From franchise favorites to Oscar winners, here are the most thrilling features on the streamer. The 16 best action movies on Amazon Prime Video to get your day moving From franchise favorites to Oscar winners, here are the most thrilling features on the streamer. By Ilana Gordon :maxbytes(150000):stripicc()/ILANAGORDONHEADSHOT80577598f8ed442cacff5de184ceb9f5.jpg) Ilana Gordon is an entertainment, culture, and comedy writer originally from Connecticut. She currently lives in Los Angeles. EW's editorial guidelines and Declan Gallagher on November 7, 2025 5:46 a.m.

From franchise favorites to Oscar winners, here are the most thrilling features on the streamer.

The 16 best action movies on Amazon Prime Video to get your day moving

From franchise favorites to Oscar winners, here are the most thrilling features on the streamer.

By Ilana Gordon

Ilana Gordon is an entertainment, culture, and comedy writer originally from Connecticut. She currently lives in Los Angeles.

EW's editorial guidelines

and Declan Gallagher

on November 7, 2025 5:46 a.m. ET

Daniel Craig as James Bond in 'Casino Royale'; Scarlett Johannson as Lucy in 'Lucy'; Ben Affleck as Tony Mendez in 'Argo'. Credit:

Warner Bros.; Jessica Forde/Universal Studios; Columbia Pictures

If you're looking for an action-packed romp to keep you entertained at home, Amazon Prime Video has you covered. The streamer boasts an excellent selection of films featuring all the explosions, stunt sequences, and car chases one could dream of. Whether you're feeling an uplifting movie about female friendship (*Thelma & Louise*) or a box office favorite (*Die Hard*), Amazon Prime Video delivers on demand.

Arctic (2018)

Mads Mikkelsen as Overgård in 'Arctic'. Bleecker Street Media/Everett

As far as movie villains go, Mother Nature is one hell of an adversary. Overgård (Mads Mikkelsen) is a plane crash survivor stuck in the Arctic Circle, awaiting rescue. His day-to-day routine is interrupted after a would-be helicopter rescue ends in another crash, with the only surviving passenger (María Thelma Smáradóttir) left severely injured. Determined to save them both, Overgård embarks on foot on a journey across the Arctic, where he finds himself challenged by everything nature throws at him.

Mikkelsen carries the film on his parka-clad shoulders; mostly stripped of dialogue, director Joe Penna employs silence the same way other filmmakers use screams. A startling tale that will have you writing odes to your heating system, *Arctic* is a tense and thrilling survival tale. EW's critic writes that Penna's "concept is hardly new, but his execution is sharp, clean, and smartly paced; a harrowing postcard from the void." *—Ilana Gordon*

Where to watch *Arctic*: Amazon Prime Video

**EW grade:** B+

**Director: ** Joe Penna

**Cast: **Mads Mikkelsen

Argo (2012)

Bryan Cranston as Jack O'Donnell and Ben Affleck as Tony Mendez in 'Argo'.

Claire Folger/Warner Bros. Pictures/Courtesy Everett

*Argo*, the thriller about the CIA's attempt to free six hostages from the 1979 Iran hostage crisis using a fake Hollywood movie, is one of Ben Affleck's career highlights. Affleck directs and stars as Tony Mendez, a CIA exfiltration specialist who comes up with a cockamamie scheme to free a group of hostages hiding in the home of a Canadian diplomat. To pull off his human heist, Mendez must develop and try to sell a *Star Wars*-esque sci-fi film, in the hopes of tricking the Iranians into believing the American hostages are part of a Canadian film crew.

Based on a true story, *Argo *combines the best elements of a heist movie with some Hollywood magic, all set against the backdrop of an international conflict. EW's critic gives *Argo* an "A", writing "The film has an explosive '70s vibe: Even when you're laughing (mostly out of uneasiness), the stakes couldn't be higher." *—I.G.*

Where to watch *Argo*: Amazon Prime Video

**EW grade:** A

**Director: **Ben Affleck

**Cast: **Ben Affleck, Bryan Cranston, Alan Arkin, John Goodman

Casino Royale (2006)

Daniel Craig as James Bond in 'Casino Royale'.

Columbia Pictures

As the sixth actor to assume the mantle of James Bond, expectations for Daniel Craig's first attempt as the sophisticated and deadly intelligence agent were high — and he delivered. Inhabiting the role with a smugness that belies the murderous look in his eyes, Craig manages to make 007 as much of a brawler as he is a modern man of mystery. In his first mission, Bond engages in a high-stakes poker game with bankrupt terrorist Le Chiffre (Mads Mikkelsen) but falls tragically in love with Vesper Lynd (Eva Green), the British treasury agent bankrolling his game.

In this reboot, M (Judi Dench) views Bond as a "blunt instrument" as he's just earned his license to kill, but struggles to keep her newest weapon on the straight and narrow. Credited with reviving interest in the long-standing franchise, *Casino Royale*, as an EW reviewer puts it, "turns Bond into a human being again." *—I.G. *

Where to watch *Casino Royal*e: Amazon Prime Video

**EW grade:** B+

**Director: **Martin Campbell

**Cast: **Daniel Craig, Eva Green, Mads Mikkelsen, Jeffrey Wright, Judi Dench, Isaach de Bankolé

Die Hard (1988)

Bruce Willis as John McClane in 'Die Hard'. Twentieth Century Fox

Fans have debated whether *Die Hard* is a Christmas movie for more than three decades, but it's an agreed upon fact that the film launched one of the most beloved action thriller franchises of all time. The first of five installments introduces audiences to the series' hero — New York police officer John McClane (Bruce Willis) — who has traveled to Los Angeles hoping to rekindle a romance with his estranged wife, Holly. After German terrorists — led by the nefarious Hans Gruber (Alan Rickman) — take control of the building where Holly's company's Christmas party is being held, McClane must work to take down the terrorists from the inside in order to save his family.

The world has *Die Hard* to thank for elevating both Willis' and Rickman's careers, and while Willis' recent retirement has brought an end to the franchise, *Die Hard* will always be remembered as the movie that helped cement his legacy as one of the foremost action stars of all time.* —I.G.***

Where to watch *Die Hard*: Amazon Prime Video**

**Director:** John McTiernan**

**Cast: **Bruce Willis, Alan Rickman, Alexander Godunov, Bonnie Bedelia

Escape From New York (1981)

Kurt Russell as Snake Plissken in 'Escape From New York'. Everett Collection

John Carpenter's actioner stars Kurt Russell as prison inmate Snake Plissken, who's tasked with saving the president (Donald Pleasence) from infidels in an apocalyptic 1997. One of the director's last films from his most furtive period, *Escape From New York* is an assured blend of sci-fi thriller and the Howard Hawks Westerns he grew up loving as a kid. *—Declan Gallagher*

Where to watch *Escape From New York*: Amazon Prime Video******Director:** John Carpenter******Cast: **Kurt Russell, Adrienne Barbeau, Lee Van Cleef, Donald Pleasence, Isaac Hayes**

Gladiator II (2024)

Paul Mescal as Hanno/Lucius and Pedro Pascal as Marcus Acacius in 'Gladiator II'.

Almost 25 years after *Gladiator* premiered and entertained theater audiences with its epic historical narrative and bold action sequences, Ridley Scott returns with his long-awaited sequel. The successor to his Best Picture winner follows a fresh crop of characters led by Paul Mescal, who stars as Hanno, a prisoner of war. Hanno shows promise in the ring and carries vengeance in his heart for his murdered wife and conquered kingdom, but as he acquits himself as a gladiator and learns about his background, he begins to imagine the possibilities for a rehabilitated Rome.

