Streaming service review: Disney+ (2023 edition)
I last wrote extensively about Disney+, Disney’s eponymous streaming service, in 2021, which in streaming time is a long time ago. Since its 2019 launch, Disney+ has become the most popular newcomer in the “streaming wars.” But what’s Disney+ been like lately? I give some updated thoughts below.
Note I’m mostly looking at the US version of Disney+, which differs from the international versions (as I note in the section about Star below).
Pros of Disney+
Disney+ is inexpensive (if you don’t mind ads)
Disney+ has an affordable ad-based tier, which costs $8 a month, though there’s currently no annual plan. However, if you want to go ad-free, that tier costs $14 a month.
The Disney Bundle as a “catch-all” service
The Disney Bundle is a discounted bundle combining Disney+ with Hulu (and, optionally, ESPN+). The two services work well together, and make up for each other’s weaknesses. Disney+ is lacking in adult-oriented content (more on this below), while Hulu is lacking some major franchises. (In Hulu’s case, blame the rise of other streaming services with the “streaming wars,” and media companies yanking their content from Hulu.) The price difference versus buying Disney+ or Hulu alone at this point means you’re better off getting the Bundle for just a few dollars more. (Black Friday sales aside, in Hulu’s case.)
Disney+/Hulu combined also functions more as a “catch-all” service, covering most major genres. It also makes the Disney Bundle comparable to Netflix or Amazon Prime Video.
Outside of the US, Hulu doesn’t exist; instead, the Disney-owned Hulu content is carried on the non-US versions of Disney+ under a category named “Star.” Star carries “Family Guy,” “What We Do in the Shadows,” and other Hulu staples, with Hulu Originals like “Shadows” rebranded as “Star Originals.”
An excellent content library
Disney+ carries a pretty sizable amount of content, all divided by categories:
Disney: The classic and current Disney content, including: all of the Disney animated canon films (except “Make Mine Music,” for some reason), from “Snow White” to “Encanto”; the various Disney TV shows, from “DuckTales” (the original and reboot) to “Kim Possible” to “Doc McStuffins”; and Disney Channel programming, including its sitcoms and original films. There’s also the various classic and modern live-action Disney films, such as “Mary Poppins,” the “Pirates of the Caribbean” films, and even the 1978 film “The Cat From Outer Space.” A few non-Disney imports also are on Disney+, including one of the service’s most popular programs, “Bluey.”
Pixar: The various Pixar films, from “Toy Story” to “Lightyear.” Also some shorts and made-for-Disney+ originals, such as “Monsters at Work,” a “Monsters, Inc.” spin-off.
Marvel: The home of Marvel’s TV shows, films, and made-for-Disney+ originals. All of the MCU films are here, from “Iron Man” to “The Eternals.” Live-action TV shows range from “Agents of SHIELD” to the former Netflix Marvel shows to “Falcon and the Winter Soldier.” Animated fare ranges from “Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends” to that 90s “Hulk” cartoon to “Spidey and His Amazing Friends.” The last one is the most-watched Disney+ Marvel-based show, despite being made for young children.
Star Wars: The streaming home of all things “Star Wars.” The original films (albeit in their CGI-filled forms), prequels, and sequels are here, as well as spin-offs ranging from that 80s “Ewoks” cartoon to “The Clone Wars” to Disney+’s first popular original, “The Mandalorian.”
National Geographic: Disney gained ownership of National Geographic with its purchase of 20th Century Fox several years ago. As such, this category carries National Geographic’s programming, including various nature documentaries and made-for-Disney+ originals.
Some content doesn’t neatly fit into any of the above, but is available on Disney+ anyway. Notably in this category is “The Simpsons”; Disney+ carries the entire (massive) run, save the newest episodes (which are on Hulu) and one episode removed from syndication (“Stark Raving Dad” from season 3).
Cons of Disney+
Missing or removed content
Removal of online content has become a recent streaming service trend (thanks, HBO Max), as a way for media conglomerates to get out of paying residuals, and even as a tax write-off. As such, Disney+ has removed some content recently, including “Willow,” a Jeff Goldblum-starring National Geographic series, and a “Turner and Hooch” remake. The future of this removed content is up in the air (instant “lost media,” showing up on a free ad-supported service someday, etc.), as much of it never received a DVD or digital video release.
Some content is missing due to pre-existing rights reasons. Other content is missing for unclear reasons. (I’m not counting stuff long since withheld from general syndication, such as “Song of the South.”) Shows from the 2000s such as “House of Mouse,” “Fillmore!,” “Buzz Lightyear of Star Command,” and “Teamo Supremo” aren't available on Disney+ (or anywhere else). “The Replacements” is available, but only the first season of 21 episodes; the remaining 31 episodes are missing.
Price hikes (especially for the ad-free tier)
Price hikes have been widespread across streaming services. Of late, this has been particularly so for ad-free streaming service tiers, probably as a way to drive subscribers to the cheaper (and more lucrative) ad-based tiers.
In Disney+’s case, a recent price hike has resulted in the following pricing (as of this writing):
Disney+ (with ads): $8/mo. (with ads) or $14/mo. / $140/year (without ads)
Disney Bundle (Disney+/Hulu): $10/mo. (with ads) or $20/mo. (without ads)
Disney Bundle (Disney+/Hulu/ESPN+): $15/mo (with ads) or $25/mo. (without ads)
Note it’s $10 extra just to avoid ads with the Disney+ Bundle, or $6 extra for just Disney+. For that amount, one could add on another (ad-based) streaming service, like Paramount+ or Max.
A lack of adult content
Some viewers complain about Disney+ not having much adult content, and finding little on it to hold their attention outside of “The Simpsons,” Marvel, or “Star Wars.” I suppose it’s a matter of taste (and whether or not one cares about animation or has kids), but again, this is one of Disney+’s main weaknesses. If you’re looking for R-rated entertainment, you won’t find it on Disney+ (with a few exceptions, such as “Deadpool”). However, paying a few dollars more for the Disney Bundle adds Hulu, which has such material. (But again, it’s still an extra cost.)
Quality of content
Again, this is a matter of opinion, but some viewers have complained about the quality of Disney+’s output lately, particularly the Marvel and “Star Wars” material. Multiple reasons might be to blame for this: the recent writers and actors’ strikes messing with production; Disney using AI to create “Secret Invasion”’s opening credits (*sigh*); overworked VFX staff; some of the shows possibly just not being very good; and so on.
Who should use Disney+?
Overall, I recommend Disney+ for the following groups:
Disney fans (of course).
Young children.
Marvel fans.
"Star Wars" fans.
"Simpsons" fans.
Animation fans, especially those that don’t own DVDs/digital videos.
At this point, Disney+ doesn't seem in danger of losing its status as one of the major streaming services, alongside the traditional "Big Three" of Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Hulu. Disney+ is pretty much the biggest success story out of the explosion of new services from the “streaming wars.”
That said, if you don’t fall into any of the groups I listed above, or mainly desire adult-oriented content, Disney+ probably won’t have much appeal. Such users might want to consider Hulu instead of, or in addition to, Disney+.
Image: Disney+ main page. (Disney+ / screenshot by author)