Disney+ subscribers will have a lot of new arrivals to enjoy this month, both fresh content and films and TV shows that had been previously released. As the streaming wars heat up, Disney+ continues focusing on bringing new material to its platform, still with big doses of nostalgia. The success of the Mouse House’s subscription service so far is thanks to its original series, especially The Mandalorian, though it has also gained a lot of criticism for not showing episodes chronologically and for messing with The Simpsons’ aspect ratio.
Of course, those are issues that can be easily fixed (though that doesn’t mean they’ll do it soon, as is the case with The Simpsons), and Disney+ is more concerned in producing TV shows, films, and shorts for all ages and tastes. The platform has a lot of content arriving this month, and as it also includes (family friendly) titles that came in the Fox package, subscribers will have a lot to choose from.
Most of the content this month comes from National Geographic, along with a good number of TV series that aired on Disney Channel and Disney XD. Disney+ will also welcome a couple of films (both recent and not-so-recent) and two new series exclusive to the platform. Here’s everything new to Disney+ in January, 2020.
National Geographic
For those into documentary series about animals, oceans, and more, Disney+ is adding a lot of material from National Geographic. Viewers can go on a tour of America’s national parks with season 1 of America’s National Parks (of course!), explore new places with Continent 7: Antarctica and Wild Russia, and learn about the seasonal activities of subsistence hunters in Alaska in season 13 of Life Below Zero. There’s also science fiction with the six-part documentary series Year Million, based on the book Year Million: Science at the Far Edge of Knowledge, by Damien Broderick. Season 1 of One Strange Rock, a series about how life survives and thrives on Earth as told by astronauts, will also arrive this month.
If you’re looking for documentary series about animals, Disney+ got you covered: Dr. K’s Exotic Animal ER, Dr. Oakley, Yukon Vet, and Dr T, Love Star Vet are also being added. Dog: Impossible is also joining the fun, as is Out There With Jack Randall. Last but not least, Drain The Great Lakes and its sister shows – Drain Alcatraz, Drain The Bermuda Triangle, Drain The Ocean: WWII, Drain The Oceans, Drain The Sunken Pirate City, Drain The Titanic – will also be available to stream.
Disney Channel series
One of the most appealing things about Disney+ is all the Disney Channel content it has – and all the material that is yet to come. The Disney Channel series joining the platform this month are the comedy Austin & Ally (all seasons), the musical mystery The Lodge (all seasons, as well), the British show First Class Chefs: Family Style, and the first season of the musical drama Soy Luna, which follows teenager Luna (Karol Sevilla), a talented skater who wants to become a world star.
Billy Dilley’s Super-Duper Subterranean Summer
The short-lived animated series Billy Dilley’s Super-Duper Subterranean Summer is coming to Disney+. It follows the adventures of 7th grader Billy Dilley (voiced by series creator Aaron Springer) who loves science, and his lab partners Zeke (Tom Kenny), Marsha (Catherine Wayne), and his pet rat, Anaximander. They all find themselves trapped in Subterranea-Tania, a strange world at the Earth’s core, after a test ride in Billy’s science project goes very wrong. Though it was generally well received, it was cancelled after one season.
Marvel Rising: Secret Warriors - Battle of the Bands
Marvel Rising: Secret Warriors’ special Battle of the Bands is a 22-minute episode that features Ghost-Spider (Gwen Stacy) assisting the Secret Warriors looking into a series of attacks involving Screaming Mimi – but this investigation might keep Gwen from her band’s competition. Battle of the Bands premiered at D23 Expo, and now everyone else will be able watch it.
Marvel: 75 Years, From Pulp to Pop!
Another Marvel special is arriving to Disney+, though this one doesn’t feature animated heroes. Marvel: 75 Years, From Pop To Pulp! aired on ABC in October, 2014, and is hosted by Emily VanCamp (Sharon Carter in the Marvel Cinematic Universe). This special is all about behind-the-scenes footage from Avengers: Age of Ultron and Ant-Man, as well as footage from Agent Carter.
Marvel’s Runaways - season 3
Hulu’s Marvel’s Runaways is also included in Disney+’s catalogue, and the final season will be added this month. It follows six teenagers from different backgrounds who unite against their parents, who are collectively known as the supervillain team the Pride. Together, they try to stop them while also figuring out how to live on their own. Though it received very good reviews, the series recently came to an end after three seasons.
Randy Cunningham: 9th Grade Ninja
The town of Norrisville has been protected by a ninja for centuries – but the citizens don’t know that a new ninja is chosen every four years. Ninth grader Randy Cunningham is selected as the next ninja, and it’s now up to him to protect the town from the evil plans of the Sorcerer (an 800-year-old master of the dark arts who wants to destroy the ninja), his ally Hannibal McFirst, and Hannibal’s assistant Willem Viceroy. Randy Cunningham: 9th Grade Ninja only has two seasons, and both will be available on Disney+.
Bluey - season 1
Bluey is an Australian animated series aimed for preschool children that will be released internationally on Disney+. It follows an anthropomorphic, six year-old Blue Heeler puppy named Bluey, who is always full of energy, has a big imagination, and is very curious about everything. Bluey lives with his father, Bandit; his mother, Chilli; and his younger sister, Bingo. The series touches on topics like family, growing up, and Australian culture. There truly is something for everyone.
Diary of a Future President (first two episodes)
A Disney+ original series produced by Gina Rodriguez and her company I Can & I Will Productions. Diary of a Future President centers on Elena, a 12 year-old Cuban American girl who dreams of becoming president of the United States. The series will follow her daily adventures and struggles as she makes her way through the ups and downs of adolescence, while also working towards her dreams.
Short Circuit
Short Circuit is a series of animated short films from Walt Disney Animation Studios. Through independent shorts that aim to “take risks in both visual style and story”, the series will showcase new talent from the animation industry. The first batch of short films (14, to be exact) will be available in late January.
Cool Runnings
Cool Runnings is a 1993 comedy sports film that is finally arriving to Disney+. The film is loosely based on the true story of the debut in competition of the Jamaica national bobsleigh team during the 1988 Winter Olympics in Canada. Cool Runnings was praised for its performances, sense of humor, and for not using the typical sports-film formula. Many fans were disappointed that Disney+ didn’t include it when it launched, but it’s finally being added this month.
Holes
Based on the novel of the same name by Louis Sachar, Holes is an adventure comedy-drama film starring Shia LaBeouf, Sigourney Weaver, Patricia Arquette, and Jon Voight. The Yelnats family has been cursed to be unlucky, and it proves to be an effective curse when Stanley Yelnats IV (LaBeouf) is arrested for stealing a pair of sneakers donated to charity and is wrongfully convicted. Stanley is sent to Camp Green Lake, a juvenile detention camp, where he joins the job of digging holes for some mysterious reason.
Aladdin (2019)
Not everything coming to Disney+ this month is documentaries and films released years ago – there’s more recent content arriving as well, such as Guy Ritchie’s live-action version of Aladdin. It follows the same basic plot of the 1992 animated film, with “street rat” Aladdin falling in love with Princess Jasmine, befriending a wish-granting Genie, and coming across dark sorcerer Jafar, who wants to get a hold of the Sultan’s role and the Genie’s lamp.
The Lion King (2019)
Jon Favreau’s photorealistic computer-generated remake of Disney’s 1994 classic The Lion King wasn’t as well received as the studio was probably expecting, but Disney+ subscribers will get the chance to watch it again later this month. This new version followed the same plot as the animated version, which earned it a lot of criticism (and because the animals looked weird. Let’s be real). Truth is that, while it didn’t do well with critics, The Lion King was a big box office hit, so there’s that.