded as a modern classic, transcending the decade it debuted in theaters. Starring the likes of Ellen DeGeneres, Geoffrey Rush, and Willem Dafoe, Finding Nemo tells the story of an overprotective clownfish named Marlin who goes on an ocean-wide quest with his forgetful friend Dory to find his lost son Nemo. The movie was released to critical acclaim for its charming brand of humor and heartfelt story that appeals to all audiences.
136m
Genre Action, Adventure, Science Fiction
Stars Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Sebastian Stan
Directed by Anthony Russo, Joe Russo
Widely considered to be one of the best movies to come out of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Captain America: The Winter Soldier is an impressive sophomore entry in the titular hero’s film series. While most things in the mainline MCU aren’t particularly gritty, The Winter Soldier serves as an effective action-thriller with some conspiratorial intrigue. In this story, Captain America and Black Widow team up to uncover the seedy underbelly of S.H.I.E.L.D., as well as the sudden reappearance of the ominous Winter Soldier. It’s a refreshing change of pace, injecting a welcome dose of dramatic grit into this vast cinematic world.
135m
Genre Science Fiction, Adventure, Action
Stars Alden Ehrenreich, Joonas Suotamo, Woody Harrelson
Directed by Ron Howard
Though it underwhelmed at the box office, Lucasfilm’s Solo: A Star Wars Story managed to garner a moderately positive critical reception for its efforts. Solo sees the origin story of Han Solo played by Harrison Ford whom fans have long since come to know and love, with actor Alden Ehrenreich putting up an admirable performance as the young scoundrel on a series of high-octane space heists. From street kid to infamously talented bounty hunter, this Han is joined by a colorful and entertaining supporting cast, including Donald Glover’s take on a young Lando Calrissian and Game of Thrones alum Emilia Clarke’s portrayal of original character Qi’ra.
135m
Genre Adventure, Action, Science Fiction
Stars Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher
Directed by Richard Marquand
Even if it doesn’t quite hold up to the astronomically high standards set by A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back, Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi is still a deeply rewarding conclusion to one of the greatest movie trilogies. After the revelations and fallout of Empire‘s climactic events between Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader, the young Jedi sets out on a mission to destroy the Empire’s second Death Star and defeat them for good. The Ewoks may overstay their welcome, but Return of the Jedi is similarly climactic and a resounding finish to Luke’s hero’s journey.
126m
Genre Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Stars Warwick Davis, Val Kilmer, Joanne Whalley
Directed by Ron Howard
In 1988, George Lucas and director Ron Howard took a stab at fantasy in Willow. Ewok actor Warwick Davis headlined the film as Willow Ufgood, a Nelwyn/Dwarf who has big dreams of becoming a sorcerer. Willow’s life is upended when he becomes the guardian of a human infant, Elora Danan. The evil Queen Bavmorda (Jean Marsh) wants Elora dead because she is prophesied to end her reign. Bavmorda is far more powerful than Willow, which is why he’s lucky to have the swordsman known as Madmartigan (Val Kilmer) on his side. A Willow sequel series is currently streaming on Disney+.
162m
Genre Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Science Fiction
Stars Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña, Sigourney Weaver
Directed by James Cameron
It’s been a few months since Disney+ pulled Avatar so that people would watch it again in theaters. But now that Avatar: The Way of Water is here, James Cameron’s beautifully realized vision has returned. Sam Worthington stars as Jake Sully, a disabled Marine who is given the chance to replace his late brother in the Avatar program on the alien world, Pandora. Under the orders of Colonel Miles Quaritch (Stephen Lang), Jake’s mind inhabits an alien body similar to the Na’vi, Pandora’s native race. It’s Jake’s job to win the trust of the Na’vi, but his growing love for the Na’vi girl, Neytiri (Zoe Saldana), makes him realize that he’s on the wrong side.
103m
Genre Comedy, Family
Stars Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern
Directed by Chris Columbus
‘Tis the season for Home Alone, the unlikely Christmas classic that made Macaulay Culkin a star. As the youngest son of the McAllister family, Kevin (Culkin) is accidentally left behind when the rest of the family goes on a holiday vacation. And for a while, it’s a dream come true for Kevin to have the house to himself. But when The Wet Bandits, Harry (Joe Pesci) and Marv (Daniel Stern), target Kevin’s house, he’ll have to overcome his initial fear to create a nearly lethal series of traps for the pair of inept crooks.
