Disney+ is finally here to shake up the streaming wars even more, bringing favorites from “Aladdin” to “Star Wars” all in one place.
The channel boasts hundreds of movies and TV shows and more than a dozen (for now) original series and films. In other words, plenty of content to keep Disney (and Marvel) fanatics busy.
Here’s a handy guide to answer any and all questions about watching the channel’s content.
When does Disney+ officially launch?
The channel will go live at 6 a.m. ET Tuesday in the US, Canada the Netherlands. Australia and New Zealand will follow on Nov. 19.
How can I watch it?
Pretty much any way you want. You’ll be able to stream on Apple TV, Android, Chromecast, Fire TV, iOS, LG smart TVs, PlayStation 4, Samsung smart TVs, XBox One, Web browsers and on the Disney+ app.
How much does it cost to sign up?
In the US, it’s $6.99 a month — or $69.99 a year. For $12.99 a month, subscribers can add on Hulu and ESPN+ in a bundle. Verizon customers with an unlimited data plan can get a one-year free trial to Disney+.
What movies are available?
The more appropriate question might be: Which ones aren’t available?
More than 600 films are ready to stream, so you can catch animated features like “Aladdin,” “The Lion King,” “Beauty and the Beast” and “The Little Mermaid” — without the soggy, live-musical treatment from last week, that is. You can also watch Pixar classics such as “Monsters, Inc.,” “Finding Nemo,” “Ratatouille” and “Wall-E.” On the live-action side, you can find all three “Freaky Friday” movies (2018, 2003 and 1976), “The Rookie,” the “Star Wars” library, “Descendants,” “10 Things I Hate About You,” “Three Men and a Baby,” “Tron” and much more.
And if you want to prepare yourself for new and upcoming sequels like “Toy Story 4,” “Frozen 2” (out Nov. 22) and the pending James Cameron “Avatar” sequel (look for it in 2021), you can stream all of the previous installments of those franchises as soon as they become available.
Any classic Disney films?
Of course! What would a Disney channel be without animated family-friendly goodies such as “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” (1937), “Fantasia” (1940), “Dumbo” (1941), “Cinderella” (1950), “Peter Pan” (1953) and “The Jungle Book” (1967)? Not to mention live features such as “Miracle on 34th Street” (1947), “The Absent-Minded Professor” (1961), “Bedknobs and Broomsticks” (1971) and “Annie” (1999), which will be available as well.
And are Marvel flicks included?
Absolutely! You’ll find Marvel franchise films such as “Guardians of the Galaxy,” “Avengers” (including “Endgame”), “Iron Man,” “Ant-Man” and more. (Marvel content, by the way, isn’t limited to movies. Watch for series based on characters like She-Hulk, Ms. Marvel and Moon Knight.)
Speaking of series, what original shows are available?
Nearly a dozen programs will drop Tuesday morning (and more are on the way). The most highly anticipated — for “Star Wars” fanatics, anyway — is the series “The Mandalorian,” starring Pedro Pascal, Carl Weathers and Gina Carano, which follows a lone gunfighter (Pascal) out on his own after the fall of the Empire.
On the lighter side, the 10-episode “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series” (yes, you read that correctly) uses a documentary style to follow a fictionalized version of the East High School Wildcats as they launch a production of “High School Musical: The Musical” for the first time.
Other original content includes “The World According to Jeff Goldblum,” in which the quirky entertainer goes in search of life’s most whimsical and entertaining, and Kristen Bell’s high school musical reality show, “Encore!” — which is basically “Glee” for adults.” The latter series follows a reunion of former students who must pull themselves together to perform in a stage musical while dealing with “faded friendships” and “former flames.”
If you’re feeling nostalgic, you’ll also be able to revisit live-action fan faves such as “Boy Meets World,” “That’s So Raven” and “Hannah Montana.”
And if you’re looking for documentaries, you’re in luck: The expansive National Geographic catalog is built in, including new adventures such as “Gordon Ramsay: Uncharted,” “Apollo: Missions to the Moon” and “Into the Grand Canyon.” Previous titles ready to stream include “Diana: In Her Own Words” — the 2017 film about the late Princess Diana — and “Miracle Landing on the Hudson,” the 2014 documentary about pilot Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger’s heroic Jan. 15, 2009, landing of a commercial jet in New York’s Hudson River.
That’s a whole lot of stuff. But is there anything else fun that’s worth noting?
Cowabunga, dudes! The first 30 seasons of the animated icon “The Simpsons” (now in its 31st season on Fox) also will stream on Disney+.
