Figuring out what to watch on Disney+ can be tricky. Disney+ is, after all, the official home of hundreds (literally) of Pixar, Marvel and Star Wars content right at your fingertips. While this might sound like a daunting world to navigate and it’s definitely hard to narrow the best of what to watch on Disney+ to well, less than all of them—at Urban List, we’ve gone and done that just for you.
Here's the best of what to watch on Disney+ right now.
Brawn: The Impossible Formula 1 Story
Docuseries
Get ready to witness one of the most incredible sagas and Cinderalla stories in Formula 1 (and sporting) history, the story of Brawn GP. In 2008, Honda’s racing team fell into administration. In an unprecedented first for the sport, their rivals united and returned the team to the racetrack.
With Ross Brawn at the helm and the team rebranded as Brawn GP, all was well until they realised they had inadvertently created a fierce competitor. Interviewed by Hollywood actor and Formula 1 superfan Keanu Reeves, this four-part series gives you all he juicy insights from racing legends, providing the drama both on and off the track.
The Banshees Of Inisherin
Movie
Set on a remote island off the west coast of Ireland, The Banshees of Inisherin follows lifelong friends Pádraic (Colin Farrell) and Colm (Brendan Gleeson), who find themselves at an impasse when Colm unexpectedly puts an end to their friendship. A stunned Pádraic, aided by his sister Siobhan (Kerry Condon) and troubled young islander Dominic (Barry Keoghan), endeavours to repair the relationship, refusing to take no for an answer.
Boston Strangler
Movie
Award-winning writer-director Matt Ruskin’s Boston Strangler is a true-crime thriller about the trailblazing reporters who broke the story of the notorious Boston Strangler murders of the 1960s. The film follows Loretta McLaughlin, a reporter for the Record-American newspaper, who becomes the first journalist to connect the Boston Strangler murders.
As the mysterious killer claims more and more victims, Loretta attempts to continue her investigation alongside colleague Jean Cole but the two find themselves stymied by the rampant sexism of the era.
Prey
Movie
Hopefully you've been keeping up with the Predator franchise, so you'll know Prey is the fifth installment of the movie series. Set in the Comanche Nation 300 years ago, this show is the story of a young woman, Naru, a fierce and highly skilled warrior. She's been raised in the shadow of some of the most legendary hunters who roam the Great Plains, so when danger threatens her camp, she sets out to protect her people.
The prey she stalks, and ultimately confronts, turns out to be a highly evolved alien predator with a technically advanced arsenal, resulting in a vicious and terrifying showdown between the two adversaries. It's enough to make you never want to head out camping or hiking again.
Fire Island
Movie
Set in the iconic gay mecca of the same name, Fire Island is a modern day rom-com inspired by Jane Austen’s Pride And Prejudice. The story centres around two best friends, Noah (Joel Kim Booster) and Howie (Bowen Yang), who set out to have a legendary week-long summer vacation filled with a cadre of eclectic friends, cheap rosé, dance parties and hook-ups. We're not exaggerating when we say we binged the whole series in a day.
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Only Murders In The Building
Series
If you haven't already cottoned onto the brilliance that is Only Murders In The Building, let us enlighten you. Following three strangers (played by Steve Martin, Martin Short and Selena Gomez) who share an unhealthy obsession with true crime, the series spans three whole seasons where the trio ultimately end up applying their sound knowledge of true crime to investigate multiple cases.
The Clearing
Series
Based on the crime thriller by J.P. Pomare, this exclusive original series follows the nightmares of a cult and a woman who’s forced to face the demons from her past in order to stop the kidnapping and coercion of innocent children in the future.
Encanto
Movie
Encanto tells the tale of the Madrigals, a family who lives hidden in the mountains of Colombia, in a magical house and in a charming place called an Encanto. The magic of the Encanto has blessed every child in the family with a unique gift from super strength to the power to heal—every child except one, Mirabel.
But when she discovers that the magic surrounding the Encanto is in danger, Mirabel decides that she, the only ordinary Madrigal, might just be her exceptional family’s last hope. It may be one for younglings but we guarantee you’ll be absolutely whisked away by this one, plus, it features music from Emmy®, GRAMMY® and Tony Award® winner Lin-Manuel Miranda.
Isle Of Dogs
Movie
Anything Wes Anderson is always a good idea so draw your attention to Isle Of The Dogs. The iconic stop-motion animation carries on with a canine odyssey set in a dystopian future in Japan. A deadly virus outbreak causes the dog population to be sent to Trash Island, forcing a young boy to go in search of his missing dog.