97m
Genre Documentary
Stars Miranda July, Katia Krafft, Maurice Krafft
Directed by Sara Dosa
National Geographic’s Fire of Love is the rare documentary that doubles as a love story and an appreciation for nature’s fury. Unfortunately, it is also a tragedy. The film showcases Katia and Maurice Krafft, a pair of French volcanologists whose passion for each other was only matched for the work they shared. Together, they traveled the world and essentially became volcano chasers. They chronicled their journey with stunning pictures and videos before they lost their lives in a volcanic explosion. Regardless, their story — and their love — is still inspiring.
134m
Genre Action, Adventure, Science Fiction
Stars Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong'o
Directed by Ryan Coogler
The original Black Panther movie was an unexpected cultural phenomenon in 2018, on its way toward becoming one of the most successful superhero films ever made. Credit for that in large part goes to director Ryan Coogler, the late Chadwick Boseman as T’Challa/Black Panther, and a terrific supporting cast. Michael B. Jordan’s Killmonger also gave T’Challa an incredibly compelling villain whose own tragic backstory challenges the Black Panther’s worldview. When Killmonger threatens to take over Wakanda itself, T’Challa will have to find it within himself to become the hero and the king that his people need.
76m
Genre Fantasy, Animation, Family
Stars Chris Sarandon, Danny Elfman, Catherine O'Hara
Directed by Henry Selick
The Nightmare Before Christmas is perhaps the only Christmas movie that’s fit for Halloween — and vice versa. Tim Burton and director Henry Selick’s masterfully realized stop-motion animated masterpiece is probably keeping Hot Topic in business after all of these years. But this film is also beloved for its catchy tunes by Danny Elfman, and for the lovable hero, Jack Skellington (Chris Sarandon). Jack is the master of all things Halloween, and yet dreadfully bored by all of it. When he discovers that Christmas is a thing, Jack doesn’t hesitate to hijack the holiday and put his own spin on “Sandy Claws.” Needless to say, Jack’s take on Christmas really freaks out the human world. It also endangers his friends in Halloween Town.
133m
Genre Action, Adventure, Science Fiction
Stars Felicity Jones, Diego Luna, Alan Tudyk
Directed by Gareth Edwards
With the release of Andor, it’s a good time to revisit Rogue One, one of the very best Star Wars movies of the Disney era. Director Gareth Edwards delivered a beautiful stand-alone film that serves as a prequel to the original Star Wars. Felicity Jones headlines the cast as Jyn Erso, a rebellious thief who is recruited to locate a former associate in order to receive a message from her long-missing father, Galen (Mads Mikkelsen). But soon enough, Jyn, Cassian Andor (Diego Luna), K-2SO (Alan Tudyk), and a ragtag team are on a suicide mission to steal the Death Star plans from the Empire in a desperate bid to save the Rebel Alliance.
101m
Genre Animation, Comedy, Fantasy, Family
Stars Jamie Foxx, Tina Fey, Graham Norton
Directed by Pete Docter
Anyone who claims that Pixar has lost its way should check out Soul, one of the best films the studio has ever produced. Jamie Foxx leads the voice cast as Joe Gardner, a music teacher who has dreams of becoming a professional jazz musician. But just when Joe is on the verge of achieving his goal, he dies and finds himself in The Great Before. Rather than let his soul slip away into the afterlife, Joe teams up with a free spirit called 23 (Tina Fey) to find a way back to Earth.
108m
Genre Action, Adventure, Science Fiction, Family
Stars Timothy Dalton, Alan Arkin, Billy Campbell
Directed by Joe Johnston
Not all superheroes come out of the Marvel Universe. In 1991, the late Dave Stevens’ comic book, The Rocketeer, was brought to the big screen by Disney and director Joe Johnston. In this very fun throwback adventure, Billy Campbell stars as Cliff Secord, a stunt pilot in 1938 who stumbles across an experimental jet pack that was stolen by Nazi spies. Cliff uses the jet pack to become the Rocketeer in part to keep his girlfriend, Jenny Blake (Jennifer Connelly). But when the Nazis and their hidden operatives come for the jet pack, Cliff will have to become a hero to save himself and his girl.
