Disney isn't necessarily the first film studio you think of when you think of horror – but thanks in large part to the company's takeover of Fox, streaming platform Disney Plus is now home to a fair few spooky movies.
One such example is The First Omen, a prequel to '70s classic The Omen (also available on the platform) which was released in cinemas earlier this year, and is now available to watch at home.
Stylishly directed by Arkasha Stevenson and featuring a great central performance from Nell Tiger Free, it's well worth a watch.
Of course, more horror films on Disney Plus was not the only notable effect of the Disney/Fox merger – another is the fact that several beloved characters have joined the MCU for the first time, as seen in the hugely successful new film Deadpool & Wolverine, which is currently causing a major splash in cinemas.
Either before or after the watching the new film, many may find themselves wanting to look back, either at the Fox X-Men franchise films which were home to Hugh Jackman's Wolverine and Ryan Reynolds's Deadpool, or the MCU itself, most entries into which are available now on Disney Plus.
Of course, if superhero films aren't your thing, then Disney Plus still has plenty of other fare available as well. Whether it's acclaimed dramas you're looking for, such as Poor Things, The Martian and All of Us Strangers, or more franchise offerings, such as Star Wars, The Planet of the Apes, Indiana Jones and the Alien series, it's all available to stream now.
That's of course not even mentioning other recent fare, such as sci-fi epic The Creator, Poirot mystery A Haunting in Venice, and Rye Lane, or the mountain of Disney animated films and live-action remakes which are on the platform.
There is something for every movie fan on Disney Plus – and the RadioTimes.com team have broken down the top picks on the platform in this list.
Hayden Christensen in Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones.
Fortunately, you don’t need to fly to a galaxy far, far away to see the Star Wars saga. Well, the majority of it, anyway.
Here’s what’s on offer:
Star Wars: Episode I: The Phantom Menace
Star Wars: Episode II: Attack of the Clones
Star Wars: Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
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
Star Wars: Episode VIII: The Last Jedi
Star Wars: Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
Solo: A Star Wars Story
Star Wars: The Clone Wars
Empire of Dreams: The Story of The Star Wars Trilogy
If you're wondering what order to watch them in - because let's face it, it can be controversial - we have a guide to how to watch Star Wars in order.
Pixar movies on Disney Plus UK
Turning Red. Pixar
Yes, Disney also owns Pixar, the folks behind the likes of Toy Story and Inside Out. So if you need a laugh, go for Ratatouille; if you need a cry, go for Toy Story 3 (we're not over that heartbreaking burner scene yet); and if you need a romance, WALL-E is your go-to. Here are the Pixar options on Disney Plus UK.
Biographical drama starring Daisy Ridley. Born in New York in 1905, Trudy Ederle survives childhood illness and goes on to defy societal norms by pursuing her passion for swimming. After achieving success in local competitions, she decides to take on her biggest challenge: swimming across the English Channel.
Why watch Young Woman and the Sea?:
A committed Daisy Ridley stars here as Trudy Ederle, who overcame sexism and hearing problems to become, in 1926, the first woman to swim the English Channel. Joachim Ronning crafts a sparky celebration of underdog pluck, finding real momentum in the elemental water sequences.
Ridley powers the movie, alongside a fine support cast that includes Christopher Eccleston and Sian Clifford, and it all leads to a tense, stirring and persuasively crowd- pleasing climax.
Animated fantasy sequel featuring the voices of Amy Poehler, Maya Hawke and Kensington Tallman. Now 13 years old, Riley is an enthusiastic ice hockey player just weeks away from starting high school. But the night before she leaves home for summer camp, a "Puberty Alarm" goes off inside her head, where her emotions - led by the ever-positive Joy - are forced to contend with four new team-mates, not least the highly strung Anxiety, who soon takes charge.
Why watch Inside Out 2?:
Pixar’s sprightly sequel picks up with Riley after the onset of puberty, as the colourful characters representing her emotions are joined by a more complex, difficult crew including Anxiety and Envy. The film covers recognisable coming-of-age territory, but with less of an acid tongue, and arguably more insight, than peer pressure movies like Heathers.
