The 25 best movies streaming on Disney+ right now

10 Things I Hate About You (1999)

The whip-smart, late-20th-century retelling of William Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew is one of the most epochal teen rom-coms. Here, we meet the Stratford sisters who couldn't be more different: Bianca (Larisa Oleynik) is a quintessentially perky popular girl while Kate (Julia Stiles) is an antisocial senior who marches to her own beat. With their overprotective father forbidding Bianca from dating until Kate does, the heart-eyed new student Cameron (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) pays Padua High's Australian bad boy (Heath Ledger, a born rom-com lead) to win Kate's heart so he can date Bianca. With quick-witted dialogue, a perfectly curated '90s soundtrack, and a stacked ensemble, 10 Things I Hate About You has left us “whelmed” in the best way possible. —James Mercadante

Where to watch 10 Things I Hate About You: Disney+

EW grade: N/A (read the review)

Director: Gil Junger

Cast: Julia Stiles, Heath Ledger, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Larisa Oleynik, Larry Miller, Gabrielle Union, Andrew Keegan, David Krumholtz, Susan May Pratt

Related content: Watch Julia Stiles get emotional as she reenacts iconic 10 Things I Hate About You scene

Avatar: The Way of Water (2022)

Thirteen years after introducing millions to Pandora, James Cameron plunged viewers back into its otherworldly depths with a visually engaging, 192-minute sequel overflowing with record-breaking underwater stunts, Oscar-winning special effects, and emotional narrative threads. Becoming the third highest-grossing movie of all time (two spots underneath its predecessor), Avatar: The Way of Water finds former Marine Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) permanently in full Na'vi form, leading a clan alongside princess Neytiri (Zoe Saldaña). While the American military base RDA relentlessly exploits Pandora, Sully and his family seek refuge with the reef-dwelling, aquatic clan of Metkayina. As EW's critic writes, "The Way of Water has already created its own whole-cloth reality, a meticulous world-building as astonishing and enveloping as anything we've ever seen on screen — until that crown is passed, inevitably, in...Avatar 3." —J.M.

Where to watch Avatar: The Way of Water: Disney+

EW grade: A– (read the review)

Director: James Cameron

Cast: Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña, Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang, Kate Winslet

Related content: James Cameron made Avatar 2 writers read 800 pages of notes before they could start on its script

Big (1988)

Tom Hanks fulfilled every child's fantasy of living life as an adult in this treasured comedy classic. The film centers on 12-year-old Josh, who uses a fortune teller machine to make a wish to be "big." He then wakes up in the body of an adult man (Hanks), enjoying the spoils of his newfound freedom and finding work at a toy company. As time goes on, however, Joe's lack of maturity becomes a hindrance and he longs for his simpler life. Hanks' big-kid energy performance and Penny Marshall's deft direction make Big worth revisiting again and again. —Kevin Jacobsen

Where to watch Big: Disney+

EW grade: A (read the review)

Director: Penny Marshall

Cast: Tom Hanks, Elizabeth Perkins, Robert Loggia, John Heard

Related content: Big was 'more of a horror movie' with original star Robert De Niro, says Elizabeth Perkins

Black Panther (2018)

Whether you watch Black Panther as part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe's canon or as a standalone film, this spectacular superhero adventure does not disappoint. Black Panther tells the story of the fictional nation of Wakanda and their newly-crowned leader T'Challa, a.k.a. the Black Panther (Chadwick Boseman). Centuries after discovering the metal vibranium, the kingdom develops into a high-tech utopia and poses as a third-world country to protect its resources. This superhero movie doesn't just give us inventive fight sequences and thrilling world-building that Marvel is known for, but also features dazzling, vivid African-inspired production design and is an exuberant celebration of Black history and Black excellence in cinema. —Meg Walters

Where to watch Black Panther: Disney+

EW grade: A– (read the review)

Director: Ryan Coogler

Cast: Chadwick Boseman, Lupita Nyong'o, Danai Gurira, Angela Bassett, Letitia Wright, Michael B. Jordan, Daniel Kaluuya

