There are plenty of films for grown-ups to enjoy on the streamer — and not just from the Marvel and “Star Wars” franchises.

The 27 best Disney+ movies for adults

There are plenty of films for grown-ups to enjoy on the streamer — and not just from the Marvel and "Star Wars" franchises.

By Declan Gallagher

and Ilana Gordon

Ilana Gordon is an entertainment, culture, and comedy writer originally from Connecticut. She currently lives in Los Angeles.

EW's editorial guidelines

on August 12, 2025 07:13AM EDT

Disney World has been called the happiest place on Earth, but visits don't come cheap. Not to worry: You can find just as much dopamine from accessing the films on the conglomerate's streaming platform — all without needing a FastPass.

With content aggregated from Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm, Touchstone Pictures, National Geographic, Searchlight Pictures, and 20th Century Entertainment, Disney+ offers films for people of all ages. EW combed through the endless offerings to find the 27 best Disney+ movies for adults, including a few perfect for the whole family.

10 Things I Hate About You (1999)

Larisa Oleynik as Bianca Stratford, Gabrielle Union as Chastity, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Cameron James in '10 Things I Hate About You'. Everett Collection

One of the very best ‘90s teen high school comedies, this edgy (but not crass) update of Shakespeare’s *The Taming of the Shrew* made Heath Ledger a star and introduced most of us to Julia Stiles. *10 Things I Hate About You* is wonderfully acerbic without sacrificing its genuine emotion. Plus, the soundtrack is ace. (Can we please get a Letters to Cleo reunion tour?) *—Declan Gallagher*

Where to watch *10 Things I Hate About You*: Disney+

**Director:** Gil Junger

**Cast:** Heath Ledger, Julia Stiles, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Larisa Oleynik, Andrew Keegan

20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1954)

Kirk Douglas as Ned Land in '20,000 Leagues Under the Sea'.

Mary Evans/Walt Disney Pictures/Ronald Grant/Everett Collection

This thrilling, old-fashioned epic follows a professor (Peter Lorre) and his assistant (Paul Lukas) who, along with a harpooner (Kirk Douglas), embark upon a death-defying mission to find the elusive Captain Nemo (James Mason). *20,000 Leagues Under the Sea* is a wonderful adventure yarn, with ace performances and some brilliant practical effects for its time. *—D.G.*

Where to watch *20,000 Leagues Under the Sea*: Disney+

**Director:** Richard Fleischer

**Cast:** Kirk Douglas, Peter Lorre, Paul Lukas, James Mason, Carleton Young

Avatar (2009)

Zoe Saldaña as Neytiri and Sam Worthington as Jake Sully in 'Avatar'. Twentieth Century Fox

The influence of James Cameron’s groundbreaking, breathtaking sci-fi odyssey permeates through blockbusters to this day, and not just because we’ll be getting *Avatar* sequels into the next decade. It’s difficult to be cynical about the film even if you want to be; it’s spectacular and reminds you why Cameron is such a celebrated filmmaker. He makes you feel his impact on the scope of cinema in a way no other director can. *—D.G.*

Where to watch *Avatar*: Disney+

**EW grade:** B (read the review)

**Director:** James Cameron

**Cast: **Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña, Sigourney Weaver, Michelle Rodriguez, Stephen Lang

Bend It Like Beckham (2003)

Parminder Nagra as Jess (center left) and Keira Knightley as Jules (center right) in 'Bend It Like Beckham'. Christine Parry/Fox Searchlight

This coming-of-age soccer movie (or, rather, football in England, where it’s set) catapulted Keira Knightley to movie star status, but it’s *Bend It Like Beckham*’s cultural perspective and commentary that truly make it special. The story follows Jess Bhamra (Parminder Nagra), a teen girl obsessed with soccer (and with David Beckham, who gave the film permission to use his name because he wanted to promote girls’ soccer).