SOUL
Movie
SOUL is the Disney+ animation that has resonated in a big way with adults near and far. The movie follows a middle-school band teacher who gets the chance of a lifetime to play at the best jazz club in town. But one small misstep takes him from the streets of New York City to “The Great Before”, a fantastical place where new souls get their personalities, quirks and interests before they go to Earth.
Determined to return to his life, Joe teams up with a precocious soul, 22 (which is the legendary voice of Tina Fey), who has never understood the appeal of the human experience. As Joe desperately tries to show 22 what’s great about living, this animated movie turns into a deeply existential crisis and we love it for exactly that reason.
Ford V Ferrari
Movie
Say hello again to Christian Bale and Matt Damon. The two stars in Ford V Ferrari, a movie based on the insane true story of the visionary American car designer Carroll Shelby and fearless British-born driver Ken Miles.
In real life, these guys battled a whole heap of corporate interference, the laws of physics, and their own personal fights to build a revolutionary race car for Ford Motor Company and take on the dominating race cars of Enzo Ferrari at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in France in 1966. Can confirm, even if you’re not a “car” person, you’ll still stan this movie.
Mulan
Movie
The $200 million live-action remake of Mulan was meant to be one of the biggest cinema releases of 2020. But when COVID forced the film industry to come to a standstill, shutting cinemas across the globe and postponing release dates, we’d pretty much given up hope that we’d see the badass warrior princess on the big screen any time soon. That was until Disney+ announced it would be the new home for the Disney film.
Mulan is the tale of a fearless young woman who risks everything out of love for her family and her country to become one of the greatest warriors China has known. And in true Disney form, Mulan features a mammoth international cast including Yifei Liu (who was named one of the New Four Dan Actresses in China) as Mulan; Donnie Yen as Commander Tung; Jason Scott Lee as Böri Khan; Yoson An as Cheng Honghui; with Gong Li as Xianniang and Jet Li as the Emperor.
Hamilton
Movie
Hamilton is the broadway story of America then, told by America now. Featuring a score that blends hip-hop, jazz, R&B and Broadway, this famous musical has taken the story of American founding father Alexander Hamilton. Filmed at The Richard Rodgers Theatre on Broadway in June of 2016, this movie will take you straight back to some serious theatre good-loving times.
Frozen 2
Movie
Why was Elsa born with magical powers? What truths about the past await Elsa as she ventures into the unknown to the enchanted forests and dark seas beyond Arendelle? The answers are calling her but also threatening her kingdom. Together with Anna, Kristoff, Olaf and Sven, she'll face another dangerous journey and hey, we’re also here for the unashamed sing-along-fest.
Aladdin
Movie
Disney’s live-action take on Aladdin is god’s gift to the movie world. Directed by Guy Ritchie and starring Will Smith (as the big, blue genie), Mena Massoud and Naomi Scott, you’ll want to strike out all your weekend plans so you can watch this bad boy a number of times. Watch it here.
Avengers: Endgame
Movie
She’s the epic conclusion to the Infinity Saga which is still riding the wave of being a worldwide phenomenon. This dramatic showdown pits the Avengers against Thanos after devastating events wipe out half the world’s population and fracture their ranks. The remaining heroes struggle to come together and have to come together to restore harmony in the universe to bring their loved ones back. And yes, it’s an unofficial tear-jerker. Watch Avengers: Endgame on Disney+ here.
Star Wars: The Mandalorian
Series
Indeed—the journeys of the Mandalorian through the Star Wars galaxy continue. Once a lone bounty hunter, Din Djarin has reunited with Grogu. Meanwhile, the New Republic struggles to lead the galaxy away from its dark history.
The Bear
Series
Foodie movies and TV shows are always hit and miss but if there’s one upcoming series that’s said to be a recipe for success, it’s The Bear. The original comedy is said to be “addictively stressful” (think Uncut Gems-style) and is both a sensual nightmare and daydream of the culinary industry.
The show follows Carmy Berzatto (Jeremy Allen White), a young chef from the fine dining world, who comes home to Chicago to run his family sandwich shop after a heartbreaking death in his family. While grappling with his brother’s suicide, Carmy also has to deal with the realities of running a small business and reluctant kitchen stuff—no easy feat. Watch it here.
Andor
Series
This one's for the Star Wars enthusiasts out there. Focusing on Cassian Andor’s journey to discover the difference he can make, Andor is all about the burgeoning rebellion against the Empire. It’s an era filled with danger, deception and all the adventure and we're here for it. Watch it here.