Related content: Black Panther wins Marvel its first three Oscars

Fantasia (1940)

The aptly named Fantasia is Disney's awe-inspiring animated anthology accompanied by iconic classical music. The film will have you hooked from the beginning with its extraordinarily inventive sequences — some beautiful, some abstract, some concrete stories. Whether you're a music history buff or a first-time listener, this trippy cult classic will make you reconsider your relationship with instrumentals-only tunes. Look out for the unforgettable scene that sees Mickey Mouse as a sorcerer's apprentice — his first time in the famous wizard hat — as he deals with an ominous army of ever-multiplying broomsticks. —M.W. 

Where to watch Fantasia: Disney+

Cast: Leopold Stokowski, Deems Taylor

Related content: The best and worst Disney animated films

Freaky Friday (2003)

Pairing Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan as a mother-daughter duo was the "ultimate" recipe for revitalizing Mary Rodgers' eponymous 1976 novel for a contemporary audience. The 2003 version of Freaky Friday follows the contentious relationship between the rebellious, punk-rock-loving 16-year-old girl Anna (Lohan) and her straitlaced — or as Anna puts it, "fun sucker" — psychiatrist mother Tess (Curtis), as a mystical fortune cookie forces the two to switch bodies and see the world through each other's eyes. Beyond its nostalgic soundtrack and timeless familial themes, the heart of Freaky Friday lies in Curtis and Lohan's undeniable chemistry and masterful performances, which is set to reach new heights in the upcoming sequel (where they are rumored to swap bodies with two teenagers, one of whom being Anna's daughter). —J.M.

Where to watch Freaky Friday: Disney+

EW grade: N/A (read the review)

Director: Mark Waters

Cast: Jamie Lee Curtis, Lindsay Lohan, Mark Harmon, Harold Gould, Chad Michael Murray, Stephen Tobolowsky, Christina Vidal, Ryan Malgarini 

Related content: Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan reunite 20 years after Freaky Friday: 'You grew up and so beautifully!'

Hamilton (2020)

When Lin-Manuel Miranda's Hamilton opened on Broadway in 2015, audiences were shocked to discover that a rap musical about a founding father actually worked. The breathtaking, history-making show became an instant sensation thanks to Miranda's sharp, modern lyricism and the production's impeccable staging. A filmed version with the original Broadway cast is streaming on Disney+ and doesn't miss a beat. While Miranda may not be the first to bring unusual historical subjects to the stage, he certainly found a winning (though unlikely) combination of hip-hop and Alexander Hamilton. —M.W.

Where to watch Hamilton: Disney+

EW grade: A (read the review)

Director: Thomas Kail

Cast: Lin-Manuel Miranda, Leslie Odom Jr., Phillipa Soo, Renée Elise Goldsberry, Christopher Jackson, Daveed Diggs, Anthony Ramos, Okieriete Onaodowan, Jonathan Groff, Jasmine Cephas Jones

Related content: How Hamilton brought its 'Hurricane' from stage to screen

Hidden Figures (2016)

When hearing the phrase "Women in STEM" being playfully tossed around on the internet, it's hard not to think of Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson. Loosely based on Margot Lee Shetterly's 2016 nonfiction book of the same name, Hidden Figures tells the historically unsung tale of three Black women mathematicians whose integral contributions propelled NASA's space program during its early years, including John Glenn becoming the first American to orbit Earth. With its powerhouse, SAG-winning ensemble (led by Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, and Janelle Monáe), the film is a well-drawn, feel-good biopic — though some may critique its inclusion of a white savior narrative — that is as touching as it is enlightening. —J.M.

