Raya and the Last Dragon, Walt Disney Animation Studios’ latest theatrical feature, will cost the same $29.99 Premier Access fee on Disney+ as the live-action Mulan remake. The new animated fantasy epic will be the first such release on Disney+ since Mulan, appearing both on the streaming platform and in theaters on March 5. The film stars Kelly Marie Tran and Awkwafina as the two titular protagonists.
Written by Qui Nguyen and Adele Lim and directed by Carlos López Estrada and Don Hall, Raya and the Last Dragon is a fantasy adventure inspired by East Asian culture and mythology. The film’s early reveals have drawn comparisons to shows like The Legend of Korra, and it will hopefully follow in the critically-lauded tradition of other recent Disney Animation Studios films like Zootopia, Big Hero 6, and Frozen. With a star-studded Asian-American voice cast and writing team behind the movie, Raya and the Last Dragon could be another huge hit.
Like 2020’s live-action Mulan remake, Raya and the Last Dragon will be available for streaming on Disney+ on the same day it releases in theaters, and like Mulan, it will be cost a “Premier Access” fee of $29.99 to watch on the platform. Disney confirmed the Premier paywall in a recent press release. The extra price of admission is expected given Disney’s model with Mulan, and Premier Access will likely remain a primary focus of the company while covid-19 keeps theater attendance low. The film will debut in theaters and on Disney+ on March 5 in most territories.
Though Mulan’s Premier Access release has generally been seen as a success for Disney, it’s become a bit harder to swallow given recent competition. For instance, Warner Bros.’ plan to release all major 2021 theatrical films on HBO Max on the same day as their theatrical debuts simply adds the movies to the streaming library temporarily, with no additional cost to users. That model went over fairly well with the release of Wonder Woman 1984, and it makes Disney’s extra paywalls look less appealing by comparison.
Of course, the Walt Disney Animation Studios name alone will be enough to convince many to ante up the extra $29.99. The fee still comes out cheaper than it would cost for a family with children to see the movie in theaters, and at-home viewing options will stay preferable for many as the pandemic continues to make theaters a safety hazard. Those who want to watch Raya and the Last Dragon at home on release will have to chip in the extra $29.99 for Premier Access.
Source: Disney
