Disney+ Hits 50 Million Subscribers Worldwide Just FIVE Months After Launching

Disney was hoping to reach around 60 million subscribers for Disney+ by 2024, but the newly launched streaming service has exceeded all expectations and hit 50 million paid subscribers after five months...

By JoshWilding - Apr 09, 2020 02:04 AM EST

Filed Under: Disney

A lot of people had their doubts when Disney decided to launch their own streaming service, but it continues to exceed expectations, and has now hit 50 million paid subscribers globally. Disney+ launched in the United States last November, and was a hit from the start thanks to originals like The Mandalorian and The World According to Jeff Goldblum.

"We’re truly humbled that Disney+ is resonating with millions around the globe, and believe this bodes well for our continued expansion throughout Western Europe and into Japan and all of Latin America later this year," said Kevin Mayer, Chairman of Walt Disney Direct-to-Consumer & International.

"Great storytelling inspires and uplifts, and we are in the fortunate position of being able to deliver a vast array of great entertainment rooted in joy and optimism on Disney+."

In the past two weeks, Disney+ rolled out in eight Western European counties including the UK, Ireland, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Austria, and Switzerland. Additionally, Disney+ became available last week in India, where it is offered in conjunction with the existing Hotstar service, and already accounts for approximately eight million of Disney+’s 50 million paid subscribers.

As great as this news is, 2020 could be a tough one for Disney+ as there are expectations that shows like The Falcon and The Winter Soldier, WandaVision, and The Mandalorian season two could be delayed due to COVID-19.

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10. Empire Of Dreams: The Story Of The Star Wars Trilogy

Filmed in 2004, Empire of Dreams is a documentary helmed by filmmaker Kevin Burns and narrated by Robert Clotworthy. Delving into the making of Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back, and Return of the Jedi, the two-and-a-half hour long film is packed full of fascinating behind the scenes details.

Divided into five parts, it starts with an in-depth examination of George Lucas's career as a director before exploring the complicated production of A New Hope, the impact that film had, the making of the sequels.

A lot of big names - including Walter Cronkite, Steven Spielberg, Ralph McQuarrie, and all the main cast members - share their thoughts on the Star Wars franchise, and while the documentary is old, it's a must-see for any fan. You'll learn a lot, and hearing from the cast is extremely rewarding.

9. The Imagineering Story

The Imagineering Story is a six-part documentary which offers a behind-the-scenes look into the sixty-seven year history of Walt Disney Imagineering - the creative engine that designs and builds all Disney theme parks, resorts, attractions, and cruise ships worldwide.

Directed by Leslie Iwerks, an Oscar and Emmy nominated filmmaker who has a storied history in the world of Disney as the daughter of Disney Legend Don Iwerks and granddaughter of Ub Iwerks, the animator and co-creator of Mickey Mouse, the series touches on everything from the opening of the parks to the launch of areas like Pandora and Galaxy's Edge.

It makes for fascinating viewing, and if you're a fan of Disney World and Disneyland, you'll love this series. We actually caught up with Iwerks last year, so click HERE to check that out.

8. Spider-Man: The Animated Series

Spider-Man: The Animated Series aired in the 90s during what proved to be a truly great time for Marvel properties in that realm. There's something particularly special about this one, though, and plenty for fans of the source material to appreciate (including some spectacular takes on characters like the Green Goblin, Venom, and Hobgoblin).

There's a lot of ambitious storytelling on display here, including multi-part episodes and crossovers with some of the aforementioned animated TV shows we mentioned above.

If you grew up watching this series, you'll get a guaranteed (and satisfying) nostalgia trip, while newcomers to the series are bound to find plenty to enjoy, especially if you're a Spider-Man fan.

7. From Pulp To Pop!

Released in 2014, this 40 minute documentary probably won't satisfy a lot of hardcore fans (it's very much a surface look at the evolution of the Marvel Cinematic Universe), but with input from Stan Lee, Clark Gregg, Todd McFarlane, Louis D'Esposito, and more, it makes for enjoyable viewing.

At this point, it goes without saying it's a little dated, but it's fun to look back at the early days of this shared world...even if it's just to see how much has changed over the past five years or so.

If you're after something a little more contemporary, then Assembling A Universe is a good shout, especially as it includes concept art from The Falcon and The Winter Soldier and even footage from What If? Disney+ really could do with an in-depth Marvel Studios documentary, though!

6. Star Wars Rebels

Following the news that Rosario Dawson will take on the role of Ashoka Tano in The Mandalorian season two, now is definitely the right time to delve into this series and find out both what became of that character (this was the last place we saw her) and the Darksaber now wielded by Moff Gideon.

That aside, the first Disney produced animated Star Wars TV show also introduced a lot of great characters to the franchise's mythos and filled in some big gaps between Episode III and IV.

Throw in appearances from characters like Darth Vader, Darth Maul, and The Emperor, and even the most casual of fans will find something to appreciate. Of course, you'll probably get the most enjoyment out of the series if you've watched the one that came before it...