Feeling suffocated by her strict Indian parents and their hope that she’ll someday become a homemaker and devoted wife, Jess secretly joins a soccer team and must juggle responsibilities for both her family and her coach (Jonathan Rhys Meyers). The film resonates with anyone who knows the acute angst of pretending, around those they love, to be someone they’re not. The result is director Gurinder Chadha’s supremely watchable sports film about gender, culture, sexuality, diversity, and love — and it’s a touching one to boot. *—Ilana Gordon ***

Where to watch *Bend It Like Beckham*: Disney+**

**EW grade: **(Read the review)**

**Director: **Gurinder Chadha**

**Cast: **Parminder Nagra, Keira Knightley, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Anupam Kher, Juliet Stevenson, Shaznay Lewis, Archie Panjabi**

Black Panther (2018)

Chadwick Boseman as T'Challa in 'Black Panther'. Marvel Studios

Just when superhero media felt like it had said all it could, Ryan Coogler brought the genre vital new energy. *Black Panther* is a proper epic fashioned in a modern way, a historic depiction of Black culture on screen, and a showcase for the talents of its lead actor, the late Chadwick Boseman.

Drawn back to his home nation of Wakanda following his father’s death to assume the king’s throne, T’Challa (a.k.a. Black Panther) becomes the center of otherworldly intrigue as he’s forced to protect his people from the devious Eric Killmonger (Michael B. Jordan). The film is as thoughtful as it is entertaining, a slick and fast-paced essay on the economics of power. *—D.G.*

Where to watch *Black Panther*: Disney+

**EW grade:** A– (read the review)

**Director:** Ryan Coogler

**Cast: **Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Letitia Wright, Angela Bassett, Lupita Nyong’o

Blackbeard’s Ghost (1968)

Peter Ustinov as Captain Blackbeard and Dean Jones as Steve Walker in 'Blackbeard's Ghost'.

Everett Collection

The ghost of Blackbeard (Peter Ustinov), a pirate cursed to wander the earth until he completes one good deed, is reincarnated by a down-on-his-luck track coach (Dean Jones), whom he helps to rescue a waning inn from some hooligans. A peak-era live-action Disney comedy perfect for the entire family, *Blackbeard’s Ghost* also serves as a pristine time capsule. *—D.G.*

Where to watch *Blackbeard’s Ghost*: Disney+

**Director: **Robert Stevenson

**Cast: **Peter Ustinov, Dean Jones, Suzanne Pleshette, Elsa Lanchester

Dan in Real Life (2007)

Steve Carell as Dan Burns in 'Dan in Real Life'.

Buena Vista Pictures/Courtesy Everett

Peter Hedges’ understated dramedy follows widowed columnist Dan (Steve Carell) as he ferries his three daughters to a family gathering, where he falls for the girlfriend (Juliette Binoche) of his brother (Dane Cook, quite good). Things unfurl as you would expect, but Hedges directs with a sure hand. He lets the emotions come about naturally, while Binoche and Carell anchor the film with their unlikely chemistry. *—D.G.*

Where to watch *Dan in Real Life*: Disney+

**EW grade:** A (read the review)

**Director: **Peter Hedges

**Cast: **Steve Carell, Juliette Binoche, Dane Cook, Emily Blunt, Dianne Wiest

Deadpool (2016)

Ryan Reynolds as Wade Wilson/Deadpool in 'Deadpool'. 20th Century Fox Film/Everett Collection

Tim Miller’s gory and juvenile (in the best possible way) superhero homage-cum-parody follows mercenary Wade Wilson (Ryan Reynolds), who is transformed into wisecracking avenger Deadpool by a mad scientist. *Deadpool* is breezy and fun, the two qualities you want most in a comic book movie, but is most notable for being Reynolds' crowning achievement as a bona fide movie star. *—D.G.*

Where to watch *Deadpool*: Disney+

**EW grade:** B (read the review)

**Director: **Tim Miller

**Cast:** Ryan Reynolds, Morena Baccarin, Ed Skrein, T.J. Miller, Gina Carano

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The Devil Wears Prada (2006)

Anne Hathaway as Andrea Sachs in 'The Devil Wears Prada'.

