Best movies on Disney Plus UK to watch right now

As Hugh Jackman bursts back onto screens as one of Marvel's most popular mutants in Deadpool & Wolverine, now could be the perfect opportunity to revisit his most recent turn as the character in 2017's Logan.

Deftly directed by James Mangold, the film proves to be a markedly different take on the X-Men franchise, giving Jackman and Patrick Stewart the chance to flex their acting chops in a way they never have before. A darker, more existential film than most, it finds Wolverine at his lowest ebb, following a cataclysmic event which paves the way towards a tragic, heartfelt end.

It also features impressive an impressive turn from a young Dafne Keen, while Stephen Merchant also proves himself a more than capable dramatic actor in his role as Caliban.

If you're looking for the very best of the X-Men franchise, you may just find it here.

James Hibbs

Fans of Ridley Scott's 2015 film The Martian are in luck, with a choice of where they want to stream it - not only is it available on Disney Plus, but it's also currently available on Netflix.

It's actually part of Disney's back catalogue since the company's merger with 20th Century Fox, but it's easy to see why this would be a popular acquisition for streamers – it's a real blockbuster film which also has critical and awards pedigree, and features some of the biggest stars around in its cast.

The film follows Matt Damon's astronaut Mark, who is unintentionally left behind on Mars by his crew. As they attempt to get back to the red planet and save him, he must learn to survive on his own.

The Martian works on so many levels – it's a pulse-pounding thriller at times, a hilarious comedy at others, a fascinating celebration of science at others, and a really heartfelt treatise on humanity and our will to survive throughout.

James Hibbs

One of the most innovative romcoms in recent times, (500) Days of Summer has had something of a re-appraisal in recent years, largely due to the behaviour of Joseph Gordon-Levitt's protagonist Tom. In truth though, this change of perception should never have been needed – the film itself is well aware that he is, very often, in the wrong.

It's one of the best things about (500) Days of Summer, which has a nuanced perspective on relationships, love and what we might think we are 'owed'. It's also hysterically funny, very well observed and terrifically well-structured for a film which is purposefully out of sync.

Sure, it might lean dangerously near being schmaltzy at times, but the performances from Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel are top notch, the soundtrack is terrific and it's perfectly paced for a romcom, clocking in at a breezy hour and a half.

James Hibbs

Deadpool & Wolverine is set to bring Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman’s fan-favourite mutant characters hurtling into the MCU, but for now why not go back to Reynolds’ first (we don’t talk about X-Men: Origins) bow as the Merc with a Mouth.

Greenlit thanks to the leaking of test footage, the first Deadpool felt like a scrappy outlier when it first debuted, an R-rated Superhero film at a time when they had become vanishingly rare. With Reynolds at his most magnetic in the role, and a simple storyline which allowed for improvisation a-plenty, the film was small-scale, refreshing and above all, fun.

It won’t be to everyone’s tastes, and the fourth-wall breaking can become grating, but there’s no denying that the casting of Reynolds in this role was an absolute slam dunk from the moment he appears on screen.

James Hibbs

This epic romantic disaster film remains the fourth-highest grossing movie of all time, even almost 30 years on, proving just what a behemoth it was on first release. It still holds up today, telling a love story for the ages in the tale of Jack and Rose, while also featuring stunning action and visual effects for its age.

James Cameron’s direction is exceptional, bringing to bare all of the skills he had learned through his career up to this point. But the real reason Titanic works as well as it does is because the emotion works, and unless you have a heart of stone, chances are you will be floored come the film’s end.

James Hibbs

The Alien franchise has been a somewhat bumpy one, with some fantastic instalments mixed in with substantially lesser ones. However, with a new film, Alien: Romulus, on the way, now could be the perfect time to return to Ridley Scott’s original horror/sci-fi masterpiece.

A textbook example of how effective slow-build horror can be, the film introduces us to the crew of the claustrophobic Nostromo before focusing in on Sigourney Weaver’s iconic protagonist Ripley. Featuring one of the most influential alien designs, and one of the most influential sequences in the horror genre in the chest-burster, it’s a clear example of a horror movie which has remained truly frightening over time, and a sci-fi which stands up in spite of technological advancements.