*Gladiator II* boasts a fresh cast of brilliant actors, a smart, well-constructed script, and employs a quarter century's worth of cinematic and visual effect advancements that propel this project to new heights. As EW's critic notes "With *Gladiator II*, [Ridley] reminds us why, at 86, he's still one of the most invigorating filmmakers around." —*I.G.***

Where to watch *Gladiator II*: Amazon Prime Video

**EW grade:** A

**Director: **Ridley Scott

**Cast: **Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, Connie Nielsen, Denzel Washington, Joseph Quinn, Fred Hechinger, Lior Raz, Derek Jacobi

The 21 best action movies on Netflix

The 24 best action movies on HBO Max to get you hyped up

Hanna (2011)

Saoirse Ronan as Hanna in 'Hanna'.

Alex Bailey/Focus Features

Deep in rural Finland, 15-year-old Hanna (Saoirse Ronan) has spent her childhood living off the grid, training to become an assassin. Raised by her ex-CIA father (Eric Bana) and fashioned into a killing machine, Hanna understands that her life's mission is to eliminate the CIA officer (Cate Blanchett) who has long been hunting them.

Now old enough to embark on her quest, Hanna leaves the security of Finland's wild country and journeys across Europe, dodging intelligence agents and operatives as she seeks to complete her assignment and rendezvous with her father in his native Berlin. But the closer she comes to achieving her goal, the more she learns about her past and the motivations behind her unconventional childhood. An action adventure thriller with fairy tale vibes, *Hanna* works thanks to its stylistic direction and the strength of its stars: Ronan is a revelation, proving once again that the depths of her talent can't be contained by one genre. *—I.G.*

Where to watch *Hanna*: Amazon Prime Video

**EW grade:** B+

**Director: **Joe Wright

**Cast: **Saoirse Ronan, Eric Bana, Cate Blanchett, Vicky Krieps, Tom Hollander, Olivia Williams, Michelle Dockery, Jessica Barden, Jason Flemyng

Let Him Go (2020)

Kevin Costner as George Blackledge and Diane Lane as Margaret Blackledge in 'Let Him Go'. Kimberley French/Focus Features

*Yellowstone *fans searching for a movie in the same vein will want to check out *Let Him Go*, a neo-Western thriller about a grandmother's quest to rescue her grandson. Diane Lane and Kevin Costner star as Margaret and George Blackledge, Montana ranchers whose son dies in an accident. When his widow marries into the dangerous Weboy family — taking the couple's grandson, Jimmy, with her to North Dakota — Margaret decides it's up to her to bring Jimmy home.

What follows is an epic showdown between the Blackledges and Weboys, led by the family's sadistic matriarch, Blanche (Lesley Manville). Lovers of pulpy drama, violent climaxes, and deeply-held family ties will find much to enjoy here, and EW's critic writes, "there's blunt power in the execution, most of it concentrated in [director Thomas] Bezucha's moody big-sky atmosphere, and in the seasoned professionals he's found to tell the tale." *—I.G.*

Where to watch *Let Him Go*: Amazon Prime Video

**EW grade: **B

**Director: **Thomas Bezucha

**Cast: **Diane Lane, Kevin Costner, Lesley Manville

The Lost City of Z (2017)

Charlie Hunnam as Percy Fawcett and Tom Holland as Jack Fawcett in 'The Lost City of Z'.

Aidan Monaghan/Bleecker Street Media/Everett

James Gray's film, adapted from *Killers of the Flower Moon* author David Grann's nonfiction book, is a cracking old-fashioned adventure yarn. *The Lost City of Z* stars Charlie Hunnam as fabled explorer Percy Fawcett, who discovers a previously unknown civilization during a trek into the Amazon jungle — but when his interest in his work begins to border on obsession, Fawcett finds himself struggling to maintain his relationships with his wife and children. The film was chosen to close the New York Film Festival in 2016, and while it was overlooked by audiences during its time in theaters, the film found favor with most critics. *—D.G.*

Where to watch *The Lost City of Z*: Amazon Prime Video

**Director: **James Gray

**Cast: **Charlie Hunnam, Robert Pattinson, Sienna Miller, Tom Holland, Ian McDiarmid

Lucy (2014)

Scarlett Johansson as Lucy in 'Lucy'.

Jessica Forde/Universal Studios

It is estimated that humans are able to access 10 percent of our brains' potential. In the sci-fi action film *Lucy*, kidnapping, drug trafficking, and savage circumstances collide to give Lucy (Scarlett Johansson), an American student living in Taiwan, access to 28 percent of her brain — and counting. Featuring the signature, stylized violence of French director Luc Besson, the film is presented at high speeds and alongside imagery designed to make you question your sobriety.

There's no debating that the film remains firmly in the shallow end of the character development pool, but *Lucy* makes up for it with stunt work, pacing, and aesthetic. A non-Marvel or DC superhero story for the technology era, Lucy starts as a cautionary tale and ends in the realm of the trippily cerebral, but steadily summons what one EW contributor describes as "genuine bizarro excitement." *—I.G.*

Where to watch *Lucy*: Amazon Prime Video

**EW grade: **B

**Director: **Luc Besson

**Cast: **Scarlett Johansson, Morgan Freeman, Choi Min-sik, Amr Waked

The Magnificent Seven (2016)

(From left to right): Vincent D'Onofrio as Jack Horne, Martin Sensmeier as Red Harvest, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo as Vasquez, Ethan Hawke as Goodnight Robicheaux, Denzel Washington as Chisolm, Chris Pratt as Josh Faraday, and Lee Byung-hun as Billy Rocks in 'The Magnificent Seven'. Scott Garfield/Sony

Sometimes in life it's best to hire professionals. This is true for plumbing installation, and also for late 19th-century farmers looking to protect themselves from a nefarious oil tycoon (Peter Sarsgaard). Such is the story in *The Magnificent Seven*, a remake of the 1960 action film by the same name (which, in turn, was a Westernized reinterpretation of Akira Kurosawa's 1954 epic, *Seven Samurai*).

In the 2016 version, the town hires a U.S. Marshal (Denzel Washington) to deal with the encroachers, and he goes to work, recruiting a team of six oddballs, each with a specific set of skills. *The Magnificent Seven* isn't a perfect movie, but in many ways, the remake is an improvement over the original. Some of the characters skew one-dimensional, but EW's critic writes that it is heartening to "see a wild bunch so genuinely diverse on screen — the days of the otherwise great Eli Wallach playing the 1960 film's villain in blatant brownface are far behind us, thankfully." *—I.G.*

Where to watch *The Magnificent Seven*: Amazon Prime Video

**EW grade: **B

**Director: **Antoine Fuqua

**Cast:** Denzel Washington, Chris Pratt, Ethan Hawke, Vincent D'Onofrio, Lee Byung-hun, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, Martin Sensmeier, Peter Sarsgaard

The Negotiator (1998)

Samuel L. Jackson as Danny Roman and Kevin Spacey as Chris Sabian in 'The Negotiator'.

Warner Bros./Everett

Chicago superstar hostage negotiator Danny Roman (Samuel L. Jackson) has never met a situation he couldn't diffuse. But when his partner discloses that there is a scheme fomenting within Chicago's east precinct to illegally appropriate money marked for the department's disability fund, Roman finds himself framed for his partner's murder.