Candy
Series
Okay, if you were a Sinner-fanatic back in the day, look alive, people! Candy is the new true crime series executive produced by and starring Jessica Biel so needless to say, you know this one is going to be good. Candy Montgomery is a 1980s housewife and mother who did everything right—she had a good husband, two kids and a nice house. However, the pressure of conformity end up getting to her and this means some pretty deadly results. Watch it here.
Ms. Marvel
Series
Marvel Studios’ Ms. Marvel is an original series that introduces Kamala Khan, a Muslim American teenager growing up in Jersey City. An avid gamer and a voracious fan-fiction scribe, Kamala is a Super Hero mega fan with an oversized imagination—particularly when it comes to Captain Marvel. Yet Kamala feels like she doesn’t fit in at school and sometimes even at home—that is, until she gets super powers like the heroes she’s always looked up to. Watch it here.
Obi-Wan Kenobi
Series
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.
The series stars Ewan McGregor, reprising his role as the iconic Jedi Master, and also marks the return of Hayden Christensen in the role of Darth Vader. Joining the cast are Moses Ingram, Joel Edgerton, Bonnie Piesse, Kumail Nanjiani, Indira Varma, Rupert Friend, O’Shea Jackson Jr., Sung Kang, Simone Kessell and Benny Safdie. Watch it here.
Life & Beth
Series
If you haven’t already melted into the hilarious show Life & Beth, get on it, stat. This one is written, produced and stars Amy Schumer who plays Beth, a woman whose life would look pretty great on paper. Impressive to everyone she grew up with, she makes a good living as a wine distributor, she’s in a long-term relationship with a successful guy and lives in Manhattan. Plot twist, a sudden happening forces Beth to reckon with her past and her life seemingly changes forever. Watch it here.
Pam & Tommy
Series
It’s the series that has surprised the whole world with how good it actually is. No really, we’re already putting it down as one of the best of the year. Set in the Wild West early days of the Internet, Pam & Tommy is based on the true story of the Pamela Anderson (Lily James) and Tommy Lee (Sebastian Stan) sex tape.
Stolen from the couple’s home by a disgruntled contractor (Seth Rogen), the video went from underground bootleg-VHS curiosity to full-blown cultural obsession when it hit the web in 1997. However, the eight-part series isn’t all about the tape itself, it explores the intersection of privacy, technology and celebrity, tracing the origins of our current Reality TV Era to a stolen tape seen by millions but meant to have an audience of just two. As we said, it’s brilliant. Watch it here.
The Dropout
Series
The Dropout is the story of Elizabeth Holmes (Amanda Seyfried) and Theranos, another unbelievable true story. This time, it’s ambition and fame gone so, so wrong. The world’s youngest self-made billionaire loses everything in the blink of an eye. Inspired by the 2019 podcast by the same name, The Dropout follows Elizabeth Holmes, a woman once heralded as the “next Steve Jobs”.
She became the world’s youngest billionaire at 19 but then found herself facing criminal charges to which he pleaded not guilty. The tech she was ‘creating’ (a working prototype was never found) was meant to revolutionise health care but instead, it put actual people’s lives at risk. Watch it here.
Under The Banner Of Heaven
Series
Inspired by the true-crime bestseller by Jon Krakauer, Under The Banner Of Heaven needs to be on your radar. Why? Because it's from Academy Award®-winner Dustin Lance Black and not only stars Andrew Garfield and Daisy Edgar-Jones but Sam Worthington too! Just let that sink in for a hot minute. The show follows the events that led to the 1984 murder of Brenda Wright Lafferty (Daisy Edgar-Jones) and her baby daughter in a suburb in the Salt Lake Valley, Utah.
As Detective Jeb Pyre (Andrew Garfield) investigates events that transpired within the Lafferty family, he uncovers buried truths about the origins of the LDS religion. Watch it here.
Explorer: The Last Tepui
Documentary
Explorer: The Last Tepui is a new documentary from National Geographic and follows elite climber Alex Honnold (Free Solo) and a world-class climbing team led by National Geographic Explorer as they set on a gruelling mission deep in the Amazon jungle attempting a first-ascent climb up a 1000 foot sheer cliff. Their goal is to deliver legendary biologist and National Geographic Explorer Bruce Means to the top of a massive “island in the sky” known as a tepui. Watch it here.
Haven't jumped on the Disney+ bandwagon yet? Here's why you should.
Image credit: Hulu