9 action movies to watch for epic battles & big stakes
by Explore Disney+ Contributor
Revised: 5 June 2026
Super Heroes, lightsabers and spies deliver pulse-pounding thrills
Looking for movies that get your adrenaline pumping? This Watch Guide invites you to join Indiana Jones on an archeological expedition, step into the world of the Yautja with Predator: Badlands, and witness the epic clash between light and darkness in Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith (Episode III). Scroll on to build a Watchlist filled with unforgettable showdowns, death-defying stunts, and otherworldly adventures.
Best action movies to watch on Disney+
We’re covering the top action movies spanning decades, sub-genres and even galaxies. Whether you’re in the mood for classic escapades, larger-than-life Super Hero bravery, or something to watch with the kids, you’ll find it on Disney+.
Action-Adventure Movies
These movies are the start of two long-running and beloved sagas. After you watch the originals, why not fully immerse yourself with a weekend-long action-adventure movie marathon?
Hijinks on the high seas: Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl
Jack Sparrow washes into Port Royal and pulls blacksmith Will Turner into a chase after Captain Barbossa, who has stolen the Black Pearl and kidnapped Elizabeth Swann. Barbossa’s cursed hoard of gold has turned his men into a crew of undead skeletons, giving the movie the feel of an old fisherman’s tale. Despite the creepy twist, Captain Jack keeps things light with his unique charm as he tries to steal back his own ship in this first instalment of the Pirates of the Caribbean movies.
Add Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl to Watchlist
Family Action Movies For Movie Night
These PG-rated movies are perfect for when you want to bring some extra excitement to movie night with the kids.
Slapstick comedy meets robot action: Inspector Gadget
After an injury, naive security guard John Brown is not only patched back up, he’s upgraded with incredible built-in gizmos and contraptions. Now a human Swiss army knife, he tries to fight crime (if he can control his upgrades). As Inspector Gadget tries to settle into his new life, the evil Dr. Claw is about to make sure he meets his match. Hilarious mishaps mix with ingenious inventions in this action-comedy for the whole family.
Add Inspector Gadget to Watchlist
A stunt pilot turned global hero: The Rocketeer
In this 1991 movie, one man (and a top-secret jetpack) stands between a secret Nazi organization and their plan for world domination. Set in 1930s Los Angeles, the movie features classic gangster aesthetics, an epic score by James Horner, and larger-than-life stunts. This old-school, action-packed adventure is ready to jet into your next movie night.
Add The Rocketeer to Watchlist
Sci-Fi Action Movies
Incredible special effects and high-octane action collide in these sci-fi movies set in alternate universes and distant galaxies. If you’re looking for adventures full of intensity, fast-paced action, and explosive face-offs, look no further.
A Predator worth rooting for: Predator: Badlands
Dek, a young Yautja (Predator), embarks on a mission to prove his abilities as a hunter after he’s shunned by his clan. When he arrives on the "death planet" Genna, he meets android Thia, and the two team up to take on the feared Kalisk. This Predator movie gives new insight into Yautja culture, a species previously portrayed only as bloodthirsty villains.
Add Predator: Badlands to Watchlist
A virtual soldier enters our world: Tron: Ares
The world of Disney’s groundbreaking Tron expands with Tron: Ares, the electrifying, visually stunning follow-up to the 1982 seminal science fiction film Tron and the 2010 sequel, Tron: Legacy. When a highly sophisticated Program named Ares is sent from the digital world into the real world on a dangerous mission, it marks humankind’s first encounter with A.I. beings. Featuring innovations that feel both staggering and increasingly within reach, this stylised action adventure is paired with an electrifying score by Nine Inch Nails.
A republic on the brink: Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith (Episode III)
Discover the true power of the dark side in Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith (Episode III). Years after the onset of the Clone Wars, the noble Jedi Knights lead a massive clone army into a galaxy-wide battle against the Separatists. When the Sith unveil a thousand-year-old plot to rule the galaxy, the Republic crumbles, and from its ashes rises the evil Galactic Empire. Jedi hero Anakin Skywalker is seduced by the dark side of the Force, becoming the Emperor’s new apprentice, Darth Vader.
Add Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith (Episode III) to Watchlist
A sea odyssey for the senses: Avatar: The Way of Water
The second chapter of the Avatar saga expands the world of Pandora, exploring the depths of its oceans. It follows the Sully family more than a decade after the first film, depicting the challenges they face as they fight to protect their home and each other.
Add Avatar: The Way of Water to Watchlist
Super Hero Action Movies
For some of the most epic showdowns in movie history, Marvel on Disney+ has you covered. Check out the highlights below, then browse the full Marvel Collection for more exhilarating battles between Super Heroes and Super Villains.
A red-hot test of leadership: Marvel Studios' Captain America: Brave New World
After meeting with newly elected U.S. President Thaddeus Ross, Sam Wilson finds himself in the middle of an international incident. He must discover the reason behind a nefarious global plot before the true mastermind has the entire world seeing red.
Add Marvel Studios' Captain America: Brave New World to Watchlist
A mother at mission control: Marvel Studios' The Fantastic Four: First Steps
Set against the vibrant backdrop of a 1960s-inspired, retro-futuristic world, Marvel Studios’ The Fantastic Four: First Steps introduces Marvel’s First Family: Reed Richards / Mister Fantastic, Sue Storm / Invisible Woman, Johnny Storm / Human Torch, and Ben Grimm / The Thing. Forced to balance their roles as heroes with the strength of their family bond, they must defend Earth from a ravenous space god, Galactus, and his enigmatic Herald, Silver Surfer. And if Galactus’ plan to devour the entire planet weren’t bad enough, it quickly gets very personal.
