Disney+ Drops 12 Movies: What It Means for Subscribers

Disney+ has recently removed 12 movies from its catalog, following the announcement that 40 shows would be leaving both Disney+ and Hulu. Among the removed content are some popular Disney+ original series such as Willow. It seems that this decision to purge streaming content is a cost-cutting measure by Disney, as well as a response to internal changes to their content creation strategy. Decider has reported that the list of removed content includes some star-studded movies like The One and Only Ivan, which was led by Bryan Cranston. As all these films are Disney+ originals, finding them elsewhere, if at all, could prove to be a challenge. The full list of removed content can be found below.

Artemis Fowl, Better Nate Than Never, Black Beauty, Cheaper by the Dozen (2022), Darby and the Dead, Flora & Ulysses, Stargirl, Hollywood Stargirl, Magic Camp, The One and Only Ivan, Timmy Failure: Mistakes Were Made, Wolfgang.

Disney+ has recently announced the removal of several original movies from its streaming service, including family-friendly and children's films. One such movie is Artemis Fowl, an action-adventure film that was originally intended for theatrical release, made with a budget of $125 million. This move by Disney hints towards a potential shift in their approach towards producing fewer smaller, family-oriented films, as well as reducing the number of movies from untested franchises that come with a smaller price tag.

Reports have emerged that the cost of licensing fees paid to production companies has influenced Disney+ content removal. Despite being produced by Walt Disney Pictures, some films such as The One and Only Ivan and Artemis Fowl involved additional production companies. Disney's decision to purge original content may result in lower licensing fees and a redefinition of Disney+ originals going forward. Whether these removed productions will be released elsewhere remains uncertain, and unlike HBO Max, there is no guarantee that Disney will follow in their footsteps and offer ad-supported streaming. Unfortunately, for now, it seems that the removal of films and shows from Disney+ means that some beloved productions are gone for good.

Source: Decider