Meanwhile, the backdrop of a girl’s mind provides endless avenues for invention, creating a film rich in colour, texture and gags.
In this psychological horror prequel to the classic Omen films, a young American woman is sent to Rome to begin a life of service to the church. Soon, she encounters a darkness that causes her to question her faith, and that reveals a terrifying conspiracy to bring about the birth of evil incarnate. The First Omen stars Nell Tiger Free (Servant), Tawfeek Barhom (Mary Magdalene), Sonia Braga (Kiss of the Spider Woman), Ralph Ineson (The Northman) and Bill Nighy (Living). The film is directed by Arkasha Stevenson based on characters created by David Seltzer (The Omen), with a story by Ben Jacoby (Bleed) and a screenplay by Tim Smith & Arkasha Stevenson and Keith Thomas (Firestarter). Warning: Some flashing-lights scenes in this film may affect photosensitive viewers.
Why watch The First Omen?:
Prior to its release, you'd have been forgiven for having relatively low expectations for The First Omen, especially given the disastrous reception to another recent spin-off from a '70s horror classic – The Exorcist: Believer. But this film is actually a fine piece of work, providing an interesting prequel to the events of The Omen that only occasionally falters in its final moments.
The film is stylishly directed by first-time feature filmmaker Arkasha Stevenson, who crafts a rich sense of atmosphere through a series of very artfully put together horror sequences and great use of offbeat visuals. Meanwhile, Servant star Nell Tiger Free turns in a sensational performance in the lead role, playing a novice nun whose faith is severely tested when she uncovers a horrifying conspiracy in Rome.
The plot bears some similarities to another recent nun-based horror flick – Sydney Sweeney vehicle Immaculate – and the two films make for an interesting double bill, but if anything, this is arguably the more accomplished of the two. It's well worth a watch.
Action adventure starring Hugh Jackman and Patrick Stewart. In the future, the X-Men are gone, no new mutants have been born in decades and a world-weary Wolverine is now lying low south of the American border in the company of a mentally frail Professor X. However, their seclusion is abruptly interrupted by the arrival of a mutant child with some familiar-looking powers.
Why watch Logan?:
As Hugh Jackman bursts back onto screens as one of Marvel's most popular mutants in Deadpool & Wolverine, now could be the perfect opportunity to revisit his most recent turn as the character in 2017's Logan.
Deftly directed by James Mangold, the film proves to be a markedly different take on the X-Men franchise, giving Jackman and Patrick Stewart the chance to flex their acting chops in a way they never have before. A darker, more existential film than most, it finds Wolverine at his lowest ebb, following a cataclysmic event which paves the way towards a tragic, heartfelt end.
It also features impressive an impressive turn from a young Dafne Keen, while Stephen Merchant also proves himself a more than capable dramatic actor in his role as Caliban.
If you're looking for the very best of the X-Men franchise, you may just find it here.
Science-fiction drama based on the novel by Andy Weir, starring Matt Damon. After a manned mission to Mars is hit by a ferocious storm, Mark Watney is left behind when his fellow crew members make their escape. Using scientific knowledge, ingenuity and drawing on seemingly inexhaustible levels of resolve, Mark must find a way to survive long enough to be rescued.
Why watch The Martian?:
Fans of Ridley Scott's 2015 film The Martian are in luck, with a choice of where they want to stream it - not only is it available on Disney Plus, but it's also currently available on Netflix.
It's actually part of Disney's back catalogue since the company's merger with 20th Century Fox, but it's easy to see why this would be a popular acquisition for streamers – it's a real blockbuster film which also has critical and awards pedigree, and features some of the biggest stars around in its cast.
The film follows Matt Damon's astronaut Mark, who is unintentionally left behind on Mars by his crew. As they attempt to get back to the red planet and save him, he must learn to survive on his own.
The Martian works on so many levels – it's a pulse-pounding thriller at times, a hilarious comedy at others, a fascinating celebration of science at others, and a really heartfelt treatise on humanity and our will to survive throughout.
Romantic comedy starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel. When new girl Summer Finn starts work in his office, it's love at first sight for Tom Hansen. But is their relationship doomed because of Summer's belief that real life always gets in the way of true love?
