Jump to:

Disney+ is a behemoth of a streaming service. Its collection is so wide-ranging, you need a map and a tour guide to navigate through the best it has to offer. Especially now that there's a deal running for new and eligible returning customers where you can get three months of its 'standard with ads' tier for just £1.99 a month (£4.99 thereafter).

There are hundreds of films, thousands of episodes and more Disney+ originals than you'll know what to do with, from Loki (such an epic season-two finale) and The Mandalorian through to Only Murders in the Building.

We've done a deep dive into the best Disney+ content, and comprised a gold-standard watch list.

Sign up for Disney+

Alongside the expected Disney classics and MCU favourites, we've slipped a few surprises into this curated list.

Our top-tier list includes offerings from Star and National Geographic. That means tons of drama, loads of comedy and then, for a change of pace, Narco Wars to fascinate and surprise you.

More on that below — and if you're not feeling too Disney-ed out after that, browse our guide to the very best Disney animated classics on DVD and Blu-ray ahead of Mother's Day and Father's Day.

But we digress. This collection of watches really is the best of the best, so let's crack on. And just in case it's what you're looking for, we've also got everything you need to know about how to get Disney Plus for free too.

SIGN UP FOR DISNEY+

Marvel and the MCU on Disney+

the avengers in avengers assemble
Marvel Studios

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 easy either and, sadly, some cracking shows/movies didn't make our cut. 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 Infinity saga (Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame)
Spider-Man: Homecoming
Black Panther

MCU Phase Four, including…

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
The sequel to Black Panther does a fantastic job of paying tribute to the late king of Wakanda, T'Challa, and 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, but can it be possible without the heart-shaped herb?
Thor: Love and Thunder
Spider-Man: No Way Home

MCU Phase Five including…
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3
The Marvels

Best MCU TV shows on Disney+

farewell   marvel's agents of shield
ABC

Agent Carter
Daredevil
Jessica Jones
Marvel's Agents of SHIELD
Remember when 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!
Ms Marvel
Creator Bisha K Ali has done something exceptional 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 older. As ever, danger is lurking. It's a rich, cultural expression of Pakistani heritage that meets cosmic wonder.
WandaVision
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 couldn't last. A much darker force is lurking behind the scenes.
Loki
Hawkeye

Star Wars on Disney+

rosario dawson as ahsako tano
Disney+

If Star Wars is more your speed, 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, thanks to our definitive Star Wars timeline.

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 to keep it interesting).

SHOP NOW 12-month Disney+ UK subscription

pedro pascal, the mandalorian, nick nolte, kuiil
Disney

• The Mandalorian
Bad Batch
Clone Wars
The Force Awakens From Its Nap
• Andor
• 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+

aladdin
Disney

What is Disney without the backbone of its classics? Nothing!

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

mirabel madrigal, bruno madrigal, encanto
Disney

Naturally, we must make room for the new generation of Disney movies, if only so 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 like the Encanto exclusive 4K Steelbook.
Strange World
• Brother Bear
Moana
Tangled
Frozen and Frozen 2
Wreck-It Ralph
Zootropolis

Pixar on Disney+

Pixar Coco
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 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.

Elemental
We challenge you not to find the unlikely romance between fire element Ember and water element Wade utterly endearing.
• 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. The two must find common ground before the change is permanent. It's that perfect blend of touching yet comical.
Cars
Inside Out
Finding Nemo (and sequel Finding Dory)
Luca
• Toy Story collection
Turning Red
• Up
Coco

Disney live-action movies on Disney+

liu yifei as mulan, mulan on horseback
Jasin Boland//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:

The Little Mermaid
Halle Bailey stole our hearts just as Ursula (Melissa McCarthy) stole her voice as the plucky, spirited Ariel. It's the same loveable classic complete with familiar songs as well as new hits. So good, some have even been as bold as to call it the best live-action remake.
• Cinderella
Cruella
Mary Poppins Returns
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+

kwaku mills, extraordinary season 2
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 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:

• Vigilante
• Black Cake
Buffy the Vampire Slayer (and Angel if you want to punish yourself for the sake of consuming the entire Buffy-verse)
• Artful Dodger
Extraordinary
Imagine a world where everyone gets superpowers at the age of 18. Literally everyone. Well, except one person. No need to imagine. Disney+'s comedy 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.
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.
• The Bear
Tengoku Daimakyo
If you want to delve into the anime side of things, Tengoku Daimakyo is the ideal choice. Giving The Last of Us energy, Tengoku Daimakyo sees grotesque monsters lurking amongst the survivors in a decimated Japan. Now it's down to our faithful protagonist Kiruko to the young Maru to a place called Heaven.
Tiny Beautiful Things
Marvel's Kathryn Hahn sheds her Agatha Harkness skin and embodies the role of the desperate Clare, whose marriage is steering towards the end, whose relationship with her teenage daughter is frayed and whose career has become stagnant. That is, until the universe sees fit to plonk the role of advice columnist in her lap. She may not feel qualified, but what if her chaotic life means she is exactly right for the job?
Tokyo Revengers

