The Best Disney Plus Movies Right Now (May 2022)

Hot Shots! (1991): The Parody Movie Prototype

Traumatized by the death of his father in combat, LT Topper Harley (Charlie Sheen) reluctantly agrees to one last mission. From the writer and director of Airplane!, Hot Shots! pokes fun at famous films from the 70s and 80s like Top Gun, Rocky, and the multitude of Superman movies.

Hot Shots! inspired countless other parody films such as Scary Movie and Disaster Movie. Disney Plus also has the sequel, Hot Shots! Part Deux.

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 that he can do whatever he wants.

It's a concept that's been done before 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.

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

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.

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 have to keep their true identities a secret.

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

West Side Story (2021): Most Ambitious Musical Adaptation

From director Steven Spielberg comes the definitive version of Tony Kushner's musical masterpiece. It's a big-budget blockbuster that still manages to respect 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.

Jungle Cruise (2021): Best Action Movie Based on a Theme Park Ride

In the early 1900s, Captain Frank Wolff (Dwayne Johnson) and Dr. Lily Houghton (Emily Blunt) set sail in search of the legendary Tree of Life. Along the way, they face endless dangers, including a group of competing explorers who want to beat them to their goal.

Like the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, Jungle Cruise is a fantasy-adventure story inspired by a Disney World attraction of the same name. If you don't like water rides, you can thankfully now enjoy the experience from the comfort of your living room.

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 the place 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 as well as famous actors like Mark Hamill and Kurt Russell.

Betty White Goes Wild! (2013): See a Different Side of a Famous Figure

To celebrate the life of everyone's favorite Golden Girl, Disney Plus has added this hidden gem to its lineup. Although it was released nearly a decade ago, Betty White Goes Wild! is timeliness, just like its subject matter.

Betty White was best known as an actress, but she was also an animal lover who used her celebrity to raise awareness of wildlife conservation. In this special, you'll see Betty meet big cats and other endangered species at the Los Angeles and San Diego zoos.

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

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

Encanto hits all of 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.

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.

The latest in Disney's long line of live-action villain origin stories, Cruella is available for Disney Plus Premier Access subscribers while it's still in theaters. Everyone else will have to wait until the summer to stream it.

The Ice Age Adventures of Buck Wild (2022): Best Pre-Historic Spin-Off

For the twentieth anniversary of Pixar's Ice Age, Disney takes audiences below the permafrost to a world where dinosaurs still reign supreme. When possums Crash (Vincet Tong) and Eddie (Aaron Harris) get lost in the underworld, they meet Buck Wild, a weasel who hunts dinosaurs.

Disney Plus has all of the Ice Age movies including the 2002 original and a few animated shorts you won't find anywhere else.

X-Men: Dark Phoenix (2019): Freshest Take on a Famous Foe

The First Class iteration of the X-Men gets its obligatory spin on the franchise's most famous story arc in Dark Phoenix. During an outer-space mission, Jean Gray (Sophie Turner) gets possessed by a dangerous spirit, leading to irreparable divisions in the team.

For a more light-hearted take on the Phoenix saga, check out X-Men: Last Stand on Disney Plus. Disney Plus also has the X-Men animated series, which covers the entire Phoenix saga.

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

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

Diary of a Wimpy Kid (2021): Most Faithful Reboot of a Popular Franchise

Diary of a Wimpy Kid has been a hit film and book series for more than a decade, so it's naturally time for a reboot. Like its live-action predecessors, this CGI animated adaptation is faithful to the books, which follow Greg Heffley (Brady Noon) as he navigates the perilous halls of middle school.

The reboot of Diary of a Wimpy Kid debuts on December 3rd. You can also catch the other films, including the original Diary of a Wimpy Kid, on Disney Plus.

Raya and the Last Dragon (2021): Best Modern Fairy Tale About a Friendly Dragon

After the land of Kumandra is invaded by demons, a warrior named Raya (Kelly Marie Tran) sets out in search of the last surviving dragon, whose ancestors saved her people centuries ago. When she finally meets the legendary Sisu (Awkwafina), Raya realizes that she might need more backup.

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. Now you can experience it with the entire original cast, including Lin-Manuel Miranda as the Founding Father.

Black Is King (2020): Best Disney Plus Original Musical

Best described as a visual album, Beyoncé's Black Is King debuted on Disney Plus to praise from critics and audiences alike. It tells the story of an exiled African king and his journey to reclaim his kingdom at the behest of his ancestors. If it sounds like Lion King, that's because the movie is based on it.

In addition to stunning music and cinematography, Black Is King features a strong cast, which includes several notable musical artists. African culture is placed front and center, making this film stand out among Disney's live-action musicals.

The Fault in Our Stars (2014): Most Heartfelt Adaptation of a Young-Adult Novel

After meeting at a support group for young cancer patients, Hazel Grace (Shailene Woodley) and Gus (Ansel Elgort) share their mutual love of literature and begin to fall for one another. Determined the make Hazel Grace's biggest wish come true, Gus arranges a trip to Amsterdam to meet her favorite author.

Based on the best-selling novel by John Greene, The Fault in Our Stars was highly anticipated by the young adult audience, which is why it landed the number one spot at the box office during its opening weekend. Sincere performances by the young leads and veteran supporting cast make this film enjoyable for teens and adults.

McFarland, USA (2015): Coolest Cross Country Running Movie

Following a terrible mishap, disgraced former football coach Jim White (Kevin Costner) tries to turn his life around by leading a high school cross country team to victory. Although he feels like a fish out of water, the coach is confident his boys have what it takes to win the state finals.

Disney Plus already has more family-friendly sports movies and TV shows than any other streaming service. That said, McFarland, USA is still a welcome addition. Inspired by a true story, the movie was a hit with both critics and casual movie-goers.

Mrs. Doubtfire (1993): Funniest Robin Williams Comedy for the Whole Family

Out-of-work voice actor Daniel (Robin Williams) is devastated when his ex-wife (Sally Field) is awarded full custody of their children. Desperate to see his kids, Daniel takes on his most challenging role yet, a sassy British nanny named Mrs. Doubtfire, to get back in the good graces of their mother.

Throughout his career, Robin Williams played a lot of wacky characters in dozens of family-friendly movies, but few of them allowed the actor to showcase his full range of talent like Mrs. Doubtfire. It's a perfect comedy for kids and parents to watch together.

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 really saying something. The first Pixar movie to go straight-to-streaming, Soul received three Oscar nominations, and it won Golden Globes for Best Animated Film and Best Original Score.

Eternals (2021): An Ancient Alien Rivalry for the Ages

For thousands of years, extraterrestrial beings called the Eternals protected Earth from the Deviants, an evil alien species that wanted to wipe out humanity. Thanks to the Avengers' time-traveling antics, the Deviants are back, and so are the Eternals.

Like every Marvel movie, Eternals boasts top-notch acting, special effects, and action sequences. While the Eternals aren't as popular as the Avengers, they shouldn't be overlooked since they're a part of Marvel's Cinematic Universe.

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, be sure to check out the book it's based on.

Turner & Hooch (1989): Best Human-Canine Buddy Cop Film

After getting called to investigate the murder of a friend, detective Scott Turner (Tom Hanks) reluctantly adopts the sole witness of the crime, a feisty French Mastiff named Hooch. The uptight cop is not a dog person, but Hooch is determined to stick around and help solve the mystery of his owner's death.

Just like The Mighty Ducks, Turner & Hooch has been rebooted as an exclusive series for Disney Plus. You don't need to see the original to follow the new show, but it's worth a watch for fans of Tom Hanks and buddy cop movies.

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 change society for the better.

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.