Where to watch Hidden Figures: Disney+

EW grade: B+ (read the review)

Director: Theodore Melfi

Cast: Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, Janelle Monáe, Kevin Costner, Kirsten Dunst, Jim Parsons, Mahershala Ali, Aldis Hodge, Glen Powell

Related content: Hidden Figures: Read the most popular passages from the book

Isle of Dogs (2018)

Having whetted his stop-motion chops with Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009), hyper-stylized filmmaker Wes Anderson ventured into the art form again with his ninth directorial feature. Taking place in the fictional Japanese metropolis Megasaki, the two-time Oscar-nominated adventure comedy illustrates a world where Mayor Kenji Kobayashi (voiced by Kunichi Nomura) banishes all canine pets to Trash Island due to the Dog-Flu. 12-year-old Atari (Koyu Rankin) soon journeys there aboard a miniature Junior Turboprop to reunite with his bodyguard pup, Spots (Liev Schreiber). An allegorical critique of isolationism and the scapegoating of marginalized communities, Isle of Dogs howls with Anderson's trademark kitschy visual style while "plumbing fresh depths of feeling and tenderhearted eccentricity," writes EW’s critic. —J.M.

Where to watch Isle of Dogs: Disney+

EW grade: A– (read the review)

Director: Wes Anderson

Cast: Bryan Cranston, Koyu Rankin, Edward Norton, Liev Schreiber, Bill Murray, Bob Balaban, Jeff Goldblum, Scarlett Johansson, Kunichi Nomura, Tilda Swinton, Ken Watanabe, Greta Gerwig, Frances McDormand, Yoko Ono, Harvey Keitel

Related content: Wes Anderson explains why he went to Japan for Isle of Dogs

The Lion King (1994)

This animated classic remains timeless no matter how many times you watch it. Loosely adapting William Shakespeare's Hamlet, The Lion King follows Simba, a lion cub who is expected to inherit his father's position as king, only to have the crown snatched away after a traumatic incident. Left in exile, Simba must return to the Pride Lands to reclaim what's his, with help from some unlikely friends along the way. Featuring vibrant animation and some of the best songs in the studio's catalog, The Lion King is a masterpiece of Disney magic at its finest. —K.J.

Where to watch The Lion King: Disney+

Directors: Roger Allers and Rob Minkoff

Cast: Jonathan Taylor Thomas, Matthew Broderick, James Earl Jones, Nathan Lane, Jeremy Irons, Moira Kelly

Related content: All the differences between the original Lion King and the 2019 remake

The Little Mermaid (2023)

Rob Marshall's 2023 reimagining of The Little Mermaid made waves by introducing the first Black Ariel, played by R&B artist Halle Bailey. While initially met with racist backlash online, there's no denying that every change was necessary to reflect 21st-century values (even Jodie Benson, the voice of the animated Ariel, agrees), with additional songs written by Lin-Manuel Miranda and a few subtle tweaks to the plot. The magic of the beloved cartoon still sings here, with breathtaking aquatic sequences, a perfectly cast ensemble (we're still thinking of Melissa McCarthy's Ursula and her shimmy), and a tender magnetism between Bailey's Ariel and Jonah Hauer-King's Prince Eric. —J.M.

Where to watch The Little Mermaid: Disney+

EW grade: A– (read the review)

Director: Rob Marshall

Cast: Halle Bailey, Jonah Hauer-King, Daveed Diggs, Awkwafina, Jacob Tremblay, Noma Dumezweni, Art Malik, Javier Bardem, Melissa McCarthy

Related content: Making a splash: A deep dive into the live-action Little Mermaid with a new generation's Ariel

The Parent Trap (1998)

It's still remarkable to watch Lindsay Lohan play dual roles in The Parent Trap and remember it was her film debut. The future star plays Hallie and Annie, twins whose parents quickly divorced and raised each of them separately. After meeting by coincidence at summer camp, the sisters conspire to get their parents back together with an elaborate scheme that includes switching identities. A remake of the 1961 classic starring Hayley Mills (also on Disney+), EW's critic praises the 1998 version as "an homage as well as an update for an era of even more split families, and more fervent children’s wishes for the magical ability to make things whole." —K.J.

Where to watch The Parent Trap: Disney+

EW grade: N/A (read the review)

Director: Nancy Meyers

Cast: Lindsay Lohan, Dennis Quaid, Natasha Richardson, Elaine Hendrix, Lisa Ann Walter, Simon Kunz

Related content: The Parent Trap cast: Where are they now?

Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)

The movie that solidified Indiana Jones as a timeless action hero, Raiders of the Lost Ark follows the whip-wielding archaeologist (Harrison Ford) as he races against Nazis to retrieve the Ark of the Covenant and its fantastical powers. Seamlessly blending old-school adventure vibes with then-cutting-edge technology, the film delivers some of cinema's most enduring moments, including its iconic opening sequence. Helmed by Steven Spielberg and penned by George Lucas and Philip Kaufman, the first installment of the Indiana Jones saga is further augmented by John Williams' haunting score and Ford's quipping, charismatic performance. —J.M.

Where to watch Raiders of the Lost Ark: Disney+

Director: Steven Spielberg

Cast: Harrison Ford, Karen Allen, Paul Freeman, Ronald Lacey, John Rhys-Davies, Denholm Elliott

Related content: Raiders of the Lost Ark: 14 revelations about its epic opening scene

Ratatouille (2007)

Ratatouille, the 2008 Oscar winner for Best Animated Feature, is more than a children's movie. When Remy (voiced by Patton Oswalt) — a charismatic rat with a perfect sense of smell and a pesky desire to cook — allies with a Parisian restaurant's garbage boy, they work together to restore their once-great dining establishment to its former glory. As EW's critic describes, Ratatouille is a "blithe concoction, as well as a miraculously textured piece of animated design." In addition to offering lighthearted, family-friendly fun, adults will also find a deeper layer that explores very real class disparities in our world. —M.W.

Where to watch Ratatouille: Disney+

EW grade: N/A (read the review)

Director: Brad Bird

Cast: Patton Oswalt, Ian Holm, Lou Romano, Brad Garrett, Peter O'Toole, Janeane Garofalo, Brian Dennehy, Peter Sohn, Will Arnett

Related content: Patton Oswalt became friends with Anthony Bourdain because the chef was a fan of his movie Ratatouille

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)

Set between Star Wars episodes III and IV, this first spinoff film from the main franchise follows a group of rebels who ally to steal plans for the Death Star from a database on the planet Scarif. While it updates the cinematic universe for a modern audience, Rogue One is still the same galaxy far, far away at its best, complete with imaginative distant planets, robot sidekicks, cute critters, and (ultimately) the timeless fight for good in the face of injustice. As EW's critic writes, "What makes it especially exciting is how it perfectly snaps right into the Star Wars timeline and connects events we already know by heart with ones that we never even considered." —M.W.

Where to watch Rogue One: A Star Wars Story: Disney+

EW grade: B+ (read the review)

Director: Gareth Edwards

Cast: Felicity Jones, Diego Luna, Ben Mendelsohn, Donnie Yen, Mads Mikkelsen, Alan Tudyk, Riz Ahmed, Jiang Wen, Forest Whitaker

Related content: Rogue One writer says film was in 'terrible, terrible trouble' with reshoots

Saving Mr. Banks (2013)

Disney producing a movie about the backstage drama of one of its most iconic creations may seem borderline sacrilegious, but the studio instead delivers a warm cinematic embrace. Directed by John Lee Hancock, this biographical feature documents how Walt Disney secured the rights to adapt P. L. Travers' Mary Poppins for the screen. While Tom Hanks is as charming as ever as the man behind Mickey Mouse, Emma Thompson adds refined layers to the downbeat author reluctant to hand over her most-cherished work (with several flashbacks elucidating her protective stance). Highlighting themes of family and the power of storytelling, Saving Mr. Banks offers a glimpse into a little-known chapter of film history, tugging on the audience's heartstrings without resorting to any treacly sentimentality. —J.M.

