Disney+ is a behemoth of a streaming service. Its collection is so wide-ranging, you need a map and a tour guide to navigate your way through the best it has to offer.
We're talking 500 films, 15,000 episodes, and 80 Disney+ originals from Obi-Wan Kenobi to the High School Musical: The Musical series.
Well, that's where we step in. We've done a deep dive into the best Disney+ content and comprised a gold-standard watch list.
Alongside the expected Disney classics and MCU favourites, we've slipped a few surprises into this curated list. It really is the best of the best, so let's crack on.
Marvel and the MCU on Disney+
With hundreds of hours of Marvel Cinematic Universe movies and shows to choose from, selecting your binge-fest for the evening is no easy feat.
Trimming down this section wasn't an easy job either, and sadly, some cracking shows/movies had to be dropped — we're talking the X-Men sagas (Logan *sigh*) and Deadpool, as well as some classic vintage animations.
However, this streamlined list is definitely the way to go.
MCU Movies on Disney+
MCU phase one including…
• The Avengers
• Captain America: The First Avenger
• Iron Man
MCU phase two including…
• Ant-Man
• Captain America: The Winter Soldier
• Guardians of the Galaxy
MCU phase three including…
• Avengers: Endgame
• Avengers: Infinity War
• Black Panther
MCU phase four featuring…
• Black Widow
• Thor: Love and Thunder
• Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
MCU TV shows on Disney+
• Agent Carter
• Daredevil
• Hawkeye
• Jessica Jones
• Loki
• Marvel's Agents of SHIELD
You remember that time Agent Coulson was stabbed in the heart by Loki's sceptre? Well, he survived. For six charming seasons, the SHIELD-agent-turned-director went on to lead a group of other misfit agents against the everyday and supernatural horrors of the world. There may be some debate over its canon status, but no-one can question its quality. Top notch!
• Marvel Studios Assembled
• Ms Marvel
Creator Bisha K Ali has done something truly special with this Marvel show. Ms Marvel follows the coming-of-age origin story of Pakistani American newbie superhero Kamala Khan. Her powers may be new to her, but they are rooted in something much, much older. As ever, danger is lurking. It is a rich, cultural expression of Pakistani heritage meets cosmic wonder.
Wanda goes from hero to sort-of villain after the death of Vision causes her to unintentionally take the town of Westview hostage in a bizarre sitcom reality. Her chaos magic allows her to re-create a version of Vision so that she can live out the family life they'd always intended. Naturally, this could not last. A much darker force is lurking behind the scenes.
• What If?
• Moon Knight
Star Wars on Disney+
If Star Wars is more your speed, then buckle up, because we're taking you on a ride to a galaxy far, far away through the power of your streaming service. You'll find the Skywalker Saga and the all-new Disney+ original TV shows in the Star Wars universe like The Mandalorian, The Book of Boba Fett, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Andor right here.
Of course, that age-old argument still exists: 'In what order should you watch the Star Wars franchise?' If that's your dilemma, stop right now – we have the answer right here.
However, if you're familiar with all things Star Wars and just need a bit of a refresher on where to direct your attention, then you can't go wrong with this fresh mix of old and new (with a little Simpsons mash-up just to keep it interesting).
SHOP NOW 12-month Disney+ UK subscription
• The Mandalorian
• Bad Batch
• Clone Wars
• The Force Awakens from Its Nap
• Obi-Wan Kenobi
It debuted in May 2022, and it finally does justice to a legendary Star Wars character. The official synopsis explains what you can expect: "The story begins 10 years after the dramatic events of Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith where Obi-Wan Kenobi faced his greatest defeat — the downfall and corruption of his best friend and Jedi apprentice, Anakin Skywalker, who turned to the dark side as evil Sith Lord Darth Vader."
• Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope
• Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back
• Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi
• Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens
• Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
• Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi
Disney Classics on Disney+
What is Disney without the backbone of its classics? Nothing, quite frankly.
We may have axed Snow White from the top 10 pecking order, and fans won't be flying off to Neverland by a handful of pixie dust with their pal Peter Pan, but it's still a pretty enticing selection.
• Aladdin
• Beauty and the Beast
• Cinderella
• Dumbo
• The Lion King
• The Little Mermaid
• Mulan
All Mulan has ever wanted is to make her family proud, but an unsuccessful meeting with the town matchmaker puts a gaping hole in that plan. So when her ageing, injured father is drafted into war, Mulan takes his place in a desperate attempt to keep him safe while proving her worth. It quickly becomes clear Mulan doesn't know the first thing about being a man. Good thing she has her dragon Mushu and a lucky cricket to help her charm the squad and ward off a Hun invasion.
• Pinocchio
• The Princess and the Frog
• Sleeping Beauty
Disney new era classics
Naturally, we must make room for the new generation of Disney movies, if only so that we can shuck and jive to Encanto's soundtrack. We know you're jonesing for another round of 'We Don't Talk About Bruno', and we don't judge you for that.
• Big Hero 6
• Encanto
If you weren't charmed by the family Madrigal, then it's your name we won't be mentioning. Born ordinary into a family of special, magical people, Mirabel struggles with feelings of inadequacy and sets out to prove her worth by saving the family's magic. This new-age Disney classic comes complete with kickass, earworm-y songs. It's so good, there's even cool merch.
