Disney Plus is Coming for Netflix

By Arlett Ramirez
Assistant Web Content Manager

Earlier this year, I wrote an article about how Disney’s new streaming service Disney Plus will launch on Nov. 12. Over the years, Disney has collected extensive successful franchises like Marvel and the Star Wars films. 

Last March, Disney acquired 21st Century Fox for $71.2 billion, meaning they now own films like “Avatar” and “Titanic” (the second and third highest grossing films of all time).

Just this year, “Avengers: Endgame” became the highest-grossing film of all time and “The Lion King” remake became the highest-grossing animated film of all time this summer surpassing “Frozen”. All of these films will be available to stream on Disney Plus. 

Netflix is currently the world’s largest streaming service with over 148 million paid subscriptions and over 60 million are in the U.S. It seems like everyone has Netflix nowadays and if you don’t have Netflix you might get some strange looks.

Netflix is home to hits like “Stranger Things”, “The Crown”, “Orange Is The New Black” and many more. Prior to the release of Disney Plus, many Disney movies will be purged from Netflix and be moved to Disney Plus. This means that Netflix will no longer be home to any Disney content. 

Since the announcement of Disney Plus, many have questioned if it may overtake Netflix as the new streaming giant and rightfully so. A few weeks after the Disney-Fox merger, Disney became the majority shareholder of Hulu. It was announced last week, that Hulu will be home to over 40 FX series. But don’t worry Hulu will still have its original series like “The Handmaid’s Tale” and “Castle Rock”. FX will also produce original series for Hulu.

A thing that makes Disney Plus more desirable than Netflix is affordability. Over the years, Netflix has increased prices with no discount options unlike their competitors Hulu and Amazon Prime. Netflix offers three plans at the prices below: 

• Basic: $8.99
• Standard: $12.99
• Premium: $15.99

Disney Plus will be cost $7 a month or $70 if you prepay for a full year. They are also offering a $2 discount if you pre-order Disney Plus. This price is a discount compared to Netflix’s lowest plan. Disney is also offering bundles with ESPN Plus, Hulu and Disney Plus for only $13 altogether, a very attractive offer compared to Netflix’s cheapest plan of $8.99.

Netflix hasn’t made any power moves like Disney has which is concerning. Over the years, Netflix has begun to make Netflix Originals which are only available to stream on the platform. Netflix has announced that they will be doing a live-action remake of “Avatar: The Last Airbender” that is scheduled to premiere sometime in 2020.

Just last week, Netflix added Nickelodeon’s “Victorious” and “Sam & Cat” to their library which has caused many fans to rewatch both shows and share their thoughts on Twitter. 

If Netflix were to collect the entire Nickelodeon library, that could possibly change the game. Since Nickelodeon and Disney were competitors (and still are), that could be the way Netflix keeps its place as the world’s largest streaming service. If Netflix wants to stay at the top of the streaming service game, they will have to make some major moves to counter Disney’s. 

Disney Plus launches on Nov. 12 and you can see the entire list of movies and shows that will be available the first day.

Featured image via Disney Plus.