Since its April 7, 2020 launch in France, Disney+ offers a variety of films and series for €8.99 monthly, including the adult-oriented Star catalog. The platform boasts over 149 million subscribers worldwide, competing with Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. Disney+ features popular franchises like Marvel and Star Wars, with recent plans to enhance its offerings and introduce ads. Account sharing will end in September 2024, allowing up to four simultaneous streams and seven profiles per account.
Since its introduction in France on April 7, 2020, Disney+ offers an array of content for just €8.99 per month, especially after incorporating the Star catalog. This addition features movies, series, and documentaries catered to adult audiences, complementing its existing lineup of family-friendly Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars titles. Here’s all you need to know about this Netflix competitor, including its content offerings, features, and supported devices.
Launch of Disney+ and Star in France
After a highly anticipated launch in the US and select countries in November 2019, Disney+ officially became available in France on April 7, 2020. Originally set for March 24, 2020, the release was postponed by two weeks at the request of the French government due to the COVID-19 pandemic, marking a brief delay in its rollout.
Starting February 23, 2021, Disney+ introduced the “Star” section, featuring a variety of adult-oriented content from Fox’s portfolio, which includes films and series that come with parental control options. Parents can easily restrict access by setting a PIN during the initial login.
Additionally, Disney has made available certain films in “IMAX Enhanced” quality, offering an expanded picture format that mimics the IMAX viewing experience. The platform also features DTS sound for compatible Marvel movies released in 2023, enhancing the audio experience.
As of February 2024, the service boasts an impressive 149.6 million subscribers globally, though it still trails behind Netflix’s 260 million and Amazon Prime Video’s 200 million users.
Subscription Costs for Disney+
Disney+ initially charged €8.99 per month or a discounted €89.90 per year, applicable across all devices. However, starting autumn 2023, pricing structures have been updated with the introduction of two new subscription tiers, including one with advertisements. In mid-October 2024, there will be another price increase without adjustments to the existing plans.
At present, Disney+ provides three subscription options:
Upcoming changes may affect ad-free plans; there are indications that these could start featuring promotions or sponsorship messages. Additionally, Disney+ is part of Canal+’s Ciné Séries package, which includes access at no additional cost for certain subscription types, with promotional pricing for extended commitments.
Rumors also suggest a potential launch of FAST (Free Ad-Supported Television) channels on Disney+, potentially featuring dedicated content with ad breaks, focusing on popular franchises like Star Wars and Marvel.
Ending Account Sharing
In line with Netflix’s policy changes, Disney has decided to phase out account sharing. Tests began in India in July 2023, which led to confirmation by Disney CEO Bob Iger that restrictions will take effect in September 2024. Initial trials are underway in various regions starting June 2024.
The cessation of account sharing mimics Netflix’s strategy, allowing users to add external individuals to their accounts at an additional cost, with specifics on pricing still pending.
Available Movies, Series, and Cartoons on Disney+
The Disney+ catalog includes a wealth of popular franchises, such as Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic. Iconic titles like Avatar, The Snow Queen, and the entire Simpsons series are accessible. Overall, the extensive library is updated regularly with new releases each month, detailed in our dedicated articles.
Spotlight on Series and Films
Marvel Films
Be aware that not every Marvel Cinematic Universe title is available at launch. For a comprehensive viewing experience, it’s best to check the chronological viewing order of the films.
Marvel Series
In March 2022, Disney confirmed that Marvel’s series, including Daredevil and Jessica Jones, would migrate to Disney+ following their acquisition of Marvel. The influx of new Marvel content has pressured Disney, leading to subscriber losses and subsequent layoffs. Fortunately, the company plans to reduce its output of Marvel series moving forward.
Upcoming Marvel Series
Among upcoming projects, the series Agatha is set to premiere in autumn 2024, with Kathryn Hahn reprising her role. Additionally, the Ironheart series will chron