The full list of Alien movies available to stream now includes:

• Alien (1979)
• Aliens (1986)
• Alien 3 (1992)
• Alien Resurrection (1997)
• Alien vs Predator (2004)
• Alien vs Predator: Requiem (2007)
• Prometheus (2012)
• Alien: Covenant (2017)

Disney Plus has become something of a home for The Beatles in recent years – thanks in large part to the release of Peter Jackson’s superb three-part documentary Get Back at the tail end of 2021. Well, now there’s more cause for fans of the Fab Four to celebrate, thanks to a newly restored version of the 1970 film from which the footage for that aforementioned docuseries was drawn.

Let It Be follows the band as they rehearse and record tracks for the titular album, which would become their last. Meanwhile, it also includes footage of the legendary rooftop concert and offers more fascinating insights into the creative process of Paul, John, George and Ringo as they reached the end of their collaboration – and sometimes the end of their patience with each other. Originally directed by Michael Lindsay-Hogg, Jackson was instrumental in restoring the footage and ensuring that it can now be seen by a wide audience.

Patrick Cremona

With the Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes now playing in UK cinema, Disney Plus has the full collection of previous Planet of the Apes movies available to stream – and for our money Dawn is the cream of the crop. Directed by The Batman’s Matt Reeves and co-starring Jason Clarke and Gary Oldman, this middle chapter in the recent prequel trilogy features a storming motion-capture performance from Andy Serkis, whose Caesar solidifies himself as one of the most complex and well-drawn blockbuster heroes of the 2010s.

The story is a succinct yet impactful tale of revenge and tribalism, which is excellently followed up on in sequel War for the Planet of the Apes. As per usual the apes are the stars of the show, and the CGI in this one is truly breathtaking – you can watch every emotions cross the apes faces in a matter of seconds. It’s startling achievement which makes the film a visual treat.

Plus it has chimps on horseback with guns – what more could you ask for?

The full list of Apes movies available to stream now includes:

• Planet of the Apes (1968)
• Beneath the Planet of the Apes (1970)
• Escape from the Planet of the Apes (1971)
• Conquest of the Planet of the Apes (1972)
• Battle for the Planet of the Apes (1973)
• Planet of the Apes (2001)
• Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011)
• Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014)
• War for the Planet of the Apes (2017)

A major contender at the 2024 BAFTAs and notably snubbed at the Oscars, All of Us Strangers entranced both critics and viewers alike when it first debuted. Ultimately a meditation on grief and loneliness, don’t be going into it without expecting to shed a tear of two (or, you know, a bucket).

Paul Mescal, Claire Foy and Jamie Bell all give outstanding supporting performances, but really this is a showcase for Andrew Scott, and he does not disappoint. The film follows his character Adam as he begins a new romance with a man he meets in his apartment block, Harry, while he also delves into a project writing about his parents that he lost at a young age. When he revisits his old family home, he finds them both there waiting for him, as he is repeatedly able to communicate with them just as they were, filling them in on his life thus far.

It’s a heady concept and one which might not completely come together for everyone – a final twist may be a step too far for some. However, as a moving and poetic visual experience, there are few others that have come close to matching it in recent times.

James Hibbs

Yorgos Lanthimos’s superb adaptation of Alasdair Gray’s novel was one of the most successful films at the 2024 Academy Awards, with Emma Stone’s second Best Actress win one of four Oscars the film picked up on the night – behind only the dominant Oppenheimer.

The surreal film sees Stone take on the role of a lifetime as Bella Baxter, a woman brought back from the dead in an experiment by eccentric Scottish scientist Godwin Baxter. As she learns to make use of her new brain, she embarks on an unconventional voyage of self-discovery that brings her into contact with a number of odious men, including Mark Ruffalo’s caddish lawyer Duncan Wedderburn.

There are laughs aplenty to be had in Bella’s madcap adventure, but despite its offbeat and often uproarious tone the film also engages with serious themes. Plus the exceptional, Oscar-winning production design and costuming ensures watching the film is a whimsical and delightful experience.