With his career and reputation threatened by a forthcoming arrest for homicide and embezzlement, Roman decides to take back control by holding members of the Internal Affairs Division hostage, while attempting to prove his innocence to his crosstown rival, hostage negotiator Chris Sabian (Kevin Spacey). Now locked in a high-stakes game of control, the two negotiators must duke it out in what EW's critic describes as "a satisfyingly tense and booby-trapped thriller about the meeting of two relentless minds." *—I.G.*

Where to watch *The Negotiator*: Amazon Prime Video

**EW grade:** B

**Director:** F. Gary Gray

**Cast: **Samuel L. Jackson, Kevin Spacey, David Morse, Ron Rifkin, John Spencer, J. T. Walsh

Prey (2022)

Amber Midthunder as Naru in 'Prey'.

20th Century Studios

The *Predator* monster has terrified audiences for more than 35 years, but in the story's prequel/fifth installment, the tables turn and the monster becomes the prey. The film follows Naru (Amber Midthunder), a Comanche warrior with the heart of a hunter, who seeks to prove her skills and protect her tribe by catching a predator. Professional basketball player-turned-horror star Dane DiLiegro plays the film's eponymous villain and says the story is strong enough to win viewers over, even without its affiliation to the beloved horror franchise.

In an interview, he tells EW, "There just happens to be a Predator involved. Honestly, you could have shot this movie with a different monster and it still probably would have worked." If you're in the market for a solid action thriller that still makes time to flesh out its main characters, sink your teeth into *Prey*. *—I.G.*

Where to watch *Prey*: Amazon Prime Video

**Director: **Dan Trachtenberg

**Cast:** Amber Midthunder, Dane DiLiegro, Dakota Beavers, Michelle Thrush, Harlan Blayne Kytwayhat

Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)

Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones in 'Raiders of the Lost Ark'.

Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty

The first (and the best) Indiana Jones adventure follows the hero (Harrison Ford, who else?) and his beloved Marion (Karen Allen) as they embark on a government mission to find the Ark of the Covenant before the Nazis assume its powers. It's difficult to find a more perfectly structured action/adventure than *Raiders of the Lost Ark*, which serves as a remarkably high watermark in director Steven Spielberg's career. None of the sequels has quite lived up to the original, though some come close. *—I.G.*

Where to watch *Raiders of the Lost Ark*: Amazon Prime Video

**Director: **Steven Spielberg

**Cast: **Harrison Ford, Karen Allen, Paul Freeman, John Rhys-Davies, Alfred Molina

Thelma & Louise (1991)

Susan Sarandon as Louise and Geena Davis as Thelma in 'Thelma & Louise'. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer/Getty

Coming out of the '80s, a decade littered with buddy cop films (whether they be human or canine), audiences were refreshed when they entered theaters in 1991 for a new take on the genre. *Thelma & Louise* was a subversion of everything that had come before: a female-centered film about two best friends (Geena Davis and Susan Sarandon) leaving for a fishing getaway, only to have their plans altered after a murderous run-in with a would-be rapist.

As they flee the law, they confront a series of unsavory men — including one played by a young actor named Brad Pitt, who used his breakout role and his intimate scene with Davis' character to establish himself as a '90s sex symbol. In their review, an EW critic writes, "At once extravagant and shallow, hilarious and glib, mythical and weirdly synthetic, this flamboyant saga of outlaw heroines on the run exerts a cracked fascination." *—I.G.*

Where to watch *Thelma & Louise*: Amazon Prime Video

**EW grade:** B

**Director: **Ridley Scott

**Cast: **Susan Sarandon, Geena Davis, Harvey Keitel

The Tomorrow War (2021)

Chris Pratt as Dan Forester in 'The Tomorrow War'. Frank Masi/Amazon Studios

As if today's geopolitical conflicts weren't complicated enough, in *The Tomorrow War*, the world must unite and travel to the future to defeat the aliens creating an existential threat to humanity. The stakes are high, and there are the usual interpersonal fights to sort out amongst all the battles with intergalactic creatures. Chris Pratt stars as a biology teacher and Iraq War veteran whose military experience and personal ties help him survive his time fighting aliens.

As far as the tonal spectrum is concerned, the film leans more comedy than thriller, thanks in large part to its supporting cast of comedic actors and eccentric characters. EW's critic writes that "Director Chris McKay (*Robot Chicken*, *The LEGO Batman Movie*) has forged his career in absurdist comedy, and the movie is best when it lets its weirdo flag fly." *—I.G.*

Where to watch *The Tomorrow War*: Amazon Prime Video

**Director: **Chris McKay

**Cast: **Chris Pratt, Yvonne Strahovski, J. K. Simmons, Betty Gilpin, Sam Richardson, Edwin Hodge

Original Article on Source

Source: "EW Movies"

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Source: Movies

Published: November 07, 2025 at 05:38PM on Source: RON MAG

#ShowBiz#Sports#Celebrities#Lifestyle

byKris Ronald

in

November 07, 2025

The 16 best action movies on Amazon Prime Video to get your day moving

From franchise favorites to Oscar winners, here are the most thrilling features on the streamer. The 16 best action movies ...

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Jacob Elordi slams 'prudish' reaction to Saltburn bathtub scene: 'There's far more extreme things...

&34;There's more alarming things in the top 10 streamed remakes of crime documentaries on every streaming platform,&34; the &34;Frankenstein&34; star says. Jacob Elordi slams 'prudish' reaction to Saltburn bathtub scene: 'There's far more extreme things in cinema' &34;There's more alarming things in the top 10 streamed remakes of crime documentaries on every streaming platform,&34; the &34;Frankenstein&34; star says. By Wesley Stenzel :maxbytes(150000):stripicc()/WesleyStenzelauthorphoto32b61793a2784639af623f2ae091477e.jpg) Wesley Stenzel is a news writer at . He began writing for EW in 2022.

"There's more alarming things in the top 10 streamed remakes of crime documentaries on every streaming platform," the "Frankenstein" star says.

Jacob Elordi slams 'prudish' reaction to Saltburn bathtub scene: 'There's far more extreme things in cinema'

"There's more alarming things in the top 10 streamed remakes of crime documentaries on every streaming platform," the "Frankenstein" star says.

By Wesley Stenzel

Wesley Stenzel is a news writer at **. He began writing for EW in 2022.

EW's editorial guidelines

November 6, 2025 9:57 p.m. ET

Leave a Comment

Jacob Elordi in 'Saltburn'. Credit:

Courtesy of Prime Video

- Jacob Elordi thinks audiences' shocked reactions to *Saltburn*'s bathtub scene reflects how "prudish we are."

- The *Frankenstein* star says, "There's more alarming things in the top 10 streamed remakes of crime documentaries on every streaming platform."

- Elordi describes the scene as merely being "just a little taboo."

Jacob Elordi wasn't particularly impressed with the public's reaction to a buzzy *Saltburn *scene.

During a conversation with **'s *Awardist* podcast, the *Frankenstein* star reflects on the infamous bathtub scene in Emerald Fennell's 2023 thriller, which saw Oliver (Barry Keoghan) slurp up bathwater after secretly witnessing Felix (Elordi) masturbate in the tub. The scene caused a stir online and even inspired a "Jacob Elordi's Bathwater" candle that took the internet by storm.