Barry Wetcher/Fox

Meryl Streep may not have won an Oscar for her role as Miranda Priestly in *The Devil Wears Prada* (though she was nominated!), but the film does bear the distinction of being one of her most quotable works. An adaptation of the 2003 novel by the same name, the movie tells the story of Andy Sachs (Anne Hathaway), an aspiring writer who accepts a job working for the demanding editor in chief (Streep) at one of the most distinguished fashion magazines in New York City. What follows is a headlong descent into the fashion world, complete with wild assignments, eccentric characters, and glorious outfits.

Hathaway is charming as the fish out of water who gets the fashion education she never knew she wanted or needed, but the movie belongs to Streep and her clipped, precise performance. And now, after a 20-year hiatus, a sequel is in production and will follow the core cast as they navigate the shifting journalism landscape. *—I.G.*

Where to watch *The Devil Wears Prada*: Disney+

**EW grade: **(Read the review)

**Director:** David Frankel

**Cast: **Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt, Stanley Tucci, Simon Baker, Adrian Grenier

Free Guy (2021)

Ryan Reynolds as Guy in 'Free Guy'. Alan Markfield/20th Century Studios

Ryan Reynolds stars as the titular Guy, an NPC (non-player character) in a *Grand Theft Auto*-style video game who suddenly finds himself with a sense of autonomy and purpose. The movie is riotously entertaining, with some clever action sequences and sweet turns from Jodie Comer and Joe Keery, but it also has something to say about a culture of men finding meaning/acceptance through committing violence. (If that sounds terribly heady, it’s not.) *—D.G.*

Where to watch *Free Guy*: Disney+

**EW grade:** B (read the review)

**Director:** Shawn Levy

**Cast:** Ryan Reynolds, Jodie Comer, Joe Keery, Lil Rel Howery, Taika Waititi

Iron Man (2008)

Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark in 'Iron Man'. Everett Collection

Robert Downey Jr. reinvigorated his career, and proved the superhero genre had staying power, with this breezy introduction to the MCU. While Marvel movies have become increasingly weighed down with backstory, both comprehensible and not, *Iron Man* plays like a breath of fresh air. Watching it in 2025, you might forget how thrilling the story of billionaire inventor Tony Stark, who survives a kidnapping and goes on to construct himself the suit of the title, was for its time. *—D.G.*

Where to watch *Iron Man*: Disney+

**EW grade:** B+ (read the review)

**Director: **Jon Favreau

**Cast:** Robert Downey Jr., Jeff Bridges, Gwyneth Paltrow, Terrence Howard, Jon Favreau

Free Solo (2018)

Alex Honnold in 'Free Solo'. Jimmy Chin/National Geographic

This stomach-dropping doc, chronicling Alex Honnold's efforts to make the first free solo (that is, no ropes) climb up the vertical face of Yosemite National Park’s El Capitan, is one of the most breathless action movies ever made. It’s also something of a cringe procedural, if that’s a thing. Continuously you’ll wonder of Honnold’s efforts, "Is he *really* going to do that?" or "Certainly he doesn’t have the gall to do that!" Inevitably, though, he does, and even though you know how it all turns out, *Free Solo* is utterly tense and unpredictable in the best sense. *—D.G.*

Where to watch *Free Solo*: Disney+

**EW grade:** A– (read the review)

**Directors:** Jimmy Chin, Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi

**Cast:** Alex Honnold

Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)

Zoe Saldaña as Gamora in 'Guardians of the Galaxy'.