81m
Genre Animation, Adventure, Family, Comedy
Stars Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Don Rickles
Directed by John Lasseter
Toy Story was a game changer in every sense of the word for Pixar, Disney, and the entire animation industry. Prior to 1995, hand-drawn 2D animation reigned supreme. As Disney and Pixar’s first full-length computer-animated film, Toy Story was a revelation at the time. And it is still a technical marvel nearly three decades later. Tom Hanks stars as the voice of Woody, a cowboy action figure who is the favorite toy of a boy named Andy. Or at least he was until space ranger Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen) came along. Woody’s attempt to get rid of his rival puts both toys in danger. And they can only save each other by working together.
101m
Genre Family, Comedy
Stars Tom Guiry, Mike Vitar, James Earl Jones
Directed by David M. Evans
Thanks to the 2019 acquisition of 20th Century Fox’s films and TV shows, The Sandlot is now a Disney movie. And it’s a very fitting distinction for this classic coming-of-age tale that just happens to be on the verge of its 30th anniversary in 2023. Tom Guiry stars as Scott Smalls, a lonely and unathletic kid growing up in the early ‘60s. Fortunately, Scott makes friends with Benjamin “Benny” Franklin Rodriguez (Mike Vitar) and the rest of his local sandlot baseball team. But when Scott accidentally loses a valuable signed baseball during a game, the boys question how they can possibly retrieve it from a notorious neighbor’s yard without running afoul of his intimidating canine.
99m
Genre Adventure, Family, Fantasy, Comedy, Romance
Stars Cary Elwes, Robin Wright, Mandy Patinkin
Directed by Rob Reiner
William Goldman got the chance to adapt his novel The Princess Bride for director Rob Reiner, and the result was a cinematic classic. Cary Elwes stars as Westley, a farm boy who falls in love with Princess Buttercup (Robin Wright) at an early age. After years apart, Westley re-enters Buttercup’s life as the Dread Pirate Roberts. To save Buttercup from a forced marriage to Prince Humperdinck (Chris Sarandon), Westley makes some unlikely allies including Inigo Montoya (Mandy Patinkin) and a gentle giant named Fezzik (Andre the Giant). And in a clever framing device, the story unfolds as a bedside tale told by a grandfather (Peter Falk) to his sick grandson (Fred Savage).
104m
Genre Fantasy, Animation, Comedy, Crime, Family
Stars Bob Hoskins, Christopher Lloyd, Joanna Cassidy
Directed by Robert Zemeckis
You’ve never lived until you’ve seen Donald Duck and Daffy Duck in an increasingly violent piano duel at the Ink and Paint Club. In the alternate world of Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Disney and Warner Bros. Toons live side by side in Toontown. But when one of the cartoon industry’s biggest stars, Roger Rabbit (Charles Fleischer), finds himself wanted for murder, he turns to Eddie Valiant (Bob Hoskins). Back in the day, Eddie and his brother were the go-to private investigators for Toons. However, Eddie’s been in a funk ever since his brother was killed by a Toon. Fortunately for Roger, Eddie steps up when the malevolent Judge Doom (Christopher Lloyd) and his weasels hunt them down.
97m
Genre Music, Adventure, Comedy, Family
Stars Jim Henson, Frank Oz, Jerry Nelson
Directed by James Frawley
If you’ve ever heard the song Rainbow Connection, this is where it came from. The Muppet Movie is essentially the origin story for Kermit the Frog (Jim Henson), Miss Piggy (Frank Oz), Gonzo (Dave Goelz), and the rest of their friends from The Muppet Show. Kermit falls in love with the idea of making millions of people happy as an entertainer, but he falls even harder for Miss Piggy. Although love isn’t always a two-way street between them, Miss Piggy does save Kermit from the increasingly insane Doc Hopper (Charles Durning). In turn, Hopper hires a frog killer, Snake Walker (Scott Walker), to assassinate Kermit and his group before they ever reach Hollywood to audition for the opportunity of a lifetime.
105m
Genre Comedy, Romance
Stars Steve Martin, Diane Keaton, Kimberly Williams-Paisley
Directed by Charles Shyer
Steve Martin is starting to show up a lot more on Disney+, in his family-friendly movies, of course. In this remake of Father of the Bride, Martin portrays George Banks, with Diane Keaton as his wife, Nina. Although the couple is initially happy, George is taken aback when his 22-year-old daughter, Annie (Kimberly Williams), comes home with her new fiancé, Bryan MacKenzie (George Newbern), after only knowing him for a few months. In addition to butting heads with Bryan and his parents, George has to contend with an eccentric wedding planner, Franck Eggelhoffer, as played by Martin’s frequent co-star, Martin Short.