Elordi believes shocked reactions to the bathtub scene reflect some audiences' pearl-clutching over seeing sex on film.

"I actually think it shows me just how, I guess, prudish we are," he says, noting that he's witnessed much wilder moments in other movies. "When I watch that, I just think there's far more extreme things in cinema that I've seen, far more graphic."

Jacob Elordi in 'Saltburn'.

Courtesy of Prime Video

Elordi also suggests that audiences will lap up distressing violence in entertainment without batting an eye, which makes the reaction to the sexual content in *Saltburn* seem even more puzzling.

"There's more alarming things in the top 10 streamed remakes of crime documentaries on every streaming platform," he says. "I think that's much more alarming, the kind of horrible joy that we all get from watching children be mutilated. That's what was interesting to me."

The *Euphoria* actor was intrigued by viewers' visceral reactions to the sequence: "I was like, here's a piece of fiction with something just a little taboo, and that makes people's skin crawl. It's an interesting parallel."

See Jacob Elordi as the creature in Guillermo del Toro's 'Frankenstein' in Netflix's first full look

Jacob Elordi teases 'liberating' 'Euphoria' season 3: 'Far out from what I've done before'

Fennell previously told EW that shooting the bathtub scene elicited an unusual reaction from the film's unflappable cinematographer Linus Sandgren.

"When Barry started to rim the drain, Linus squealed like a little girl, and we had to edit it out, and he was like, 'F---,'" the filmmaker said. "That is the thing — if in the room on the monitor you are all feeling like, 'Whoa, holy s---,' then it's the most exciting thing in the world."

Barry Keoghan in 'Saltburn'.

Amazon MGM Studios

She continued, "Because it's not just that something's incredibly sexy, or at least I think it is; it has an involuntary physical response actually, that even when you are not physically supposed to respond vocally because you're filming, you do that because it's something that you can't help but respond to. And it's those moments where you know that you are getting to something that is incredible."

***Get your daily dose of entertainment news, celebrity updates, and what to watch with our EW Dispatch newsletter.***

Listen to the full *Awardist *conversation with Elordi above.

*Reporting by Gerrad Hall.***

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Source: "EW Movies"

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Published: November 07, 2025 at 05:38PM on Source: RON MAG

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November 07, 2025

Jacob Elordi slams 'prudish' reaction to Saltburn bathtub scene: 'There's far more extreme things...

&34;There's more alarming things in the top 10 streamed remakes of crime documentaries on every streaming platform,...

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There are plenty of films for grownups to enjoy on the streamer — and not just from the Marvel and &34;Star Wars&34; franchises. The 26 best Disney&43; movies for adults There are plenty of films for grownups to enjoy on the streamer — and not just from the Marvel and &34;Star Wars&34; franchises. By Declan Gallagher and Ilana Gordon :maxbytes(150000):stripicc()/ILANAGORDONHEADSHOT80577598f8ed442cacff5de184ceb9f5.jpg) Ilana Gordon is an entertainment, culture, and comedy writer originally from Connecticut. She currently lives in Los Angeles.

There are plenty of films for grown-ups to enjoy on the streamer — and not just from the Marvel and "Star Wars" franchises.

The 26 best Disney+ movies for adults

There are plenty of films for grown-ups to enjoy on the streamer — and not just from the Marvel and "Star Wars" franchises.

By Declan Gallagher

and Ilana Gordon

Ilana Gordon is an entertainment, culture, and comedy writer originally from Connecticut. She currently lives in Los Angeles.

EW's editorial guidelines

on November 7, 2025 6:33 a.m. ET

Disney World has been called the happiest place on Earth, but visits don't come cheap. Not to worry: You can find just as much dopamine from accessing the films on the conglomerate's streaming platform — all without needing a FastPass.

With content aggregated from Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm, Touchstone Pictures, National Geographic, Searchlight Pictures, and 20th Century Entertainment, Disney+ offers films for people of all ages. EW combed through the endless offerings to find the 26 best Disney+ movies for adults to watch after the kids go to bed, and a few perfect for the whole family.

10 Things I Hate About You (1999)

Larisa Oleynik as Bianca Stratford, Gabrielle Union as Chastity, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Cameron James in '10 Things I Hate About You'. Everett Collection

One of the very best '90s teen high school comedies, this edgy (but not crass) update of Shakespeare's *The Taming of the Shrew* made Heath Ledger a star and introduced most of us to Julia Stiles. *10 Things I Hate About You* is wonderfully acerbic without sacrificing its genuine emotion. Plus, the soundtrack is ace. (Can we please get a Letters to Cleo reunion tour?) *—Declan Gallagher*

Where to watch *10 Things I Hate About You*: Disney+

**Director:** Gil Junger

**Cast:** Heath Ledger, Julia Stiles, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Larisa Oleynik, Andrew Keegan

Avatar (2009)

Zoe Saldaña as Neytiri and Sam Worthington as Jake Sully in 'Avatar'. Twentieth Century Fox

The influence of James Cameron's groundbreaking, breathtaking sci-fi odyssey permeates through blockbusters to this day, and not just because we'll be getting *Avatar* sequels into the next decade. It's difficult to be cynical about the film even if you want to be; it's spectacular and reminds you why Cameron is such a celebrated filmmaker. He makes you feel his impact on the scope of cinema in a way no other director can. *—D.G.*

Where to watch *Avatar*: Disney+

**EW grade:** B

**Director:** James Cameron

**Cast: **Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña, Sigourney Weaver, Michelle Rodriguez, Stephen Lang

Bend It Like Beckham (2002)

Parminder Nagra as Jess (center left) and Keira Knightley as Jules (center right) in 'Bend It Like Beckham'. Christine Parry/Fox Searchlight

This coming-of-age soccer movie (or, rather, football in England, where it's set) catapulted Keira Knightley to movie star status, but it's *Bend It Like Beckham*'s cultural perspective and commentary that truly make it special. The story follows Jess Bhamra (Parminder Nagra), a teen girl obsessed with soccer (and with David Beckham, who gave the film permission to use his name because he wanted to promote girls' soccer).

Feeling suffocated by her strict Indian parents and their hope that she'll someday become a homemaker and devoted wife, Jess secretly joins a soccer team and must juggle responsibilities for both her family and her coach (Jonathan Rhys Meyers). The film resonates with anyone who knows the acute angst of pretending, around those they love, to be someone they're not. The result is director Gurinder Chadha's supremely watchable sports film about gender, culture, sexuality, diversity, and love — and it's a touching one to boot. *—Ilana Gordon ***

Where to watch *Bend It Like Beckham*: Disney+**

**Director: **Gurinder Chadha**

**Cast: **Parminder Nagra, Keira Knightley, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Anupam Kher, Juliet Stevenson, Shaznay Lewis, Archie Panjabi**

Black Panther (2018)

Chadwick Boseman as T'Challa in 'Black Panther'. Marvel Studios

Just when superhero media felt like it had said all it could, Ryan Coogler brought the genre vital new energy. *Black Panther* is a proper epic fashioned in a modern way, a historic depiction of Black culture on screen, and a showcase for the talents of its lead actor, the late Chadwick Boseman.

