After years of Disney dominating the animation and superhero divisions on film, the studio giant has finally arrived with its own streaming platform, Disney +. It was a historic moment for streaming services... for those who were able to get onto the service launch day without a hitch. Not only is the fabled Disney vault of classic films now open once again for fans, but included as well are hundreds of cartoons and shows from the 1980s, 1990s, and early 2000s.
The logic behind Disney purchasing some of Hollywood's biggest franchises has finally begun to come to light. Disney + is ripe with nostalgia from all around. Classic cartoon shows such as "Gargoyles", "Darkwing Duck", and "X-Men The Animated Series" have been trending on Twitter since launch day. Not only do individuals have access to their own childhood in one place, but now their childhood can become their children's.
Unlike Disney's other major streaming competitor, Netflix, Disney + is currently aiming their service at the family-friendly market, which made the company such a powerhouse in the first place. At first glance, the family-friendly aim could be looked at as a serious disadvantage for Disney +. Netflix has been aimed at a very diverse all-ages market from the start. But this may, in fact, be Disney's biggest asset in the streaming wars.
In order for Disney to make their mark in the streaming game, they are going to need more than just Mickey Mouse and Snow White, but it doesn't hurt to have those classic films such as "Fantasia" on the service, either, along with premiere franchises, such as Marvel, Star Wars, and Pixar.
Disney + has been out for about a week and there is already plenty of classic content to choose from. Nearly every film and show that anyone familiar with the "House of Mouse" has watched over the years (though "Corey in the House" and a few other shows were mysteriously absent) are on Disney +, even the most obscure. I wasn't planning on watching the "Suite Life of Zack and Cody," but when I saw it, I had to get at least an episode in.
I came across several shows and films ranging from Marvel cartoons, Disney Channel original movies as well as shows, and cartoons I had completely forgotten about over time. Some of the shows may not hold up in my current adult mindset, but there is nothing like watching childhood classics. If you had anything Disney involved in your childhood, it is impossible not to get lost in the catalog.
If there is one thing that people love, it is to be reminded of their childhood. At least the happy memories before everything went to hell.
The main draw of Disney + in its inception was likely the original content, but arguably the biggest hot topics now are the older shows and films that are filled to the brim with nostalgia. People are more excited to watch their favorite childhood classics than "The Mandalorian" or the "Lady and the Tramp" live-action film.
As a part of deals with other streaming services, such as Netflix, Disney's entire catalog of films and shows are not yet all a part of the new service. But, in time, expect more content to be added as deals expire and more films and franchises come to fruition. But there is more than enough "Boy Meets World" episodes to tide fans over while they wait for "Black Panther" and "Coco" to hit the service.
With Disney + helping many relive parts of their childhoods that some individuals never had access to, Netflix may finally be in for a fight. The magic of Disney beyond making billion-dollar franchises is appealing to that inner child within each and every one of us.
