Know It All Nev

On Demand Reviews – 2021

Category: disney

After ‘Free Man’ Received the Field Workplace, Hollywood’s Subsequent Pandemic Hit Is a Massive Query Mark

Nifty Nev
20th Century, Blumhouse, box office, disney, Dune, Eternals, Free Guy, Ghostbusters: Afterlife, Halloween Kills, Jackass Forever, Jungle Cruise, Malignant, Marvel, No Time to Die, Paramount, paw patrol, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Sony, Spider-Man: No Way Home, The Matrix 4, Top Gun: Maverick, Venom: Let There Be Carnage, WB |

Which films remaining in 2021 will outperform their box office expectations? Barry Wetcher/WB
Ryan Reynolds’ 20th Century video game comedy Free Guy is unexpectedly over-performing at the box office with nearly $60 million in the United States in its first two weeks. Paramount’s Paw Patrol took in a decent $13 million in its opening weekend despite also being available on Paramount+. Dwayne Johnson’s Disney adventure Jungle Cruise is cruising (sorry) toward $100 million domestic.
Despite the warranted pessimism surrounding the box office at the moment, there have been a few pleasant surprises here and there. So rather than focus on the doom-and-gloom of the lumpy theatrical recovery (the 2021 year-to-date box office is still 70% off of 2019’s), let’s instead look toward a future of hopeful breakouts.
Which upcoming films stand the best chance at over-performing at the box office?
Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst at Comscore
In the new normal Hollywood currently finds itself, Dergarabedian is reluctant to examine cinematic success in such binary terms. He sees multiple paths that exist outside of just raw dollars and cents.
“Over-performing can take many forms right now,” he told Observer. “Even if a movie has a soft performance in theaters, it could be kicking ass on streaming. Consider that an over-performance can be a metric that ties together multiple elements of an ecosystem of sentiment that’s layered in and around the sheer numbers of streaming and box office.”
“Over-performing can take many forms right now. Even if a movie has a soft performance in theaters, it could be kicking ass on streaming.”
Any film that is well-received by critics, embraced by audiences, but doesn’t necessarily do all that great at the box office under these unprecedented circumstances can still be an overall win. (Here’s looking at you, The Suicide Squad.) But in terms of sleeper candidates that may be flying under the radar, Dergarabedian sees Dear Evan Hansen, Many Saints of Newark, Halloween Kills, Jackass Forever, Last Night in Soho, House of Gucci, West Side Story and Sing 2 as reasonable lottery tickets.
“One movie that is not a slam dunk is The Matrix 4,” he warned. “It’s been a long time since The Matrix franchise. But if it’s really good, there’s no reason it can’t reach $100 million domestic.”
Perusing the upcoming film lineup, the box office expert was impressed with the volume and scale of the features on the horizon: “With this lineup of movies, it feels like summer in the fall.”
Simu Liu in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings Marvel Studios
Shawn Robbins, chief analyst at Box Office Pro
Due in large part to the current age limitations of vaccines and higher caution among parents, Robbins sees a clear absence from the calendar of family-skewing movies with appeal to younger kids. In that void steps a number of high-profile branded biggies that could potentially soak up big box office totals—if all goes well.
“Considering the audiences who are showing up right now, films like Shang-Chi, No Time to Die, Venom: Let There Be Carnage, Halloween Kills, and Dune each stand out to me,” he told Observer.
With the lack of family friendly biggies, the larger tentpole movies and their compatriots will have to endure some heavy lifting to expedite theatrical recovery. The hope is that a logjam of blockbusters will spur more consistent ticket sales the rest of the year.
“The movie business is still at the mercy of elements beyond its control, but it certainly isn’t alone in that challenge.”
“Still, those aforementioned movies are the best bets for the industry right now and they would provide healthy lead-ins to similarly targeted blockbusters like Eternals, Ghostbusters: Afterlife, Top Gun Maverick, Spider-Man: No Way Home, and the fourth Matrix as they’re currently dated through year’s end,” Robbins said. “For audiences that have already shown a willingness to come back, these are the kinds of movies that can generate a strong draw for the communal theatrical experience.”
These are all films that appeal to a young male demographic, and as it continues to venture out to theaters, these blockbusters need a healthy global marketplace to thrive. That’s one of the downsides to nine-figure budgets. Robbins explains that the industry is now at a point where studios are asking themselves if the risk-reward ratio of partial box office runs from a fractured global distribution favors the current plan to release them under status quo conditions or to delay anything again to later in the year or even into 2022.
“The movie business is still at the mercy of elements beyond its control, but it certainly isn’t alone in that challenge,” he said.
Sony’s Venom: Let There Be Carnage. Sony Pictures Entertainment
Jeff Bock, senior box office analyst at Exhibitor Relations
Bock also sees a demo-specific surge that offers both opportunity and limitation to the current movie marketplace.
“The pandemic has been a return to ’80s filmmaking where seemingly every other successful was tailor-made for 13-year-old boys,” Bock told Observer. “When we look at the films that have had unexpectedly large openings—Mortal Kombat, Demon Slayer, Godzilla vs. Kong, Free Guy—a majority of them point to men 35 and under making up a sizable audience. So, for the time being, and since horror films have been really the only genre that has been pandemic-proof, it seems this trend will continue through the fall.”
“The pandemic has been a return to ’80s filmmaking where seemingly every other successful was tailor-made for 13-year-old boys.”
As a result, he highlights Malignant, Jackass Forever, Halloween Kills as films that have a clear path to success. At the same time, he sees larger films that demand adult audiences such as Ridley Scott’s The Last Duel and Denis Villeneuve’s Dune as likely stragglers. Then there’s Sony’s Venom: Let There Be Carnage, which was recently delayed (again) until Oct. 15.
“Venom 2 is an interesting dilemma; on one hand it caters to young men, but to truly bloom at the box office, it will rely heavily on families just as its predecessor did,” Bock said. “So, depending on how these COVID counts shake out this fall, it might not be the last move Sony makes with their superhero flick.”

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Prime Movie & TV Manufacturing Corporations Are the Unsung Heroes of the Streaming Wars

Nifty Nev
Amazon, Apple, disney, HBO Max, Hulu, mgm, Netflix, Paramount, Sony, ViacomCBS, Warner Bros. |

Hyperactive production companies are the engine behind Hollywood’s current content feeding frenzy. Pixabay
Right now, nearly every major conglomerate with a toe in Hollywood is trying desperately to attract a large subscriber base to their streaming service in order to appease Wall Street. To do that, these companies need to build out their SVOD platforms with prodigious libraries of both exclusive original films and television series as well as pre-existing catalogues to keep those subscribers on the hook. As a result, Hollywood finds itself in a content consolidation craze as this feeding frenzy is spurring the merger and acquisition market.
This cascading feedback loop has elevated the value of production companies. Why? Because studios are hungry for the mass production framework and talent relations they bring to the table. For the most part, each major studio — Netflix, Disney, Warner Bros., Universal, etc. — has an in-house production arm. But there are still independents working the market and increasing their own value in the process.
Here are the top movie and television production companies in the United States in terms of their contributions to major SVOD platforms, according to Reelgood’s Q2 2021 SVOD Catalog and Viewing Insights report.
Top Movie Production Companies in the United States
Top 10 U.S. Production Companies by SVOD Movie Viewing Share Reelgood
Top 10 U.S. Production Companies by Movies Available via SVOD Reelgood
While studios are often the owners of high-profile intellectual property, production companies can also come complete with their own war chest of IP. Amazon dropped $8.45 billion on MGM primarily for a library that includes Rocky, Legally Blonde, and partial rights to the James Bond franchise. 
Looking at viewing shares among SVOD platforms in the United States during Q2 2021, Reelgood — a streaming aggregator that tracks every TV show and movie available online for its 2 million-plus users — determined which production companies’ libraries are generating the most attention among streaming audiences at the moment.
On the film side, Warner Bros.’ contributions to HBO Max are attracting the most views for the production company’s movies. That’s what happens when a studio releases its entire 2021 film slate day-and-date in theaters and on streaming. From Godzilla vs. Kong and Mortal Kombat through Space Jam: A New Legacy and The Suicide Squad, WB’s films have helped HBO Max recover from a rocky start. The streamer is on pace to add more than 11 million new subscribers in 2021.
Films from Walt Disney Pictures, the majority of which can be found on Disney+, dropped three places in the ranking compared to Q2 of last year. Universal Pictures and Columbia Pictures (Sony) went up in ranking, with the most views coming from Netflix even though most of both companies’ content are on Peacock Premium and STARZ, respectively. Sony is the only major studio without a premium SVOD platform, enabling them to sign lucrative licensing and content deals with the likes of Netflix, Disney, and Amazon. Paramount remained in second place, with Prime Video logging the most views for the company, although Paramount+ holds most of its catalog. ViacomCBS’s split content endeavors has put a ceiling on Paramount+, which likely could be performing better in the streaming arena.
Top TV Show Production Companies in the United States
Top 10 Prod Companies by TV Shows Available via SVOD as of June 30, 2021 Reelgood
Top 10 Prod Companies by SVOD TV Show Viewing Shares in Q2 2021 Reelgood
In terms of TV shows, Warner Bros. remains the most popular among streaming audiences. However, Netflix is the platform garnering the most eyeballs for the production company’s titles, as the streamer currently has the most series from Warner Bros. Television compared to other SVODs. These include saved originals such as Lucifer, licensed content such as Riverdale and Gotham, as well as day 1 originals such as The Kominsky Method.
Universal Television, whose small screen library is mostly are streaming on Peacock, and 20th Century Television rounded out the top three, buoyed by views from Hulu. Hulu’s licensed library remains one of the most in demand in the streaming field. The same is true for MGM and Paramount Television, though the latter’s catalog is mainly available through Paramount+.
Surprisingly, content from the British Broadcasting Corp. did not have enough viewing share to make the top ten, even though it currently has the most TV shows licensed by SVOD platforms, including its own BritBox streaming service, Prime Video, Hulu, and Netflix.