Drawn back to his home nation of Wakanda following his father's death to assume the king's throne, T'Challa (a.k.a. Black Panther) becomes the center of otherworldly intrigue as he's forced to protect his people from the devious Eric Killmonger (Michael B. Jordan). The film is as thoughtful as it is entertaining, a slick and fast-paced essay on the economics of power. *—D.G.*

Where to watch *Black Panther*: Disney+

**EW grade:** A–

**Director:** Ryan Coogler

**Cast: **Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Letitia Wright, Angela Bassett, Lupita Nyong'o

Blackbeard's Ghost (1968)

Peter Ustinov as Captain Blackbeard and Dean Jones as Steve Walker in 'Blackbeard's Ghost'.

Everett Collection

The ghost of Blackbeard (Peter Ustinov), a pirate cursed to wander the earth until he completes one good deed, is reincarnated by a down-on-his-luck track coach (Dean Jones), whom he helps to rescue a waning inn from some hooligans. A peak-era live-action Disney comedy perfect for the entire family, *Blackbeard's Ghost* also serves as a pristine time capsule. *—D.G.*

Where to watch *Blackbeard's Ghost*: Disney+

**Director: **Robert Stevenson

**Cast: **Peter Ustinov, Dean Jones, Suzanne Pleshette, Elsa Lanchester

Cool Runnings (1993)

Malik Yoba as Yul Brenner, Leon as Derice Bannock, Doug E. Doug as Sanka Coffie, and Rawle D. Lewis as Junior Bevil in 'Cool Runnings'. Everett Collection

This uplifting sports comedy is based on the true story of the 1988 Winter Olympics, where Jamaica competed with its first-ever national bobsled team. The film follows the athletes' quest to participate in the Calgary games, a mission only half-supported by their coach (John Candy), a disgraced American bobsledder living in Jamaica after his attempts to cheat in competition ruined his relationships with his team, coach, and the Olympic committee.

*Cool Runnings* premiered five months before Candy's death in 1994, and bears the dubious honor of being the last of the actor's movies released during his lifetime. But where the Jamaicans struggled to find their footing on the ice, *Cool Runnings *enjoyed a smooth glide to the finish, winning critical reviews, box office acclaim, and a soft spot in the hearts of viewers everywhere. *—I.G.*

Where to watch *Cool Runnings*: Disney+

**Director:** Jon Turteltaub

**Cast: **John Candy, Leon, Doug E. Doug, Malik Yoba, Rawle D. Lewis**

Dan in Real Life (2007)

Steve Carell as Dan Burns in 'Dan in Real Life'.

Buena Vista Pictures/Courtesy Everett

Peter Hedges' understated dramedy follows widowed columnist Dan (Steve Carell) as he ferries his three daughters to a family gathering, where he falls for the girlfriend (Juliette Binoche) of his brother (Dane Cook, quite good). Things unfurl as you would expect, but Hedges directs with a sure hand. He lets the emotions come about naturally, while Binoche and Carell anchor the film with their unlikely chemistry. *—D.G.*

Where to watch *Dan in Real Life*: Disney+

**EW grade:** A

**Director: **Peter Hedges

**Cast: **Steve Carell, Juliette Binoche, Dane Cook, Emily Blunt, Dianne Wiest

Deadpool (2016)

Ryan Reynolds as Wade Wilson/Deadpool in 'Deadpool'. 20th Century Fox Film/Everett Collection

Tim Miller's gory and juvenile (in the best possible way) superhero homage-cum-parody follows mercenary Wade Wilson (Ryan Reynolds), who is transformed into wisecracking avenger Deadpool by a mad scientist. *Deadpool* is breezy and fun, the two qualities you want most in a comic book movie, but is most notable for being Reynolds' crowning achievement as a bona fide movie star. *—D.G.*

Where to watch *Deadpool*: Disney+

**EW grade:** B

**Director: **Tim Miller

**Cast:** Ryan Reynolds, Morena Baccarin, Ed Skrein, T.J. Miller, Gina Carano

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The Devil Wears Prada (2006)

Anne Hathaway as Andrea Sachs in 'The Devil Wears Prada'.

Barry Wetcher/Fox

Meryl Streep may not have won an Oscar for her role as Miranda Priestly in *The Devil Wears Prada* (though she was nominated!), but the film does bear the distinction of being one of her most quotable works. An adaptation of the 2003 novel by the same name, the movie tells the story of Andy Sachs (Anne Hathaway), an aspiring writer who accepts a job working for the demanding editor in chief (Streep) at one of the most distinguished fashion magazines in New York City. What follows is a headlong descent into the fashion world, complete with wild assignments, eccentric characters, and glorious outfits.

Hathaway is charming as the fish out of water who gets the fashion education she never knew she wanted or needed, but the movie belongs to Streep and her clipped, precise performance. And now, after a 20-year hiatus, a sequel is in production and will follow the core cast as they navigate the shifting journalism landscape. *—I.G.*

Where to watch *The Devil Wears Prada*: Disney+

**Director:** David Frankel

**Cast: **Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt, Stanley Tucci, Simon Baker, Adrian Grenier

Free Solo (2018)

Alex Honnold in 'Free Solo'. Jimmy Chin/National Geographic

This stomach-dropping doc, chronicling Alex Honnold's efforts to make the first free solo (that is, no ropes) climb up the vertical face of Yosemite National Park's El Capitan, is one of the most breathless action movies ever made. It's also something of a cringe procedural, if that's a thing. Continuously you'll wonder of Honnold's efforts, "Is he *really* going to do that?" or "Certainly he doesn't have the gall to do that!" Inevitably, though, he does, and even though you know how it all turns out, *Free Solo* is utterly tense and unpredictable in the best sense. *—D.G.*

Where to watch *Free Solo*: Disney+

**EW grade:** A–

**Directors:** Jimmy Chin, Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi

**Cast:** Alex Honnold

Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)

Zoe Saldaña as Gamora in 'Guardians of the Galaxy'.

Jay Maidment/Marvel

*Guardians of the Galaxy* serves as Marvel's origin story for the rag-tag group of titular outlaws, who start off as strangers and end up as collaborators on the run after Peter Quill (Chris Pratt) steals an Orb. Featuring an ensemble cast portrayed by a mix of live-action actors and CGI characters, the movie deserved the two Oscar nominations it received for Best Makeup and Hairstyle, and Best Visual Effects. James Gunn directs, and the movie represents a tonal shift for Marvel, allowing the MCU to veer into zanier, more self-referential territory. *—I.G.*

Where to watch *Guardians of the Galaxy*: Disney+

**EW grade:** A–

**Director:** James Gunn

**Cast: **Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldaña, Dave Bautista, Vin Diesel, Bradley Cooper, Lee Pace, Michael Rooker, Karen Gillan, Djimon Hounsou, John C. Reilly, Glenn Close, Benicio Del Toro

Iron Man (2008)

Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark in 'Iron Man'. Everett Collection

Robert Downey Jr. reinvigorated his career, and proved the superhero genre had staying power, with this breezy introduction to the MCU. While Marvel movies have become increasingly weighed down with backstory, both comprehensible and not, *Iron Man* plays like a breath of fresh air. Watching it in 2025, you might forget how thrilling the story of billionaire inventor Tony Stark, who survives a kidnapping and goes on to construct himself the suit of the title, was for its time. *—D.G.*

Where to watch *Iron Man*: Disney+

**EW grade:** B+

**Director: **Jon Favreau

**Cast:** Robert Downey Jr., Jeff Bridges, Gwyneth Paltrow, Terrence Howard, Jon Favreau

Jane (2017)

