Disney+ confirms when the missing Star Wars and Marvel Cinematic Universe films will be available. After months of buildup and anticipation, the Mouse House's streaming service finally launched today. While a key selling point of the platform is original programming like The Mandalorian and The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Disney+ also takes full advantage of the company's vast library of titles. Over the past several years, Disney has put together an immense media empire consisting of some of pop culture's most beloved properties.
As such, a main draw for subscribers is the ability to stream previously released blockbusters like Avengers: Endgame and The Force Awakens from the comfort of their own home. However, not every title from the Star Wars and Marvel franchises are available at launch. Of course, the expectation always was that these missing movies would eventually make their way to Disney+, but now fans know what dates to mark on their calendars.
On Disney+ itself, users can search for the missing MCU and Star Wars movies (like Infinity War and The Last Jedi, for example) and then go to a landing page for the film. Here is where people can see the exact day the title will debut on Disney+. Check out the full list (organized chronologically) in the space below:
- Thor: Ragnarok - December 5, 2019
- Star Wars: The Last Jedi - December 26, 2019
- Black Panther - March 4, 2020
- Avengers: Infinity War - June 25, 2020
- Solo: A Star Wars Story - July 9, 2020
- Ant-Man and the Wasp - July 29, 2020
Currently, all of these films are available on Netflix, and must remain on that streaming service until their individual deals expire. But even when the missing movies do move over, Disney+ will not become their permanent home. Netflix's licensing deal with Disney stipulates all films released between January 2016 and December 2018 must return to Netflix around 2026. But while Disney+ is going to lose some massive blockbusters from that period (Infinity War, Black Panther), it isn't all bad news. Disney+ allows users to download all content, and any downloaded movies and TV shows will remain on an active account - even if the content leaves Disney+. So, fans will just have to remember to download the movies they want to keep before the rights revert to Netflix.
Even when the last of the four missing MCU films arrives on Disney+ next year, the Infinity Saga won't be whole. The two solo Spider-Man movies were Sony releases, while Universal handled The Incredible Hulk. It's unlikely any of those three will ever be available on Disney+. But, with the exception of the upcoming Spider-Man: Homecoming 3, Marvel shouldn't have to worry about any missing movies in the future. Through Phase 4 and beyond, all of the Disney-distributed MCU films will be calling Disney+ home, and the Mouse House won't have to deal with licensing deals with outside parties.
Source: Disney+