One of the selling points of Disney+ was that the Walt Disney Company had recently made the acquisition of 20th Century FOX and its related studios, including Blue Sky Studio and Searchlight Pictures. Alongside the rights to brand new films that were releasing under the 20th Century Studio banner, Disney also acquired a whole host of old franchises created by the movie company.
There's already a lot of great movies and TV shows available on Disney+, however some of them didn't originally come from Disney's own studios. There's a range of films and series that fit in perfectly to the streaming platform, but weren't actually created by the house of mouse!
Mrs Doubtfire
Robin Williams in many ways redefined voice acting for Walt Disney's Animation Studios. His performance in Aladdin was something special and has stood the test of time as some of his best work. In terms of family friendly productions, Mrs Doubtfire is also considered a classic.
The film brings in Williams' trademark humor, while also providing a touching story that the whole family can enjoy. It meets that Disney ethos, while also memorializing one of the comedy greats in a place under a brand that he did some of his most famous work in.
Home Alone
The Home Alone franchise is one that fits in perfectly with the tone of Disney's films. A Christmas classic, the film centers around a young boy protecting his home, through all manner of wacky contraptions and traps.
It contains the same spirit as both some Disney Channel original movies, as well as some of the classics that the Disney has distributed in cinemas. It doesn't feel out of place at all and there's talk that Disney will continue on the franchise on the streaming platform.
X-Men
The X-Men are a group of superhero mutants inspired by the complex stories in Marvel Comics. Alongside Fantastic Four, the X-Men were owned by FOX, allowing them to distribute their own films about these outcasts and heroes but separate from Disney's MCU.
For the first time in quite a while, the movie rights for all of Marvel's characters are under one roof. It seems appropriate therefore that the X-Men movies are on the streaming platform and this may be a sign of things to come, with Wolverine, Cyclops, Storm and the rest of the group being recast for the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Spies In Disguise
Spies In Disguise was received well by audiences or critics, but there's something fun about a film where a spy turns his partner into a pigeon so that he can remain incognito. It may not have been made by Disney but it doesn't look at all out of place.
Perhaps due to the addition of a fantastic cast, including Tom Holland who is known for his work with the Disney company with Spider-Man and Onward, Spies In Disguise is a great film for the kids to enjoy and matches some of the other content on the platform in its wackiness.
Big
Tom Hanks' defining role early into his career, Big is a film about adulthood, growing up and accepting that life should be enjoyed at a much slower pace, no matter the age. Tom Hanks has had some of his best work under the Disney banner with Woody still being one of his career highlights.
It not only makes sense therefore to have Big on Disney+ due to its star, but also because of the nostalgic element of the film. Much like Disney's own productions, there's something quite timeless about Big that allows it to sit perfectly amongst the platform's content.
Night At The Museum
Ben Stiller's Night At The Museum is educational in some ways, heart-warming and just a lot of fun for the whole family to enjoy. It's the kind of fantasy adventure that Disney would create and it actually combines some of the goals of the company.
From producing entertainment that anyone can enjoy, to opening up a conversation with kids about historical figures, the Night At The Museum franchise is likely to continue on Disney+ perhaps with a sequel with a new cast of characters.
Ice Age
Blue Sky Studios was really launched due to the success of the Ice Age franchise. The film series felt like a cross between a DreamWorks production and a Disney animated movie. It has its own flavor and yet sits as a part of Disney+. It's a classic and deserves to be available for everyone to enjoy.
The other Blue Sky productions such as Spies In Disguise and even Rio could make up their own section on the streaming platform. They all achieve the same thing as a Disney or Pixar animated film, but manage to do so in a way that feels authentic to that company.
The Simpsons
One of FOX's most famous franchise is The Simpsons. This ongoing animated comedy has poked fun at a huge range of issues and companies, including the house of mouse itself. Yet there's something innovative about the show that just fits on Disney+.
In many ways The Simpsons was a trendsetter, much like the Walt Disney company in the past. Furthermore, it's a TV giant and would work well alongside content from ABC for example. It certainly feels like a part of the brand when positioned as the imposter to Disney's service.
Avatar
The Walt Disney parks unveiled Pandora the world of Avatar in the past couple of years and the experience has been a hit with guests. That was the first sign really of the acquisition taking place, with the company firmly showcasing that Avatar fit into their brand.
Disney is known for pushing the science fiction genre further. With both Marvel and Star Wars demonstrating the further cosmic appeal of Disney+, it was only fitting that one of the highest grossing films of all time, was also brought into the brand.
Percy Jackson
The Percy Jackson franchise has the capabilities of being spun into a huge expanding universe featuring some of Rick Riordan's other work. This fantasy series was a hit amongst young adult readers, but the films didn't live up to expectations.
However, with Disney looking to reboot the Percy Jackson franchise alongside the author himself, these films about Greek gods and monsters actually seem to feel right sitting on Disney+, until that is that a brand new take on the universe is created.