Why watch (500) Days of Summer?:
One of the most innovative romcoms in recent times, (500) Days of Summer has had something of a re-appraisal in recent years, largely due to the behaviour of Joseph Gordon-Levitt's protagonist Tom. In truth though, this change of perception should never have been needed – the film itself is well aware that he is, very often, in the wrong.
It's one of the best things about (500) Days of Summer, which has a nuanced perspective on relationships, love and what we might think we are 'owed'. It's also hysterically funny, very well observed and terrifically well-structured for a film which is purposefully out of sync.
Sure, it might lean dangerously near being schmaltzy at times, but the performances from Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel are top notch, the soundtrack is terrific and it's perfectly paced for a romcom, clocking in at a breezy hour and a half.
A fast-talking former mercenary develops terminal cancer and agrees to be the subject in a shady experiment in the hope of a cure. The procedure leaves him horribly disfigured, but also possessing superhuman abilities which he immediately puts to use in a quest for revenge on the man responsible for his hideous appearance. Superhero comedy adventure, starring Ryan Reynolds and Morena Baccarin
Why watch Deadpool?:
Deadpool & Wolverine is set to bring Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman’s fan-favourite mutant characters hurtling into the MCU, but for now why not go back to Reynolds’ first (we don’t talk about X-Men: Origins) bow as the Merc with a Mouth.
Greenlit thanks to the leaking of test footage, the first Deadpool felt like a scrappy outlier when it first debuted, an R-rated Superhero film at a time when they had become vanishingly rare. With Reynolds at his most magnetic in the role, and a simple storyline which allowed for improvisation a-plenty, the film was small-scale, refreshing and above all, fun.
It won’t be to everyone’s tastes, and the fourth-wall breaking can become grating, but there’s no denying that the casting of Reynolds in this role was an absolute slam dunk from the moment he appears on screen.
James Cameron's Oscar-winning blockbuster, starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet. During the Titanic's maiden voyage in 1912, penniless artist Jack Dawson falls in love with socialite Rose DeWitt Bukater, who is travelling with her fiancé. Years later, Rose relives the affair and the tragic events that followed, while a salvage crew searches for a priceless diamond said to have been lost in the shipwreck.
Why watch Titanic?:
This epic romantic disaster film remains the fourth-highest grossing movie of all time, even almost 30 years on, proving just what a behemoth it was on first release. It still holds up today, telling a love story for the ages in the tale of Jack and Rose, while also featuring stunning action and visual effects for its age.
James Cameron’s direction is exceptional, bringing to bare all of the skills he had learned through his career up to this point. But the real reason Titanic works as well as it does is because the emotion works, and unless you have a heart of stone, chances are you will be floored come the film’s end.
Sci-fi horror thriller starring Sigourney Weaver. On its way back to Earth at the end of a routine voyage, the spacecraft Nostromo picks up signals from a nearby planet. When three of the crew go to investigate, one of them is attacked by a mysterious creature that emerges from a repository of eggs.
Why watch Alien?:
The Alien franchise has been a somewhat bumpy one, with some fantastic instalments mixed in with substantially lesser ones. However, with a new film, Alien: Romulus, on the way, now could be the perfect time to return to Ridley Scott’s original horror/sci-fi masterpiece.
A textbook example of how effective slow-build horror can be, the film introduces us to the crew of the claustrophobic Nostromo before focusing in on Sigourney Weaver’s iconic protagonist Ripley. Featuring one of the most influential alien designs, and one of the most influential sequences in the horror genre in the chest-burster, it’s a clear example of a horror movie which has remained truly frightening over time, and a sci-fi which stands up in spite of technological advancements.
The full list of Alien movies available to stream now includes:
Documentary charting the recording sessions that would provide the material for the Beatles' final released album, Let It Be. Moving from Twickenham Film Studios to the band's Apple offices on Savile Row, this fly-on-the-wall feature captures John, Paul, George and Ringo in candid detail and culminates in the famous rooftop concert that would mark the Beatles' final live appearance.
