When it comes tokids' movies,animated classics, and nostalgic TV content,Disney+is already well on its way to becoming the tippy-top of the go-to streaming giants. But is it the right place to go if you need an action fix? Well, withMarvel,Star WarsandAvatarunder the banner, you better believe it! With that in mind, we’ve put together a list of our picks for the best action movies you can watch on Disney+ right now, from the big-time blockbusters of the 21st century to the hidden gems from Disney and Fox’s vast catalog, and the animated favorites that kick just as much butt as their live-action counterparts. But now, without further ado, here is the high-octane entertainment you came for and our picks for the best action movies on Disney Plus.
For more recommendations, check out our list of the bestmoviesandshows on Disney+.
Disclaimer: These titles are available on US Disney+.
Guardians of the Galaxy
Rotten Tomatoes: 92% | IMDb: 8.0/10
Billed by Marvel in 2014 as an “action-packed epic space adventure,“Guardians of the Galaxycertainly lived up to its billing when it burst onto the superhero film scene and shocked pundits and box office prognosticators. Arriving as the 10th film in the MCU it had its work cut out for it. Outside a few comic book knowledgeable fans, the Guardians of the Galaxy were a completely unknown quantity to the public. The actors weren’t even a massive selling point here.Chris Prattwas a former sitcom actor,Zoe Saldanawas still an up-and-coming actress,Dave Bautistawas a former pro wrestler, and they turned their most well-known actors inBradley CooperandVin Dieselinto a talking raccoon and a sentient tree.
ButJames Gunnbrings all of these disparate characters together to form a dysfunctional superhero family and give the film a unique sense of humor. The film has some incredible action sequences from the prison break out scene to the final Battle for Xandar scene. Along the way, we get introduced to Thanos, Ronan the Accuser, Yondu and The Collector who would all return in one form or another in the MCU, but more importantly we get more knowledge about the Infinity Stones that would come into play over the next 12 films in the MCU.Guardians of the Galaxyis one of the most beloved films in the MCU and after seeing it again, it’s easy to see why. —John Rocha
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Rotten Tomatoes: 93% | IMDb: 8.1/10
DirectorJames Mangold(Walk the Line) draws inspiration fromMark MillarandSteve McNiven’sOld Man Logancomics run to produce one of the best films of the FOXX-Menfranchise and builds off the established relationships and lore to create a bleak yet hopeful end to the series.Loganfollows an aged and weathered version ofHugh Jackman’sWolverine as he cares for an ailing senile Charles Xavier (Patrick Stewart) in a world where most Mutants have died out. The film takes many inspirations from Westerns and carries that aesthetic into both the quiet, reflective moments and the bloody, violent confrontations as our two main lone wolves shuttle a fierce young cub, possibly one of the first new Mutants in 25 years, across the country. –Tauri Miller
Rotten Tomatoes: 85% | IMDb: 8.0/10
Deadpool, a much-beloved Marvel property, finally got a worthwhile film, earning itself a groundbreaking R rating. After a butchered attempt at bringing the character Wade Wilson to life inX-Men Origins: Wolverine, actor – and genuineDeadpoolfan –Ryan Reynoldsteamed up with directorTim Miller(Terminator: Dark Fate) and writersRhett ReeseandPaul Wernickto give the “Merc with the Mouth” his true-to-the-comics origin story. After being diagnosed with terminal cancer, mercenary Wade Wilson reluctantly tries an experimental procedure in hopes of curing the deadly disease. Although his cancer is cured, Wilson is left disfigured but immortal. Set in an X-Men adjacent universe and bursting with pop culture references, hilarious fourth-wall breaking, and overly graphic violence,Deadpoolis a unique film in the superhero genre.– Yael Tygiel
Rotten Tomatoes: 73% | IMDb: 6.3/10
If you’re looking for a superhero flick outside of Marvel and DC fare,Sky Highmay be just the movie for you. The coming-of-age tale follows Will Stronghold (Michael Angarano), the teen son of two famous superheroes, as he starts school at Sky High, which splits its students into heroes and sidekicks. There, he must navigate pressure from his family, changing friendship dynamics, crushes, and a mysterious threat from an evil supervillain. Hilarious and surprisingly heartfelt,Sky Highis a timeless and fun time. –Taylor Gates
Black Widow
Rotten Tomatoes: 79% | IMDb: 6.7/10
The long-overdue solo project for Natasha Romanoff (Scarlett Johansson),Black Widowserves as a bittersweet sendoff for the Avenger. Taking place betweenCivil WarandInfinity War, the film sees Natasha on the run from Ross (William Hurt). Instead of keeping a low profile, however, she’s sucked back into the action when she’s contacted by her adoptive sister Yelena (Florence Pugh) and told that the Red Room – the organization Natasha thought she’d destroyed years ago – is still operating and more powerful than ever. Part spy thriller, part family dramedy,Black Widowoffers one of Marvel’s most terrifyingly realistic villains in the form of General Dreykov (Ray Winstone), as well as one of its most powerful journeys of survival and forgiveness. Johansson and Pugh have undeniable chemistry, with their sisterhood serving as the heart of the story, butDavid HarbourandRachel Weiszalso deserve props for their excellent performances as their flawed, fascinating parental figures. –Taylor Gates
Rotten Tomatoes: 80% | IMDb: 7.1/10
Free Guyisn’t your typical video game movie, choosing to create a world of its own rather than adapt an existing franchise. By doing so, directorShawn Levyand starRyan Reynolds— who shines alongsideJodie Comer,Joe Keery, andTaika Waititi— are able to craft a masterwork of references and clue-ins that feel fresh without being beholden to a viewer knowing anything about video games. Combining Reynolds’ signature humor with Levy’s snappy directorial style,Free Guyis a great time for the whole family, proving that anyone can be the hero if they put their mind to it.- Maggie Boccella
The Incredibles
Rotten Tomatoes: 97% | IMDb: 8.0/10
Where do you start withThe Incredibles? The Fantastic Four movie that’s actually good and worth watching, maybe?Brad Birddirects this surprisingly poignant, touching, unsettling yet rousing story about Bob Parr (Nelson) and Helen Parr (Hunter) and their family of superheroes. Bob and Helen aka Mr. Incredible and Elastigirl, have been removed as superheroes by the government after a series of mistakes by their brethren and lawsuits by humans they were trying to save. They are given new identities and lives in order to blend into regular society. Bob works for an insurance company and is going through a midlife crisis. When Bob is contacted at work by a mysterious woman about a possible superhero mission, he jumps at the chance to do what he loves again, but it sets in motion an adventure that will test his limits and the limits of his family.