5. The Clone Wars

If you're looking for something to binge, then The Clone Wars will keep you entertained for a long time. There are over 100 episodes to delve into, including new instalments added on a weekly basis.

Those are filling in some big gaps, and while the series got off to something of a rocky start, as soon as it begins to create some continuity, you'll find yourself lost in this Galaxy Far, Far Away. Darth Maul's story is expanded on in a particularly satisfying manner, and this is also where it all began for the young Ashoka Tano.

Honestly, The Clone Wars might be the best thing George Lucas did after the hit and miss prequels, and it's a legitimate shame that those live-action movies weren't anywhere near as good as this show.

4. Disney Fairy Tale Weddings

We're guessing you probably didn't expect to see a title like this here, but bear with us! Like The Imagineering Story, you'll get the most out of this one if you're a Disney Parks fan, as the series takes us inside those to show dream weddings which have taken place in Disney World.

It's all a bit artificial (like any reality TV series), but it's hard not to feel good after seeing a couple get their "Disney Fairy Tale Wedding" in front of the Tree of Life or in the middle of Magic Kingdom!

If you're looking for something to watch with your other half or just need a pick me up, you can definitely do worse than this, and it makes for easy viewing at a time when you might want to just switch off.

3. Avengers: Endgame

There are a lot of Marvel Studios movies on Disney+ (all of them, in fact, in the UK), but we have to single out Avengers: Endgame here. The finale to over a decade's worth of stories, the Russo Brothers delivered an absolute masterpiece here, and there are too many amazing moments to count.

Perhaps the main highlight is Captain America finally saying "Avengers Assemble!" as he wields Mjolnir and leads hundreds of heroes into battle, while Iron Man's sacrifice is a real tear-jerker.

It's just a damn good superhero movie with something for everyone, and with a runtime of three hours, it will certainly help you pass the time. Throw in the fact that Disney+ is loaded with deleted scenes which weren't on the Blu-ray, and you can have a lot of fun with Avengers: Endgame here.

2. X-Men: The Animated Series

X-Men: The Animated Series is another classic, and while the animation is undeniably rough, it's impossible not to get something out of this show if you're a fan of Marvel's mutant superheroes.

Several classic storylines are adapted over the course of the series, while you can look forward to seeing everyone from Magneto to the Sentinels, Mister Sinister, and the powerful Apocalypse.

Fantastic Four is fine, and The Incredible Hulk is only okay, but X-Men: The Animated Series is an absolute gem. If you can get past some if its flaws, then you're definitely in for a fun ride here.

1. The Mandalorian

Surely you've already watched this by now, right? If not, then now is the best possible time to check out the entire first season of The Mandalorian (possibly even in a single sitting given the surprisingly short runtime of each chapter).

By far the best thing Disney has done with the Star Wars franchise since they purchased Lucasfilm, you don't even need to be a fan to enjoy the series which revolves around a badass bounty hunter and an adorable child...better known as Baby Yoda online! It's an undeniably enjoyable adventure from start to finish, and it often makes for real edge of your seat viewing.

For fans, The Mandalorian should absolutely not be missed, especially as it's the first live-action project from Disney to start filling in the gaps between Return of the Jedi and The Force Awakens.

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47 Comments

1 2

Doomsday8888 - 4/9/2020, 2:20 AM

Wonder why...🤔

mastakilla39 - 4/9/2020, 3:31 AM

@Doomsday8888 - I wonder if it has anything to do with the faq that many verizon customers got a year long free trial?

I'm curious how many are going to stay after the free trial ends?

dracula - 4/9/2020, 2:21 AM

Have Disney+, but still find myself using netflix more than half the time. On disney+, im rewatch Ducktales, Clone Wars, Gravity Falls and X Men.
Lots of time to pass right now, but yeah on Netflix, ive been watching

just more variety in terms of stuff I like

DeadClunge - 4/9/2020, 2:23 AM

I'm loving it tbh

I've watched Lion King, endgame, civil war, Incredibles 2, mandalorian, started clone wars and that was all in the last week.

So many Pixar films I haven't seen and I'm sure everything might be 4K quality because the colours in Civil war looked better than ever.

F u porg 😘

Love u slickness 😘

DeBlawqPantur - 4/9/2020, 2:27 AM

Watched Old 90s cartoons with my kids. They love Spider-Man and x-men

dracula - 4/9/2020, 2:28 AM

@DeBlawqPantur - Great shows

Saintsinnister - 4/9/2020, 2:36 AM

I have enjoyed it quite a bit. But I’m running out of stuff to watch. I have seen all the behind the scenes documentaries. I have caught up on all the old X-Men, Spidey and Avengers cartoons. I have seen everything Star Wars and Marvel. All the old Disney classics too. It’s a fine service, just not a bunch of content yet.

MARVELFAN1995 - 4/9/2020, 9:02 AM

@Saintsinnister - Give it some time, it's only been available for 5 months. We're getting a whole bunch of content next year. Every streaming service had a content drought when they first were made available.