Where to watch Saving Mr. Banks: Disney+

EW grade: B+ (read the review)

Director: John Lee Hancock

Cast: Emma Thompson, Tom Hanks, Paul Giamatti, Jason Schwartzman, Bradley Whitford, Colin Farrell

Related content: Mary Poppins: Archival pics and Banks shots

Sister Act (1992)

Whoopi Goldberg as a lounge singer-turned-nun — need we say more? This hilarious crime caper finds Goldberg's Deloris witnessing a bit of mob violence, leading her to enter witness protection. She reluctantly hides out in a San Francisco convent and becomes Sister Mary Clarence, where her bold personality clashes with the more conservative nuns. However, her entertainment experience helps draw in new parishioners — but also a level of media attention that could spell danger for her. Fabulously entertaining with great musical numbers, Sister Act netted a sequel the very next year, and we can't wait for the third installment currently in development at Disney+. —K.J.

Where to watch Sister Act: Disney+

EW grade: B– (read the review)

Director: Emile Ardolino

Cast: Whoopi Goldberg, Maggie Smith, Kathy Najimy, Wendy Makkena, Harvey Keitel, Bill Nunn

Related content: Whoopi Goldberg will follow Maggie Smith — wherever she may go — to get her to do Sister Act 3

The Sound of Music (1965)

The epitome of Hollywood musicals, this timeless classic tells the beloved story of Maria (Julie Andrews), an optimistic governess to the seven neglected children of a strict widowed sea captain (Christopher Plummer). Set in Austria on the cusp of WWII, what begins as a moving love story takes a dark turn when the Nazi party tries to recruit the captain. From its unforgettable original soundtrack to its iconic love story, The Sound of Music is nostalgia-filled escapism at its best. —M.W.

Where to watch The Sound of Music: Disney+

Director: Robert Wise

Cast: Julie Andrews, Christopher Plummer, Eleanor Parker, Richard Haydn, Peggy Wood, Charmian Carr, Heather Menzies, Nicholas Hammond, Duane Chase, Angela Cartwright, Debbie Turner, Kym Karath

Related content: 40 unreleased Sound of Music songs, including original Christopher Plummer recordings, are on deluxe edition of album

Splash (1984)

Before Guillermo del Toro's The Shape of Water (2017), there was Ron Howard's Splash. This fish-out-of-water fantasy comedy follows Allen Bauer (Tom Hanks), a love-starved, wealthy businessman living in NYC with his irreverent older brother Freddie (John Candy). Escaping the concrete jungle, Allen finds himself washed ashore in Cape Cod, Mass., only to be rescued by a mysterious blonde mermaid (Daryl Hannah) who speaks zero English and is curious about the human world. With a sprinkle of '80s nonsensical wit, Splash is an easy-breezy watch that finds its place in the sun by being ridiculously campy while grounding itself in earnestness, thanks to Hanks and Hannah's bewitching lead performances. —J.M.

Where to watch Splash: Disney+

EW grade: A– (read the review)

Director: Ron Howard

Cast: Tom Hanks, Daryl Hannah, Eugene Levy, John Candy

Related content: Daryl Hannah says she was 'incredibly anxious' about Splash nude scenes, was 'very sheltered'

Summer of Soul (...or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised) (2021)

This Oscar-winning independent documentary from the Roots drummer and hip-hop legend Questlove offers an inside glimpse into the largely forgotten 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival, a.k.a. Black Woodstock. Composed of previously unseen concert footage from the likes of Nina Simone, Stevie Wonder, and Sly & the Family Stone — along with modern-day interviews with Lin-Manuel Miranda and Chris Rock — Summer of Soul paints a unique, heartfelt portrait of a fascinating, overlooked moment in music history and its significance in promoting Black pride. —M.W.

Where to watch Summer of Soul (...or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised): Disney+

EW grade: B+ (read the review)

Director: Questlove

Related content: Questlove on his Summer of Soul documentary and the major musician he wishes he could've included

Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour (Taylor's Version) (2023)

Best believe she's still bejeweled! In 2023, Taylor Swift reigned supreme; from releasing two re-recorded albums to being named Time's Person of the Year to her high-profile romance with Kansas City Chiefs' Travis Kelce. Yet, none of this matched the epic scale of her career-encompassing Eras world tour (the first ever to rake in more than $1 billion), and it's now available to stream. Shot across Swift's three-night stint at Los Angeles' SoFi Stadium, this concert film lets Swifties bask in her three-hour musical spectacle from the comfort of their homes, complete with four bonus acoustic tracks not featured in the theatrical release. Directed by Sam Wrench, the Eras Tour film explodes with grandeur, showcasing intricate stage setups, dazzling ensembles, and Swift's ever-sweet theatricality while matching the energy of the live stadium experience. —J.M.

