Why Are There Still Disney, Pixar, and Marvel Movies on Netflix?
With its premiere date during November 2019, some subscribers are wondering why all Disney-owned movies are not on Disney+. What is Netflix’s relationship with Disney’s streaming service? How are there still movies like Avengers: Infinity War, Incredibles 2, and Princess and the Frog on Netflix? Here’s what we know about these subscription platforms.
Which Disney-owned movies are still on Netflix, as of 2020
When it comes to Disney content currently available for streaming on Netflix, there are a handful of movies on this rival platform. Animated movies like Princess and the Frog, Bolt, Tarzan, and Ralph Breaks the Internet are still on Netflix. Not to worry, though, some of these movies are also already on Disney+.
Due to a licensing agreement, newer live-action adaptations like Christopher Robin and Mary Poppins Returns are only available on Netflix. They will be making the switch over in the coming months, along with movies produced by Marvel and Pixar.
Because they’re technically under the Disney umbrella, movies created by Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm, 21st Century Fox, and National Geographic are also housed on Disney’s subscription platform. Some still are on Netflix’s library. That includes Incredibles 2, Avengers: Infinity War, Ant-Man and the Wasp, Black Panther, and Solo: A Star Wars Story.
How does Netflix still have the licensing rights to movies like ‘Avengers: Infinity War’ and ‘Princess and the Frog?’
According to CNet, Disney and Netflix have been partners since 2016 and until 2019, that streaming platform was the main place for families to find Disney-owned movies and television shows. Then, the Walt Disney Company created its own subscription service in 2019, housing much of its animated and live-action movies exclusively on Disney+.
If you’ve tried to watch an unavailable movie on Disney+, you might’ve seen a message that reads, “due to existing agreements, this title will be available on…” According to Screenrant, “Streaming rights are a big issue for Disney+, as it serves as a major obstacle for getting its most popular films added to the library… The streaming rights have to expire before they can be seen on Disney+, and they aren’t the only films.”
Netflix responded to Disney’s streaming platform with a partnership of its own
As one of Disney’s top rivals, Nickelodeon partnered with Netflix, bringing original, family-centered content to this streaming platform. In the meantime, movies and television shows produced by this network are available on the subscription service, from Victorious to Big Time Movie.
Similar to Netflix, Disney+ created a few of its own exclusive television shows. The Mandalorian became the first-ever live-action Star Wars series, premiering on this platform at its launch date. In fact, The Mandalorian became one of the most-streamed television show, beating out Netflix’s Stranger Things, according to Business Insider.
There are shows based on Disney Channel original movies (High School Musical: The Musical: The Series) and some featuring the characters of Pixar’s Toy Story (Forky Asks a Question and Lamp Life.) Presumably, these shows will never make their Netflix debut.
To learn more about Disney+ and to subscribe, visit their website.