Why watch Let It Be?:
Disney Plus has become something of a home for The Beatles in recent years – thanks in large part to the release of Peter Jackson’s superb three-part documentary Get Back at the tail end of 2021. Well, now there’s more cause for fans of the Fab Four to celebrate, thanks to a newly restored version of the 1970 film from which the footage for that aforementioned docuseries was drawn.
Let It Be follows the band as they rehearse and record tracks for the titular album, which would become their last. Meanwhile, it also includes footage of the legendary rooftop concert and offers more fascinating insights into the creative process of Paul, John, George and Ringo as they reached the end of their collaboration – and sometimes the end of their patience with each other. Originally directed by Michael Lindsay-Hogg, Jackson was instrumental in restoring the footage and ensuring that it can now be seen by a wide audience.
Sci-fi adventure starring Gary Oldman, Jason Clarke and Andy Serkis. With most of the human population wiped out, the world is now ruled by super-intelligent apes. But their chimp leader Caesar finds his loyalties divided when a small band of human survivors strike back.
Why watch Dawn of the Planet of the Apes?:
Disney Plus has the full collection of Planet of the Apes movies available to stream – and for our money Dawn is the cream of the crop. Directed by The Batman’s Matt Reeves and co-starring Jason Clarke and Gary Oldman, this middle chapter in the recent prequel trilogy features a storming motion-capture performance from Andy Serkis, whose Caesar solidifies himself as one of the most complex and well-drawn blockbuster heroes of the 2010s.
The story is a succinct yet impactful tale of revenge and tribalism, which is excellently followed up on in sequel War for the Planet of the Apes. As per usual the apes are the stars of the show, and the CGI in this one is truly breathtaking – you can watch every emotions cross the apes faces in a matter of seconds. It’s startling achievement which makes the film a visual treat.
Plus it has chimps on horseback with guns – what more could you ask for?
The full list of Apes movies available to stream now includes:
Romantic fantasy drama starring Andrew Scott and Paul Mescal. Lonely screenwriter Adam, who lives in a near-empty London tower block, finds connection in a burgeoning relationship with his mysterious neighbour, Harry. Soon afterwards, Adam revisits his suburban childhood home, where he has a surreal encounter: his parents, who died decades ago, appear to still be living there.
Why watch All of Us Strangers?:
A major contender at the 2024 BAFTAs and notably snubbed at the Oscars, All of Us Strangers entranced both critics and viewers alike when it first debuted. Ultimately a meditation on grief and loneliness, don’t be going into it without expecting to shed a tear of two (or, you know, a bucket).
Paul Mescal, Claire Foy and Jamie Bell all give outstanding supporting performances, but really this is a showcase for Andrew Scott, and he does not disappoint. The film follows his character Adam as he begins a new romance with a man he meets in his apartment block, Harry, while he also delves into a project writing about his parents that he lost at a young age. When he revisits his old family home, he finds them both there waiting for him, as he is repeatedly able to communicate with them just as they were, filling them in on his life thus far.
It’s a heady concept and one which might not completely come together for everyone – a final twist may be a step too far for some. However, as a moving and poetic visual experience, there are few others that have come close to matching it in recent times.
Sci-fi fantasy starring Emma Stone. In his Edinburgh lab, eminent Victorian scientist Dr Godwin Baxter conducts his greatest experiment yet: Bella, an adult woman whose brain has been replaced with that of a foetus. As her mind rapidly develops, Bella grows restless and decides to leave her home for an adventure in Europe, where she will learn much about the world, herself and the foibles of humanity.
Why watch Poor Things?:
Yorgos Lanthimos’s superb adaptation of Alasdair Gray’s novel was one of the most successful films at the 2024 Academy Awards, with Emma Stone’s second Best Actress win one of four Oscars the film picked up on the night – behind only the dominant Oppenheimer.
The surreal film sees Stone take on the role of a lifetime as Bella Baxter, a woman brought back from the dead in an experiment by eccentric Scottish scientist Godwin Baxter. As she learns to make use of her new brain, she embarks on an unconventional voyage of self-discovery that brings her into contact with a number of odious men, including Mark Ruffalo’s caddish lawyer Duncan Wedderburn.
