Entertainment
It feels a long time coming. We’ve been counting down the days, but it’s finally here: Disney+ has officially launched in the UK. With more than 300 TV series (of which 26 are original and exclusive to the streaming service) and 500 films from their extensive back catalogue, the MCU universe and the Star Wars archive, it’s hard to know what to watch on Disney+ UK. Or, at least, what to watch first.
Luckily for you, Bustle is here to help you sort through the films, series, and specials you should tune into first on the service. Walk, don’t run to this amazing Disney goodness. From some brand new Star Wars action, to absolutely all of your childhood Disney faves (think Lizzie McGuire, Lion King, That's So Raven, Parent Trap, and more), there's enough content to keep you engaged through lockdown and beyond. We've scoured the streaming service for the best bits to add to your to watch list while you're waiting for Frozen 2 to *finally* drop in the UK. Seriously, Disney — what gives? Give the people what they want (and let's be honest need), while they're self-isolating and social distancing. Here's what you should be watching this weekend.
1
The Mandalorian
For many people, The Mandalorian is the biggest draw of a Disney+ membership. The first live action series set in the Star Wars universe, the show by Marvel director Jon Favreau stars Game of Thrones actor Pedro Pascal as a bounty hunter. Werner Herzog, Amy Sedaris and Taika Waititi also star, but unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past year, you’ll be most excited about meme-machine Baby Yoda (or The Child, as he’s technically known). Get ready to coo...
2
Star Wars
With two episodes of The Mandalorian releasing weekly, Star Wars superfans can while away the wait for new episodes by streaming the back catalogue in 4k for the first time. That’s the original trilogy and prequels as well as recent editions The Force Awakens, The Last Jedi and the Star Wars Story spin offs. To be fair, you don’t have to be trained in the force to get involved: if you’ve spent your whole life lying about having watched Star Wars, now’s your chance to rectify that.
3
High School Musical: The Musical: The Series
Besides having the best name ever, High School Musical: The Musical: The Series has been a surprise hit with Disney+ subscribers. Set in the high school where the original Disney Channel musical was filmed nearly 15 years ago (yep, we feel old), this mockumentary series follows a new cast of students as they attempt to recreate history and stage their own ultra-meta version of the show. Plus, if you’re missing your classic HSM fix, you can still get your head in the game on Disney+ and watch the original trilogy. Score!
4
The Entire Marvel Cinematic Universe
For an all-access pass to the MCU, Disney+ really is the only place to go. From box office smashes Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame to Black Panther and Captain Marvel, they’ve even got classic superhero series dating back to the 1980s. What’s not to love?
5
The Simpsons
It’s hard to believe that it’s been over 30 years since the Simpson family first burst onto our screens, but more than 600 episodes later, it's still going strong. With the show’s latest seasons having been broadcast on Sky in the UK, it was initially unknown whether Disney+ would be able to show the cartoon classic when the streaming service launched on our side of the pond. However, the news came in March that The Simpsons will be on Disney+ in the UK, with a Sky representative telling The Verge: “The Simpsons will remain on Sky co-exclusive for new [seasons] and including the back catalogue.”
6
Encore!
Hosted by Kristen Bell, this reality TV series is sure to tug on your heart strings and get you tearing up. Each episode sees the cast of a real life school musical reunite to recreate the shows that they once performed together. The only difference is, these shows were first performed more than 40 years ago: the former stars now have their own families, very different appearances and totally different outlooks on life. Allowing these adults to see their old friends again and rediscover the joys of performing, Encore! is one show not to overlook.
7
All The '90s And '00s Disney Classics You Could Dream Of
Almost an entire genre in its own right: if you grew up in the 1990s and '00s on Disney classics, Disney+ has got your back. We’re talking all your favourite cartoons, such as Aladdin, The Lion King and Beauty and the Beast. But there’s also series like That’s So Raven, Lizzie McGuire and The Cheetah Girls. Self-isolation has never sounded so fun!