Jay Maidment/Marvel

*Guardians of the Galaxy* serves as Marvel’s origin story for the rag-tag group of titular outlaws, who start off as strangers and end up as collaborators on the run after Peter Quill (Chris Pratt) steals an Orb. Featuring an ensemble cast portrayed by a mix of live-action actors and CGI characters, the movie deserved the two Oscar nominations it received for Best Makeup and Hairstyle, and Best Visual Effects. James Gunn directs, and the movie represents a tonal shift for Marvel, allowing the MCU to veer into zanier, more self-referential territory. *—I.G.*

Where to watch *Guardians of the Galaxy*: Disney+

**EW grade:** A– (read the review)

**Director:** James Gunn

**Cast: **Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldaña, Dave Bautista, Vin Diesel, Bradley Cooper, Lee Pace, Michael Rooker, Karen Gillan, Djimon Hounsou, John C. Reilly, Glenn Close, Benicio Del Toro

Jane (2017)

Jane Goodall in 'Jane'. CBS via Getty Images

This lovely documentary from Brett Morgen (*Moonage Daydream*) chronicles primatologist, ethologist, and anthropologist Jane Goodall’s groundbreaking research with chimpanzees. *Jane* eschews the trappings of similar documentaries and presents a rounded view of Goodall. It’s a celebration of her estimable work, but it doesn’t hold back in detailing the sacrifices she made to do that job. *—D.G.*

Where to watch *Jane*: Disney+

**Director:** Brett Morgen

**Cast:** Jane Goodall

Logan (2017)

Patrick Stewart as Charles Xavier and Hugh Jackman as Logan in 'Logan'. Everett Collection

This is “one helluva movie,” as your grandma might say. Logan, a.k.a. Wolverine (Hugh Jackman), has retired to the Mexican border with a grievously ill Doctor Xavier (Patrick Stewart) but finds he must summon one last fight when a ruthless scientist (Richard E. Grant) comes after a young girl (Dafne Keen) who has powers much like Logan’s. James Mangold, who also directed 2013's *The Wolverine*, keeps a tight rein on this nail-biter by making his heroes human and not impenetrable to the ravages of time.

Anyone who says, after seeing his *Indiana Jones *fivequel, that Mangold can’t direct action should look here. He brings an admirably ruthless aesthetic to this dusty, gory revisionist western. The biggest surprise, however, is the emotional wallop it packs. Though it’s always nice to see Jackman as Wolverine, his continued appearances as the character dilute the remarkable full-stop of *Logan*. *—D.G.*

Where to watch *Logan*: Disney+

**Director:** James Mangold

**Cast: **Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart, Dafne Keen, Richard E. Grant, Stephen Merchant

Mrs. Doubtfire (1993)

Robin Williams as Daniel Hillard/Mrs. Doubtfire in 'Mrs. Doubtfire'.

20th Century Fox/Everett

Robin Williams’ best character performance comes in this laugh-out-loud family comedy, one of the only films that can truly be described as such. As a divorced father who disguises himself as the busty titular housekeeper to spend more time with his kids, Williams’ antics are nicely tempered by director Chris Columbus, who threads humor with emotion in admirable fashion. *—D.G.*

Where to watch *Mrs. Doubtfire*: Disney+

**EW grade:** B (read the review)

**Director:** Chris Columbus

**Cast:** Robin Williams, Sally Field, Pierce Brosnan, Harvey Fierstein, Matthew Lawrence

Remember the Titans (2000)

Denzel Washington as Coach Herman Boone in 'Remember the Titans'. Walt Disney Co./Courtesy Everett Collection

Denzel Washington gives a rousing performance in this thrilling drama, one of the last top-tier live-action entertainments from the House of Mouse, about a scrappy youth football team working its way to the top. Like a few movies on this list, *Remember the Titans* makes gestures towards the whole family. In truth, though, it’s a fairly realistic and subdued character portrait of the type Frank Capra might have made in the 1940s, a lovely callback to a bygone era of filmmaking. *—D.G.*

Where to watch *Remember the Titans*: Disney+

**Director:** Boaz Yakin

**Cast:** Denzel Washington, Ryan Gosling, Will Patton, Donald Faison, Ethan Suplee, Wood Harris

Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man trilogy (2002–2007)

Tobey Maguire as Peter Parker and Kirsten Dunst as Mary Jane Watson in 'Spider-Man'. Everett Collection