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‘Shang-Chi’ Proves We Don’t Have to Fear About Marvel Shedding Its Superhero Mojo

Nifty Nev
ant-man, Avengers: Endgame, Black Panther, box office, Captain Marvel, disney, Marvel, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings |

(L-R): Xialing (Meng’er Zhang), Shang-Chi (Simu Liu) and Katy (Awkwafina) in Marvel Studios’ Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. Marvel Studios
It shouldn’t be possible. None of it. Not for this long at least. And yet here we are on the verge of yet another dynamite go-around. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, which will introduce Marvel’s first new lead character since 2019’s Captain Marvel and serve as the MCU’s first linear origin story since 2015’s Ant-Man, puts to bed any concern fans might have had about a drop off in Phase IV of the sprawling Marvel Cinematic Universe.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: the MCU is the single-most consistently successful creation in Hollywood history. No other series or franchise has enjoyed the same uninterrupted string of critical and commercial victories. Thirteen years, 24 feature films, $23 billion at the worldwide box office and the superhero genre’s first-ever Best Picture nomination. It’s like Mount Olympus and Mount Rushmore combined forces for pedestal supremacy.
Yet after the decade-in-the-making Infinity Saga culminated in Avengers: Endgame, the highest-grossing film of all time, a resetting of expectations was the only logical next step. Not every title could be a billion dollar grosser or an Oscar nominee. As we moved away from Iron Man, Captain America and the other founding members of the MCU, it’s only natural that interest would wane for new characters. Momentum is a finite resource.
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But Shang-Chi is shockingly good, emphasizing a deep commitment to themes of family and inherited legacy, while also perhaps being the funniest Marvel movie since 2017’s Thor: Ragnarok (Awkwafina is a scene-stealer start to finish). Steeped in martial arts and mysticism, it boasts the best fight choreography this side of Captain America: The Winter Soldier and Daredevil. Marvel’s pedestrian action sequences can often leave you waiting impatiently for the next quip to be fired. But like Taika Waititi and Ryan Coogler before him, director Destin Daniel Cretton infuses the set pieces with a real sense of style and fluidity (though Shang-Chi is plagued by some shoddy CGI). Star Simu Liu gives Marvel a homegrown non-powered human ass-kicker that needs to be trotted out for punch ’em ups on a regular basis starting now.
Refreshingly, Shang-Chi allows its characters to be flawed and hide shameful secrets without bending over backwards to fix our heroes or ameliorate their mistakes. It also features the single weirdest third-act climax in Marvel history. In a sea of sameness, this critic respected a swing-for-the-fences move in the pursuit of something new, but it’s sure to lose certain viewers.
The script doesn’t do Shang-Chi the character many favors, doling out the best lines and bits to his surrounding compatriots. But by doing that, it also uses the character as Marvel’s best audience surrogate in recent memory. There is a hilarious dynamic to be further mined from Liu’s bewildered badass playing against other familiar MCU heroes used to the daily grind of abnormal shenanigans.
Shang-Chi (Simu Liu) in Marvel Studios’ Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. Jasin Boland. ©Marvel Studios 2021.
Most importantly, Shang-Chi continues to defy expectations for Marvel. It closes out an unofficial trilogy of groundbreaking new solo lead films that began with Black Panther, a touchstone of blockbuster representation with a predominately African American cast, and continued with Captain Marvel, the MCU’s first female-led superhero title. Shang-Chi is Marvel’s first Asian-led film. Beyond the much-needed infusion of diversity, it helps prove Marvel’s knack for character and world-building. Just when we thought momentum might slip with core characters threatening to overstay their welcome, the MCU crafts a compelling new hero that firms the support beams of the future.
Much like serialized television, it’s difficult to introduce new characters after a couple seasons in and earn the same level of audience affection and critical acclaim that the originals accrued. Yet Marvel keeps rolling out successful new iterations of our hero archetype, each with their own unique backstory and characterization. Instead of growing stale with its constant self-reference and inward exploration, the MCU manages to twist and recreate that dynamic by balancing it on the edge of a new character that brings something fresh to the franchise. In this case, the mysticism of Shang-Chi promises further inviting adventures that will intersect with other corners of the series in exciting ways.
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings isn’t just a good movie (it is). It’s a thesis statement for the post-Infinity Saga Marvel universe. As long as new would-be franchise-starters can be this creative and entertaining, we need not worry about Phase IV and beyond.

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No, Disney Isn’t Shopping for Sony. Right here’s Why It’d Make No Sense.

Nifty Nev
Amazon, box office, disney, Marvel, MCU, Netflix, Sony, Spider-Man |

Despite what you may have heard, Disney isn’t buying Sony’s roster of Marvel characters. Sony
A quick perusal around the internet over the last 24 hours will reveal a juicy yet baseless rumor making the rounds: Disney is going to buy Sony Pictures specifically to acquire the remainder of the Marvel Comics character library. As enticing as this gossip may sound for comic book obsessives who would love to see the Disney-owned Marvel Studios complete its collection, logic has other plans.
Here’s every reason why Disney will not be buying out Sony when it comes to Marvel.
Sony isn’t for sale
Sony Pictures has long been a source of speculation when it comes to Hollywood’s ravenous merger and acquisition appetite. Sony Group, which was once rumored to be eyeing an exit from Hollywood to better focus on its core businesses, could make a pretty penny on the open market by dangling the entertainment division. But in May, CEO Yoshida Kenichiro shot down that possibility by reaffirming that Sony Pictures is not for sale. Definitively.
The CEO is happy with Sony Pictures’ position as the lone major content arms dealer in Hollywood, which has led to big money licensing deals with the industry’s biggest studios. Speaking of which…
Sony and Disney have already struck a licensing deal
Back in April, Sony and Netflix agreed to a massive Pay 1 window licensing deal rumored to be worth $3 billion. Two weeks later, the company struck a Pay 2 licensing pact with Disney. You simply don’t lock in those two long-term agreements if a sale is in the near-term future. (You also don’t go out and spend $1.2 billion to acquire anime streaming service Crunchyroll, as Sony did in April, if you want to rid yourself of your entertainment division). It’s just not a sound strategy and would further complicate a future sale, not expedite it.
And if you’re Disney, you don’t fork over a massive licensing sum for the less valuable Pay 2 window if you’re angling to buy the joint. Double dipping may be common at Super Bowl parties, but not at the corporate executive levels of Hollywood.
Disney probably couldn’t buy Sony
Disney has become known for its splashy acquisitions during the Bob Iger era. This include Pixar ($7.4 billion), Marvel ($4 billion), Lucasfilm ($4.05 billion), and Fox ($71 billion). Sony Pictures Entertainment could fetch around $30 billion, a tall order after such a spending spree over the last 15 years, even for a company with a market cap of $315 billion. While Disney isn’t going to turn away from a competitive advantage, the company doesn’t appear to be in the market for a major addition at the moment.
More importantly, the Department of Justice and Federal Trade Commission would have a conniption if such a move was proposed. Disney has already absorbed one major studio in Fox. Would regulatory powers really allow the company to acquire a second? Chair of the FTC Lina Khan has been vocal about her desire to crack down on monopolies. Though she’s mostly focused on big tech companies such as Amazon and Apple, a Disney power play of this magnitude would elicit backlash.
Sony is banking on its Marvel roster
The other reason Disney is unlikely to buy out Sony and acquire its roster of Marvel characters is because Sony is, uhh, using them! The studio is all in on its terribly named Sony Pictures Universe of Marvel Characters (SPUMC).
Tom Hardy’s Venom somehow earned $856 million worldwide back in 2018, Jared Leto’s Morbius and Venom: Let There Be Carnage are due out in the near future despite COVID-related delays, and Tom Holland’s Spider-Man may very well be reclaimed exclusively for Sony’s burgeoning continuity. Plus, there’s a Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse sequel in the works.
In 2019, Sony tapped Phil Lord and Chris Miller (21 Jump Street, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse) to create a Marvel TV universe for the studio with a five-year, nine-figure deal. Amazon Prime Video is expected to be the on-screen home for the upcoming deluge of series.
Spider-Man: Far From Home ($1.1 billion) is Sony’s highest-grossing film worldwide of all time. The studio isn’t throwing away its most prized asset(s) in a one-off deal when it can instead leverage them for lucrative recurring revenue and value long-term. As the lone high-profile third-party film and TV provider to an industry desperate for streaming success, Sony finds itself in a unique position cushioned with payment potential.

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The perfect exhibits on Disney+ proper now

Nifty Nev
disney, disney plus, Movies & TV, movies and TV, shows, streaming |

You’ll never have trouble finding a new show to binge with Disney+ streaming service, which offers subscribers an impressive library of new and classic shows, along with some of Hollywood’s most popular franchises. The popular service keeps things fresh with a steady supply of original shows you’ll only find there, too. With so much to choose from, it can be a little tough to decide which series to binge through next, so we’ve put together this list of the best shows currently available to stream on Disney+.
If you want to broaden your search, we also have lists of the best movies on Disney+ as well as the best shows on Netflix, the best shows on Amazon Prime, and the best shows on Hulu.

Spider-Man
Widely regarded as the best Spider-Man animated series ever made, Spider-Man (also known as Spider-Man: The Animated Series) premiered in 1994 during the height of the ’90s comics boom and managed to be one of the few superhero series of the era to be both critically and commercially successful, running for five highly acclaimed seasons. Over the course of the show’s 65 episodes, the series explored Peter Parker’s life both in and out of costume and took the unusual (at the time) approach of having lengthy, season-long story arcs unfold in addition to more traditional episodic adventures. Along with introducing a wide range of villains and supporting characters from the web-slinger’s Marvel Comics universe, Spider-Man also featured cameos from other prominent Marvel heroes, including the X-Men, Fantastic Four, Iron Man, Daredevil, Blade, and the Punisher, among others. The series remains one of the longest-running Spider-Man shows to date, surpassed only by 2012’s Ultimate Spider-Man series.
Created by: John Semper Jr.Cast: Christopher Daniel Barnes, Ed Asner, Jennifer Hale, Sara BallantineNumber of seasons: 5
Watch on Disney+

Becoming
LeBron James is behind this documentary series that delves into the backstories of famous entertainers, taking them back to their hometowns and learning about their early lives, what inspired them, their struggles along the way, and how they got their big breaks. Along with the celebrities recalling events in their own words, loved ones are also interviewed to share their perspectives. The first 10 episodes feature a range of celebrity figures, from actor Adam Devine to singer Colby Caillat, dancer Julianne Hough, TV personality Nick Cannon, athlete Rob Gronkowski, and others.
Created by: LeBron James, Maverick CarterCast: VariousNumber of seasons: 1
Watch on Disney+

What If?
What if Peggy Carter got the super-soldier serum instead of Steve Rogers? What if T’Challa didn’t want to be Black Panther and became Star-Lord instead? What if various other key moments in the Marvel Cinematic Universe happened differently? That’s the premise of Marvel’s animated anthology series What If?, which explores the alternate histories that spin out of small changes in the MCU timeline that end up changing the franchise’s status quo in some big ways. Not only does the series offer some intriguing questions to ponder about the evolution of the MCU, but it also features many of the same actors from live-action Marvel films voicing the animated versions of their characters.
Created by: A.C. BradleyCast: Jeffrey Wright, various MCU actorsNumber of seasons: 1
Watch on Disney+

