Disney+ has found a way to let its subscribers know that Disney isn't to blame for some of its missing movies, but this doesn't explain the absence of several other major movies from its catalog. Though some may be added at a later date, Disney+'s launch lineup has quite a few notable exclusions - ranging from Star Wars to Marvel, and more.
The new streaming platform finally launched after more than a year of anticipation. Disney+ brings with it over 800 programs. Its already massive library is packed with at least 300 movies and 7,000 television episodes. With the House of Mouse's new service, subscribers can watch animated classics like The Jungle Book and Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, live-action blockbusters like Avengers: Endgame and Captain America: Civil War, and almost the entire Skywalker saga from the Star Wars universe. On top of all that, Disney+ is the exclusive home of several new shows like The Mandalorian and The World According to Jeff Goldblum, which over the next few years will be joined by several new shows associated with the MCU, Star Wars, and more.
Despite everything available on Disney+, not everything is here - or at least, not right away. But, Disney+ has an explanation for that. When searching for one of its missing films, such as Star Wars: The Last Jedi, the listing will say, "Due to existing agreements, this title will be available on..." The "existing agreements" mentioned by Disney+ is a reference to the fact that some of its movies' streaming rights are tied up with other services. The Last Jedi, for example, is currently streaming on Netflix, so that's why it can't be on Disney+ until later.
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Streaming rights are a big issue for Disney+, as it serves as a major obstacle for getting its most popular films added to the library. Other films hurt by this restriction are Avengers: Infinity War and Black Panther. The streaming rights have to expire before they can be seen on Disney+, and they aren't the only films.
While the reason Disney+ offers is a compelling one, it can't account for every exclusion. In some cases, there are no streaming rights issues, which means that Disney is simply choosing not to add them. The decision could be a marketing tactic by Disney+, who may seek to periodically add large batches of new movies. With others, content is the biggest problem. Disney+ is a family-oriented service, so subscribers shouldn't hold their breath for movies like Deadpool to join its lineup.