Disney recently said that they have over 118 million subscribers — which is incredibly impressive for a streaming service that has only been around for just over 2 years. If you add in the subscribers from ESPN+ and Hulu, the number reaches over 179 million. While subscribers can watch Disney+ on their televisions and laptops, there may be another viewing method that is more popular than both of those — cellphones and tablets.
Subscribers can download the Disney+ app, so they can watch their favorite shows like Loki, The Mandalorian, and Dug Days, whenever they want, wherever they want. And now, those Disney+ subscribers have a really cool feature that they can access with one of the latest Apple updates called SharePlay.
Here is more information on the new feature, per The Verge:
Apple started rolling out its anticipated SharePlay feature to iPhone users with its iOS 15.1 update (and on macOS with the latest Monterey update). SharePlay allows Apple users to sync their playback for supported streaming in FaceTime services so they can watch movies and shows or listen to music together in real-time.
Disney already offers a GroupWatch feature of its own, but SharePlay allows users to FaceTime while doing other things on their Apple devices when a video is playing on their screen. If you’re watching on your iPad, for example, your video will appear as a picture-in-picture tile while you navigate across other apps on your device.
When deciding to use SharePlay with your friends or family, there is one very important thing that you must remember — everyone wanting to utilize SharePlay must have a Disney+ account as well as a compatible Apple device (including iPhone and iPad). It is also important to note that, as with GroupWatch, SharePlay will not support any Disney+ profiles that are kids’ profiles.
SharePlay will work across Disney’s entire catalog, meaning users can watch the newest series and movies as soon as they are released on the streamer, including The Book of Boba Fett and Encanto.
It seems odd to read the words, “Christmas classics” and “backlash.” Isn’t that what makes them Christmas classics–their staying power, their ability to withstand the test of time, and their knack for bringing us back year after year after year?
This year is a bit different, however, according to Outsider.com, which claims that some “film critics are wanting to cancel several Christmas classics over toxic masculinity, one of them being (the 1946 film) It’s a Wonderful Life.”
Clockwise from top: James Stewart, Donna Reed, Carol Coombs, Jimmy Hawkins, Larry Simms and Karolyn Grimes. (Photo by Herbert Dorfman/Corbis via Getty Images)
You don’t get much more classic than an iconic film written by Frank Capra, starring Jimmy Stewart, Donna Reed, and Lionel Barrymore. The film follows (through the eyes of a trio of angels in Heaven) the life and times of George Bailey of Bedford Falls. George has his whole life planned out until he realizes that he doesn’t. He tends to put the desires, goals, and wishes of others ahead of his own, but that’s because he has the guarantee that there’ll be time to realize his goals soon enough. But “soon enough” never comes, and George winds up living in the same old Bedford Falls, among the same old Bedford Falls folks, even though he had always planned to shake to dust of that “crummy little town” off and “see the world.”
George ends up contemplating his life as he stands at the edge of a bridge staring down the turbulent waters below. He considers ending it all before an angel named Clarence who’s yet to earn his wings jumps in the water to “save” George. George finally sees what life on earth would have looked like, had he never been born.
But critics say It’s a Wonderful Life is full of toxic masculinity and should be canceled, much like anything else people find a reason to dislike. Their reason? The horrible George Bailey kisses his wife without getting her permission first. Really?
The critics are also up in arms over another Christmas movie that debuted in 1996, called Jingle All the Way (which, by the way, you can catch on the Disney+ streaming app if you’re like me–a terrible person who watches these kinds of things). The film stars Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sinbad, who portray rival characters, each one trying to purchase the coveted hot-ticket toy of the season: a Turbo-Man action figure. Each one has a son at home who’s just got to have a Turbo-Man, and they’ll stop at nothing to get one.
But the critics and Scrooges who have a problem with this film don’t actually have a problem with the main characters or with their respective plights to be named “Dad of the Year” solely based on their abilities to produce the aforementioned Turbo-Man. Isn’t that “toxic masculinity?” No, they take issue with another character in the film–a minor character, mind you.
“Some people claim that Phil Hartman’s character, Ted, is creepy,” the post from Outsider.com reads. “His unintentional advances on Liz spoil the seasonal film.”
And believe it or not, a harmless, happy little Disney Christmas staple, featuring the incomparable voice of Toy Story‘s Buzz Lightyear, is also under siege. Disney’s The Santa Clause, starring Tim Allen, found its way into our festive merriment in 1994, some 27 years ago. But apparently, it took the up-and-coming critics of today to show us the error of our ways.