There are laughs aplenty to be had in Bella’s madcap adventure, but despite its offbeat and often uproarious tone the film also engages with serious themes. Plus the exceptional, Oscar-winning production design and costuming ensures watching the film is a whimsical and delightful experience.
Musical starring Ansel Elgort and Rachel Zegler. In 1950s New York, two rival teenage gangs - the "American" Jets and the Puerto Rican Sharks - fight to control the streets. When former Jet Tony, who's trying to leave the gang life behind, falls for Maria, the sister of the Sharks' leader, their forbidden romance causes the turf war to escalate with tragic consequences.
Why watch West Side Story?:
Remaking a classic is always a slightly risky task, but if there’s one person you’d trust to do it, it would probably be Steven Spielberg. And even if his Oscar-nominated reimagining of the iconic musical West Side Story doesn’t quite top the original, it certainly gets very close – a stunningly entertaining spectacle complete with some of the best choreography of the 21st century.
As ever, the film tells the Romeo & Juliet-inspired tale of Tony and Maria – star-crossed lovers with links to rival New York gangs – and it’s a testament to the movie’s strength that you feel every bit of the tragedy even if you know exactly what’s coming. Rachel Zegler makes for an excellent Maria, but it’s arguably two of the film’s supporting cast members who most excel: Mike Faist as Riff and Ariana DeBose as Anita, with the latter’s performance in the standout musical number America particularly noteworthy.
After their powers become entangled, Carol Danvers, Monica Rambeau and Kamala Khan work together to save the universe. Comic-book adventure, with Brie Larson, Teyonah Parris, Iman Vellani and Zawe Ashton
Why watch The Marvels?:
Brie Larson, Teyonah Parris and Iman Vellani return as their respective characters from the MCU in this team-up film, which first released in cinemas last year.
Also featuring Samuel L Jackson, back as Nick Fury, and Zawe Ashton as a brand-new villain, it’s a terrific cast that has been assembled here, and Nia DaCosta’s film is at its best in their dynamics, when they are playing off one another.
It may not have been the film to bring Marvel back into favour, or a slam dunk with fans, but if you’re looking for a quick burst of action, sci-fi adventure, with some fun MCU references to boot, then it’s worth checking out.
Grief-stricken ex-Special Forces operative Joshua hopes to end the war between humans and a rogue artificial intelligence by locating and destroying the architect of the enemy machines. Dystopian sci-fi action thriller starring John David Washington
Why watch The Creator?:
Last year’s The Creator, an original sci-fi film from Rogue One director Gareth Edwards, proved somewhat divisive critically and with audiences, but there’s one thing which seemed to unite most viewers – it was a staggering visual achievement on the budget it was assigned.
Costing reportedly just $80 million dollars, it put plenty of films with budgets three times the size to shame, while also featuring some strong performances from leads John David Washington, Gemma Chan and Ken Watanabe.
It also saw an incredible breakout performance from young star Madeleine Yuna Voyles, and examined some timely themes around the development of artificial intelligence, the brutality of war and military overreach. It may not be your favourite film of the year, but it’s well worth your time, if only to champion original mid-budget filmmaking.
Archaeologist Indiana Jones races against time to retrieve a legendary dial that can change the course of history. Accompanied by his goddaughter, he soon finds himself squaring off against Jürgen Voller, a former Nazi who works for NASA. Action adventure, starring Harrison Ford, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Antonio Banderas and Mads Mikkelsen
Why watch Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny?:
The most recent and final Indiana Jones film may not have been met with the same acclaim as the original trilogy – in fact, some fans didn’t take to it at all.
However, for most, it was seen as an improvement on the previous outing, Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, and a fitting post-script and farewell to Harrison Ford’s adventurer. The film features some thrilling flashbacks to Indy’s younger days, while also featuring a strong supporting cast including Mads Mikkelsen, Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Boyd Holbrook.
In reality though, it’s truly all about Ford, and the weight the film affords the character in his advanced age, with Indy emotionally coming to terms with his ageing body and life-regrets. Meanwhile, The rest of the Indiana Jones film series is also available on Disney Plus.
