Tom Power, senior entertainment reporter
One of our final 2023 updates to this guide sees the addition of Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, which is out now on Disney Plus in the US. We’ve also removed films that debuted on the platform before late October as we don’t consider them to be new anymore.
New Disney Plus movies are regularly added to one of the world’s most popular streaming platforms. And, if you’re on the hunt for something of a film persuasion to watch this weekend (or any day, for that matter), we’ve rounded up all of the new movies that have arrived since late October.
Disney Plus is home to countless films, which have helped to turn it into one of the globe’s best streaming services. However, with so many choices available, you might not be sure where to start, so this handy guide should always be your go-to if you’re searching for a new flick on Disney’s primary streamer.
If you’re after an even bigger selection, our best Disney Plus movies guide is packed with top-tier offerings from Marvel, Star Wars, and more. US visitors can also read about what Disney Plus’ sister streamer offers from a movie perspective in our new Hulu movies article.
Speaking of Hulu: some of this guide’s entries are only available on that service stateside, so we’ve added a note to those this applies to. With that housekeeping out of the way, then, here are all of the new Disney Plus films to catch right now.
New Disney Plus movies: December 2023
Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny
Release date: December 1 (December 15 in the UK)
Director: James Mangold
Cast: Harrison Ford, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Mads Mikkelsen, and Antonio Banderas
Ford’s last hurrah as Indiana Jones has finally swung its way onto Disney Plus. Well, in the US, anyway – in our view, Indiana Jones 5‘s unusual Disney Plus release schedule doesn’t make any sense, but that’s a discussion for another time.
So, what’s The Dial of Destiny about? The iconic archaeologist races against the clock to – yep, you’ve guessed it – prevent a mysterious artefact landing in the lap of those pesky Nazis. To do so, however, the aging Indy will need to enlist the help of goddaughter Helen (Waller-Bridge) to ensure Jürgen Voller (Mikkelsen) doesn’t change the course of history with the titular macguffin.
Indiana Jones 5‘s first reviews weren’t great, with critics left wanting more from legendary actor Ford’s final outing as the titular character. Still, audiences seemed to enjoy it – its 88% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes showcasing as much – meaning it might be worth streaming after all. See where The Dial of Destiny placed in our Indiana Jones movies ranked piece while you’re here.
New Disney Plus movies: November 2023
A Haunting in Venice
Release date: November 22
Director: Kenneth Branagh
Cast: Kenneth Branagh, Tina Fey, Michelle Yeoh, Jamie Dornan, Jude Hill, and Riccardo Scamarico among others
Of all the new Disney Plus movies on this list, A Haunting in Venice might seem a tad out of place. After all, Halloween 2023 has been and gone, so it seems strange to release Branagh’s third Poirot film weeks after spooky season ended.
Regardless, it’s absolutely worth watching. After the poor reception its predecessors – Murder on the Orient Express and Death on the Nile – received, A Haunting in Venice is a sinister and thrilling take on Agatha Christie’s iconic detective novel. Set during All Hallows’ Eve in post-World War II Venice, a retired and self-exiled Poirot (Branagh) is forced to wrestle with his own beliefs and superstitions after one of the guest at an elaborate and expensive party is seemingly murdered by malevolent forces.
With its 75% critical and 77% audience scores on Rotten Tomatoes, A Haunting in Venice is easily the best of Branagh’s Christie adaptations. Prepare for chills galore, if you dare stream it.
Dashing Through the Snow
Release date: November 17
Director: Tim Story
Cast: Chris ‘Ludacris’ Bridges, Lil Rey Howery, and Teyonah Parris
US rapper-turned-actor Ludacris stars alongside Howery (Free Guy) and Parris (The Marvels, They Cloned Tyrone) in this holiday caper that seems like it’s trying a bit too hard to be funny.
Ludacris plays Eddie Garrick, a good-hearted man who dislikes Christmas due to a traumatic childhood experience. However, when Eddie and his nine-year-old daughter Charlotte (Madison Skye Validum) run into a mysterious, red-suited man called Nick (Howery) who bears more than a passing resemblance to Santa Clause, Eddie might find his faith in the festive season restored.