Critics say the film fosters fat jokes and fat-phobia. So, of course, instead of knowing right from wrong ourselves and learning to be kind to others, we should scrap the film altogether (presumably because we get our morality from a Disney film about a Dad who becomes Santa and gains weight). This is “cancel culture,” people.
“Tim Allen plays a toy salesman, Scott Calvin, who assumes the duties of Santa Claus and begins to gain weight to resemble his appearance,” reads the post from Outsider.com. “The sudden weight gain causes many fat jokes, and critics believe this references fatphobia.”
There are few fairy tales that are more well known — and more frequently remade — than Cinderella. Disney first released the animated fairy tale in 1950 and that was followed up with a 2002 sequel film Cinderella II: Dreams Do Come True and a third film was released in 2007, Cinderella III: A Twist In Time. In 2015, Disney released a live-action remake of the film, starring Lily James, Richard Madden, Helena Bonham Carter, and Cate Blachett.
Cinderella is one of those tales that can seemingly always be adapted to fit with a modern audience, and Disney has revealed their newest take on the time-honored story in celebration of Disney+ Day. The new film will be called Sneakerella and tells the story of hard-working teen El as he falls in love with basketball princess Kira. Disney has released both the key art and the trailer for Sneakerella.
Set in the avant-garde street-sneaker subculture of New York City, “Sneakerella” introduces El (Jacobs), an aspiring sneaker designer from Queens who works as a stock boy in the shoe store that once belonged to his late mother. El hides his artistic talent from his overburdened stepfather and two mean-spirited stepbrothers who constantly stomp on any opportunity that comes his way. When El meets Kira King (Underwood), the fiercely independent daughter of legendary basketball star and sneaker tycoon Darius King (Salley), sparks fly as the two bond over their mutual affinity for sneakers. With a little nudge from his best friend and a sprinkle of Fairy Godfather magic, El finds the courage to use his talent to pursue his dream of becoming a ‘legit’ sneaker designer in the industry.
You can watch the full trailer for Sneakerella below.
Sneakerella is set to premiere on Disney+ on February 18, 2022 and will star Chosen Jacobs as El, Lexi Underwood as Kira King, Kolton Stewart as Zelly, and four-time NBA Championship winner John Salley as Darius King.
In Sept., Disney announced that we would be celebrating Disney+ Day in a big way on November 12, and we’re excited to share more about what Disney Parks Guests and shopDisney users can expect later this week as we roll out the blue carpet around the world for Disney+ subscribers.
In celebration of Disney+ Day, Disney+ subscribers with a valid ticket or pass and theme park reservations for the day will enjoy special benefits at select Disney theme parks. Disney+ subscribers are invited with their travel party to enter all theme parks at both Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort 30 minutes before regular park open.
Disney+ subscribers are the real stars at Disney Hollywood Studios and Disneyland Park, where Guests will be welcomed with a blue carpet experience, including special photo opportunities throughout the parks.
lus up their photos with complimentary Disney PhotoPass digital download(s) taken at select locations, offered especially to Disney+ subscribers via the My Disney Experience and Disneyland apps.
Fan favorite Disney+ characters are also joining the festivities with appearances around the parks. The fun doesn’t stop there – there are more surprises in store for subscribers who visit on Disney+ Day at Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort!
Learn about how Guests can celebrate Disney+ Day at Walt Disney World Resort and the Disneyland Resort via handy event guides directly in the My Disney Experience mobile app and the Disneyland app. For Guests using a mobile device, they can directly access the Walt Disney World Resort event guide and the Disneyland Resort event guide.
Disney+ Day is coming to Disneyland Paris too with a special celebration taking place at Walt Disney Studios Park for all Guests to enjoy!* Guests can be the star they are, and strut the blue carpet in true Hollywood style, stopping along the way for selfies with Disney characters dressed in blue for the occasion. Relax between takes in an eatery reminiscent of the Golden Age of Hollywood at Restaurant en Coulisse – and don’t miss the chance to indulge in a complimentary Disney+ Day-inspired treat offered with each menu item purchase. Disney+ Day photo locations will plus up Guest’s pics with special character appearances (both in-person and virtual); and to culminate the celebration, Walt Disney Studios Park will remain open for 30 extra minutes with a grand finale illuminating the Tower of Terror in blue.**
Guests can celebrate with Disney Parks from home, too! They can step up their selfie game on the My Disney Experience app with a special appearance from Grogu. This all-new AR feature rolls out November 12, and just for Disney+ Day, Guests will be able to give it a go right from home!