A game show-obsessed woman's path to enlightenment demands answers to simple questions in a rollicking comedy written by Jen D'Angelo and directed by Jessica Yu. Mild-mannered accounting services worker Anne Yum (Awkwafina) receives unsettling news that her mother has disappeared from her care home. Moreover, the missing matriarch has spent 80,000 dollars feeding a gambling habit and an angry creditor is holding Anne's beloved dog hostage as collateral until the arrears are settled. Anne's extrovert sister Jenny (Sandra Oh) conceives a perfect plan to raise the cash: playing for the jackpot on her favourite TV show, Can't Beat The Quiz hosted by the ebullient Terry McTeer (Will Ferrell). The siblings embark on a madcap cross-country odyssey to transform shrinking violet Anne into a gameshow contender and defeat slippery reigning champion Ron Heacock (Jason Schwartzman)
Why watch Quiz Lady?:
Awkwafina and Sandra Oh prove a match made in comedy heaven in this sweet romp from director Jessica Yu. Anxious accountant Anne (Awkwafina) is reunited with her scatty older sister Jenny (Oh) after their gambling addict mother absconds from a nursing home. When Jenny sneakily films Anne excelling at answering questions that come up on her favourite TV quiz show, the video goes viral and Anne is offered the chance to appear on the show alongside her quiz-master idol (a genial Will Ferrell).
The film is sharply scripted by Jen D’Angelo, who deftly balances the heart and humour of the story, and fleshes out the sisters’ relationship well.
Murder mystery directed by and starring Kenneth Branagh. Famed detective Hercule Poirot has retired from the sleuthing game and is now living a quiet life in Venice. At the insistence of an American writer friend, he attends a seance on Halloween, ostensibly to help unmask the medium hosting it as a fraud. But when a murder is then committed, Poirot questions whether supernatural elements have played a part in the fiendish crime.
Why watch A Haunting in Venice?:
Kenneth Branagh has now directed three Poirot films, all with himself in the central role, and this third is perhaps the best of the bunch. By straying far from the original source material, Agatha Christie’s novel Hallowe’en Party, Branagh creates something which is daring, surprising and tonally different from anything which has come before.
Taking on elements of the horror genre, the film sees Poirot investigating a murder at a seance in Venice, with many of the guests believing the death to have been caused by the supernatural. Once again, Branagh has assembled an impressive cast, with Tina Fey, Michelle Yeoh and Jamie Dornan all bringing their A game.
Live-action adaptation of Disney's animated fairy tale, starring Halle Bailey and Jonah Hauer-King. Ariel the mermaid is captivated by the world above the waves, much to the consternation of her father, King Triton. After saving a prince from drowning during a storm, Ariel makes a pact with a sea witch to become human for three days to win the prince's heart - little realising she will lose her beautiful voice as well as her fishy tail.
Why watch The Little Mermaid?:
Making a big splash in Disney’s centenary year, The Little Mermaid is one of the studio’s more successful live-action makeovers of their animated back catalogue. Adapted from Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale, it’s the story of mermaid Ariel (Halle Bailey), who makes a pact with sea witch Ursula (Melissa McCarthy) become human so she can win the heart of Prince Eric (Jonah Hauer-King).
The film is surprisingly faithful to the original 1989 classic, and the musical routines to Under the Sea and Kiss the Girl are eye-poppingly staged. Bailey radiates charisma in the lead and Daveed Diggs and Awkwafina provide comedy gold as the voices of crabby crustacean Sebastian and dimwitted gannet Scuttle.
Still reeling from the loss of Gamora, Peter Quill rallies his team to defend the universe and one of their own - a mission that could mean the end of the Guardians if not successful. Sci-fi comedy, starring Chris Pratt
Why watch Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3?:
Marvel’s quirky space-rangers get a last hurrah in this enjoyable intergalactic adventure. After suffering an attack from the gold-skinned Adam Warlock (Will Poulter), Star-Lord (Chris Pratt) seeks help for a stricken crew member, bringing the team into the orbit of a mad scientist. Director James Gunn doesn’t miss a beat when it comes to filling the screen with weird aliens or the soundtrack with rock classics, but he also over-eggs the sentiment with animals and kids in peril. Nonetheless, this is unabashed fun, and wraps up the Guardians’ saga with a satisfying flourish.