Where to watch Taylor Swift: The Era's Tour (Taylor’s Version): Disney+

Director: Sam Wrench

Cast: Taylor Swift

Related content: Here's every Taylor Swift movie and documentary in chronological order

WALL-E (2008)

Pixar's WALL-E is an animated children's movie that presents an eerie dystopian future. Due to over-consumption, noxious pollution, and landfill mountains, humanity has abandoned Earth and resides in reclined hover chairs on an enormous spacecraft where their daily needs are automated and performed by service robots. This film strikes a powerful message: The desire for ever-more instant gratification and convenience could come at the expense of human health and the planet we call home. And, of course, the message digs deeper with the help of the wide binocular-shaped eyes of the charming titular robot (voiced by Ben Burtt). Per EW's critic, "I'm not sure I'd trust anyone, kid or adult, who didn't get a bit of a lump in the throat by the end of WALL-E." —M.W.

Where to watch WALL-E: Disney+

EW grade: A (read the review)

Director: Andrew Stanton

Cast: Ben Burtt, Elissa Knight, Jeff Garlin, Fred Willard, John Ratzenberger, Kathy Najimy, Sigourney Weaver

Related content: The snub that still hurts: WALL-E

We Feed People (2022)

In the 2022 documentary We Feed People, Oscar-winning director Ron Howard (Apollo 13, A Beautiful Mind) examines chef José Andrés' mission to bring food to survivors of natural disasters and other major crises through the World Central Kitchen. While Andrés' remarkable humanitarian accomplishments with WCK speak for themselves, Howard brings them to life on an emotional level on the screen. The film is an exceptional example of the power of simplicity and clarity in cinematic storytelling. Not only will We Feed People open your eyes to a remarkable cause, but it is also a must-watch for documentary fans. —M.W.

Where to watch We Feed People: Disney+

Director: José Andrés

Related content: How Best Documentary became the Oscars' most unpredictable category

West Side Story (2021)

It's rare for a remake to match an original, but Steven Spielberg's rendition of West Side Story certainly comes close. Inspired by Romeo and Juliet, this iconic musical tells the tragic star-crossed love story of Tony (Ansel Elgort), a white ex-gang member, and Maria (Rachel Zegler), a Puerto Rican immigrant, who are caught in a turf war in 1950s Manhattan. This masterful film is both an ode to old-school musicals and a remarkably modern piece of filmmaking — with Spielberg's explosive colors, expansive cinematography, and soaring song-and-dance numbers matching the weighty themes and timeless emotions of this classic. —M.W.

Where to watch West Side Story: Disney+

EW grade: A– (read the review)

Director: Steven Spielberg

Cast: Ansel Elgort, Rachel Zegler, Ariana DeBose, David Alvarez, Mike Faist, Rita Moreno, Corey Stoll

Related content: The story behind the re-imagining of several key West Side Story musical numbers

Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)

The worlds of animation and live-action converge in this Oscar-winning visual feast. In an alternate version of 1940s Hollywood where cartoon characters live alongside humans, private detective Eddie Valiant (Bob Hoskins) tries to get to the bottom of who framed toon star Roger Rabbit for murder. The film features bold design and a clever satirical edge that evokes classic crime dramas, with lots of cameos from well-established cartoon fan favorites. —K.J.

Where to watch Who Framed Roger Rabbit: Disney+

Director: Robert Zemeckis

Cast: Bob Hoskins, Christopher Lloyd, Charles Fleischer, Kathleen Turner, Joanna Cassidy, Mel Blanc

Related content: Christopher Lloyd recalls favorite scene and more from Who Framed Roger Rabbit