With the second test run of their PVOD service and the release of two hotly-anticipated original series, March is going to be a popular month for Disney’s ever-growing streaming platform. In addition to the beginning of a new installment in the MCU, at the top of everyone’s charts for March, we’re sure, will be the Disney+ streaming debuts of Gnomeo & Juliet and Garfield: A Tail of Two Kitties later this month.
As theaters continue to open worldwide amid an increasingly vaccinated populace, the success of Raya and the Last Dragon on Disney+ will likely be a crucial deciding factor to the longevity of their Premier Access strategy. While the gross for Mulan, the previous (and only other) film to be released with this method, is still a bit unclear with the only confirmed number being a $35.5 million opening weekend, Disney’s willingness to give it another try with Raya proves that they still hope it’s a viable option moving forward.
In December, Pixar’s Soul was the first significant new Disney release to debut for free on their streaming platform, bringing into question the motivations behind holding Premier Access films behind yet another $30 paywall. Despite Marvel Studios’ reaffirmed dedication to theatrical releases for their feature films, fans have also speculated whether Black Widow could follow in the footsteps of Mulan and Raya if the numbers are in its favor. Regardless, this month will likely bring further news and discussion about Disney+’s Premier Access model as Raya and the Last Dragon hits screens in eligible countries. Get more of our Disney+ recs for March below and check out what’s also coming to HBO Max and Netflix!
Our Recs:
Raya and the Last Dragon
The latest film from Walt Disney Animation Studios, Raya and the Last Dragon is expected to generate significant amounts of online buzz this coming month. The film stars Kelly Marie Tran (Star Wars: The Last Jedi) as Raya on her quest for the titular mythical beast. “A phenomenal journey with visually stunning locations and a riveting story,” this animated feature is guaranteed to be a blast for the whole family. Disney’s ambitious new adventure boasts a packed cast featuring the likes of Awkwafina, Gemma Chan, Daniel Dae Kim, Sandra Oh, and Benedict Wong.
Disney+ subscribers will be able to purchase Premier Access for Raya and the Last Dragon on March 5 for $30.
The Falcon and the Winter Soldier
Marvel Studios’ second venture into episodic television, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier follows Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) and Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan) as they navigate and find their place in a world without Steve Rogers as Captain America. As teased in various trailers, the series will also feature the return of Captain America: Civil War players Baron Zemo (Daniel Brühl) and Sharon Carer (Emily VanCamp). It will follow the same weekly release structure as WandaVision and other Disney+ shows. Going off the trailers, this seems like a dynamic return to a more familiar side of the MCU.
The first episode of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier will debut on March 19, free for Disney+ subscribers!
The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers
A legacy sequel to Disney’s original Mighty Ducks (1992), this new series will follow the story of a new hockey team taking on the now-successful Mighty Ducks. The show will bring back actor Emilio Estevez’s Gordon Bombay as a coach for the new team, and will also star Brady Noon as 12-year-old Evan and Lauren Graham as his mother. Fans and newcomers alike are bound to enjoy what is sure to be an inspirational season of television. Judging off the success of legacy sports series on other streaming platforms, this could very well reach Cobra Kai levels of success for Disney+.
The season premiere of The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers will release on March 26!
Disney+’s Arrivals for March 2021
Coming March 5
Raya and the Last Dragon (Disney+ Premier Access)
WandaVision, Season Finale
Disney Secrets of Sulphur Springs, Episode 6 “Time Warped”
Garfield: A Tail of Two Kitties (2006)
Heartland Docs, DVM, Season 2
Coming March 12
Own the Room (2021)
Secrets of Sulphur Springs, Episode 7 “Long Time Gone”
Doc McStuffins: The Doc Is In (Special)
Disney My Music Story: Perfume (2021)
Dr. K’s Exotic Animal ER, Seasons 1-8
Dr. Oakley, Yukon Vet, Season 7
Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children (2016)
Marvel Studios: Legends, “Falcon,” “Sharon Carter,” “Winter Soldier,” and “Zemo”
Assembled: The Making of WandaVision, Premiere
Coming March 19
The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Series Premiere
Big Hero 6 The Series, Season 3
Secrets of Sulphur Springs, Episode 8 “If I Could Turn Back Time”
Mexico Untamed, Season 1
Coming March 26
The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers, Series Premiere
Secrets of Sulpher Springs:, Episode 9 “As Time Goes By”
Disney Pickle and Peanut, Seasons 1&2
Gnomeo & Juliet (2011) whoo!
Inside Pixar: Foundations, Batch 3 Premiere
