While movie fans used to have to wait months for new releases to drop online or in video stores, streaming services like Disney+ have shortened that timeframe considerably. New hits like 2023's Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania continued the Marvel Cinematic Universe's Multiverse Saga on Disney+ shortly after premiering in theaters.
Films like 2023's Peter Pan & Wendy premiered right on the Disney+ streaming service, allowing fans to immediately enjoy the new adaptation of the classic tale. Disney+ also included packed collections like the aforementioned MCU, all the Star Wars films and series, as well as the recently added Indiana Jones collection to keep movie nights filled with entertainment.
10 Peter Pan & Wendy (2023)
The latest live-action adaptation of J.M. Barrie's iconic childhood hit started streaming on Disney+ in 2023. Peter Pan & Wendy follows the titular characters (played by Alexander Molony and Ever Anderson, respectively) as they travel to Neverland and take on the revenge-fueled pirate known as Captain Hook (played wonderfully by Jude Law).
Peter Pan & Wendy introduced an exciting new dynamic in the long-standing rivalry between Peter Pan and Hook that separates the new adaptation from previous iterations of the literary story. The 2023 adaptation is a perfect choice for the whole family and showcased up-and-coming talents like Black Widow's Ever Anderson.
9 Avatar: The Way of Water (2023)
James Cameron returned to theaters in 2023 with Avatar: The Way of Water, the highly anticipated sequel to the 2009 blockbuster Avatar. While some didn't think it would happen after 14 years, The Way of Water continued to impress with a return to Pandora. Cameron explored the vibrant living planet and the returning cast from the first film along with a few exciting new characters.
While the sequeldidn't focus as much on 3D as the first film, Avatar: The Way of Water still featured groundbreaking motion-capture technology and underwater-filmed scenes in its best moments. Over a decade is a long time to wait for a sequel, but it was definitely worth it to explore more of Pandora and prepare for the rest of the upcoming films.
8 Strange World (2022)
2022's animated Strange World featured a stellar voice cast but tragically went unnoticed during its theatrical release and became a box-office bomb. Thankfully, Disney+ gave fans the chance to check out Strange World which became a streaming hit. The lovable, action-packed adventure followed a family of explorers who entered exciting new territory to save their unique community.
Jake Gyllenhaal and Dennis Quaid played the father-and-son duo of explorers who joined a flying airship with a few other adventures to save the world of Avalonia. Strange World is also the first Disney film to feature an openly LGBTQ+ lead character, which may have cost it some theaters when it was released but definitely earned the film some fans on Disney+.
7 Stan Lee (2023)
Disney+ also features quite a few interesting documentaries in all genres that are sure to appeal to fans of all kinds. 2023 saw the release of Stan Lee, which dived into the titular comic creator's life and his influence at Marvel Comics. The documentary used behind-the-scenes footage from the past and interviews to shine a light on the legendary creator.
Stan Lee co-created popular Marvel characters like Spider-Man, Daredevil, the X-Men, and The Fantastic Four who became known as the "First Family of Comics." He then became the energetic face of Marvel Comics who appeared in almost every live-action and animated adaptation in a series of lovable cameos. Marvel and MCU fans alike are sure to enjoy the Stan Lee documentary.
6 Indiana Jones Collection
Disney
Disney+ added every movie starring Harrison Ford's iconic adventurer, Indiana Jones, just in time for the theatrical release of Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. New and old fans alike can dive into the Indiana Jones collection which includes all four theatrical films along with a sneak peek behind the scenes of Dial of Destiny.
Inspired by classic movie serials, George Lucas teamed up with Steven Spielberg for 1981's Raiders of the Lost Ark. The successful film was soon followed by 1984's Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. 1989's Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade and 2008's Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull should keep fans entertained for a bit.
5 Free Solo (2018)
2018's Free Solo took home the Oscar in 2019 for Best Documentary Feature. National Geographic's Free Solo followed Alex Honnold as he challenged a dangerous climb that had never been accomplished by anyone else without using protective equipment. The documentary explored his preparations for the climb and how the risky sport affected the people in his life.
Directed by fellow free-climbers Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin, Free Solo kept viewers on the edge of their seats. Honnold trained and attempted his free climb of the 3, 000-mile high El Capitan rock face in Yosemite National Park surrounded by cameras. The Academy-Award-winning documentary explored the sport of free climbing as well as the potentially fatal consequences.
4 Deadpool (2016)
After Ryan Reynolds appeared as Wade Wilson in 2009's X-Men Origins: Wolverine, fans never thought they'd get another chance to see him as Marvel's Merc-with-a-Mouth. Thankfully, a leaked demo reel jumpstarted the process and he returned as the more comics-accurate Deadpool in 2016.
Wilson was a highly-paid mercenary whose cancer diagnosis led him to seek out drastic means to save his life. He gained an incredible healing factor though his body was disfigured, sending him on a mission of revenge. Fans can enjoy the whole franchise on Disney+ as 2018's Deadpool 2 joined the original, just in time for fans to prepare for the upcoming release of Deadpool 3.
3 Spider-Man 2 (2004)
Fans of Marvel's web-slinging hero have quite a few options to watch on Disney+, ranging from hit animated series to multiple live-action movies. Thankfully, Sam Raimi's original Spider-Man trilogy is available to stream in its entirety on Disney+, unlike the other franchises featuring the wall-crawler that followed in later years.
While Raimi's entire trilogy is beloved by most fans, there's no denying that 2004's Spider-Man 2 stands tall above the rest. It's not only one of the best Spider-Man films, but it's also one of the best sequels ever. Peter Parker's ongoing struggle with his secret identity and Alfred Molina's unforgettable performance as Doctor Octopus makes Spider-Man 2 an infinitely rewatchable film.
2 Lilo & Stitch (2002)
Disney has been remaking animated films into live-action movies for years now, ranging from 2016's The Jungle Book to the more recent The Little Mermaid from 2023. As Disney moves forward with a live-action remake of 2002's Lilo & Stitch that has raised some controversy over the casting, fans have headed to Disney+ to rewatch the original animated film.
Lilo & Stitch followed an alien escapee who landed on Earth and befriended a young girl named Lilo, who soon named him Stitch. Lilo and fans fell in love with Stitch as government agents and alien bounty hunters tracked Stitch down. While fans are questioning the upcoming live-action reboot, the original Lilo & Stitch is still heartwarming, hilarious, and available to stream on Disney+.
1 Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022)
Fans can catch almost every epic moment from the Marvel Cinematic Universe on Disney+ in various ways, from watching the story chronologically or picking and choosing their favorites on movie night. While Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania was the most recent release and Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol 3 is streaming soon, it's the last film of 2022 that really stood out to fans.
Following the death of Black Panther's T'Challa Chadwick Boseman, 2022's Black Panther: Wakanda Forever helped the MCU and its fans find closure with the loss. Wakanda moved on as the country dealt with an attack from the powerful Namor and his underwater armies in the highly-anticipated sequel.