The search box is the fastest way to find something specific on Disney Plus

Disney Plus puts a search box at the top of every screen. On a TV, phone, or computer, you can type the name of a show, movie, actor, or character, and the app will show you matching results in seconds. The search function works the same way across all devices — phone, tablet, computer, or streaming device.

If you know what you're looking for, search is almost always faster than browsing. You can search by exact title ("The Mandalorian"), by actor name ("Pedro Pascal"), by character ("Grogu"), or even by a partial title if you only remember part of the name. The app will suggest matches as you type.

Key Takeaways

  • The search box at the top of the Disney Plus app works on phones, tablets, computers, and TV devices, and shows results as you type.
  • You can search by show title, movie title, actor name, character name, or even partial words if you don't remember the full name.
  • Browsing by category — such as Marvel, Star Wars, Pixar, or National Geographic — is useful when you want to explore what's available rather than search for something specific.
  • Collections and curated lists (like "New & Popular" or "Trending Now") update regularly and show what other viewers are watching.
  • Filters for content type, release year, and rating help narrow down results when you have a general idea of what you want but not an exact title.

How to use the search box on different devices

On a phone or tablet, tap the magnifying glass icon at the bottom or top of the screen (depending on your device). A keyboard will appear, and you can type what you're looking for. On a computer or web browser, the search box is usually visible at the top of the page — click it and start typing. On a TV or streaming device like Roku or Fire Stick, use the remote's arrow buttons to navigate to the search option, then use the on-screen keyboard or voice search if your remote supports it.

Most streaming devices now support voice search. If your remote has a microphone button (often marked with a microphone icon), you can press it and say the title or actor name out loud instead of typing. This is especially useful on a TV when typing with a remote would be slow.

Browsing by category instead of searching

If you don't have a specific title in mind, you can browse by category. Disney Plus organizes content into sections like Marvel, Star Wars, Pixar, Disney, National Geographic, and more. Each category shows you what's available in that universe. Scroll through the home screen to see these sections, or tap on a category name to see everything in that collection.

Within each category, you'll see rows of titles organized by theme — for example, "New Releases," "Trending Now," or "Recommended for You." These rows update regularly as new content is added or as viewing patterns change. Browsing is a good way to discover something you didn't know existed.

Using filters to narrow down your results

After you search or browse, you can use filters to narrow down what you see. Filters let you sort by content type (movies only, series only, or both), release year, and rating (G, PG, PG-13, etc.). These filters appear differently depending on your device, but they're usually accessible from a menu or filter button near the search results.

For example, if you search "adventure" and get hundreds of results, you can filter to show only movies released in the last five years, or only content rated PG. This is helpful when you have a general idea of what you want but need to cut down the list to something manageable.

What to do if your search returns no results

If you search for a title and get no results, it may not be available on Disney Plus, or it may be available under a different name. Some titles are licensed to other streaming services in certain regions, so availability varies by location. Try searching for the actor's name or a character name instead — you may find the show or movie under a different title or as part of a collection.

You can also check the "Coming Soon" section on the home screen to see if the title you're looking for is scheduled to arrive later. Disney Plus updates its library regularly, and shows or movies you can't find today may be added in the future.

Saving titles to your watchlist

When you find something you want to watch later, you can add it to your watchlist. Look for a plus sign or heart icon on the title's page, and tap it to save the show or movie. Your watchlist appears in your profile, so you can come back to it anytime without having to search again.

Your watchlist is personal to your profile, so if multiple people use the same Disney Plus account, each person can have their own list. This is useful if you want to keep track of what you want to watch without cluttering the home screen.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I search by genre or theme?

Disney Plus doesn't have a dedicated genre search, but you can browse by category (Marvel, Star Wars, Pixar, etc.) or scroll through themed rows like "Action & Adventure" or "Family Friendly." You can also use filters after searching to narrow results by rating or release year.

Does voice search work on all devices?

Voice search works on most modern streaming devices and remotes that have a microphone button, including Fire Stick, Roku, Apple TV, and some smart TVs. On phones and tablets, you can use your device's built-in voice assistant (Siri, Google Assistant) to search within Disney Plus, though this varies by device.

What if I remember only part of a title?

Type the part you remember into the search box. Disney Plus will show suggestions that match what you've typed, even if it's only a few words. For example, searching "star" will show Star Wars titles, "The Mandalorian," and other matches.

Can I search across all Disney Plus content or just one category?

Search works across all content on Disney Plus at once. You're not limited to searching within one category — when you search, the app shows results from Marvel, Star Wars, movies, series, and everything else available to you.

Why does my search show different results than my friend's?

Disney Plus content varies by region and by which add-on services you've purchased (like ESPN+ or Hulu). Your friend may be in a different country or have a different subscription tier, which changes what titles appear in search results.