102m
Genre Animation, Adventure, Family
Stars Kristen Bell, Idina Menzel, Jonathan Groff
Directed by Chris Buck, Jennifer Lee
How many times can you watch Frozen? Only your children know for sure. With the 10th anniversary of its release coming up soon, it has to be said that Frozen has earned its place in Disney history as perhaps the studio’s most popular film since the ‘90s. Idina Menzel stars as Elsa, the estranged Princess of Arendelle who is ostracized from the kingdom because of her incredible ability to bend ice and cold to her will. Kristen Bell also stars as Elsa’s sister, Anna. The sisters haven’t seen each other in years, but they will have to emotionally reconnect if they want to save the kingdom and each other.
107m
Genre Animation, Science Fiction, Adventure, Action, Family
Stars Chris Evans, Keke Palmer, Peter Sohn
Directed by Angus MacLane
Get ready to meet the “real” Buzz Lightyear. Pixar’s Lightyear is predicated on the premise that this is the film that inspired the action figure from Toy Story. Beyond that, it’s largely its own take on the character originally played by Tim Allen. Captain America’s Chris Evans steps into the role of a much younger Buzz Lightyear, as his mission to explore strange new worlds inadvertently leaves his group marooned on a distant planet. And every time that Buzz performs a test flight with unstable energy, it sends him further and further into the future until he is the only original colonist who can stand against the alien robots led by Zurg (James Brolin). Fortunately, Buzz’s new friend, Izzy Hawthorne (Keke Palmer), and her team are there to help prove that Buzz doesn’t have to go it alone.
107m
Genre Adventure, Comedy, Family, Animation
Stars Auli'i Cravalho, Dwayne Johnson, Rachel House
Directed by Ron Clements, John Musker
Need an excuse to watch Moana again? Disney+ has debuted a new sing-along version for fans of all ages. And boy is this a movie worth singing to. Lin-Manuel Miranda’s catchy tunes really rival the golden era of Disney musicals from the ‘90s. Auli’i Cravalho stars as Moana, a young woman who is destined to lead her people. But when she realizes that everything her people have is in danger, Moana leaves her island life behind to find the missing demigod, Maui (Dwayne Johnson), so they can restore the stolen heart of the goddess Te Fiti.
96m
Genre Science Fiction, Action, Adventure
Stars Jeff Bridges, Bruce Boxleitner, David Warner
Directed by Steven Lisberger
2022 marks the 40th anniversary of Tron, a truly groundbreaking film that first hit theaters in 1982. Contrary to popular belief, Tron was not a flop at the box office, it just wasn’t a blockbuster hit. Fortunately, fans have embraced the story of Kevin Flynn (Jeff Bridges) a disgraced former programmer for ENCOM who is certain that CEO Ed Dillinger (David Warner) stole his work. While attempting to uncover evidence of that theft, Flynn is transported into the world of the computer itself. Flynn soon joins forces with Tron (Bruce Boxleitner) and Yori (Cindy Morgan), two programs that resemble his friends, Alan Bradley and Dr. Lora Baines. This movie is a visual masterpiece, and worthy of its cult status.
127m
Genre Drama, Fantasy, Adventure, Family
Stars Eva Green, Asa Butterfield, Samuel L. Jackson
Directed by Tim Burton
Honest Trailers once described Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children as “Tim Burton’s X-Men.” That’s not an inaccurate statement. In this adaptation of Ransom Riggs’ novel, Jake Portman (Asa Butterfield) is alarmed to find his grandfather, Abe Portman (Terence Stamp), on the verge of death. Following Abe’s last words leads Jake to discover a hidden time loop where Miss Alma LeFay Peregrine (Eva Green) protects peculiar children with superhuman powers from the malevolent Mr. Barron (Samuel L. Jackson) and his Hallows. Unfortunately for Jake, his presence threatens to expose the entire home to Mr. Barron and permanently close the time loop.