Hannah Montana
By day, she’s regular teenager Miley Stewart. By night, she’s international pop star Hannah Montana — and almost nobody knows her secret. Sound like trouble? Oh, it is. Not only did Hannah Montana launch Miley Cyrus’ career (and helped revitalize that of her real-life and on-screen father, Billy Ray Cyrus), but it’s also the highest-rated show in Disney Channel history. If you grew up with Miley, Disney+ gives you the perfect chance to revisit the series: Every episode is available on Disney+ right now.
Created by: Michael Poryes, Rich Correll, Barry O’ BrienCast: Miley Cyrus, Billy Ray Cyrus, Emily OsmentNumber of seasons: 4
Watch on Disney+

The Right Stuff
Loosely based on the Tom Wolfe novel of the same name released in 1979, this historical drama takes viewers back in time and into the origins of the creation of the U.S. space program. The Mercury Seven astronauts travel from the Mojave Desert to space as they obsessively compete with one another and become instant celebrities. There are eight parts in the first season, which has been better reviewed by viewers than critics. That said, while some call the series and storylines clichéd, others laud the striking visuals and great acting that make it worth watching.
Created by: Mark Lafferty (based on The Right Stuff by Tom Wolfe)Cast: Patrick J. Adams, Jake McDorman, Colin O’DonoghueNumber of seasons: 1
Watch on Disney+

Star Wars: The Bad Batch
The Star Wars saga continues in this series set after the overlapping events of Episode III — Revenge of the Sith and the animated series Star Wars: The Clone Wars, but before the events of the franchise-spawning Episode IV — A New Hope. The series follows the members of Clone Force 99, a unique group of clone troopers whose genetic mutations during the cloning process (which earned them the nickname “The Bad Batch”) gave them specialized abilities. First introduced in The Clone Wars, the characters were a hit among Star Wars fans, and The Bad Batch explores what happened to them after the war ended and Order 66 forced many of their fellow clones to kill the Jedi they served alongside.
Created by: Dave FiloniCast: Dee Bradley Baker, Michelle AngNumber of seasons: 1
Watch on Disney+

Earth to Ned
This clever talk show is hosted by Ned, an extraterrestrial being who came to Earth intending to conquer the planet but ended up falling in love with its pop culture and celebrities. The series premiered in September with a 10-episode first season that featured a wide range of guests, from Andy Richter and Community actress Gillian Jacobs to a special Star Wars-themed episode featuring Billy Dee Williams and BB-8. The entertainment of the unscripted interviews in each episode is only matched by The Jim Henson Company’s impressive puppetry that brings Ned and his supporting cast of animatronic characters to life.
Created by: The Jim Henson CompanyCast: Ned, CorneliusNumber of seasons: 2
Watch on Disney+

Kim Possible
Middleton, USA. Happy homes, good schools, plenty of evil. Fortunately, an extraordinary, crime-fighting teen named Kim Possible (Christy Carlson Romano) lives just around the corner. Kim Possible episodes each follow a day in the life of the titular character. A day could be tough because of school or tough because of superhuman battles with the notorious Dr. Drakken. Luckily, Kim’s got best friend Ron (Will Friedle) and bedroom computer genius Wade (Tahj Mowry) to back her up. Together, they are Team Possible. Call her, beep her if you want to reach her. Kim Possible ran from 2002 to 2007 on the Disney Channel, becoming one of the network’s most popular animated series.
Created by: Bob Schooler, Mark McCorkleCast: Christy Carlson Romano, Will Friedle, Tahj MowryNumber of seasons: 4
Watch on Disney+

Monsters at Work
Set after the events of 2001’s Monsters, Inc., this series follows newly graduated Monsters University alumni Tylor Tuskmon (Ben Feldman) as he tries to adapt to the changing world around him. With the city of Monstropolis now fueled by laughter instead of screams, Tylor toils away as a mechanic while dreaming of getting the chance to work with his idols, Mike Wazowski (Billy Crystal) and James “Sulley” Sullivan (John Goodman). The hit franchise continues in this series, which brings back many of the series’ veteran cast members.
Created by: Bobs GannawayCast: Billy Crystal, John Goodman, Ben FeldmanNumber of seasons: 1
Watch on Disney+

Darkwing Duck
By day, Drake Mallard is a regular suburbanite who frets over his adopted daughter, Gosalyn. By night, he’s Darkwing Duck, a masked superhero who spends the midnight hours fighting crime alongside his pilot sidekick, Launchpad McQuack. Sure, sometimes Darkwing’s ego gets in the way of stopping evildoers, but when push comes to shove he’s not just the hero that St. Canard needs. He’s the hero that St. Canard deserves.
Created by: Tad StonesCast: Jim Cummings, Christine Cavanaugh, Terry McGovernNumber of seasons: 3
Watch on Disney+

Encore!
Disney favorite Kristen Bell executive produces and appears in this musical docuseries, where she reunites the casts of high-school musicals and has them restage their performances … decades later. What’s better is that this time, the cast gets the A-list treatment in the form of professional choreographers, voice coaches, and Broadway directors. The Disney+ version of Encore! launched nearly two years after Bell hosted an ABC pilot of the show back in 2017. The fully realized Disney+ show is a melodic whirlwind of laughs, tears, and that feel-good feeling that only Disney can blossom.
Created by: Jason CohenCast: Kristen BellNumber of seasons: 1
Watch on Disney+

WandaVision
This original series is the first project in Phase Four of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and follows Avengers teammates Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen) and Vision (Paul Bettany) as they settle into a perfect suburban life together — only to discover that everything is not as it seems. Set after the events of Avengers: Endgame, the nine-episode WandaVision filters the pair’s life together through classic sitcom tropes, and poses plenty of questions about exactly how the duo ended up where they are while giving its stars ample opportunity to explore the funny side of superheroes in suburbia.
Created by: Jac SchaefferCast: Elizabeth Olsen, Paul BettanyNumber of seasons: 1
Watch on Disney+

Gordon Ramsay: Uncharted
Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay travels the world searching for culinary inspiration and adventure in remote or otherwise unlikely locations in this National Geographic series that premiered in 2019. His journeys take him everywhere from Peru and Morocco to the Louisiana bayou and the coasts of Norway as he learns firsthand about the relationships between cuisine and culture in the places he visits.
Created by: Gordon RamsayCast: Gordon RamsayNumber of seasons: 3
Watch on Disney+

The Mysterious Benedict Society
The leader of a secret organization recruits a group of children with special talents for a dangerous mission in this adaptation of Trenton Lee Stewart’s young-adult book series, which premiered in June to positive reviews from critics and general audiences alike. The series casts Arrested Development actor Tony Hale as the titular Mr. Benedict, who brings together the ragtag team of kids in order to save the world from a villain implanting subliminal messages in the world’s population. Kristen Schaal, MaameYaa Boafo, and Ryan Hurst play supporting roles in the series, while Mystic Inscho, Seth B. Carr, Emmy DeOliveira, and Marta Kessler play the kids tasked with stopping the nefarious plan.
Created by: Matt Manfredi, Phil HayCast: Tony Hale, Mystic Inscho, Seth B. Carr, Emmy DeOliveira, Marta KesslerNumber of seasons: 1
Watch on Disney+

So Weird
So Weird was never the biggest Disney Channel series, but over the years it’s become a cult classic. The title tells you why. In this X-Files-inspired series, a teenage girl tries to find a way to communicate with her dead father while touring with her rock star mom and ends up running afoul of ghosts, vampires, Bigfoot, angels, and all kinds of other paranormal creatures. If you want something darker than the typical Disney Channel fare, look no further. You’ve found it.
Created by: Tom J. AstleCast: Cara DeLizia, Mackenzie Phillips, Patrick LevisNumber of seasons: 3
Watch on Disney+

America’s Funniest Home Videos
Before the internet, silly videos went viral via America’s Funniest Home Videos. After 30 seasons, AFV isn’t quite the appointment viewing it once was, but Disney+ has a massive vault of episodes that will bring you back to a more innocent time, when kids, pets, and adults getting caught on tape in unfortunate situations was something truly special. Just because you can scroll through thousands of viral videos on social media doesn’t mean you’re going to find some of the gems of old-school AFV.
Created by: Vin Di BonaCast: Bob Saget, Alfonso Ribeiro, Tom BergeronNumber of seasons: 30
Watch on Disney+

Loki
Marvel’s Asgardian trickster finally gets his own solo adventure in this Disney+ original series that brings back MCU veteran Tom Hiddleston as the titular god of mischief. After the events of Avengers: Endgame cut Loki loose in the MCU timeline, this series explores what happens when the trickster finds himself forced to work with an interdimensional agency to prevent just the sort of chaos he’s accustomed to creating. Owen Wilson joins Hiddleston in the show’s cast, and new episodes of the series premiere weekly on Disney+.
Created by: Michael WaldronCast: Tom Hiddleston, Owen Wilson, Gugu Mbatha-RawNumber of seasons: 1
Watch on Disney+

Once Upon a Time
When Emma Swan (Jennifer Morrison) finds herself passing through a quaint seaside town in Maine, her life takes a dramatic turn after she learns that the residents of the town are actually fairy-tale characters trapped in the real world due to an ancient curse. The seven-season series chronicles Swan’s experiences in and around Storybrooke involving all manner of heroes and villains from famous fairy tales, folklore, mythology, and Disney tales. One of the Disney-owned ABC network’s most popular, long-running dramas, Once Upon a Time puts a fresh spin on many beloved characters with its clever interpretations of their adventures.
Created by: Edward Kitsis, Adam HorowitzCast: Ginnifer Goodwin, Jennifer Morrison, Lana Parrilla, Josh Dallas, Jared S. Gilmore, Robert CarlyleNumber of seasons: 7
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Gravity Falls
When Dipper and Mabel Pines decide to spend the summer with their great uncle Stan, a huckster who runs Gravity Falls’ No. 1 tourist trap, the Mystery Shack, they don’t know what they’re in for. Gravity Falls is kind of like a kid-friendly mashup of the X-Files and Twin Peaks. It’s also equal parts thrilling and hilarious, and one of the best cartoons of the past 20 years. You’ll come for Gravity Falls‘ long-running mystery and bizarre creatures, but it’s the delightful characters that’ll keep you around. Gravity Falls is weird, but it sure has a lot of heart.
Created by: Alex HirschCast: Jason Ritter, Kristen Schaal, Linda CardelliniNumber of seasons: 2
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Star Wars Rebels
Set after the events of Star Wars: Episode III — Revenge of the Sith and Star Wars: The Clone Wars animated series, and five years before Star Wars: Episode IV — A New Hope, Star Wars Rebels follows a small group of rebels led by Kanan Jarrus, a powerful Jedi who survived Order 66. Over the course of the series’ four seasons, the ragtag team’s adventures offer a glimpse at the formative years of what would become an organized rebellion against the Galactic Empire, and various characters from the Star Wars films, The Clone Wars, and The Mandalorian play key roles in the show’s saga. The winner of a Primetime Emmy Award, Rebels spawned a long list of spinoff and tie-in projects featuring some of the show’s most popular heroes and villains.
Created by: Simon Kinberg, Dave Filoni, Carrie BeckCast: Taylor Gray, Freddie Prinze Jr., Vanessa Marshall, Tiya SircarNumber of seasons: 4
Watch on Disney+