Jane Goodall in 'Jane'. CBS via Getty Images

This lovely documentary from Brett Morgen (*Moonage Daydream*) chronicles primatologist, ethologist, and anthropologist Jane Goodall's groundbreaking research with chimpanzees. *Jane* eschews the trappings of similar documentaries and presents a rounded view of Goodall. It's a celebration of her estimable work, but it doesn't hold back in detailing the sacrifices she made to do that job. Goodall passed in October of this year, but her spirit lives on through this documentary. *—D.G.*

Where to watch *Jane*: Disney+

**Director:** Brett Morgen

**Cast:** Jane Goodall

Logan (2017)

Patrick Stewart as Charles Xavier and Hugh Jackman as Logan in 'Logan'. Everett Collection

This is "one helluva movie," as your grandma might say. Logan, a.k.a. Wolverine (Hugh Jackman), has retired to the Mexican border with a grievously ill Doctor Xavier (Patrick Stewart) but finds he must summon one last fight when a ruthless scientist (Richard E. Grant) comes after a young girl (Dafne Keen) who has powers much like Logan's. James Mangold, who also directed 2013's *The Wolverine*, keeps a tight rein on this nail-biter by making his heroes human and not impenetrable to the ravages of time.

Anyone who says, after seeing his *Indiana Jones *fivequel, that Mangold can't direct action should look here. He brings an admirably ruthless aesthetic to this dusty, gory revisionist western. The biggest surprise, however, is the emotional wallop it packs. Though it's always nice to see Jackman as Wolverine, his continued appearances as the character dilute the remarkable full-stop of *Logan*. *—D.G.*

Where to watch *Logan*: Disney+

**Director:** James Mangold

**Cast: **Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart, Dafne Keen, Richard E. Grant, Stephen Merchant

Mrs. Doubtfire (1993)

Robin Williams as Daniel Hillard/Mrs. Doubtfire in 'Mrs. Doubtfire'.

20th Century Fox/Everett

Robin Williams' best character performance comes in this laugh-out-loud family comedy, one of the only films that can truly be described as such. As a divorced father who disguises himself as the busty titular housekeeper to spend more time with his kids, Williams' antics are nicely tempered by director Chris Columbus, who threads humor with emotion in admirable fashion. *—D.G.*

Where to watch *Mrs. Doubtfire*: Disney+

**EW grade:** B

**Director:** Chris Columbus

**Cast:** Robin Williams, Sally Field, Pierce Brosnan, Harvey Fierstein, Matthew Lawrence

Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)

Orlando Bloom as Will Turner and Keira Knightley as Elizabeth Swan in 'Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl'.

Walt Disney/Courtesy Everett Collection

*Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl* was so successful upon its release in 2003, Disney created a franchise of five films, all of which are available to stream on the platform. Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) staggers into Port Royal in search of a ship. What he finds instead are a gold medallion and the child of a former pirate, both of which are needed to lift a long-standing curse.

Accompanied by Will Turner (Orlando Bloom) — a blacksmith in love with the governor's kidnapped daughter, Elizabeth Swan (Keira Knightley) — Sparrow engages in a series of pirate-approved swashbuckling activities in the hopes of reuniting with his beloved ship, the *Black Pearl*. Depp's performance as Sparrow is one of his best, and Geoffrey Rush is mesmerizing as the villainous Captain Barbosa. *—I.G.*

Where to watch *Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl*: Disney+

**Director: **Gore Verbinski

**Cast: **Johnny Depp, Geoffrey Rush, Orlando Bloom, Keira Knightley, Jonathan Pryce

Remember the Titans (2000)

Denzel Washington as Coach Herman Boone in 'Remember the Titans'. Walt Disney Co./Courtesy Everett Collection

Denzel Washington gives a rousing performance in this thrilling drama, one of the last top-tier live-action entertainments from the House of Mouse, about a scrappy youth football team working its way to the top. Like a few movies on this list, *Remember the Titans* makes gestures towards the whole family. In truth, though, it's a fairly realistic and subdued character portrait of the type Frank Capra might have made in the 1940s, a lovely callback to a bygone era of filmmaking. *—D.G.*

Where to watch *Remember the Titans*: Disney+

**Director:** Boaz Yakin

**Cast:** Denzel Washington, Ryan Gosling, Will Patton, Donald Faison, Ethan Suplee, Wood Harris

Sam Raimi's Spider-Man trilogy (2002–2007)

Tobey Maguire as Peter Parker and Kirsten Dunst as Mary Jane Watson in 'Spider-Man'. Everett Collection

Tom Holland and Andrew Garfield are great and all, but Tobey Maguire will always be the OG. (Sorry, Nicholas Hammond, but we're talking cinematic Spider-Men.) Sam Raimi's "original" web-slinger trilogy is equally remembered for its astonishing sequel and its rather disappointing threequel, but in retrospect, all installments are better than you remember. Each film is sly and playful, but also unafraid to explore darker territory; they were always slightly unpredictable, a bit edgier than superhero fare nowadays. *—D.G.*

Where to watch Sam Raimi's *Spider-Man *trilogy: Disney+

**EW grade:** B

**Director: **Sam Raimi

**Cast: **Tobey McGuire, Kirsten Dunst, Willem Dafoe, Bruce Campbell

The Simpsons Movie (2007)

Marge (voice: Julie Kavner), Maggie (voice: Nancy Cartwright), Lisa (voice: Yeardley Smith), Bart (voice: Nancy Cartwright), and Homer Simpson (voice: Dan Castellaneta) in 'The Simpsons Movie'. Everett Collection

The residents of Springfield are sealed off from the rest of society (what else is new?) after Homer's dalliance with a pig and a farm filled with human waste creates an environmental disaster. The long-awaited film adaptation of the veteran Fox sitcom, now the longest-running American animated series of all time, has been saddled with the unfortunate reputation of simply being an extended episode.

In fairness, that's entirely true. However, it's a very good episode, one that achieves an occasionally sweeping cinematic scope and focuses on adding layers to beloved characters rather than upending them for the sake of a joke. *—D.G.*

Where to watch *The Simpsons Movie*: Disney+

**EW grade:** B+

**Director:** David Silverman

**Cast: **Dan Castellaneta, Nancy Cartwright, Yeardley Smith, Julie Kavner, Albert Brooks

Sister Act (1992)

Kathy Najimy as Sister Mary Patrick, Whoopi Goldberg as Delores Van Cartier/Sister Mary Clarence, and Wendy Makkena as Sister Mary Robert in 'Sister Act'. Everett Collection

Whoopi Goldberg shines in this propulsive, infectiously upbeat comedy as a singer who hides out in a convent after witnessing a Mob hit. Predictably, she's tasked with coaching the choir for an upcoming competition. Sly direction and enviable chemistry between the cast, which includes Maggie Smith and Kathy Najimy, set *Sister Act* apart from the average underdog comedy. *—D.G.*

Where to watch *Sister Act*: Disney+

**Director:** Emile Ardolino

**Cast: **Whoopi Goldberg, Maggie Smith, Kathy Najimy, Harvey Keitel, Wendy Makkena

The Sound of Music (1965)

Christopher Plummer as Capt. Georg von Trapp and Julie Andrews as Maria in 'The Sound of Music'. Everett Collection

The classic tale of the Von Trapp family is now streaming in a remarkably crisp restoration. Julie Andrews stars as Maria, a kind-hearted would-be nun/governess who brings a love of music to the seven children under her tutelage. It's a perfect movie musical, and the breathtaking views of Austrian abbeys are worth the watch alone. *—D.G.*

Where to watch *The Sound of Music*: Disney+

**Director:** Robert Wise

**Cast: **Julie Andrews, Christopher Plummer, Richard Haydn, Peggy Wood, Nicholas Hammond

Splash (1984)

Daryl Hannah as Madison in 'Splash'.