124m
Genre Drama
Stars Madina Nalwanga, David Oyelowo, Lupita Nyong'o
Directed by Mira Nair
There aren’t a lot of sports biopics about chess players, but Queen of Katwe is one of the few. This film is based on the real story of Phiona Mutesi (Madina Nalwanga), a 10-year-old girl living in the slum of Katwe in Uganda. Despite the efforts of Phiona’s mother, Nakku Harriet (Lupita Nyong’o), the entire family is trapped in poverty. But they get a lifeline from Robert Katende (David Oyelowo), a missionary who teaches Phiona how to play chess. She soon proves to be such a prodigy that Robert introduces Phiona to the world of competitive chess masters. Yet even Phiona’s talent is stretched to its limit, forcing the young girl to question whether she can truly achieve her dream.
102m
Genre Adventure, Family, Animation, Action, Comedy
Stars Scott Adsit, Ryan Potter, Daniel Henney
Directed by Chris Williams, Don Hall
The Disney+ original series, Baymax!, has been released, so it’s fitting that we take a look back at the first big-screen appearance of everyone’s favorite healthcare robot in Big Hero 6. Unlike the vast majority of superheroes, Baymax (Scott Adsit) doesn’t really have any interest in fighting or violence. He was created to heal, and that is his purpose in life, even though young Hiro Hamada (Ryan Potter) tries to turn Baymax into something that he isn’t. Hiro’s new friends and Big Hero 6 teammates, Fred (T.J. Miller), Go Go (Jamie Chung), Wasabi (Damon Wayans Jr.). and Honey Lemon (Genesis Rodriguez), attempt to show Hiro a better way to be a hero. But it’s Baymax who allows Hiro to open his heart again.
93m
Genre Adventure, Comedy, Family, Science Fiction
Stars Rick Moranis, Matt Frewer, Marcia Strassman
Directed by Joe Johnston
Just over three decades ago, Honey I Shrunk the Kids was the pinnacle of live-action Disney summer movies. It’s still a lot of fun to revisit now, thanks largely to Rick Moranis’ lively performance as Wayne Szalinski, a beleaguered scientist who has created a way to shrink and enlarge objects. But Wayne just can’t seem to make it work safely. Wayne’s children, Amy (Amy O’Neill) and Nick (Robert Oliveri), and the neighbor’s kids, Russell “Little Russ” Thompson Jr. (Thomas Wilson Brown) and Ronald “Ron” Thompson (Jared Rushton), accidentally find the answer when they are shrunk to a microscopic size. In order to save themselves, the children will have to survive the perils of Wayne’s backyard.
98m
Genre Comedy, Sports
Stars Leon, Doug E. Doug, Rawle D. Lewis
Directed by Jon Turteltaub
If you didn’t know that Cool Runnings was inspired by the true story of the 1988 Jamaica national bobsleigh team, then it would still be an inspiring underdog tale. Leon Robinson stars as Derice Bannock, a Jamaican athlete whose Olympic dreams are dashed…until he realizes that he could put together a four-man bobsleigh team with his friends, Sanka Coffie (Doug E. Doug), Junior Bevil (Rawle D. Lewis), and Yul Brenner (Malik Yoba). The late John Candy co-stars as Irving “Irv” Blitzer, a disgraced former bobsleigh medalist who sees his chance for redemption by training Derice and his friends. However, to truly compete, this is a team that has to find its own way. The Jamaican way.
121m
Genre Adventure, Action, Science Fiction
Stars Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher
Directed by George Lucas
Forty -five years ago this week, the original Star Wars hit theaters and changed the movies forever. It was subsequently given the “Episode 4: A New Hope” name, but to the first generation of fans, it all starts here. In a desperate bid to keep Darth Vader (David Prowse with James Earl Jones as Vader’s voice) from retrieving the plans for a super weapon called the Death Star, Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) hides them with two droids. From there, destiny awaits a restless young man named Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), an exiled Jedi called Obi-Wan Kenobi (Alec Guinness), the Wookie Chewbacca (Peter Mayhew), and the scoundrel known as Han Solo (Harrison Ford). Even after all of these years, it’s still a rousing space adventure.
89m
Genre Documentary
Stars José Andrés Puerta
Directed by Ron Howard
From National Geographic and director Ron Howard, We Feed People is a documentary that throws the spotlight on celebrity chef José Andrés and his nonprofit organization, World Central Kitchen. What began as a grass-roots company has become one of the leading humanitarian aid groups in times of trouble and disaster. This is its story and a look at the people who made it their mission to feed the hungry no matter how far they had to go.