Wild Chile
Marvel at the beautiful wildlife in Chile as you travel on a virtual safari alongside guide Rene Araneda and oceanographer Susannah Buchan in this eight-part series. Released in 2018, the series devotes each episode to a subsection of animal or plant life on both land and sea, taking a deep dive (sometimes literally) into the subject in ways that will appeal to any nature lover.
Created by: N/ACast: N/ANumber of seasons: 1
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The Proud Family
The Proud Family was groundbreaking TV for the Disney Channel. Disney’s first animated show centered entirely on an African-American family, The Proud Family is a delightful, sometimes zany coming of age show following the precocious Penny as she navigates the early years of adolescence. Balancing family, friends, school, and everything else teens do is always easier said than done but it certainly doesn’t help that Penny’s multi-generational household seems to have a knack for getting into larger-than-life hijinks.
Created by: Bruce W. SmithCast: Kyla Pratt, Tommy Davidson, Paula Jai ParkerNumber of seasons: 2
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The Simpsons
What’s left to say about The Simpsons? Bart, Homer, Marge, Lisa, and Maggie aren’t just cartoon characters. They’re cultural icons, not to mention stars of the longest-running sitcom in American history. Sure, by this point, there are probably more bad Simpsons episodes than good ones, but that doesn’t matter. On Disney+, you can revisit the glory days of seasons 1 through 10 as much as you want. Trust us. Those will never get old.
Created by: Matt GroeningCast: Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright, Yeardley SmithNumber of seasons: 31
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DuckTales
Reboots of beloved classic animated series don’t always work, but Disney managed to recapture lightning in a bottle with DuckTales, its re-imagined spin on the 1987 series with the insanely catchy theme song. Not only does the series give Huey, Dewey, and Louie’s adventures with Scrooge McDuck a modern makeover that’s as entertaining for adults as it is for kids, but it also introduces a few new characters to the mix — including young adventurer Webby Vanderquack — and features an impressive voice cast. That cast includes former Doctor Who star David Tennant as Scrooge, Danny Pudi as Huey, Ben Schwartz as Dewey, Bobby Moynihan as Louie, Kate Micucci as Webby, and Beck Bennett as Launchpad McQuack. A multiple award winner and critical darling, DuckTales proves that some stories never get old.
Created by: Matt Youngberg, Francisco AngonesCast: David Tennant, Danny Pudi, Ben Schwartz, Bobby Moynihan, Kate Micucci, Beck Bennett, Toks OlagundoyeNumber of seasons: 3
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Prop Culture
Created, executive produced, and hosted by prop collector extraordinaire Dan Lanigan, Prop Culture follows Dan across the globe as he tracks down classic Disney film props. Each episode focuses on one Disney film and features conversations with the cast and crew of each famous flick, along with Disney Archive staff and other surprise guests. Fans of Mary Poppins will be thrilled when the character’s famous carpet bag makes an appearance. Other films of focus include Tron, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, Honey, I Shrunk the Kids, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, Who Framed Roger Rabbit?, and The Muppet Movie.
Created by: Jason C. Henry, Dan LaniganCast: Dan LaniganNumber of seasons: 1
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Running Wild With Bear Grylls
With Running Wild, popular outdoor survival expert Bear Grylls put a new spin on his reality series by inviting a celebrity (or two) on a new set of adventures in harsh environments around the world. After airing on NBC for its first four seasons, the popular show moved to National Geographic for its fifth and sixth seasons, which featured Grylls teaching Brie Larson, Dave Bautista, Channing Tatum, Danica Patrick, and other celebrities how to survive in various regions. Destinations in the fifth and sixth seasons — which are both available on Disney+ now — included Iceland, Panama, Sierra Nevada, and Moab, Utah, among other breathtaking — but dangerous — locales.
Created by: Delbert ShoopmanCast: Bear GryllsNumber of seasons: 2
Watch on Disney+

The Mandalorian
The first live-action Star Wars series got off to a surprising start, and things are only going to get wilder as time goes on. In this groundbreaking series from Iron Man director Jon Favreau, Pedro Pascal stars as a bounty hunter who travels through the Star Wars Universe’s seedy underbelly, brushing up against ex-Imperial warlords, former Rebel shock troopers, assassin droids, and all other kinds of ne’er-do-wells — all while protecting an adorable piece of precious cargo. Featuring the talents of Timothy Olyphant, Werner Herzog, Ming-Na Wen, Nick Nolte, Gina Carano, and Giancarlo Esposito — and that’s just in front of the camera — this series is something special.
Created by: Jon FavreauCast: Pedro Pascal, Carl Weathers, Gina CaranoNumber of seasons: 2
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Marvel’s 616
This anthology documentary series explores various topics within and around the Marvel Comics universe, its rich history, and the fans that have made it one of the most popular franchises in the world. While that’s all well and good, the series’ deep dive into Marvel’s legacy is a surprisingly deep, heartfelt journey through some of the brand’s iconic elements, strangest moments, and the ways it is evolving to better represent its diverse fanbase. Gillian Jacobs, Paul Scheer, and other familiar faces both host and direct episodes within the series, which explores such topics as the origin of “The Japanese Spider-Man,” the forgotten characters of the Marvel universe, and how female creators and the stories they tell are shaping Marvel’s future.
Created by: Marvel New MediaCast: VariousNumber of seasons: 1
Watch on Disney+

The Imagineering Story
In addition to being one of the world’s most beloved movie studios, Disney is also the owner and operator of some of the world’s most beloved theme parks. Originally planned as a feature documentary, this series was revamped into a six-episode docuseries to be a part of Disney+’s launch. Narrated by Angela Bassett, it takes an in-depth look at the history and creation of the Walt Disney theme parks around the world, including the recent addition to California’s Disneyland: Star Wars’ Galaxy’s Edge.
Created by: Leslie IwerksCast: Angela BassettNumber of seasons: 1
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Star Wars: The Clone Wars
The Clone Wars feature film, which also serves as the series pilot, is not good. The animated series that followed very much is. The Clone Wars might’ve started as a typical action-adventure cartoon, it quickly morphed into something much more complex: A thorough and nuanced examination of the horrors of war in the Star Wars universe. Throughout seven seasons, The Clone Wars both deepened and expanded the Star Wars franchise in all kinds of unexpected ways. Even better? The end isn’t really the end — the story continues in The Clone Wars‘ also-great follow-up, Star Wars Rebels.
Created by: George LucasCast: Tom Kane, Matt Lanter, James Arnold TaylorNumber of seasons: 7
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Diary of a Future President
Diary of a Future President follows Elena (Tess Romero), a 12-year-old Cuban American girl, a middle schooler with dreams of becoming a future POTUS. The show features voice-over work and flash-forward appearances from Gina Rodriguez, playing the adult Elena, as she reads from Elena’s middle school diary and leads a political campaign. Rodriguez produces through her own I Can & I Will production company, alongside CBS Television Studios, with episodes premiering on Disney+. The show does a good job of balancing coming-of-age tribulations with witty humor. It’s sharp and heartfelt writing, for sure, which helped to net Diary a second season through Disney+.
Created by: Illana PeñaCast: Tess Romero, Selenis Leyva, Gina RodriguezNumber of seasons: 1
Watch on Disney+

X-Men: The Animated Series
Wolverine and the X-Men (also available on Disney+) might be the superior cartoon, but there’s still nothing quite like X-Men: The Animated Series. The phenomenally catchy theme song. The ludicrous Jim Lee-designed costumes. The weird, funny moments that have sparked a thousand memes. This Saturday morning cartoon was many fans’ first introduction to Marvel’s merry mutants, and it remains one of the most popular takes on the characters. Nostalgia: It’s powerful stuff.
Created by: Eric Lewald, Sidney Iwanter, Mark EdensCast: Norm Spencer, Cathal J. Dodd, Lenore ZannNumber of seasons: 5
Watch on Disney+

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One of the best motion pictures on Disney+ proper now

Nifty Nev
disney, Disney Movies Online, disney plus, Home Theater, Movies & TV, movies and TV, streaming |

Disney+ streaming service has you covered when it’s time to plan a family movie night. Its library is home to both the Marvel Cinematic Universe and Star Wars saga, as well as a long list of new and classic films, original movies you’ll only find there, and new releases you can stream while they’re still in theaters. With so much to offer subscribers, the collection can be a bit overwhelming, so we’ve combed through it to bring you this list of the best movies currently available on Disney+.
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.

The One and Only Ivan (2020)
A gorilla named Ivan (voiced by Sam Rockwell) who lives in a circus exhibit at the Exit 8 Big Top Mall and Video Arcade and has learned to enjoy life in captivity is convinced to help one of the circus’ new arrivals find freedom in the wild. Working alongside a host of fellow animal performers, he hatches a plan to return to the wild, only to discover that exploring his creative side might be the key to a brighter future for everyone in the circus.
Rotten Tomatoes: 68%Genre: Action & Adventure, ComedyStars: Bryan Cranston, Sam Rockwell, Angelina Jolie, Danny DeVitoDirector: Thea SharrockRating: PGRuntime: 95 minutes
Watch on Disney+

The Rocketeer (1991)
Before Iron Man and the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Disney struck superhero gold with The Rocketeer, director Joe Johnston’s film based on the comic book character of the same name. Set in pre-war Los Angeles in 1938, the film follows a stunt pilot who acquires a strange jet pack, only to suddenly find himself on the run from both aggressive FBI agents and a group of deadly Nazi operatives in pursuit of this new technology. Considered by many to be one of the best superhero movies of the pre-MCU era, The Rocketeer stars Bill Campbell, Jennifer Connelly, Alan Arkin, and Timothy Dalton.
Rotten Tomatoes: 65%Genre: Action & AdventureStars: Bill Campbell, Jennifer Connelly, Alan Arkin, Timothy DaltonDirector: Joe JohnstonRating: PGRuntime: 109 minutes
Watch on Disney+

Descendants (2015)
You might not have heard of this 2015 Disney Channel movie, but if you know anyone between the ages of 5 and 15 right now, you can bet that they know all about it. This musical fantasy from Newsies and Hocus Pocus director (and Dirty Dancing choreographer) Kenny Ortega is set in a world where the villains of classic Disney films have been exiled to a remote island while the rest of the world lives in peace and prosperity under the benevolent rule of Belle and Beast. When four children of the villains are given the chance to attend school on the mainland, they must decide whether to follow their parents’ legacy or prove there really is good in everyone. Along with some amazingly catchy songs and impressive dance choreography, Descendants also features some familiar faces among its adult actors, including Broadway star Kristin Chenoweth as Maleficent. The film went on to spawn two sequels, countless tie-in projects, and a seemingly endless torrent of merchandise on its rise to become one of Disney’s hottest properties for the tween audience.
Rotten Tomatoes: 90%Genre: Musical, FantasyStars: Dove Cameron, Sofia Carson, Booboo Stewart, Cameron BoyceDirector: Kenny OrtegaRating: NRRuntime: 120 minutes
Watch on Disney+