Tom Holland and Andrew Garfield are great and all, but Tobey Maguire will always be the OG. (Sorry Nicholas Hammond, but we’re talking cinematic Spider-Men.) Sam Raimi’s “original” web-slinger trilogy is equally remembered for its astonishing sequel and its rather disappointing threequel, but in retrospect, all installments are better than you remember. Each film is sly and playful, but also unafraid to explore darker territory; they were always slightly unpredictable, a bit edgier than superhero fare nowadays. *—D.G.*

Where to watch Sam Raimi’s *Spider-Man *trilogy: Disney+

**EW grade:** B (read the review)

**Director: **Sam Raimi

**Cast: **Tobey McGuire, Kirsten Dunst, Willem Dafoe, Bruce Campbell

The Simpsons Movie (2007)

Marge (voice: Julie Kavner), Maggie (voice: Nancy Cartwright), Lisa (voice: Yeardley Smith), Bart (voice: Nancy Cartwright), and Homer Simpson (voice: Dan Castellaneta) in 'The Simpsons Movie'. Everett Collection

The residents of Springfield are sealed off from the rest of society (what else is new?) after Homer’s dalliance with a pig and a farm filled with human waste creates an environmental disaster. The long-awaited film adaptation of the veteran Fox sitcom, now the longest-running American animated series of all time, has been saddled with the unfortunate reputation of simply being an extended episode.

In fairness, that’s entirely true. However, it’s a very good episode, one that achieves an occasionally sweeping cinematic scope and focuses on adding layers to beloved characters rather than upending them for the sake of a joke. *—D.G.*

Where to watch *The Simpsons Movie*: Disney+

**EW grade:** B+ (read the review)

**Director:** David Silverman

**Cast: **Dan Castellaneta, Nancy Cartwright, Yeardley Smith, Julie Kavner, Albert Brooks

Sister Act (1992)

Kathy Najimy as Sister Mary Patrick, Whoopi Goldberg as Delores Van Cartier/Sister Mary Clarence, and Wendy Makkena as Sister Mary Robert in 'Sister Act'. Everett Collection

Whoopi Goldberg shines in this propulsive, infectiously upbeat comedy as a singer who hides out in a convent after witnessing a Mob hit. Predictably, she’s tasked with coaching the choir for an upcoming competition. Sly direction and enviable chemistry between the cast, which includes Maggie Smith and Kathy Najimy, set *Sister Act* apart from the average underdog comedy. *—D.G.*

Where to watch *Sister Act*: Disney+

**Director:** Emile Ardolino

**Cast: **Whoopi Goldberg, Maggie Smith, Kathy Najimy, Harvey Keitel, Wendy Makkena

The Sound of Music (1965)

Christopher Plummer as Capt. Georg von Trapp and Julie Andrews as Maria in 'The Sound of Music'. Everett Collection

The classic tale of the Von Trapp family is now streaming in a remarkably crisp restoration. Julie Andrews stars as Maria, a kind-hearted would-be nun/governess who brings a love of music to the seven children under her tutelage. It’s a perfect movie musical, and the breathtaking views of Austrian abbeys are worth the watch alone. *—D.G.*

Where to watch *The Sound of Music*: Disney+

**Director:** Robert Wise

**Cast: **Julie Andrews, Christopher Plummer, Richard Haydn, Peggy Wood, Nicholas Hammond

Splash (1984)

Daryl Hannah as Madison in 'Splash'.

Buena Vista Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection

Ron Howard’s exuberant fairy tale stars Tom Hanks as a yuppie who gets more than he bargained for when a real mermaid (Daryl Hannah) makes her way out of the sea and into his house. It’s some of the most admirable work from all involved, including a riotous supporting turn from John Candy and an enchanting performance from Hannah. *—D.G.*

Where to watch *Splash*: Disney+

**Director:** Ron Howard

**Cast:** Tom Hanks, Daryl Hannah, John Candy, Eugene Levy, Shecky Greene

Star Wars: Episode VIII — The Last Jedi (2017)

Adam Driver as Kylo Ren in 'Star Wars: Episode VIII — The Last Jedi'.