96m
Genre Comedy, Animation, Family, Adventure, Fantasy
Stars John Mulaney, Andy Samberg, KiKi Layne
Directed by Akiva Schaffer
We may never get a sequel to Who Framed Roger Rabbit, but surprisingly, Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers is here to pick up the torch with one of the most bitingly funny Disney movies to come along in this century. For the purposes of this movie, Chip (John Mulaney) and Dale (Andy Samberg) are washed-up toon actors who haven’t spoken to each other in years. The former duo is reunited when one of their Rescue Rangers co-stars goes missing, and they have to live up to their rep to find him. Along the way, Disney mercilessly skewers itself with satire that may be lost on younger viewers. Older members of the family are gonna get a kick out of it.
95m
Genre Animation, Family, Adventure, Drama, Comedy
Stars Amy Poehler, Phyllis Smith, Bill Hader
Directed by Pete Docter
If you don’t mind having a good cry, then Inside Out remains a stunning addition to the Pixar library with a unique original story. Almost the entire movie takes place within the mind of a young girl named Riley (Kaitlyn Dias), through the emotions personified as Joy (Amy Poehler), Sadness (Phylis Smith), Fear (Bill Hader), Anger (Lewis Black), and Disgust (Mindy Kaling). When Riley is overwhelmed by despair following a difficult move, Joy is alarmed by the growing presence of Sadness. But soon, both avatars are lost in Riley’s mind, with no easy way to rejoin the rest of their companions. They will have to trust and appreciate each other in order to make it home.
87m
Genre Animation, Comedy, Family
Stars Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright
Directed by David Silverman
The Simpsons have been around for the better part of four decades, but they have only had one cinematic adventure so far. And The Simpsons Movie happens to be one of the best stories in the franchise, with enhanced animation for the big screen. After Homer Simpson (Dan Castellaneta) causes an ecological disaster, almost everyone in Springfield rises up and chases the Simpson family out of town. But when Springfield itself is targeted for destruction by the crazed head of the EPA, the entire Simpson clan must return in order to save their friends and neighbors.
92m
Genre Animation, Comedy, Family
Stars John Goodman, Billy Crystal, Mary Gibbs
Directed by Pete Docter
Monsters, Inc. is one of Pixar’s finest films from its early years, and it features a great comedic duo in John Goodman and Billy Crystal. In an alternate world populated by monsters, energy is only available from harnessing the screams of human children. Mike (Crystal) and Sullivan (Goodman) are two monsters who are assigned to the scare floor before they accidentally bring a girl named Boo (May Gibbs) back from the human world. When Mike and Sully try to protect Boo from harm, they also discover secrets that may bring down Monsters, Inc. for good.
100m
Genre Animation, Family, Comedy, Fantasy
Stars Rosalie Chiang, Sandra Oh, Jordan Fisher
Directed by Domee Shi
If you’re wondering if Pixar’s latest film lives up to its legacy, the answer is a resounding “yes.” Turning Red takes place two decades ago, and follows a 13-year-old girl named Meilin “Mei” Lee. Mei is at a time in her life when her body is changing in strange ways, like transforming into a giant red panda whenever she feels any strong emotion. Is it a curse or a blessing? It turns out that Mei’s distant ancestors had a mystical bond with red pandas. Unfortunately for Mei, she has to find her own answers. And it’s a good thing that she has friends who love her, regardless of whether she’s a red panda or not.
126m
Genre Action, Science Fiction, Adventure
Stars Robert Downey Jr., Terrence Howard, Jeff Bridges
Directed by Jon Favreau
Before Jon Favreau wowed Star Wars fans with The Mandalorian, he helped found the Marvel Cinematic Universe with Iron Man. Unlike many of its MCU brethren, this movie feels a lot more grounded as Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) has an epiphany after getting kidnapped by terrorists in Afghanistan. Instead of selling weapons, Tony decides to create an armored suit unlike anything ever created before under the wary eyes of his employee, Virginia “Pepper” Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow), and his shady business partner, Obadiah Stane (Jeff Bridges). Iron Man set the template for almost every comic book movie that came after it. And it’s now available to stream in its IMAX-enhanced aspect ratio.