Inside Out (2015)
What if your emotions were little beings that lived inside you? That’s the question Pixar answers in Inside Out, a hilarious and beautiful story about 11-year-old Riley’s move to a new city and her Emotions’ desperate — and occasionally misguided — attempts to help her cope. Joy, Fear, Anger, Disgust, and Sadness aren’t exactly accustomed to working together, but they’ll have to if they’re going to help Riley get through this pivotal time in her life. However, when Joy and Sadness get lost, it’s up to the rest of the team to get them back so Riley doesn’t experience a complete emotional breakdown. Featuring the voice talent of Amy Poehler, Bill Hader, Richard King, Mindy Kaling, and Phyllis Smith, Inside Out is an emotional roller coaster with all of the feels to be expected from a Pixar film.
Rotten Tomatoes: 98%Genre: Family, ComedyStars: Amy Poehler, Phyllis Smith, Richard Kind, Bill Hader, Lewis Black, Mindy KalingDirector: Pete Docter, Ronnie del CarmenRating: PGRuntime: 94 minutes
Watch on Disney+

Mrs. Doubtfire (1993)
The films of Home Alone director Chris Columbus were a staple of ’90s cinema, including this film that cast Robin Williams as a divorced actor who poses as a female housekeeper in order to spend time with his children. As he gets sucked deeper into his ruse, he ends up learning more about himself and his relationship with both his kids and his ex-wife, all while dealing with a constant stream of hilarious scenarios and complications that unfold. The film went on to win an Academy Award for its makeup, which turned the acclaimed actor into “Euphegenia Doubtfire,” the British nanny who changes everyone’s lives for the better.
Rotten Tomatoes: 71%Genre: ComedyStars: Robin WilliamsDirector: Chris ColumbusRating: PGRuntime: 125 minutes
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Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children (2016)
This dark fantasy film based on Ransom Riggs’ novel of the same name follows a young boy whose decision to investigate his grandfather’s tales of a youth spent among children with amazing abilities leads to a meeting with Miss Peregrine, the headmistress of a strange school off the coast of Wales. Pursued by terrifying creatures only he can see, he embarks on an international adventure through time to protect his “peculiar” new friends from a sinister cabal.
Rotten Tomatoes: 64%Genre: Fantasy, AdventureStars: Eva Green, Asa Butterfield, Allison Janney, Rupert Everett, Judi Dench, Samuel L. JacksonDirector: Tim BurtonRating: PG-13Runtime: 121 minutes
Watch on Disney+

Jungle Cruise (2021)
Disney has a spotty record with its films based on theme-park attractions, but Jungle Cruise has more in common with the studio’s Pirates of the Caribbean films than any of the underperforming adaptations in years past. The film casts Emily Blunt as a scientist on an expedition into the jungle in search of a tree with magical healing properties. Her dapper brother, played by Jack Whitehall, is along for the ride, and the pair recruit a scruffy riverboat captain played by Dwayne Johnson to get them to their destination. Full of exciting action sequences, family-friendly humor, impressive visual effects, and moments that will appeal to both younger and older audiences alike, Jungle Cruise is the kind of all-ages fare that Disney does so well. The film is currently available to Disney+ subscribers for an additional fee via Premier Access.
Rotten Tomatoes: 64%Genre: Adventure, FantasyStars: Dwayne Johnson, Emily Blunt, Jack WhitehallDirector: Jaume Collet-SerraRating: PG-13Runtime: 127 minutes
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Onward (2020)
With a star-studded voice cast, this animated adventure film is set in a suburban fantasy world where two elf brothers, Ian and Barley Lightfoot (Tom Holland and Chris Pratt, respectively), embark on a journey to find an ancient artifact that they believe will bring back their father who passed away shortly after the youngest son Ian was born. While magic has all but disappeared from society, this artifact can presumably invoke a “visitation spell” that would bring dad back for a single day. That would be helpful, since they botched the spell and managed to bring back just the bottom half of dear dad and need the artifact to complete him! While the film isn’t considered one of the best within the extensive Pixar library, it has been praised for being a heartwarming and funny story, released in the early days of the coronavirus pandemic when viewers needed such uplifting content the most.
Rotten Tomatoes: 88%Genre: Animation, Adventure, ComedyStars: Tom Holland, Chris Pratt, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Octavia SpencerDirector: Dan ScanlonRating: GRuntime: 102 minutes
Watch on Disney+

Clouds (2020)
Based on the memoir Fly a Little Higher: How God Answered a Mom’s Small Prayer in a Big Way by Laura Sobiech, this musical drama is about the life of Zach Sobiech, who wrote a song called Clouds as a way to say goodbye to his friends and family following his cancer diagnosis. The song gained international recognition thanks to plays on YouTube, charting on the Billboard Hot 100, and even ranking No. 1 on iTunes in 2013, the year of Sobiech’s death. It’s a sweet story but break out the tissues for this one — you’re going to need them.
Rotten Tomatoes: 90%Genre: Drama, MusicStars: Fin Argus, Sabrina Carpenter, Madison Iseman, Neve Campbell, Tom Everett Scott, Lil Rel HoweryDirector: Justin BaldoniRating: PG-13Runtime: 121 minutes
Watch on Disney+

Luca (2021)
A shy, young sea monster living off the coast of Italy meets a free-spirited fellow sea monster. Their friendship brings them out of the water and into the world of humans in this delightful film from director Enrico Casarosa, whose own childhood in Genoa, Italy, inspired this tale of friendship and its power to help us overcome fear. Jacob Tremblay and Jack Dylan Grazer voice sea monsters Luca and Alberto, respectively, whose fascination with the surface world sets off a journey that teaches them both a valuable lesson about silencing the doubts and fears that hold us back. 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.
Rotten Tomatoes: 91%Genre: Family, FantasyStars: Jacob Tremblay, Jack Dylan GrazerDirector: Enrico CasarosaRating: PGRuntime: 95 minutes
Watch on Disney+

Black Widow (2021)
After more than a year without a Marvel movie, Black Widow brings the Marvel Cinematic Universe back to the big screen and — thanks to the uncertainty of theatrical releases during the pandemic — also to streaming audiences on Disney+. The prequel film features Scarlett Johansson as superhero secret agent Black Widow, and is set between the events of Captain America: Civil War and Avengers: Infinity War. On the run after the events of Civil War, Natasha Romanoff (Johansson) is forced to confront her mysterious past and the relationships she left behind when she fled the organization that trained her. Johansson is joined in the cast by Florence Pugh, David Harbour, William Hurt, Ray Winstone, and Rachel Weisz, with the film available to Disney+ subscribers for an additional fee via Premier Access.
Rotten Tomatoes: 82%Genre: ActionStars: Scarlett Johansson, Florence Pugh, David Harbour, Rachel WeiszDirector: Cate ShortlandRating: PG-13Runtime: 133 minutes
Watch on Disney+
Laurie Sparham / Walt Disney Studios
Christopher Robin (2018)
A live-action interpretation of the popular Winnie the Pooh story, Christopher Robin (Ewan McGregor) is now a grown man who, while encountering hard times at work and strife with his family, is visited once again by his childhood friends, including Pooh, Eeyore, Piglet, and Tigger. As they embark on adventures that bring back Robin’s vivid imagination and childhood innocence, the crew of friends helps him get through a rough patch and grow closer to his family, namely his daughter Madeline. It’s a sugary sweet story that’s great for family viewing, with a talented cast and a magical feel-good theme behind it.
Rotten Tomatoes: 73%Stars: Ewan McGregor, Hayley Atwell, Jim Cummings, Brad GarrettDirector: Marc FosterRating: GRuntime: 104 minutes
Watch on Disney+

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)
Filmmaker Gareth Edwards gave audiences a Dirty Dozen-style war story set in the Star Wars universe in this film, which was also the first major spinoff film from Disney’s Star Wars Story anthology series. Set in the time period between Episode III – Revenge of the Sith and the franchise-spawning Episode IV – A New Hope, Rogue One follows a ragtag group of rebels tasked with stealing the plans for the Death Star, the Galactic Empire’s powerful, planet-killing weapon. One of the highest-grossing films in the Star Wars franchise to date, Rogue One earned critical acclaim and a pair of Oscar nominations for its impressive blend of old-school aesthetics and modern visual effects. The film’s closing scene is arguably one of the greatest scenes in the sci-fi saga, leading directly into the events of A New Hope.
Rotten Tomatoes: 84%Genre: Sci-Fi, Drama, AdventureStars: Felicity Jones, Diego Luna, Ben Mendelsohn, Donnie Yen, Mads MikkelsenDirector: Gareth EdwardsRating: PG-13Runtime: 133 minutes
Watch on Disney+

Bend It Like Beckham (2002)
At the height of David Beckham’s career as a world-famous football player for Manchester United, the star athlete inspired this romantic comedy sports film about a teenage British Indian Sikh girl living in London who is obsessed with football. But her traditional parents won’t let her play, simply because she’s a girl. When she joins a local women’s team despite their wishes, she proves that, well, she can indeed bend it like Beckham, referencing the player’s talent at curving the ball past defending players, ultimately scoring. The film wasn’t expected to be such a commercial success but viewers loved the combination of sports, a strong young female lead, and the inspiring story.
Rotten Tomatoes: 85%Stars: Parminder Nagra, Keira Knightley, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Anupam Kher, Archie Panjabi, Shaznay LewisDirector: Gurinder ChadhaRating: PGRuntime: 112 minutes
Watch on Disney+

The Sandlot (1993)
It didn’t generate a lot of buzz when it was first released, but David Mickey Evans’ coming-of-age film about a group of childhood friends who form a tight bond while playing baseball together in an abandoned lot became an under-the-radar hit when it arrived on the home video market. Evans directed, co-wrote, and narrated the film, which follows a shy fifth-grade boy who moves to a Los Angeles suburb in 1962 and initially struggles to make friends, only to fall in with a motley crew of local kids who bring him out of his shell. Dripping with nostalgia and filled with memorable — and quotable — scenes, The Sandlot is a powerful reminder of the rollercoaster of emotions and simple joys found in the years between childhood and adulthood.
Rotten Tomatoes: 63%Genre: Comedy, Drama, Kids & FamilyStars: Thomas Guiry, Mike Vitar, Patrick RennaDirector: David Mickey EvansRating: PGRuntime: 101 minutes
Watch on Disney+