National Geographic on Disney+

y the last man
FX/Hulu

The National Geographic collection is ideal for those situations where you're looking for a perfect blend of entertainment and education.

The 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:

A Small Light
A Small Light
is the extraordinary story of Miep and Jan Gies – two ordinary people who went to extremely dangerous lengths to help protect vulnerable Jews during the Nazi occupation of World War II, including Anne Frank and their family. A Small Light follows their journey intimately, making their experience as close to relatable as possible. Gangs of London and Peaky Blinders' Joe Cole stars as Jan Gies, with Bel Powley cast as Miep. Liev Schreiber also plays Otto Frank. If you don't cry by the end, you have no heart.

• Africa's Deadliest
Big Sur Wild California
• Bu
ried Secrets of WWII
Challenger Disaster Lost Tapes
Fauci
Growing up Wild
Hostile Planet
Narco Wars

Movies on Disney+

anya taylorjoy, nicholas hoult the menu
Searchlight Pictures

There's not enough room to shout about all the categories Disney+ offers, 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'll want to indulge in.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Sarah Michelle Gellar may have killed it as Sunnydale's badass slayer – but she's not the original chosen one.
Alien (collection)
Avatar (Avatar: The Way of Water)
• Joy
• The Client
• Sister Act (1 and 2)
• The Hate You Give
• Starship Troopers
• The Fly
The Menu

New on Disney+

Maeve in Shogun World in Westworld 2x05
HBO

The latest crop of Disney+ content is pretty intriguing. The Flash star Violett Beane's Death and Other Stories is there to feed anyone with an appetite for murder mysteries, while those who fell in love with Amy Schumer's Life and Beth can now indulge in the second series.

However, if you really want to know what's got us glued to the telly box, keep reading:

Shōgun

shogun official trailer
FX

When English sailor John Blackthorne ends up shipwrecked in Japan, he finds himself in the middle of an epic battle between two powerful warlords, both fighting for the title of Shōgun: supreme military ruler of all Japan.

Iwájú

iwaju
Disney

Set in the futuristic city of Lagos, Nigeria, Iwájú is the warming coming-of-age story of Tola, a young girl from a wealthy island and Kole, her best friend. Together they discover the secrets and dangers hidden in their different worlds.

We Live Here: The Midwest

The documentary explores the experiences of LGBTQI+ families who battle discriminatory laws and rising hostility as they fight to build lives in their communities.

To get your hands on a Disney+ subscription, sign up here.

Sign Up for Disney+
Sign Up for Disney+
Shop at Disney+
Disney Classics Complete Collection
Disney Classics Complete Collection
Raya and the Last Dragon
Raya and the Last Dragon
Frozen 2
Frozen 2
Now 56% Off
Mulan (2020)
Mulan (2020)
The Lion King double pack boxset
The Lion King double pack boxset
Now 17% Off
Maleficent: Mistress of Evil
Maleficent: Mistress of Evil
Aladdin (2019)
Aladdin (2019)
Mary Poppins Returns
Mary Poppins Returns
Moana
Moana
Credit: Disney
Disney Princess Complete Collection Box set [DVD] [2019]
Disney Princess Complete Collection Box set [DVD] [2019]
Headshot of Janet A Leigh
Janet A Leigh

TV writer, Digital Spy Janet completed her Masters degree in Magazine Journalism in 2013 and has continued to grow professionally within the industry ever since.  For six years she honed her analytical reviewing skills at the Good Housekeeping institute eventually becoming Acting Head of Food testing.  She also freelanced in the field of film and TV journalism from 2013-2020, when she interviewed A-List stars such as Samuel L Jackson, Colin Firth and Scarlett Johansson. In 2021 she joined Digital Spy as TV writer where she gets to delve into more of what she loves, watching copious amounts of telly all in the name of work. Since taking on the role she has conducted red carpet interviews with the cast of Bridgerton, covered the BAFTAs and been interviewed by BBC Radio and London Live. In her spare time she also moonlights as a published author, the book Gothic Angel.