Patrick Cremona

Remaking a classic is always a slightly risky task, but if there’s one person you’d trust to do it, it would probably be Steven Spielberg. And even if his Oscar-nominated reimagining of the iconic musical West Side Story doesn’t quite top the original, it certainly gets very close – a stunningly entertaining spectacle complete with some of the best choreography of the 21st century.

As ever, the film tells the Romeo & Juliet-inspired tale of Tony and Maria – star-crossed lovers with links to rival New York gangs – and it’s a testament to the movie’s strength that you feel every bit of the tragedy even if you know exactly what’s coming. Rachel Zegler makes for an excellent Maria, but it’s arguably two of the film’s supporting cast members who most excel: Mike Faist as Riff and Ariana DeBose as Anita, with the latter’s performance in the standout musical number America particularly noteworthy.

Patrick Cremona

Brie Larson, Teyonah Parris and Iman Vellani return as their respective characters from the MCU in this team-up film, which first released in cinemas last year.

Also featuring Samuel L Jackson, back as Nick Fury, and Zawe Ashton as a brand-new villain, it’s a terrific cast that has been assembled here, and Nia DaCosta’s film is at its best in their dynamics, when they are playing off one another.

It may not have been the film to bring Marvel back into favour, or a slam dunk with fans, but if you’re looking for a quick burst of action, sci-fi adventure, with some fun MCU references to boot, then it’s worth checking out.

James Hibbs

Last year’s The Creator, an original sci-fi film from Rogue One director Gareth Edwards, proved somewhat divisive critically and with audiences, but there’s one thing which seemed to unite most viewers – it was a staggering visual achievement on the budget it was assigned.

Costing reportedly just $80 million dollars, it put plenty of films with budgets three times the size to shame, while also featuring some strong performances from leads John David Washington, Gemma Chan and Ken Watanabe.

It also saw an incredible breakout performance from young star Madeleine Yuna Voyles, and examined some timely themes around the development of artificial intelligence, the brutality of war and military overreach. It may not be your favourite film of the year, but it’s well worth your time, if only to champion original mid-budget filmmaking.

James Hibbs

The most recent and final Indiana Jones film may not have been met with the same acclaim as the original trilogy – in fact, some fans didn’t take to it at all.

However, for most, it was seen as an improvement on the previous outing, Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, and a fitting post-script and farewell to Harrison Ford’s adventurer. The film features some thrilling flashbacks to Indy’s younger days, while also featuring a strong supporting cast including Mads Mikkelsen, Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Boyd Holbrook.

In reality though, it’s truly all about Ford, and the weight the film affords the character in his advanced age, with Indy emotionally coming to terms with his ageing body and life-regrets. Meanwhile, The rest of the Indiana Jones film series is also available on Disney Plus.

James Hibbs

Awkwafina and Sandra Oh prove a match made in comedy heaven in this sweet romp from director Jessica Yu. Anxious accountant Anne (Awkwafina) is reunited with her scatty older sister Jenny (Oh) after their gambling addict mother absconds from a nursing home. When Jenny sneakily films Anne excelling at answering questions that come up on her favourite TV quiz show, the video goes viral and Anne is offered the chance to appear on the show alongside her quiz-master idol (a genial Will Ferrell).

The film is sharply scripted by Jen D’Angelo, who deftly balances the heart and humour of the story, and fleshes out the sisters’ relationship well.

Emma Simmonds

Kenneth Branagh has now directed three Poirot films, all with himself in the central role, and this third is perhaps the best of the bunch. By straying far from the original source material, Agatha Christie’s novel Hallowe’en Party, Branagh creates something which is daring, surprising and tonally different from anything which has come before.

Taking on elements of the horror genre, the film sees Poirot investigating a murder at a seance in Venice, with many of the guests believing the death to have been caused by the supernatural. Once again, Branagh has assembled an impressive cast, with Tina Fey, Michelle Yeoh and Jamie Dornan all bringing their A game.

James Hibbs

Making a big splash in Disney’s centenary year, The Little Mermaid is one of the studio’s more successful live-action makeovers of their animated back catalogue. Adapted from Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale, it’s the story of mermaid Ariel (Halle Bailey), who makes a pact with sea witch Ursula (Melissa McCarthy) become human so she can win the heart of Prince Eric (Jonah Hauer-King).