Industrial Light & Magic/Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures/Lucasfilm Ltd./Courtesy Everett Collection

Say what you will about Rian Johnson’s controversial installment, which continues the saga of Rey (Daisy Ridley) and Finn (John Boyega), but even *Star Wars* agnostics say is good. (Critically, you can’t deny that’s worth something.) More than any of the other prequels or late-era sequels, *The Last Jedi* captured the unpredictable, renegade spirit of the first trilogy (for better and for worse, it seems). Plus, it’s the only *Star Wars *movie with Laura Dern. *—D.G.*

Where to watch *Star Wars: Episode VIII — The Last Jedi*: Disney+

**EW grade: **B+ (read the review)

**Director:** Rian Johnson

**Cast: **John Boyega, Daisy Ridley, Oscar Isaac, Adam Driver, Laura Dern

The Straight Story (1999)

Richard Farnsworth as Alvin in 'The Straight Story'. Everett Collection

Only David Lynch could make a movie so positively un-Lynchian. The story of an aging widower (Richard Farnsworth) who embarks upon a cross-country odyssey on his tractor, *The Straight Story* surprisingly lives up to its title. It contains all of the earnest, vaguely warped Americana of Lynch’s other work, delivered not just with a straight face but a rather convincing one as well. It makes you wonder who the real Lynch really is, and that’s probably exactly what the director was hoping for. *—D.G.*

Where to watch *The Straight Story*: Disney+

**EW grade:** A– (read the review)

**Director:** David Lynch

**Cast:** Richard Farnsworth, Sissy Spacek, Harry Dean Stanton

Summer of Soul (…Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised) (2021)

Sly Stone in 'Summer of Soul (...Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised)'. Sundance Institute

Just try not to dance while watching Questlove’s infectious, rousing chronicle of the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival, which occurred on the same weekend as Woodstock. Rather than a movie about the festival, this is a deeply moving and visceral immersion into the event. It’s one of the best documentaries of this century, and there’s a version of “Aquarius” that positively brings the house down. *—D.G.*

Where to watch *Summer of Soul (...Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised)*: Disney+

**EW grade:** B+ (read the review)

**Director: **Questlove

West Side Story (2021)

Ansel Elgort as Tony and Rachel Zegler as Maria in 'West Side Story'. Niko Tavernise/20th Century Studios

Steven Spielberg crafted a second, soaring adaptation of the famed Sondheim/Bernstein musical. This* Romeo and Juliet*-inflected story of star-crossed lovers Tony (Ansel Elgort) and Maria (Rachel Zegler), whose romance intertwines with a bitter feud between rival gangs the Jets and the Sharks, never ceases to provoke an earnest tear. Spielberg breathes new life into the classic with nimbly staged musical numbers and a charged turn from original cast member Rita Moreno. *—D.G.*

Where to watch *West Side Story*: Disney+

**EW grade:** A– (read the review)

**Director:** Steven Spielberg

**Cast:** Ansel Elgort, Rachel Zegler, Ariana DeBose, Rita Moreno, Josh Andrés Rivera

While You Were Sleeping (1995)

Bill Pullman as Jack Callaghan in 'While You Were Sleeping'. Everett Collection

One of Sandra Bullock’s first and best rom-coms sees her star as a lonely Chicago train worker who, in a quintessentially ‘90s way, commits a kind-hearted assault when she convinces her hunky crush (Peter Gallagher) she’s his fiancé after he bonks his head and loses his memory. Everything seems to be going fine until she meets the patient’s equally hunky brother (Bill Pullman) and begins to have second thoughts about the future. A completely standard romance cooked just right, *While You Were Sleeping* goes on each time like a warm pair of slippers. *—D.G.*

Where to watch *While You Were Sleeping*: Disney+

**Director: **Jon Turteltaub

**Cast: **Sandra Bullock, Bill Pullman, Peter Gallagher, Peter Boyle, Glynis Johns

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Source: “AOL Movies”