Disney's live-action remake of Mulan caused Disney+ downloads to spike by 68% this weekend when it debuted on the streaming service. Mulan, which was originally intended to hit theaters in March 2020, was previously announced to be released on Disney+ in September, skipping a theatrical run entirely. The film has been met with a warm reception from critics, currently resting at a 77 percent fresh critical rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Mulan tells the story of a young Chinese woman who decides to disguise herself as a man in order to protect her father from serving in a war that could put his life in danger, harnessing her true potential and strength in the process. The remake, which is directed by Niki Caro, stars Yifei Liu, Donnie Yen, Li Gong, Jet Li, Jason Scott Lee, Yoson An, Tzi Ma, Rosalind Chao, Pei-Pei Cheng, and Xana Tang. With a price tag of $29.99 to purchase on Disney+, many have wondered how the film would perform on the streaming platform. Not only did the strategy for Mulan have a positive impact for Disney stocks, but now it appears that the film's release on the streaming service has caused a significant uptick in downloads of Disney+.

Related: Mulan Live-Action vs. Animated: Which Disney Movie Version Is Better

According to Yahoo!, the release of Mulan caused a 68% increase in Disney+ app downloads over the weekend. Sensor Tower, which is an app download research firm, reported the development and also revealed that consumer spending in the app increased by 193%, most likely due in large part to the film's price that customers had to pay in order to watch the film. Previously, Hamilton had caused a 79% spike in downloads when it debuted on the streaming service back in July.

Mulan China poster theatrical run

While there were some who felt Mulan releasing on Disney+ was a blow to cinemas, many were keen to see if its release on the streaming service would be a financial success. With Disney releasing the film for free on Disney+ in December, there have been those who have wondered whether or not it's worth it to pay for Mulan, especially since it will be made widely available at no cost in just a few months. The remake marks yet another big release that Disney has decided to instead release on their streaming service, following in the footsteps of Artemis Fowl, which was released earlier this summer on Disney+.

Disney made a bold move releasing one of their most anticipated tentpole films on Disney+, especially at such a high cost for subscribers. However, despite boycotts during Mulan's release this weekend, it's evident that the price didn't scare customers away, considering the spike in app downloads and consumer spending within it. With a release strategy that can certainly be labeled a success as of now, it will be interesting to see if Disney releases more of their bigger films on the platform, such as the upcoming Marvel film Black Widow. In the meantime, while many wait for the film's financial numbers to trickle in, fans can now purchase and stream Mulan on Disney+ for their viewing pleasure.

More: Every Song In Mulan 2020

Source: Yahoo!

Key Release Dates