Avengers: Endgame (2019)
Iron Man started it all, and Endgame brings it all to a close. After an incredibly ambitious, epic buildup, Avengers: Endgame somehow manages to brilliantly bring the first phase of the MCU to an elegant end. Five years after “The Snap” that ended Avengers: Infinity War, the remaining Avengers embark on a dicey, desperate plan to go back in time and stop Thanos before he acquires the Infinity Stones without causing any lasting damage to their original timeline. Across multiple, simultaneous missions in different timelines, Endgame weaves a complex, action-packed story with heart-pumping stakes that sees beloved characters pushed to the absolute limit. The epic final battle scene of Avengers: Endgame is one of the most mind-blowing, VFX-rich scenes in movie history.
Rotten Tomatoes: 94%Genre: Action & AdventureStars: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Scarlett Johansson, Chris HemsworthDirector: Joe Russo, Anthony RussoRating: PG-13Runtime: 182 minutes
Watch on Disney+
Behind the scenes of Avengers: Endgame

Maleficent (2014)
Angelina Jolie’s shift to fantasy in this film was polarizing. Though many critics applauded her performance and the story itself, they weren’t thrilled with the overuse of CGI and 3D effects. Nonetheless, this fairy tale flick, loosely inspired by Charles Perrault’s original and Disney’s 1959 animated film Sleeping Beauty, put Jolie on the map among younger audiences and across new genres. Rather than tell the familiar story of the beautiful young girl stuck in a deep sleep, waiting for her Prince Charming, this story is told from the perspective of the powerful fairy Maleficent. It provides context as to why she cast the spell that put the 16-year-old Aurora into a permanent sleep in the first place and the reasoning behind only a true love’s kiss being able to break it.
Rotten Tomatoes: 54%Stars: Angelina Jolie, Sharlto Copley, Elle Fanning, Sam Riley, Imelda Staunton, Juno Temple, Lesley ManvilleDirector: Robert StrombergRating: PGRuntime: 97 minutes
Watch on Disney+

Star Wars: Episode V — The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
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.
Rotten Tomatoes: 94%Genre: Science-FictionStars: Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie FisherDirector: Irvin KershnerRating: PGRuntime: 124 minutes
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What’s next for the Star Wars universe

Remember the Titans (2000)
Denzel Washington plays the new Black head coach of a recently integrated Virginia high school football team in this film based on true events. The series follows the head coach’s efforts to inspire and unite his players and navigate the racial prejudice that exists both within the school’s walls and outside of them. Will Patton portrays the white school’s former head coach, who must set aside his own prejudice and animosity while working under the team’s new coach.
Rotten Tomatoes: 73%Genre: Drama, SportsStars: Denzel Washington, Will Patton, Wood Harris, Ryan HurstDirector: Boaz YakinRating: PGRuntime: 114 minutes
Watch on Disney+

Raya and the Last Dragon (2021)
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.
Rotten Tomatoes: 96%Genre: Action & AdventureStars: Kelly Marie Tran, AwkwafinaDirector: Don Hall, Carlos López EstradaRating: PGRuntime: 108 minutes
Watch on Disney+

Stargirl (2020)
Musician Grace VanderWaal portrays the titular new student whose arrival at a New Mexico high school creates a ripple effect throughout the student body and the surrounding community as she challenges the status quo and pushes them to embrace the boundaries of their own self-expression. Graham Verchere portrays the teenage boy whose relationship with Stargirl prompts him to open up and come to terms with what he wants from life. One of the first original films to premiere on Disney+, this high school romantic comedy is a touching coming-of-age story that was praised for its emotional depth and nostalgic spin on teenage relationships.
Rotten Tomatoes: 70%Genre: Musical, DramaStars: Grace VanderWaal, Graham VerchereDirector: Julia HartRating: PGRuntime: 107 minutes
Watch on Disney+

Cruella (2021)
Oscar-winning actress Emma Stone portrays Disney’s infamous, dog-hating villain Cruella de Vil in this surprisingly dark, PG-13 prequel film that explores the sinister 101 Dalmatians icon’s early years. Set in 1970s London, the film follows the young grifter Estella (Stone) as she befriends a group of thieves and catches the eye of a fashion designer played by fellow Oscar winner Emma Thompson. Their encounter eventually propels Estella toward the life of high crime, high fashion, and animal torment that made her one of Disney’s most notorious antagonists.
Rotten Tomatoes: 73%Genre: Comedy, AdventureStars: Emma Stone, Emma ThompsonDirector: Craig GillespieRating: PG-13Runtime: 134 minutes
Watch on Disney+

Eddie the Eagle (2016)
Taron Egerton portrays British ski-jumper Michael “Eddie the Eagle” Edwards in this biographical film, which follows Edwards’ unlikely journey from an awkward athlete to a global phenomenon. In 1988, Edwards became the first competitor to represent Great Britain in Olympic ski-jumping in more than 50 years, defying the sport’s pundits and conventional logic while winning over crowds around the world with his unrelenting optimism and determination. The film casts Hugh Jackman as Bronson Peary, a washed-up former ski-jumper for the American team who eventually agrees to train Edwards for the event. As heartwarming as it is hilarious, Eddie the Eagle belongs up there among the best inspirational sports films of the modern era.
Rotten Tomatoes: 81%Genre: Comedy, Drama, BiographyStars: Hugh Jackman, Taron EgertonDirector: Dexter FletcherRating: PG-13Runtime: 105 minutes
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Zombies (2018)
Even Disney found a way into the zombie genre with this musical adventure about a star-crossed couple — one a human cheerleader, and one a zombie football player — who meet while attending high school together and must navigate the tricky waters of both teenage love and the two very different worlds they each live in. Milo Manheim and Meg Donnelly portray the zombie Zed and cheerleader Addison, respectively, and the film’s infectiously catchy songs are matched by some impressive dance sequences that offer a treat for both the eyes and the ears. The film was so successful for the Disney Channel that it spawned a 2020 sequel, as well as an upcoming third film in the franchise, which manages to be entertaining for both kids and adults alike.
Rotten Tomatoes: NAGenre: Musical, Comedy, Romance, FamilyStars: Milo Manheim, Meg DonnellyDirector: Paul HoenRating: GRuntime: 94 minutes
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Toy Story (1995)
The film that made Pixar a household name and one of the giants of the animated movie world, Toy Story is set in a world where toys come to life the moment humans aren’t paying attention to them. The ridiculously high-profile cast for the film includes Tom Hanks as Woody, a cowboy doll who begins to feel his status as Andy Davis’ favorite toy threatened when the boy gets a new, flashy action figure named Buzz Lightyear (voiced by Tim Allen). Silly hijinks ensue, of course, but the film truly succeeds in its thoughtful exploration of adolescence, friendship, acceptance, and everything we leave behind as we grow older. More than just one of the best Pixar movies, Toy Story is considered one of the greatest animated movies ever made, and was nominated for three Academy Awards, spawned three sequels, and was inducted into the National Film Registry in its first year of eligibility.
Rotten Tomatoes: 100%Genre: Family, Fantasy, ComedyStars: Tom Hanks, Tim AllenDirector: John LasseterRating: GRuntime: 80 minutes
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Queen of Katwe (2016)
This feel-good tale chronicles the true story of 10-year-old Ugandan chess phenom, Phiona Mutesi, who became a Woman Candidate Master recognized on the global chess stage. Born in Katwe, the largest slum in Kampala, Uganda, every day is a constant struggle for Phiona and her family. However, when she meets Robert Katende (David Oyelowo), a missionary who teaches children how to play chess, her life is completely changed. Phiona falls in love with the game and develops incredible skill, soon dominating local competitions and tournaments. With Katende’s guidance and fierce support from her mother, Nakku Harriet (Lupita Nyong’o), Phiona soon discovers chess is a golden ticket out of a life of poverty for herself and her family.
Rotten Tomatoes: 93%Genre: DramaStars: David Oyelowo, Lupita Nyong’oDirector: Mira NairRating: PGRuntime: 124 minutes
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Iron Man (2008)
The Marvel movie that started it all, Jon Favreau’s film took a C-list superhero and turned him into a global icon, thanks to a brilliant performance by star Robert Downey Jr. and inspired casting and writing that firmly established the Marvel Cinematic Universe as a franchise to be reckoned with. The story of a brilliant industrialist playboy who develops a powerful suit of armor that lets him become a superhero, Iron Man is the foundation that the MCU is built on, and the film’s legacy reverberates throughout the MCU to this day.
Rotten Tomatoes: 94%Genre: Action & AdventureStars: Robert Downey, Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, Jeff BridgesDirector: Jon FavreauRating: PG-13Runtime: 126 minutes
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Cool Runnings (1993)
This sports comedy was loosely inspired by the true story of the Jamaican national bobsled team, which made its debut during the 1988 Winter Olympics and offered up one of the event’s most popular and enduring underdog stories. In one of his last roles before his death, actor John Candy plays a disgraced former bobsled champion who’s recruited to coach the aspiring team — a team composed of sprinters who missed their shot at qualifying for the Summer Olympics due to an accident that occurred in a qualifying race. Leon Robinson, Doug E. Doug, Rawle D. Lewis, and Malik Yoba play the teammates who need to overcome their own differences and the prejudices of the sport’s governing body to realize their Olympic dreams.
Rotten Tomatoes: 76%Genre: Comedy, SportsStars: Leon Robinson, Doug E. Doug, Rawle D. Lewis, Malik Yoba, John CandyDirector: Jon TurteltaubRating: PGRuntime: 98 minutes
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Black Panther (2018)
Filmmaker Ryan Coogler and the late Chadwick Boseman brought the tale of Marvel’s most famous African superhero to the screen in 2018, and the film went on to break a long list of records at the box office and become one of the most critically praised installments of the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe. Boseman plays T’Challa, the newly crowned king of the secretive African nation of Wakanda, who serves as both his country’s leader and primary defender as the hero Black Panther. When his rule is challenged by the brutal Killmonger (Michael B. Jordan), T’Challa must reconnect with the origins of his power and his legacy to save his kingdom. Following its impressive theatrical run, Black Panther became the first superhero movie to be nominated for an Academy Award in the “Best Picture” category, and the first Marvel movie to win an Academy Award. Black Panther 2 is currently scheduled to hit theaters in 2022, though who will be able to fill Boseman’s tremendous shoes in the title role remains to be seen.
Rotten Tomatoes: 97%Genre: Action & AdventureStars: Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong’oDirector: Ryan CooglerRating: PG-13Runtime: 135 minutes
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Why we’re hyped for Black Panther 2