The film is surprisingly faithful to the original 1989 classic, and the musical routines to Under the Sea and Kiss the Girl are eye-poppingly staged. Bailey radiates charisma in the lead and Daveed Diggs and Awkwafina provide comedy gold as the voices of crabby crustacean Sebastian and dimwitted gannet Scuttle.

Dave Golder

Marvel’s quirky space-rangers get a last hurrah in this enjoyable intergalactic adventure. After suffering an attack from the gold-skinned Adam Warlock (Will Poulter), Star-Lord (Chris Pratt) seeks help for a stricken crew member, bringing the team into the orbit of a mad scientist. Director James Gunn doesn’t miss a beat when it comes to filling the screen with weird aliens or the soundtrack with rock classics, but he also over-eggs the sentiment with animals and kids in peril. Nonetheless, this is unabashed fun, and wraps up the Guardians’ saga with a satisfying flourish.

James Mottram

To mark the centenary of the Walt Disney Animation Studios, Disney Plus continues to restore classic shorts. They include some genuine landmarks: Barnyard Olympics is an inventive tie-in with the 1932 Los Angeles Olympics, as Mickey takes on all comers in all sports. Meanwhile, Donald’s Nephews, from 1938, features the first appearance of Huey, Dewey and Louie, who became Disney mainstays through to Duck Tales and beyond. One year later came Goofy and Wilbur, the former’s first solo film as he goes fishing with his pet grasshopper.

Look out, too, for The Flying Jalopy, Donald’s Cousin Gus and Mickey’s Steam Roller.

Gabriel Tate

Those clamouring for a return to the moon world of Pandora are well served by James Cameron’s visually stunning sequel to his own 2009 sci-fi blockbuster. Set years after the events of Avatar, the film picks up with chieftain Jake (Sam Worthington) and Neytiri (Zoe Saldaña) as they raise their young family. When humans return, determined to claim the moon for mankind, Jake and his clan flee to the sanctuary of an ocean tribe, where they prepare for all-out war.

The film is a non-stop feast for the eyes, and while the story occasionally meanders, the world of Pandora remains a treat.

Josh Winning

The story of how a janitor brought spice to the snack world is recounted in this film from actor-turned-director Eva Longoria (Desperate Housewives). Jesse Garcia plays Richard Montañez, the Mexican-American businessman who claims to have invented Flamin’ Hot Cheetos. Encouraged by his wife Judy (Annie Gonzalez), Montañez leaves behind a criminal life when he secures a bottom-rung job at Frito-Lay in California. After impressing one of the factory’s engineers with his aptitude and ambition, he reaches out to the company’s CEO (Tony Shalhoub) with his revolutionary idea.

Garcia gives a heartfelt performance, and Longoria paints a passionate picture of cultural pride that features plenty of Latino flavour.

Emma Simmonds

Paul Rudd returns as the Avengers’ insect-sized superhero in his third — and best — solo outing. Rudd’s Scott Lang is pinged into the subatomic “Quantum Realm” along with his techie daughter (Kathryn Newton), his crime-fighting partner the Wasp (Evangeline Lilly), and her scientist parents (Michael Douglas and Michelle Pfeiffer). What follows is a rollicking Star Wars-inspired adventure with all manner of freaky aliens and psychedelic visuals. This is tremendous fun, and a great way to kick off the next phase of Marvel’s ever-more-epic cinematic saga.

James Mottram

This sparky British comedy follows two 20-something strangers as they spend a day together on the streets of south London. Yas (Vivian Oparah) is a garrulous, wannabe costumer designer, while Dom (David Jonsson) is an awkward accountant who’s still not over his ex. After they randomly meet in a unisex toilet, the pair bond over their respective romantic disasters, and Yas comes to Dom’s rescue when she accompanies him to a meet-up with his ex-girlfriend (Karene Peter) and her new partner (Benjamin Sarpong-Broni).

What follows is a rollercoaster of confession and emotion, interspersed with mischievous high-jinks, and lovable, star-making turns from Oparah and Jonsson.

Emma Simmonds