111m
Genre Animation, Comedy, Family, Fantasy
Stars Patton Oswalt, Ian Holm, Lou Romano
Directed by Brad Bird
It may sound hard to believe now, but some Hollywood observers really believed that Ratatouille would be Pixar’s first flop. Instead, this beautifully made film is a real charmer thanks to a winning performance by Patton Oswalt as Remy, a rat with a passion for cooking and food. Remy is so enamored with the late chef, Auguste Gusteau (Brad Garrett), that he wants to be a professional cook. Remy soon finds a human partner, Alfredo Linguini (Lou Romano), an employee at Gusteau’s restaurant with no talent for cooking. But with Remy’s direction, they can create magic with food.
102m
Genre Animation, Comedy, Family, Fantasy
Stars Stephanie Beatriz, María Cecilia Botero, John Leguizamo
Directed by Byron Howard, Jared Bush
Following up on the success of Moana, Disney and songwriter Lin-Manuel Miranda have once again made beautiful music together in Encanto. This also happens to be the 60th animated film produced by Disney Pictures. Within the film, a Colombian family, the Madrigals, are blessed with unique magical powers that make them the protectors of their small town. However, Mirabel Madrigal (Stephanie Beatriz) isn’t like the other members of her family. She doesn’t have any magical ability of her own, and she is painfully ordinary. Yet when the magic powering her family is threatened, Mirabel may be the only one who can save them all.
Digital Trends streaming roundup
143m
Genre Science Fiction, Action, Adventure
Stars Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo
Directed by Joss Whedon
It’s not an exaggeration to say that The Avengers changed the game for superhero movies. Marvel Studios’ first-ever team-up film brought together Iron Man (Robert Downey, Jr.), Captain America (Chris Evans), Thor (Chris Hemsworth), Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson), and Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner) together under the watchful eye of Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) to take on Thor’s estranged brother, Loki (Tom Hiddleston). The heroes’ frequent personality clashes are even more engaging than the fights. Regardless, the climactic Battle of New York features the heroes at their best as they take on an alien invasion. It’s almost a perfect superhero film, even though it was upstaged by its sequels.
95m
Genre Animation, Comedy, Family, Fantasy
Stars Jacob Tremblay, Jack Dylan Grazer, Emma Berman
Directed by Enrico Casarosa
A shy, young sea monster living off the coast of Italy meets a free-spirited fellow sea monster, and their friendship brings them out of the water and into the world of humans in this delightful film from director Enrico Casarosa. The filmmaker’s own childhood in Genoa, Italy, inspired this tale of friendship, which casts Jacob Tremblay and Jack Dylan Grazer as sea monsters Luca and Alberto, respectively. Fun, funny, and beautifully brought to the screen, Luca is a love letter to childhood friendships and the sights, sounds, and delicious food of the Italian coast.
124m
Genre Sci-Fi, Action, Adventure
Stars Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher
Directed by Irvin Kershner
Widely considered the best installment of the entire sci-fi saga, The Empire Strikes Back is the chapter that featured the most dramatic character arcs of the original trilogy and established both their legacies and the tragic events that intertwined their destinies. Not only that, but it also introduced some of the franchise’s most popular supporting characters, Lando Calrissian and Boba Fett, and featured one of the trilogy’s most memorable battles, set on the frozen planet of Hoth. After the heroic events of A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back offered a far more somber exploration of the gritty realities of war against an oppressive, formidable force led by a seemingly indestructible foe: Darth Vader.
107m
Genre Family, Fantasy, Animation, Action, Adventure
Stars Kelly Marie Tran, Awkwafina, Izaac Wang
Directed by Don Hall, Carlos López Estrada
A lone warrior sets out to reunite the fractured land of Kumandra by reassembling a powerful magical artifact in this feature from Walt Disney Animation Studios. Part martial arts adventure, part heist film, and soaked in visually stunning images and wonderful fantasy elements, Raya and the Last Dragon is a story about the families we create for ourselves and the strength it takes to build trust after a tragedy. Kelly Marie Tran voices Raya, a capable, independent warrior who must journey to the far corners of her world to bring it together. She’s joined by the dragon Sisu, voiced by Awkwafina, as well as a host of other colorful characters portrayed by Gemma Chan, Daniel Dae Kim, Sandra Oh, Benedict Wong, and Alan Tudyk, among others.
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