TRON (1982)
Its visual effects don’t exactly hold compared to sci-fi movies today, but when TRON hit theaters in 1982, there was nothing that looked even remotely like it. The story of a software programmer who’s transported inside the mainframe of a massive computer and must find his way out of the digital world he inhabits, TRON prompted writer and director Steven Lisberger to create an entirely new type of studio dedicated to blending computer animation and live-action acting in a single feature — something that was so unusual at the time that even the Motion Picture Academy of America wasn’t sure how to classify the film initially. Jeff Bridges and Bruce Boxleitner starred in the film, which went on to become a cult hit and inspire a sprawling franchise of video games, comic books, and animated spinoffs, as well as a 2010 live-action sequel.
Rotten Tomatoes: 73%Genre: Science-FictionStars: Jeff Bridges, Bruce BoxleitnerDirector: Steven LisbergerRating: PGRuntime: 96 minutes
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The Kid Who Would Be King (2019)
Attack the Block filmmaker Joe Cornish wrote and directed this family-friendly fantasy adventure that has a 12-year-old boy find King Arthur’s legendary sword, Excalibur, in his London suburb. Becoming the sword’s new owner comes with a heavy price, however, and he must rally his friends and schoolmates to stop the evil enchantress Morgana from invading the realm. The film stars Louis Ashbourne Serkis (the son of actor and filmmaker Andy Serkis) as well as Tom Taylor, Dean Chaumoo, Rhianna Dorris, Angus Imrie, Rebecca Ferguson, and Patrick Stewart. One of the final films released by studio 20th Century Fox, The Kid Who Would Be King flew under the radar when it was initially released despite receiving positive reviews from critics and audiences.
Rotten Tomatoes: 89%Genre: Fantasy, AdventureStars:  Louis Ashbourne Serkis, Tom Taylor, Rhianna Dorris, Rebecca Ferguson, Patrick StewartDirector: Joe CornishRating: PGRuntime: 120 minutes
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Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)
Robert Zemeckis directed this film, set in a version of 1947 Hollywood in which humans coexist with animated characters. Bob Hoskins plays a private detective investigating the murder of a prominent businessman, only to find himself teamed up with Roger Rabbit, the zany cartoon star who has also become the chief suspect in the businessman’s death. Credited with renewing interest in the golden age of animation and sparking Disney’s renaissance as a movie studio, Who Framed Roger Rabbit ended up winning three Academy Awards for its unique blend of classic cartoons and crime noir.
Rotten Tomatoes: 97%Genre: ComedyStars: Bob Hoskins, Christopher Lloyd, Kathleen Turner, Charles FleischerDirector: Robert ZemeckisRating: PGRuntime: 104 minutes
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The Muppet Movie (1979)
The very first theatrical film featuring Jim Henson’s beloved creations, The Muppets, this 1979 musical adventure has Kermit the Frog leaving his home in the swamp on a cross-country journey to Hollywood. Along the way, he encounters Miss Piggy, Fozzie, Gonzo, and the rest of his Muppets pals, who share his show business aspirations and join him on his wild road trip. Packed with hilarious cameos and featuring Henson’s brilliant knack for blending elements for children and adults, The Muppet Movie stands as one of the greatest Muppets projects ever made, and inspired multiple sequels, spinoffs, and countless other projects over the years.
Rotten Tomatoes: 88%Genre: Family, Comedy, MusicalStars: Jim Henson, Frank Oz, Jerry NelsonDirector: James FrawleyRating: GRuntime: 98 minutes
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Coco (2017)
Yet another entry in Pixar’s rich library of diverse cultures, viewpoints, and worlds, Coco is one of the most visually stunning and musically enriching films of the entire Pixar collection. Centering on Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead), this fantasy follows a little boy, Miguel, on a magical, accidental journey into the afterlife. The more he learns about his family and heritage through his colorful journey, the deeper his connection grows to his history and his future. With an uplifting, energetic soundtrack, you’ll want to sing, dance, and revel in the excitement, right until it goes full Pixar and starts to play your heartstrings.
Rotten Tomatoes: 97%Genre: Family, FantasyStars: Anthony Gonzalez, Gael García BernalDirector: Lee Unkrich, Adrian MolinaRating: PGRuntime: 109 minutes
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The Princess Bride (1987)
Often cited among the funniest movies of all time, director Rob Reiner’s fantasy adventure told the story of a poor farmhand who must rescue his true love from a group of mercenaries and the evil nobleman who is forcing her to become his bride. As the farmhand Westley and the beautiful Buttercup, Cary Elwes and Robin Wright lead a cast that also includes Mandy Patinkin, Chris Sarandon, Wallace Shawn, André the Giant, and Christopher Guest. Peter Falk and Fred Savage also play supporting roles, presenting the story as a novel that a sick boy’s grandfather reads to him. A cult hit, The Princess Bride was added to the National Film Registry in 2016 for its significance in cinematic history.
Rotten Tomatoes: 97%Genre: Fantasy, Adventure, ComedyStars: Cary Elwes, Robin WrightDirector: Rob ReinerRating: PGRuntime: 98 minutes
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Hamilton (2020)
The cultural phenomenon that is Lin-Manuel Miranda’s celebrated musical Hamilton finally became accessible to everyone who can’t get a ticket when a cinematic recording of the show arrived on Disney+ in July — just in time for Independence Day. The film is pretty much the only remaining way to see the production — which chronicles the life of founding father Alexander Hamilton — performed by its original cast, with Miranda himself in the title role. He’s joined by Tony Award winner Leslie Odom Jr. as Hamilton’s longtime rival, Aaron Burr, in a performance that earned him industry-wide recognition and one of theater’s most prestigious honors. Disney’s feature-length film offers a front-row seat to the musical that took Broadway by storm and became one of the most critically praised and hotly debated productions in recent memory. There’s no word on how long the musical will be available on Disney+, so don’t throw away your shot to watch it.
Rotten Tomatoes: 99%Genre: Musical, Drama, ComedyStars: Lin-Manuel Miranda, Leslie Odom Jr., Daveed Diggs, Phillipa Soo, Christopher JacksonDirector: Thomas KailRating: PG-13Runtime: 167 minutes
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Willow (1988)
Ron Howard directed this fantasy film based on a story penned by George Lucas, and the result was a movie unlike anything else in the genre. Willow follows a reluctant farmer played by Warwick Davis who finds himself thrust into a magical adventure when he finds an orphaned human baby. His efforts to return the baby put him in the center of a battle for the fate of the world, with a group of colorful characters — including a charismatic mercenary played by Val Kilmer — accompanying him on his quest. The recipient of two Academy Award nominations, Willow featured impressive visual effects produced by Industrial Light and Magic and a memorable story that reignited interest in the high fantasy genre. A sequel to Willow is currently in the works for Disney+.
Rotten Tomatoes: 50%Genre: Fantasy, Action & AdventureStars: Warwick Davis, Val Kilmer, Joanne WhalleyDirector: Ron HowardRating: PGRuntime: 118 minutes
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Star Wars: Episode IV — A New Hope (1977)
You may have your own order to watch the Star Wars movies but you can’t go wrong starting with the original. Although it falls in at number 4 chronologically in the Skywalker saga, 1977’s A New Hope was the first Star Wars film, and it forever altered filmmaking as we know it. It’s also one of the most innovative movies ever made, ingeniously repurposing the Hero’s Journey of Greek mythology into an epic, infinitely imaginative tale of a faraway, technologically advanced galaxy embroiled in an interplanetary war. A New Hope is our first introduction to some of cinema’s most beloved characters, from Luke Skywalker and Han Solo to Princess Leia, Chewbacca, and the droids C3P-O and R2D2. We can debate all day about which Star Wars movie is best but the importance and impact of A New Hope are inarguable.
Rotten Tomatoes: 92%Genre: Science-FictionStars: Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie FisherDirector: George LucasRating: PGRuntime: 125 minutes
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The future of Star Wars

Honey, I Shrunk the Kids (1989)
Jumanji and Captain America: The First Avenger director Joe Johnston made his directorial debut with this sci-fi comedy about a group of kids who get shrunk to a quarter of an inch tall and must find their way home through the dangerous jungle of their family’s yard. Rick Moranis famously plays the inventor whose latest project accidentally shrinks his own children and his neighbor’s kids. An unexpected hit, the film became Disney’s highest-grossing live-action movie when it was released in theaters — a title it held for five years.
Rotten Tomatoes: 76%Genre: Family, ComedyStars: Rick Moranis, Matt Frewer, Kristine Sutherland, Thomas Wilson Brown, Jared RushtonDirector: Joe JohnstonRating: PGRuntime: 101 minutes
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The Princess and the Frog (2009)
Although it often gets overlooked due to the hype around Disney and Pixar’s digitally animated blockbusters, The Princess and the Frog was a critically acclaimed, three-time Oscar nominee that effectively proved there was still a market for traditionally animated films. The Little Mermaid and Aladdin directors Ron Clements and John Musker returned for the film, which followed a young woman in 1926 New Orleans who finds herself trapped in the body of a frog after making a deal with a prince who was cursed by a voodoo sorcerer. The film is also a return to the traditional Broadway musical-style feature for Disney that had served the studio so well in the 1990s. Anika Noni Rose, Bruno Campos, and Keith David lead the film’s cast.
Rotten Tomatoes: 85%Genre: Musical, Adventure, ComedyStars: Anika Noni Rose, Bruno Campos, Keith DavidDirector: Ron Clements, John MuskerRating: GRuntime: 95 minutes
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Moana (2016)
The 56th animated feature from Disney’s animation studio, Moana tells the story of a young girl raised to be the next chief of her Polynesian village. Not content to stay on her small island, she embarks on an ocean-spanning journey to find the legendary demigod Maui, return a magical artifact to its island home, and save her village from the mysterious blight that threatens it. Along with breathtaking animation and a phenomenal voice cast led by Dwayne Johnson, Jemaine Clement, and newcomer Auli’i Cravalho (as Moana), the film also features originals songs from Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda and a beautiful score inspired by the film’s Polynesian setting and culture. Despite its recent arrival, Moana is often ranked among the best Disney movies ever made.
Rotten Tomatoes: 96%Genre: Family, Fantasy, MusicalStars: Auli’i Cravalho, Dwayne JohnsonDirector: Ron Clements, John Musker, Chris Williams, Don HallRating: PGRuntime: 103 minutes
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Soul (2020)
A middle-school music teacher dreaming of his big break finally gets it, only to suffer an accident that sends him on a journey through the afterlife in this Pixar feature from Up director Pete Docter and Kemp Powers (One Night in Miami). Jamie Foxx voices Joe Gardner, the aspiring New York City jazz musician who embarks on a quest across various planes of existence to return to his body. Along the way, he’s tasked with teaching a free-spirited soul (voiced by Tina Fey) why life on Earth is worth living. The film has been praised for both its music and its life-affirming message, and features an impressive cast of voice actors and spectacular visual effects used to bring the afterlife to the screen.
Rotten Tomatoes: 97%Genre: Family, ComedyStars: Jamie Foxx, Tina FeyDirector: Pete Docter, Kemp PowersRating: PGRuntime: 100 minutes
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Thor: Ragnarok (2017)
Director Taika Waititi completely reenergized the Thor franchise with Thor: Ragnarok, easily the best entry in the series. Taking a completely different tone than the prior two films, Ragnarok finds the God of Thunder imprisoned on the strange garbage planet of Sakaar, where he is forced to earn his freedom by fighting as a gladiator. In the meantime, Thor’s estranged, enormously powerful sister, Hela (Cate Blanchett), has returned to Asgard to fulfill her destiny: Bringing about Ragnarok, the destruction of the Asgardian realm. Thor must get off Sakaar and return to save his people before they are completely wiped from existence. It sounds dark, but Ragnarok is the lightest of the Thor movies, leaning into star Chris Hemsworth’s charm and putting the spotlight on hilarious characters like Jeff Goldblum’s Grandmaster and Waititi’s rock monster gladiator Korg. The sequel, Thor: Love and Thunder, is scheduled to hit theaters in 2022.
Rotten Tomatoes: 93%Genre: Action & Adventure, Science-FictionStars: Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Tessa Thompson, Mark Ruffalo, Cate BlanchettDirector: Taika WaititiRating: PG-13Runtime: 130 minutes
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More on Thor and Marvel movies

