Disney has long been a powerful name in the film industry, especially in animation. Now with the addition of the upcoming platform Disney+, which is set for a November release this year, we’ll be seeing past fan favorites that will be available for streaming. Obviously, Disney has plenty of titles to choose from considering their work history.
Confirmed to be available at launch thus far includes The Princess Diaries, Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, Kim Possible, and Boy Meets World, among various others. With all these comebacks, we hope it’ll also inspire some revivals of smash-hit shows that made our childhoods like Hannah Montana and Wizards of Waverly Place.
Comeback: Iron Man
2008’s Iron Man is one of many confirmed films to be available upon the launch of Disney+. This film introduced us to cocky but intelligent Tony Stark. Considering our love of all things Marvel, Iron Man will not be the only Marvel film in the line-up.
Animated shows like Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy and Ultimate Spider-Man will also be available. Even eleven years since its release, Iron Man remains a beloved favorite among Marvel fans (especially since Avengers: Endgame will be serving as a conclusion to the Marvel franchise as we know it). Disney+ made a good call including the film in its launch.
Comeback: Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl
We all know and love Johnny Depp’s Jack Sparrow. This 2003 gem introduced the lovable pirate to audiences everywhere, and Jack Sparrow has since become a cultural icon.
Of course, Disney+ had to include one of their most successful films that launched one of their biggest franchises. It just wouldn’t be Disney+ if there were no Jack Sparrow among the line-up. We hope they’ll include the remainder of the Pirates movies, too.
Comeback: A Goofy Movie
1995’s A Goofy Movie is also a beloved animated Disney classic that has since attained a cult following. ’90s kids will surely appreciate this addition to the list. Goofy takes his son Max on a road trip, and while the two often clash out on the open road, it’s not without humor or heartfelt moments.
Especially when the two reconcile and end up going to Powerline’s concert in Los Angeles so Max can keep a promise to Roxanne, his love interest. Not a bad way to spend a summer! Even better, the sequel An Extremely Goofy Movie in which Goofy follows his son to college will also be available at launch. Goofy marathon!
Comeback: Kim Possible
What’s the sitch? Kim Possible is making a comeback on the Disney+ platform! Recently, the franchise boasted a live-action film that premiered on February 15 of this year. The entire series, which ran from 2002-2007, will be available for streaming.
There’ll be no limit to watching Kim fight crime and deal with the everyday struggle of teenage life with the help of her clumsy but well-meaning sidekick, Ron, Ron’s pet naked mole rat Rufus, and computer genius Wade. Watching Team Possible thwart super-villain duo Dr. Drakken and Shego is always among the most entertaining moments; so much so we sometimes forget there were other villains on the show, too.
Comeback: Malcolm in the Middle
Malcolm (Frankie Muniz) is a normal boy that tests at genius-level. He lives within a dysfunctional family with his authoritarian mom Lois, idiotic older brother Reese, devious little bro Dewey and head in the clouds father Hal. Malcolm has a tendency to create problems for himself because of his inflated ego, but the audience can sympathize with him over his feelings of not fitting in.
This family is always up to something and never fails to deliver on humor, making this a nice addition to the Disney+ line-up.
Comeback: Star Wars Trilogies
The force is with us. Disney+ will be featuring the films from the first two Star Wars trilogies (The Phantom Menace, Attack of the Clones, Revenge of the Sith, A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi) in addition to The Force Awakens and Rogue One. Star Wars fans everywhere will have some serious binge-watching to do, especially since as of December we are saying goodbye to the franchise as we know it (or until another film is announced).
TV shows Star Wars Rebels and Star Wars: The Clone Wars (series) will also be ready for your viewing pleasure. It’s a tough year for Star Wars fans, but at least Disney+ will allow them to relive the glory days.
Comeback: Toy Story
Woody and Buzz will be making an appearance on Disney’s new streaming service. Their 1995 debut will be available at launch and all over again we can relive our childhood memories of Woody and Buzz learning to live together and play well as Andy’s toys.
First, they must survive the reign of terror as they are accidentally taken home by neighbor Sid who holds zero respect for toys until Buzz and Woody teach him a lesson. You’ve got a friend in the Disney+ platform.
Revival: The Suite Life of Zack & Cody
Zack (Dylan Sprouse) and Cody (Cole Sprouse) were always up to chaos and mayhem at the Tipton Hotel where they resided with their mother. It would be interesting to see what the two, in addition to Maddie, London, Mr. Moseby and their mother, would be up to today at the Tipton.
Sure, they had the spin-off of The Suite Life on Deck but going back to their roots at the hotel would be more memorable, considering it’s Zack and Cody’s origin. Not to mention nostalgic for audiences everywhere. Bring on the suite life!
Revival: Wizards of Waverly Place
Who doesn’t miss this show? Originally aired from 2007-2012, this show focused on the three Russo siblings who are wizards competing against one another to keep the family powers. Justin (David Henrie) is the intelligent and logical eldest sibling, Alex (Selena Gomez) is the savvy troublemaker in the middle, and Max (Jake T. Austin) is the dim-witted but kind youngest sibling.
Alex’s antics were prominent, with Justin stepping up to solve the problems and Max usually involved somehow or otherwise in another storyline. If Disney+ is looking for revivals to feature on their platform, this should be one of them!
Revival: Hannah Montana
Miley Cyrus starred as Miley Stewart on this memorable sitcom about a girl living a normal life by day and putting on a wig to become her alter-ego, famous pop singer Hannah Montana, by night. Few people know of her double life, and the show revolves around Miley, her brother, her two best friends and father (played by her real-life father, Billy Ray Cyrus). It’s long been recognized as a guilty pleasure among audiences. Now if we had a Hannah Montana revival, it’d be the best of both worlds!
With all these comebacks and more, we’re looking forward to the launch of Disney+. Netflix, Hulu and other streaming platforms will no doubt be facing some serious competition considering the popularity of Disney itself and the items it’s set to feature on its platform upon its launch and in the coming years. We hope that down the line Disney will consider revivals of some of its most successful shows; until then, we’ll keep binge-watching the ones from the “good old days” and wait for the platform to launch.