Buena Vista Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection

Ron Howard's exuberant fairy tale stars Tom Hanks as a yuppie who gets more than he bargained for when a real mermaid (Daryl Hannah) makes her way out of the sea and into his house. It's some of the most admirable work from all involved, including a riotous supporting turn from John Candy and an enchanting performance from Hannah. *—D.G.*

Where to watch *Splash*: Disney+

**Director:** Ron Howard

**Cast:** Tom Hanks, Daryl Hannah, John Candy, Eugene Levy, Shecky Greene

The Straight Story (1999)

Richard Farnsworth as Alvin in 'The Straight Story'. Everett Collection

Only David Lynch could make a movie so positively un-Lynchian. The story of an aging widower (Richard Farnsworth) who embarks upon a cross-country odyssey on his tractor, *The Straight Story* surprisingly lives up to its title. It contains all of the earnest, vaguely warped Americana of Lynch's other work, delivered not just with a straight face but a rather convincing one as well. It makes you wonder who the real Lynch really is, and that's probably exactly what the director was hoping for. *—D.G.*

Where to watch *The Straight Story*: Disney+

**EW grade:** A–

**Director:** David Lynch

**Cast:** Richard Farnsworth, Sissy Spacek, Harry Dean Stanton

Summer of Soul (...Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised) (2021)

Sly Stone in 'Summer of Soul (...Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised)'. Sundance Institute

Just try not to dance while watching Questlove's infectious, rousing chronicle of the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival, which occurred on the same weekend as Woodstock. Rather than a movie about the festival, this is a deeply moving and visceral immersion into the event. It's one of the best documentaries of this century, and there's a version of "Aquarius" that positively brings the house down. *—D.G.*

Where to watch *Summer of Soul (...Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised)*: Disney+

**EW grade:** B+

**Director: **Questlove

West Side Story (2021)

Ansel Elgort as Tony and Rachel Zegler as Maria in 'West Side Story'. Niko Tavernise/20th Century Studios

Steven Spielberg crafted a second, soaring adaptation of the famed Sondheim/Bernstein musical. This* Romeo and Juliet*-inflected story of star-crossed lovers Tony (Ansel Elgort) and Maria (Rachel Zegler), whose romance intertwines with a bitter feud between rival gangs the Jets and the Sharks, never ceases to provoke an earnest tear. Spielberg breathes new life into the classic with nimbly staged musical numbers and a charged turn from original cast member Rita Moreno. *—D.G.*

Where to watch *West Side Story*: Disney+

**EW grade:** A–

**Director:** Steven Spielberg

**Cast:** Ansel Elgort, Rachel Zegler, Ariana DeBose, Rita Moreno, Josh Andrés Rivera

While You Were Sleeping (1995)

Bill Pullman as Jack Callaghan in 'While You Were Sleeping'. Everett Collection

One of Sandra Bullock's first and best rom-coms sees her star as a lonely Chicago train worker who, in a quintessentially '90s way, commits a kind-hearted assault when she convinces her hunky crush (Peter Gallagher) she's his fiancé after he bonks his head and loses his memory. Everything seems to be going fine until she meets the patient's equally hunky brother (Bill Pullman) and begins to have second thoughts about the future. A completely standard romance cooked just right, *While You Were Sleeping* goes on each time like a warm pair of slippers. *—D.G.*

Where to watch *While You Were Sleeping*: Disney+

**Director: **Jon Turteltaub

**Cast: **Sandra Bullock, Bill Pullman, Peter Gallagher, Peter Boyle, Glynis Johns

Original Article on Source

Source: "EW Movies"

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Source: Movies

Published: November 07, 2025 at 05:38PM on Source: RON MAG

#ShowBiz#Sports#Celebrities#Lifestyle

byKris Ronald

in

November 07, 2025

The 26 best Disney+ movies for adults

There are plenty of films for grownups to enjoy on the streamer — and not just from the Marvel and &34;Star Wars&34; f...

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Sydney Sweeney and Christy team promised not to 'Hollywoodize' the true survivor story: 'Everythi...

The real Christy Martin had one request of the filmmakers and writers: &34;Please don't Hollywoodize my life.&34; They didn't. Sydney Sweeney and Christy team promised not to 'Hollywoodize' the true survivor story: 'Everything was pulled from truth' The real Christy Martin had one request of the filmmakers and writers: &34;Please don't Hollywoodize my life.&34; They didn't. By Nick Romano :maxbytes(150000):stripicc()/NicholasRomanoauthorphotoadc9b60763e34711935cbf7b3d768d24.jpg) Nick Romano is a senior editor at with 15 years of journalism experience covering entertainment.

The real Christy Martin had one request of the filmmakers and writers: "Please don't Hollywoodize my life." They didn't.

Sydney Sweeney and Christy team promised not to 'Hollywoodize' the true survivor story: 'Everything was pulled from truth'

The real Christy Martin had one request of the filmmakers and writers: "Please don't Hollywoodize my life." They didn't.

By Nick Romano

Nick Romano is a senior editor at ** with 15 years of journalism experience covering entertainment. His work previously appeared in *Vanity Fair*, Vulture, IGN, and more.

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November 7, 2025 10:00 a.m. ET

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Sydney Sweeney on the set of 'Christy' with director David Michod. Credit:

Black Bear Pictures

- Sydney Sweeney and the real Christy Martin discuss the harrowing true story behind the biopic of a women's boxing trailblazer.

- The one request Martin had for director David Michôd and co-writer Mirrah Foulkes: "Please don't Hollywoodize my life."

- "Everything was pulled from truth. The film is truthful from the very beginning to the end," Sweeney says.

Christy Martin, known in the ring as the Coal Miner's Daughter, made a deal with God after suffering several stabbings and a gunshot to the torso from her ex-husband, James V. Martin, in 2010. The trailblazer of women's boxing promised she would help one person before she died.

"And then I was like, 'No,' 'cause I'm arrogant, 'I wanna help one person every day,'" Martin recalls.

It's a story she tells often, first on stage at the world premiere of her biopic, *Christy*, at the Toronto International Film Festival this past September. She tells it again during a November interview with ** and actress Sydney Sweeney, who portrays Martin on screen. To date, she has already fulfilled that original promise — and then some.

"I actually got a text message from someone who was in the movie that it has saved her life," Martin tells EW. (Sweeney says she received the same text.) "Even to know the people that were in the movie — not the main cast, but just in the movie — it affected them in a positive way, we're doing what we're supposed to."

Christy Martin and Sydney Sweeney at the AFI premiere of 'Christy' in Los Angeles.

LISA O'CONNOR/AFP via Getty

Directed by David Michôd (of the Timothée Chalamet-led *The King*), who also co-wrote the script with Mirrah Foulkes, *Christy* is equal parts underdog sports movie and harrowing survivor's tale.