Togo (2019)
This Disney original film follows two of the key figures who transported serum to Nome, Alaska, via dogsled in 1925 to save the town from an epidemic. Released directly to Disney+ in December 2019, the film casts Willem Dafoe as Leonhard Seppala, whose decision to allow undersized pup Togo to lead his sled team is rewarded when the dog becomes a champion sled dog. When Seppala is asked to bring diphtheria antitoxin serum across 700 miles of harsh Alaskan wilderness, both he and aging sled leader Togo are pushed to their limits.
Rotten Tomatoes: 91%Genre: DramaStars: Willem DafoeDirector: Ericson CoreRating: PGRuntime: 113 minutes
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Sky High (2005)
As the child of the world’s two greatest superheroes, Will Stronghold (Michael Angarano) has a lot to live up to, even if he’s not sure exactly what his superpowers might be. This action-packed film follows Will as he enrolls at a special school for superpowered kids and experiences the trials and tribulations of teenage life while making friends and enemies, falling in love, and attempting to chart his own destiny — all while his classmates (and teachers) fly, transform, and do all sorts of other amazing things around him. But when the time comes for him to save the day, he has to decide whether he’s up to the task.
Rotten Tomatoes: 73%Stars: Michael Angarano, Kurt Russell, Kelly Preston, Danielle Panabaker, Steven Strait, Mary Elizabeth WinsteadDirector: Mike MitchellRating: PGRuntime: 100 minutes
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Black Is King (2020)
As a visual companion to the 2019 album The Lion King: The Gift and inspired by Beyonce’s involvement in Jon Favreau’s 2019 retelling of The Lion King, where she voices the character of Simba’s childhood best friend Nala, this musical film and visual album tells a modified version of the story. Centered around human rather than feline characters, a young African prince is exiled from his kingdom following the death of his father. He grows up and receives inspiration from several guides in his life, convincing him to reclaim the throne that is rightfully his. The path of the prince’s life is much like that of the African journey to reclaim their culture and heritage, and that’s by design. Receiving praise for everything from its visuals to music and cultural relevance, some even consider the film Beyonce’s greatest achievement to date, which is saying a lot considering her massive music career.
Rotten Tomatoes: 95%Genre: Adventure, Drama, FantasyStars: Beyonce, Folajomi Akinmurele, Connie Chiume, Nyaniso Ntsikelelo Dzedze, Nandy Madida, Warren Masemola, Sibusiso Mbeje, Fumi Odede, Stephen Ojo, Mary TwalaDirectors: Beyonce Knowles-Carter, Kwasi Fordjour, Emmanuel Adjei, Blitz Bazawule, Ibra Ake, Jenn Nkiru, Jake Nava, Pierre Debusschere, Dikayl RimmaschRating: PGRuntime: 85 minutes
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3 Men and a Baby (1987)
Tom Selleck, Ted Danson, and Steve Guttenberg are three bachelors who find themselves forced to take care of a baby in this late ’80s comedy directed by Star Trek alum Leonard Nimoy. After the infant is left at their door by the former girlfriend of Danson’s character, the three men must learn to care for their new roommate as they sort out what the future holds for their new, unconventional family unit. The film was the highest-grossing movie of its release year, and the first film directed by Nimoy outside of the Star Trek franchise.
Rotten Tomatoes: 75%Genre: ComedyStars: Tom Selleck, Steve Guttenberg, Ted DansonDirector: Leonard NimoyRating: PGRuntime: 102 minutes
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Free Solo (2018)
From National Geographic, Free Solo follows climber Alex Honnold as he attempts to summit El Capitan in Yosemite National Park, one of the toughest climbs in the world … without a harness or rope. Honnold is one of the most accomplished free solo climbers in the world, and his death-defying feats are thrilling and, frankly, horrifying to behold. This visually stunning documentary takes you into the mind of one of the world’s most fearless adrenaline junkies and on a trip up some of the most beautiful and difficult climbs on the planet.
Rotten Tomatoes: 97%Genre: DocumentaryStars: Alex HonnoldDirector: Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi, Jimmy ChinRating: PG-13Runtime: 97 minutes
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More great documentaries

Frozen (2013)
Disney’s 2013 blockbuster, Frozen, was the highest-grossing animated feature of all time until it was surpassed by its 2019 sequel, and it remains the highest-grossing original — as in, not a sequel or spinoff — animated feature of all time by a wide margin. More than a movie, the story of a fearless princess who sets off in search of her estranged sister to save their kingdom from her icy powers became a global phenomenon upon its release. Along with offering a compelling adventure and plenty of clever comedy, Frozen gave the world one of Disney’s most catchy songs, the empowering Let It Go. The film’s success earned it not one, but two Academy Awards, as well as a wildly successful franchise led by musically gifted voice actors Kristen Bell, Idina Menzel, Jonathan Groff, and Josh Gad.
Rotten Tomatoes: 90%Genre: Musical, FantasyStars: Kristen Bell, Idina Menzel, Jonathan Groff, Josh GadDirector: Chris Buck, Jennifer LeeRating: PGRuntime: 102 minutes
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Editors’ Recommendations

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Hey Disney, Give Us a ‘Titan A.E.’ Reside-Motion Reboot

Nifty Nev
20th Century Studios, Avatar, box office, disney, FOX, Jungle Cruise, Marvel, Star Wars, Titan A.E. |

Titan A.E. is an obscure 2000 animated movie that is ripe for a re-do two decades later. Disney/Fox
Pop culture public discourse has devolved to the point that people often respond to a headline without actually taking the time to read the story. No doubt that will be the case here. I can already see the chorus of Film Twitter avatars sniping in the replies. While it’s absolutely true that animation is a universe of potential that can stand on its own and not every feature needs the reboot treatment, a live-action Titan A.E. actually makes sense. Bear with me.
The adage that if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em is more prevalent in Hollywood today than ever before. As the entertainment industry continues to recycle its own libraries ad nauseam, reboots and remakes are inevitable. You stand a better chance fighting against the ocean tide than you do audience’s nostalgia-driven obsession with the past. But recently, I argued that instead of consistently remaking Hall of Fame classics that already occupy unimpeachable perches in the pantheon of entertainment, we should be looking to concepts and IP with potential that, for whatever reason, didn’t fully coalesce the first time around. Titan A.E., an $80 million film that failed to break $40 million at the box office and currently holds a 50% on Rotten Tomatoes, a 6.6/10 on IMDb, and a 48 on Metacritic, certainly qualifies.
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The film—which takes place in the year 3028 when humanity is set adrift among the stars after the destruction of Earth—is far better than its aggregate scores would have you believe. The narrative and character beats may be cobbled together from sci-fi predecessors; shades of Star Wars cast over the archetypes and Blade Runner‘s steampunk attitude informs the tone. But just because Titan A.E. is somewhat expected doesn’t mean it isn’t deserving. The reason no one reinvents the wheel is because wheels already work.
Functionally, Titan A.E. is a fast paced vision with a distinctive aesthetic comprised of traditional animation and computer generated imagery. It’s the type of anime-adjacent eye candy that may actually provide the same endorphin-igniting sugar rush when translated to the big screen in live action—assuming the right filmmaker is tapped to shepherd such such a bombastic space opera. (My editor, an animation expert, notes that it’ll be hard to replace director Don Bluth’s singular style). It’s enticingly sci-fi, but not exclusionary in its genre bent. Just enough to hook you in with space battles and evil aliens.
As a premise, it doesn’t get much more timely than threats of extinction, refugees searching for a home, and a race of beings driven by hatred and fear. Critic complaints levied against the movie at the time of its release suggested it was as deep as a Saturday morning cartoon. At worst, that sounds like an enjoyable swashbuckling adventure through the stars. At best, borrowing Titan A.E.‘s darker and more mature sensibilities—which touch on abandonment issues, the question of whether humanity is even worth saving, and pseudo caste systems among intelligent species—would give the broad appeal blockbuster something to say. (A welcome treat in a summer drowning in the likes of Snake Eyes and Space Jam 2).
Titan A.E. Disney Fox
Titan A.E. was the last film under Fox Animation Studios before it shuttered. After Disney’s acquisition of Fox, the property falls under the Mouse House’s ownership. Ironically, this is an opportunity, not an impediment. As I wrote recently, Disney is in dire need of new live-action franchises outside of Marvel and Star Wars. They’ve tried and failed, at great expense, to conjure up new hits with the likes of John Carter, Tomorrowland, The Nutcracker and the Four Realms, Tron: Legacy, The Lone Ranger, A Wrinkle in Time, Prince of Persia, Oz The Great and Powerful, and The Sorcerer’s Apprentice over the last 15 years (which is why Jungle Cruise is so important).
Instead of de-emphasizing the 20th Century banner, Disney should greenlight a PG-13 live-action remake of Titan A.E. under the studio. Fox was known for its successful adult-skewing franchises such as Kingsman, Deadpool and Alien while Disney is betting big on James Cameron’s Avatar series still being a draw for 20th Century. Titan A.E. can exist at the intersection of these tones and styles, maintaining commercial appeal and a slight edge that doesn’t fit with Disney’s family friendly mandate. It’s not as if Bob Chapek and company are going to stop trying to develop much-needed new live-action franchises, so the creatives might as well tap into a dose of experimentation.
Titan A.E. is a better movie than it’s initial reception gave it credit for. But it isn’t some paragon of pop culture that is immune to tweaks and improvements. We’d rather see an updated live-action crack at this high-upside concept and overlooked pedigree than 2 Taxi 2 Driver.

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