10 Best Sci-Fi Movies on Disney+
Disney+ is home to the “Star Wars” adventures from a galaxy far, far away, and the Marvel stories that take us far beyond Earth. Although many of these films are more fantasy than sci-fi, here are our picks for the best stories on Disney+ that don’t take place on our planet.
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The Empire Strikes Back
May 20, 1980The epic saga continues as Luke Skywalker, in hopes of defeating the evil Galactic Empire, learns the ways of the Jedi from aging master Yoda. But Darth Vader is more determined than ever to capture Luke. Meanwhile, rebel leader Princess Leia, cocky Han Solo, Chewbacca, and droids C-3PO and R2-D2 are thrown into various stages of capture, betrayal and despair.
It’s almost universally agreed that this is the best “Star Wars” film. As long as you’ve seen the original 1977 film, you’ll be ready to go with this classic.
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Avengers: Infinity War
April 25, 2018As the Avengers and their allies have continued to protect the world from threats too large for any one hero to handle, a new danger has emerged from the cosmic shadows: Thanos. A despot of intergalactic infamy, his goal is to collect all six Infinity Stones, artifacts of unimaginable power, and use them to inflict his twisted will on all of reality. Everything the Avengers have fought for has led up to this moment - the fate of Earth and existence itself has never been more uncertain.
You will need to be up on all your Marvel Movies to appreciate this one, but it packs a powerful punch of action, drama, and dazzling special effects. The ending to this film provides one of the biggest jaw-droppers in the last 20 years. How will our heroes get out of this jam? Be sure to follow it up with “Avengers: Endgame.”
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Avatar
December 15, 2009In the 22nd century, a paraplegic Marine is dispatched to the moon Pandora on a unique mission, but becomes torn between following orders and protecting an alien civilization.
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WALL·E
June 22, 2008In the distant future, Earth has become a desolate wasteland, abandoned by humanity and overrun by mountains of trash. Amidst the rubble, a small, lovable robot named WALL-E spends his days tirelessly cleaning up the mess. But when a sleek, high-tech robot named EVE arrives on a mission to search for signs of life, WALL-E is immediately smitten. Together, they embark on a journey across the cosmos.
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Tron
July 9, 1982When brilliant video game maker Flynn hacks the mainframe of his ex-employer, he is beamed inside an astonishing digital world…and becomes part of the very game he is designing. In his mission through cyberspace, Flynn matches wits with a maniacal Master Control Program and teams up with Tron, a security measure created to bring balance to the digital environment.
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The Black Hole
December 18, 1979The explorer craft USS Palomino is returning to Earth after a fruitless 18-month search for extra-terrestrial life when the crew comes upon a supposedly lost ship, the USS Cygnus, hovering near a black hole. The ship is controlled by Dr. Hans Reinhardt and his monstrous robot companion, but the initial wonderment and awe the Palomino crew feel for the ship and its resistance to the power of the black hole turn to horror as they uncover Reinhardt’s plans.
This is a dark, weird movie that you probably shouldn’t show younger kids. It’s also one of the most disturbing things Disney has ever produced. Are you ready for some late-70s weirdness? Buckle up!
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Guardians of the Galaxy
July 30, 2014Light years from Earth, 26 years after being abducted, Peter Quill finds himself the prime target of a manhunt after discovering an orb wanted by Ronan the Accuser.
If you’re looking for a Marvel movie that’s pure sci-fi, this is your best bet. It’s also possible to watch this one without having seen any of the other Marvel films and you’ll still enjoy it. Although the villain is one of Marvel’s most boring, he spends most of the movie on the sidelines. This one is funny, weird, subversive, and action-packed with a great soundtrack to boot!
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Treasure Planet
November 26, 2002When space galleon cabin boy Jim Hawkins discovers a map to an intergalactic “loot of a thousand worlds,” a cyborg cook named John Silver teaches him to battle supernovas and space storms on their journey to find treasure.
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Flight of the Navigator
July 30, 198612-year-old David is accidentally knocked out in the forest near his home, but when he awakens eight years have passed. His family is overjoyed to have him back, but is just as perplexed as he is that he hasn’t aged. When a NASA scientist discovers a UFO nearby, David gets the chance to unravel the mystery and recover the life he lost.
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Honey, I Shrunk the Kids
June 23, 1989The scientist father of a teenage girl and boy accidentally shrinks his and two other neighborhood teens to the size of insects. Now the teens must fight diminutive dangers as the father searches for them.