• Moana
• Tangled
• Frozen and Frozen 2
• Wreck-It Ralph
• Zootropolis
Pixar on Disney+
Pixar has come a long way since it released its first feature film Toy Story in 1995. Over two decades and three more talking-toy films later, its collection is heaving with some top-quality family content (and a few duds).
We've put together an eclectic mix of fun Pixar movies for the best family-friendly viewing experience.
• Brave
Merida is desperate to carve out a future of her own, one that doesn't marry up with the traditional hopes and dreams of her mother. In her defiance, she seeks out the help of a witch, who grants her a wish that inadvertently dooms her mother by changing her into a bear. Now, the two must find common ground before the change is rendered permanent. It's that perfect blend of touching yet comical.
• Cars
• Coco
• Inside Out
• Finding Nemo (and sequel Finding Dory)
• Luca
• Toy Story collection
• Turning Red
• Up
• Wall.E
Disney live-action movies on Disney+
Do you remember when Disney got very enthusiastic about reimagining the classics as live-action films? Some were undeniably great (Cinderella, Maleficent), whereas others divided audiences.
Find out which of the classics survived the remake process unscathed to make our top picks right here:
• Cinderella
• Cruella
• Dumbo
• The Jungle Book
• The Lion King
• Maleficent and Maleficent: Mistress of Evil
• Mulan
Mulan sets out to bring honour to her family, but this time without the aid of her talking dragon Mushu and with a whole lot of magic. Liu Yifei does a great job as the fearless young woman striving to be the greatest warrior China has ever seen.
STAR on Disney+
STAR's vast range of film and TV content comes from Disney's creative studios, which include Disney Television Studios, FX, and 20th Century Studios. This means lots of content that you wouldn't usually associate with the Disney brand.
Here you can find oldies like Scrubs and How I Met Your Mother, and dependable classics such as The Simpsons and American Dad.
Here's what made our list:
• Atlanta
• American Horror Story
• Black-ish (plus Mixed-ish and Grown-ish)
• Dopesick
• Family Guy
• Grey's Anatomy
Follow Meredith Grey on her hectic, chaotic journey from intern to head of general surgery. The emotional stakes are sky-high in this hospital drama. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll pull an Izzy Stevens weeping on the floor in a prom dress in utter devastation, but then you'll bake, drink, and dance it out. Creator Shonda Rhimes puts fans through the wringer, but it's all worth it.
• How I Met Your Mother
• Welcome to Chippendales
National Geographic on Disney+
Sometimes, a nice fictional palate cleanser is just the thing you need after binging your way through something like Y: The Last Man (also on Disney+). The National Geographic collection is ideal for such situations – a non-fictional treat blending entertainment with education.
The vast range of content explores space, the environment, historical events, and animals. Jurassic Park star Jeff Goldblum also sneaks his way in to talk all things science and history as he "pulls on the thread of a deceptively familiar topic to unravel a world of astonishing connections and fascinating secrets". Intrigued? You should be – it's among our top watches.
Find out what else has made the grade below:
• Africa's Deadliest
• Big Sur Wild California
• Buried Secrets of WWII
• Challenger Disaster Lost Tapes
• Fauci
• Growing up Wild
• Hostile Planet
• Narco Wars
• Race to the Center of the Earth
Movies on Disney+
There's not enough room to shout about all the categories Disney+ has to offer, but that doesn't mean you should miss out on must-watch movies hiding in plain sight.
We've scanned the streaming platform across the board, and here are some key watches you definitely want to indulge in.
• Alien (collection)
• Avatar
• Disenchanted
What happens after Happily Ever After? Well, you're about to find out. It's been 15 years since Giselle (Amy Adams) left her fairytale world of Andalasia to be with her one true love Robert (Patrick Dempsey). It seemed perfect to begin with, but there's something a little off with this forever love. Giselle is craving a change, and so she turns to magic. But her decision has disastrous effects that threaten the lives of her loved ones – and her former home!
However you feel about the sequel, it's here and it must be acknowledged. The follow-up to the classic spooky charmer gives a backstory to the witches we thought we knew. Now, a new group of teens must rid Salem of the Sanderson sisters three before All Hallows Eve comes to an end. It's a… well, you can make your mind up about it.
• The King's Man
• Sister Act
• Speed
• Starship Troopers
• The Fly
• West Side Story
New on Disney+
Disney+ has had some pretty impressive new launches as of late. The Menu and Willow are just a few, but there's still plenty to look forward to in the near future.
No need for Disney magic and a crystal ball to find out what. We'll just tell you:
Extraordinary
Imagine a world where everyone gets superpowers at the age of 18. Literally everyone. Well, except one. No need to imagine. Disney+'s new show shows you exactly what that fresh hell would be like through the plain, very ordinary Jen.
Her mission now is to uncover some latent power within herself. Good luck, Jen – we'll think of you while we're teleporting home from work.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
The sequel to Black Panther does a fantastic job of paying tribute to the late king of Wakanda, T'Challa, as well as the actor who played him, Chadwick Boseman.
Wakanda is still struggling with the loss of its leader and a new enemy bubbles up to the surface, threatening the African country. It's time for a new Black Panther to rise up, but can it be possible without the heart-shaped herb?
To get your hands on a Disney+ subscription, sign up here.
![Disney Princess Complete Collection Box set [DVD] [2019]](https://hips.hearstapps.com/vader-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/1622032939-51jLSXD3BBL._SL500_.jpg?crop=1xw:1xh;center,top&resize=320%3A%2A "Disney Princess Complete Collection Box set [DVD] [2019]")