Mickey and Pete go head to head in a variety of sporting events (running, rowing, vaulting and a wild bicycle race finale), as the entire barnyard (including Minnie and Horace Horsecollar) turns out to cheer them on. Pete resorts to cheating but Mickey wins in the end.
Why watch Disney Classic Shorts?:
To mark the centenary of the Walt Disney Animation Studios, Disney Plus continues to restore classic shorts. They include some genuine landmarks: Barnyard Olympics is an inventive tie-in with the 1932 Los Angeles Olympics, as Mickey takes on all comers in all sports. Meanwhile, Donald’s Nephews, from 1938, features the first appearance of Huey, Dewey and Louie, who became Disney mainstays through to Duck Tales and beyond. One year later came Goofy and Wilbur, the former’s first solo film as he goes fishing with his pet grasshopper.
Look out, too, for The Flying Jalopy, Donald’s Cousin Gus and Mickey’s Steam Roller.
"Avatar: The Way of Water" reaches new heights and explores undiscovered depths as James Cameron returns to the world of Pandora in this emotionally-packed action adventure. Set more than a decade after the events of the first film, "Avatar: The Way of Water" launches the story of the Sully family (Jake, Neytiri, and their kids), the trouble that follows them, the lengths they go to keep each other safe, the battles they fight to stay alive, and the tragedies they endure. All of this takes place against the backdrop of the breathtaking seascapes of Pandora, where audiences are introduced to new Na'vi cultures and a range of exotic sea creatures. Nominated for numerous Academy Awards® including Best Picture, the James Cameron-directed film became the third highest-grossing box office film of all-time and set a new benchmark for visual effects. Produced by Cameron and his longtime partner Jon Landau, the Lightstorm Entertainment production stars Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña, Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang, Cliff Curtis and Kate Winslet. Joining the illustrious adult cast are talented newcomers Britain Dalton, Jamie Flatters, Trinity Jo-Li Bliss, Bailey Bass and Jack Champion. Some flashing lights sequences or patterns may affect photosensitive viewers.
Why watch Avatar: the Way of Water?:
Those clamouring for a return to the moon world of Pandora are well served by James Cameron’s visually stunning sequel to his own 2009 sci-fi blockbuster. Set years after the events of Avatar, the film picks up with chieftain Jake (Sam Worthington) and Neytiri (Zoe Saldaña) as they raise their young family. When humans return, determined to claim the moon for mankind, Jake and his clan flee to the sanctuary of an ocean tribe, where they prepare for all-out war.
The film is a non-stop feast for the eyes, and while the story occasionally meanders, the world of Pandora remains a treat.
Eva Longoria makes her feature film directorial debut with an inspirational drama based on disputed claims about the creation of one of America's most popular snacks. In the mid-1970s. Richard Montanez (Jesse Garcia) works as a cleaner in California for Frito Lay, the snack giant responsible for popular brands including Cheetos and Doritos. Drawing on his Mexican American heritage, Montanez suggests a spicy twist to one of the company's most popular lines, giving birth to Flamin' Hot Cheetos. The incendiary new flavour becomes a pop culture phenomenon around the world
Why watch Flamin' Hot?:
The story of how a janitor brought spice to the snack world is recounted in this film from actor-turned-director Eva Longoria (Desperate Housewives). Jesse Garcia plays Richard Montañez, the Mexican-American businessman who claims to have invented Flamin’ Hot Cheetos. Encouraged by his wife Judy (Annie Gonzalez), Montañez leaves behind a criminal life when he secures a bottom-rung job at Frito-Lay in California. After impressing one of the factory’s engineers with his aptitude and ambition, he reaches out to the company’s CEO (Tony Shalhoub) with his revolutionary idea.
Garcia gives a heartfelt performance, and Longoria paints a passionate picture of cultural pride that features plenty of Latino flavour.
James Hibbs is a Drama Writer for Radio Times, covering programmes across both streaming platforms and linear channels. He previously worked in PR, first for a B2B agency and subsequently for international TV production company Fremantle. He possesses a BA in English and Theatre Studies and an NCTJ Level 5 Diploma in Journalism.
