There has been a bit of a fuss in regards to the pricing for the live-action MULAN on Disney+. The movie will be the first Premier Access release on the streamer which means you have to pay $29.99 to watch the film unlimited times on top of the cost of your monthly Disney+ subscription on September 4. Considering people have been waiting for the film this long since it was pulled from its March release date due to the COVID-19 pandemic and then pulled from its new August release date to make its debut on Disney+, you might want to wait a little longer if you wish to not pay $29.99 to view the film.
If you hold out for another three months, subscribers will be able to stream MULAN for free as part of the regular service beginning on December 4, 2020. Disney doesn't want to exactly advertise this little tidbit but the news appeared on an international advert for the film. The advert says the following:
"Mulan. Star streaming September 4, 2020 for 19.99 (Pound sterling). Watch before its release to all Disney+ subscribers on December 4, 2020. Watch as many times as you like with Premier Access and your Disney+ subscription. Requires an active Disney+ subscription."
I don't know about you, but I can hold out and wait to watch it for free with my subscription on December 4. I want to see the film but it doesn't scream "spend $29.99 to watch it now." Been patient this long, might as well hold out. MULAN was supposed to release in the early half of 2020 as one of Disney's biggest blockbusters of the year, even tracking to open in the $85 million range. The ongoing health crisis shut down theaters nationwide in March and this put the release strategy for MULAN on pause. Press had screened the film in March and its publicity machine was in full swing but the question of when and how many theaters would reopen became a major caveat in MULAN'S release. While many theaters have reopened and continue to do so, big markets like California and New York are still out of play and this is part of the reason Disney to shift MULAN to Disney+ with its Premier Access fee.
On top of this MULAN news, superstar sing/songwriter Christina Aguilera released a newly recorded version of "Reflection", a song she performed for the original animated film over 20 years ago. The "Reflection" music video was directed by MULAN'S director, Niki Caro, and can be viewed below. In regards to the film, MULAN follows a fearless young woman that risks everything out of love for her family and country to become one of the greatest warriors that China has ever known. When the Emperor of China issues a decree that one man per family must serve in the Imperial Army to defend the country from Northern Invaders, Hua Mulan, the eldest daughter of an honored warrior, steps in to take the place of her ailing father. Masquerading as a man, Hua Jun, she is tested every step of the way and must harness her inner-strength and embrace her true potential.
Will YOU wait to watch MULAN for free with your Disney+ subscription or will you pay for the Premier Access on September 4?