The Incredibleshas some fantastic action throughout especially when they come together as a family on the secret island fighting off a deadly attack by the villain of the film, Syndrome (Lee). There’s great character work fromSamuel L. Jacksonas Frozone and Brad Bird as Edna Mode, but what separates it from most other superhero films are the moving relationship moments between Bob and Helen. When Bob tries to stop Helen from fighting alongside him in the final battle because he can’t stand to lose her again, it will break you up inside. Put your mask on again and find your super suit before you give this one a watch again, people. —John Rocha
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
Rotten Tomatoes: 84% | IMDb: 7.8/10
When it was announced that Lucasfilm and Disney were going to create a separate arm of Star Wars movies that would push the boundaries of the franchise, the anticipation of what stories could be told and what directors could be involved excited the fanbase. The possibilities were endless. The first of these films (and the best so far) isRogue One: A Star Wars Storyfrom directorGareth Edwards. BasicallyThe Dirty Dozenin space, the film is set just before the events ofStar Wars: Episode IV A New Hopeand centers on a group of rebel fighters thrown together to steal the plans for the Death Star.
Along the way, we’re introduced to a new droid in Tudyk’s funny and slightly terrifying K-2SO, a new villain in Orson Krennic (Mendelsohn), and the life hardened Jyn Erso (Jones). We also discover that Galen Erso (Mikkelsen) designed a flaw in the Death Star that Luke Skywalker would exploit in A New Hope, that Darth Vader has a sanctuary on Mustafar, and that Grand Moff Tarkin is still as calmly evil as ever, CGI or not! There was some behind-the-scenes drama here and if you compare the first trailer to the last trailer, you’re able to sense that there might have been a grittier, more melancholy film in the offering here. The film we did end up with, however, is still one of the best in the franchise and introduces new planets, terrains, concepts, and even new space battle tactics. Hammerhead Corvette, anyone? Revisit this one, people. —John Rocha
Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl
Rotten Tomatoes: 80% | IMDb: 8.1/10
Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl
Starting withPirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl,Johnny Depphas left an indelible impression on moviegoing audiences with his work as Jack Sparrow in every installment of the franchise. HisKeith Richards-inspiredSparrow has provided a great counter to the serious romance betweenOrlando Bloom’s Will Turner andKeira Knightley’s Elizabeth Swann. Let’s not also forget the scene-stealing workGeoffrey Rushhas done as well as Captain Barbossa, Sparrow’s enemy, and sometime friend. It’s easy to forget this is the one that started it all which just means you can fall back in love with it again.
The film still holds up with its great mix of bawdy humor, physical gags and boundless adventure on the high seas.Gore Verbinskitakes a genre that has always been box office poison, the pirate movie, and brings it roaring back to life with his work in this movie. Gone are the days ofCutthroat Island(although I do have a love forThe Pirates of Penzance) and here is the beginning of a pirates franchise that has survived for almost two decades now with wacky characters and thrilling actions scenes that invigorate the franchise. It all starts here though with a medallion, a broken engagement, a stolen ship, sword duels, ship battles, a frisky monkey, lives being saved in the nick of time, and a pulsating sweeping score overseen by the greatHans Zimmer. —John Rocha
Star Wars: The Force Awakens
Rotten Tomatoes: 93% | IMDb: 7.8/10
Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens
If you’re going to get fans to fall back in love with a franchise, it isn’t a bad idea to hit some of the same notes that made them fall in love with it in the first place.Star Wars: Episode VII The Force Awakensfrom directorJ.J. Abramscertainly feels heavily influenced byStar Wars: Episode IV A New Hope. Abrams gives us The Emperor Lite in Snoke, the Death Star Lite in the Starkiller Base and the Empire Lite in The First Order. However, Abrams brings back the original Han, Luke and Leia to join a trio of new characters in the rebellion: the scavenger Rey (Ridley), the cocky but goodhearted Poe Dameron (Isaac) and the former stormtrooper Finn (Boyega).
They embark on a mission to find the whereabouts of Luke Skywalker who seems to have disappeared, but who they see as essential to fight this new evil in the galaxy. The Force Awakens takes us on a journey from the scrapyards of Jakku to Maz Kanata’s cantina on Takodana to the rebel base on D’Qar to finally the First Order’s Starkiller Base. Rey discovers that she’s a prodigy of the Force and her dogged determination to succeed in her mission is what drives the story along. Her climactic lightsaber battle in the snow with Kylo Ren is one of the highlights of the movie. Disney Plus is made to highlight films like this so indulge yourself and start this new journey all over again withThe Force Awakens. — John Rocha