Disney+ subscribers will enjoy more special benefits from home with free shipping on shopDisney from November 12-14. In addition, for a limited time starting TODAY, shopDisney is rolling out new customizable products from Disney, Pixar, Star Wars and Marvel including short sleeve and long sleeve T-shirts for kids and adults from Disney+ favorites: “Raya and the Last Dragon,” “Luca,” “Star Wars: The Bad Batch,” and “Loki.”
In celebration of Disney+ Day, Disney Publishing Worldwide will offer selected $0.99 cent eBooks Nov. 8-17. Fans can discover the stories behind their favorite Disney+ series, including, “Loki,” “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series,” and “The Mandalorian.”
Guests can also choose to memorialize the magic with the release of a limited set of digital collectibles representing some of the most beloved characters and stories from iconic Disney franchises. Each digital collectible purchase will include a free offer code allowing new subscribers to enjoy several free months of Disney+.***
For Guests not already a Disney+ subscriber, they can join in the celebration with a special, introductory offer, and get one month of Disney+ for only $1.99, then $7.99/mo.
Guests may be required to verify that they are a Disney+ subscriber by displaying their logged-in home screen on the Disney+ app via their phone to receive special benefits at the parks. Please be sure to download the Disney+ app and sign in prior to arrival.
**Please note that seasons, shows, parades and similar events at Disney Parks may be changed, delayed or cancelled at any time without notice for reasons beyond our control.
***This Disney+ offer is only valid for new and returning Disney+ subscribers, cannot be shared with any other person or transferred in exchange for money or any other consideration, with or without the NFT, and is only available in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, Australia, Netherlands, Spain, Mexico, and Singapore.
Thackery Binx had to wait 300 years for a virgin to light a candle before he could be with the rest of his family. And it feels like it’s been that long since fans started asking Disney to make a sequel to the film that has become a cult classic — Hocus Pocus. Well, Disney has granted our wish and is now actively producing Hocus Pocus 2, with filming happening in Rhode Island.
Fans have been watching closely for any and all updates on what the new sequel will be about and who will star in it. We know that Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy will all be reprising their roles as Winifred, Sarah, and Mary Sanderson, and Doug Jones — who played Billy Butcherson — will also be returning.
Disney has also released a synopsis for the film, which was shared via MovieWeb:
“It’s been 29 years since someone lit the Black Flame Candle and resurrected the 17th-century sisters who were executed for practicing witchcraft, and they are looking for revenge. Now it is up to three high-school students to figure out how to stop the ravenous witches from wreaking a new kind of havoc on Salem before midnight on All Hallow’s Eve.”
While the synopsis doesn’t give us much, it’s something, and now we may have something more. Video shared on TikTok shows the set of Salem Village that has been recreated and some very recognizable red hair can be seen but on a child. The new video seems to indicate that Hocus Pocus 2will show the Sanderson sisters as children, which could show us their family and how they became the soul-sucking sisters we met in the original film.
It is also being reported that the stage representing the town of Salem is preparing for huge pyrotechnics to take place. According to The Providence Journal:
The state Department of Environmental Management sent air quality specialist Taylor Ryan to inspect the site Tuesday as part of the agency’s review of an open burning permit the production had applied for to burn down the village, according to DEM spokesman Michael J. Healey.
(The village includes nine wood-frame buildings, though most of them are missing one or more sides, only the sides that will show in the movie were fully constructed.)
When Ryan arrived on site, she learned, “They are not actually lighting the structure on fire. They are using ‘fire beams’ fueled by natural gas so it looks like the building is on fire from the camera, but nothing will be burnt down,” she wrote in an email, adding that flame-retardant material will be between the beams and the structures.
Between the footage of Winifred as a young girl and the fact that they are going to burn down Salem, it will be interesting to see what direction the new sequel film goes in. Since we saw the town of Salem in the original film, we know that if the village was burnt down, it was rebuilt and the Sanderson’s either didn’t have anything to do with it, or they did not feel a need to leave the village.
It is unknown when filming will be complete, but Hocus Pocus 2 is scheduled to be released on Disney+ in the fall of 2022.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68557240/2140503611.0.jpeg?w=700&ssl=1)