Based on its trailer, Dashing Through the Snow certainly knows its target audience, but it’s hard to work out if it’s one of 2023’s best new Disney Plus movies. Critics don’t rate it – it’s sitting at mediocre 43% on Rotten Tomatoes – but general audiences seem to like it (72%). Maybe one to save until you’re really feeling Christmassy in December.
Spider-Man: Far From Home
Release date: November 3 (US only)
Director: Jon Watts
Cast: Tom Holland, Zendaya, Jake Gyllenhaal, Jacob Batalon Samuel L Jackson, Cobie Smulders, Marisa Tomei, and Jon Favreau
The second installment in Tom Holland’s Spider-Man film trilogy for the MCU, Spider-Man: Far From Home has re-joined Disney Plus’ library (NB: UK and Australian viewers can stream it on Netflix instead).
In the first MCU film post-Avengers: Endgame, Holland’s Peter Parker finds himself struggling to return to what he’d consider to be a relatively normal life. Parker continues to mourn the loss of his mentor Tony Stark/Iron Man following his heroic sacrifice in Endgame, wrestles with telling M.J. (Zendaya) how he really feels about her, and balancing his superhero adventures with his schoolwork. Things get more complicated when Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) and an apparently multiversal superhero called Mysterio (Jake Gyllenhaal) enlist his help to save the world from a new otherworldly threat, too.
Arguably the weakest of Holland’s three films to date – that’s subjective, considering it holds 90% critical and 95% audience Rotten Tomatoes scores – Far From Home is still a terrific film filled of humor, great action, tantalizing drama, and emotional gut punches. See where it sits in our best Spider-Man movies piece or find out how to watch the Spider-Man movies in order.
Quiz Lady
Release date: November 3 (available on Hulu in the US)
Director: Jessica Yu
Cast: Awkwafina, Sandra Oh, Will Ferrell, and Jason Schwartzman
Quiz Lady stars Awkwafina (The Boys Presents: Diabolical, Shang-Chi) and Sandra Oh (Invincible, Killing Eve) as Anne and Jenny, estranged sisters who reunite when their mom passes away. Unfortunately for the duo, their mother racked up a mountainous gambling debt before she died – and, to make matters worse, Anne’s dog is kidnapped by their deceased parent’s criminal debt collectors.
However, when Anne displays an uncanny ability to correctly answer questions on a quiz TV show, the pair set off on a cross-country adventure to turn Anne into a bona fide quiz champion whose winnings will pay off said debt and get her beloved hound back.
Quiz Lady has become a surprise hit among fans and critics. Indeed, its respective 81% and 80% positive ratings on Rotten Tomatoes proves as much. One of 2023’s new Disney Plus movies whose heartfelt and comedic slant might make for a worthwhile watch.
New Disney Plus movies: October 2023
Appendage
Release date: October 27 (available on Hulu in the US)
Director: Anna Zlokovic
Cast: Hadley Robinson, Emily Hampshire, and Brandon Smith
This Zlokovic-directed movie – she also penned the screenplay – could’ve been another underrated horror film offering when it originally landed on Hulu. However, its critical and commercial reception hasn’t been as terrifyingly terrific as some might have hoped, so it isn’t unmissable flick.
That said, Appendage has some things going for it. It tells the tale of Hannah (Robinson), a fashion designer who’s constantly crippled by self-doubt. When her inner demons eventually erupt to the surface and turn into a grotesque growth on her body – the titular appendage – Hannah’s health rapidly deteriorates. But hope springs eternal as she soon learns that she’s not the only one with a debilitating, seemingly sentient tumor.
With its unusual body horror premise and at-times comical leanings, Appendage may have enough about it (for some viewers, anyway) to be worth its 93-minute runtime. For others looking for something more thematically substantial and frightening, though, it’ll do little to scratch that creepy movie-style itch.
New Disney Plus movies: coming soon
Want to know what the final few new Disney Plus movies are before December 31 arrives? Read the list below for more details:
- Theater Camp – December 6 (UK only)
- Diary of a Wimpy Kid Christmas: Cabin Fever – December 8
- Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny – December 15 (UK only)
- Harry Brown – December 29 (UK only)
Not up for a movie? Try our pick of the best Disney Plus shows, see if there’s a free Disney Plus trial available, read our Disney Plus review, or get the lowdown on the new Disney Plus price points.