Starting with Martin's high-school years as a closeted lesbian in a homophobic West Virginian community, the story follows the pioneer's personal life through her swift ascent to the top of women's boxing. It covers her emotionally turbulent relationship with her mother (Merritt Wever); her life with Jim Martin (Ben Foster), who first became her trainer and later her manipulative, abusive husband; and finally coming back to the ring after surviving a near-fatal assault by Jim, who died in 2024 while serving a 25-year sentence for attempted murder.

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Martin had one request of Michôd and Foulkes: "Please do not Hollywoodize my life," she says. She means she didn't want to see anything that didn't actually happen added in for the sake of sensationalizing her story. "[Foulkes] would tell me, 'Enough crazy s--- has happened in your life, we don't have to Hollywoodize it,'" Martin recalls. "The script is real. Once I read the script, I just sat back and watched them do their thing. And boy oh boy...it was pretty amazing."

Sweeney, who also produced the movie, confirms no creative liberties like that were taken. "Everything was pulled from truth," the *Euphoria* and *Anyone But You* star says. "The film is truthful from the very beginning to the end."

Ben Foster as Jim Martin, Sydney Sweeney as Christy Martin in 'Christy'.

Black Bear Pictures

The pair remembers their first meeting over Zoom. Martin acknowledges how difficult it was to sense Sweeney's energy but describes the virtual encounter as positive. They later met in person while in pre-production, after Sweeney began transforming her body through boxing and physical training.

It didn't seem like just another role to Martin. "She wants to do this because she feels like it's important," she comments of Sweeney. "I was 100 percent in, and I was open to share my story, the little details that sometimes aren't easy to talk about."

When it came to the difficult material, the team filmed all the sequences in Martin's house with Jim during the first week of production, according to Sweeney. "We started off right out the gate with the very heavy and crucial moments of Christy's life," the actress remarks.

Christy Martin in the ring (1997).

Andy Lyons/Getty

That Wednesday marked Wever's first day filming as Joyce. It was the scene where Martin first shares with her mom how scared she was of her husband, only for Joyce to turn her away and take Jim's side. "My mother passed in February. It's all real, but it's still hard to see," Martin comments of that moment. "The last thing you want to do is go to your mother for help and not get it. That scene may be harder than the attack for me to actually watch."

Two days later, on that Friday, the team shot Jim attacking Martin with a knife and a gun. Martin wasn't on set for the filming of this moment, "upon the request of everyone, I think," she says. "It protected me."

Sweeney acknowledges that a lot of thought went into that attack sequence. "It was a very heavy week," she comments, "but having a scene partner like Ben and a director like David, you know that you're in good hands 'cause you feel safe with everyone, you trust everyone, and you know that everybody also is handling this with the utmost respect and care. You talk about it, you just go hand in hand, and you dive right in."

Katy O'Brian as Lisa Holewyne, Sydney Sweeney as Christy Martin in 'Christy'.

Black Bear Pictures

***Get your daily dose of entertainment news, celebrity updates, and what to watch with our EW Dispatch newsletter.***

Martin remains overwhelmed with the reaction she's seen to her story. She's been promoting the film with her now-wife Lisa Holewyne and their dog, Champ, by her side. Holewyne, also a former professional boxer, appears in the film by way of Katy O'Brian (*Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning*). After squaring off in the ring, the two developed a long-term friendship that eventually blossomed into a romantic relationship.

"Women are coming to share their story about domestic violence. There's people coming to me about sexuality," Martin says. "They're really reacting in a positive way."

For Sweeney, "It's honestly a life-changing experience in a way, of knowing that I can be a part of Christy's story that can help others."

For Martin, "This movie's bigger than Hollywood."

*Christy* opens in theaters this weekend.**

Original Article on Source

Source: "EW Movies"

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Source: Movies

Published: November 07, 2025 at 05:38PM on Source: RON MAG

#ShowBiz#Sports#Celebrities#Lifestyle

byKris Ronald

in

November 07, 2025

Sydney Sweeney and Christy team promised not to 'Hollywoodize' the true survivor story: 'Everythi...

The real Christy Martin had one request of the filmmakers and writers: &34;Please don't Hollywoodize my life.&34;...

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EastEnders star Jo Joyner, 48, fears menopause will affect her acting career amid her struggle with brain fog - following a secret hysterectomy

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EastEnders star Jo Joyner, 48, fears menopause will affect her acting career amid her struggle with brain fog - following a secret hysterectomy

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Jo Joyner has candidly opened up on having surgical menopause following a secret hysterectomy. The former EastEnders star, 48, revealed on Kate Thornton's White Wine Question Time podcast that she underwent a hysterectomy in the last few years because she had too much oestrogen, which resulted her getting early menopause. Surgical menopause occurs when both of your ovaries are removed using a surgical approach (called a bilateral oophorectomy)or when a hysterectomy removes the ovaries before you've gone through a natural menopause.
Read More >> Full Article on Source: NEWZZ MAG
#ShowBiz #Celebriries #lifestyle #trends

byKris Ronald

in

June 05, 2025

EastEnders star Jo Joyner, 48, fears menopause will affect her acting career amid her struggle with brain fog - following a secret hysterectomy

EastEnders star Jo Joyner, 48, fears menopause will affect her acting career amid her struggle with brain fog - following a...

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ADRIAN THRILLS: Beyoncé turned damp Tottenham Hotspur into a giant nightclub (and didn't let the rain stop her!)... the night was a masterpiece!

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ADRIAN THRILLS: Beyoncé turned damp Tottenham Hotspur into a giant nightclub (and didn't let the rain stop her!)... the night was a masterpiece!

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LIVE: BEYONCÉ (Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London) Verdict: Queen Bey earns her Spurs Rating: The stetsons and sequins were out in force last night as Beyonce's Cowboy Carter tour rolled into London amid a blizzard of pyrotechnics. Opening her six-night residency at a damp Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, the Texan superstar was in her element. Two years ago, on her Renaissance tour, she turned stadiums into giant nightclubs. Last night, she converted one into the world's most high-tech rodeo, complete with a chrome-coated mechanical bucking bronco.
Read More >> Full Article on Source: NEWZZ MAG
#ShowBiz #Celebriries #lifestyle #trends

byKris Ronald

in

June 05, 2025

ADRIAN THRILLS: Beyoncé turned damp Tottenham Hotspur into a giant nightclub (and didn't let the rain stop her!)... the night was a masterpiece!

ADRIAN THRILLS: Beyoncé turned damp Tottenham Hotspur into a giant nightclub (and didn't let the rain stop her!)... the...

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Beyonce London tour: Stadium littered with empty seats despite cut-price tickets as Cowboy Carter makes damp start in UK

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Beyonce London tour: Stadium littered with empty seats despite cut-price tickets as Cowboy Carter makes damp start in UK

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Beyonce kicked off her show in the UK tonight as her Cowboy Carter tour heads to London for six performances in the capital. Fans of the global superstar began queuing outside the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium at 4am on Wednesday. The 62,000 capacity venue will host all the singer's shows on the British leg of her tour before she moves to Paris and then returns to the US. She last performed in the UK in 2023 on the Renaissance World Tour, which saw her play five dates at the same stadium.
Read More >> Full Article on Source: NEWZZ MAG
#ShowBiz #Celebriries #lifestyle #trends

byKris Ronald

in

June 05, 2025

Beyonce London tour: Stadium littered with empty seats despite cut-price tickets as Cowboy Carter makes damp start in UK

Beyonce London tour: Stadium littered with empty seats despite cut-price tickets as Cowboy Carter makes damp start in UK ...

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