New streaming service Disney+ continues to make waves over its treatment of Fox films, this time the beloved holiday classic Miracle on 34th Street. After Disney's acquisition of 20th Century Fox and its movies earlier this year, it was assumed that many of them would end up on Disney+ when it launched. Though Disney+ also features original TV series and movies, a large chunk of its library is devoted to previously made films. These include Disney classics, as well as Marvel films. As expected, Fox films like Miracle on 34th Street are also available.
Miracle on 34th Street is considered a classic Fox film and even received a remake in the '90s. The original was released in 1947 and focused on a department store Santa who says he's the real thing. Unlike most Christmas movies nowadays, the film was critically acclaimed and even won three Academy Awards. The 1994 remake starred popular child actress Mara Wilson (Matilda) but wasn't received as well as the original.
Disney+ first announced Miracle on 34th Street's inclusion on the streaming service via a tweet last month. In a long thread featuring images from dozens of movies that would be available to watch, Disney+ added the Disney logo to Miracle on 34th Street. The company did this despite it being a 20th Century Fox film. Surprisingly, though, on the streaming service itself, the Disney logo has been removed from the image of the film. Check out the original tweet from Disney+, as well as what Miracle on 34th Street's image looks like on the streaming service now:
Another strange thing about Disney+'s addition and subtraction of the Disney logo is that Miracle on 34th Street was the only Fox film to receive this treatment. Other classic Fox films had their images presented without the additional logo from the beginning. Disney has come under fire recently for its treatment of Fox films on the big screen as well. Last month, it was revealed that Disney was reportedly denying the requests of some theaters to play classic Fox films. This led to speculation that Fox films would be put in the Disney vault.
There may be nothing to Disney+ adding and removing the Disney logo from Miracle on 34th Street. However, it could suggest that they're aware of how their original tweet was perceived. Some thought it was odd of Disney to try to pass the film off as a Disney movie, despite it only recently coming into their possession. Whether it speaks to a larger issue with Disney's handling of Fox films, though, only time will tell.
Source: Disney+