‘Wish’ Will Break a Disney Record Upon Streaming Release
In 2020, Disney — along with every other film studio in the country — was forced to stop all television and film productions because of the COVID-19 pandemic. And, months later, when filming was allowed to resume, it was in a very limited capacity, and there were a lot of health and safety measures in place.
But simply filming a new movie wasn’t the only thing studios had to worry about. They also had to figure out the best — and most profitable — way to release the film. Many theaters remained closed and, even if they were open, many people were too nervous to venture out and sit in an enclosed space with strangers for hours on end.
Related: Disney Headed to Court Over COVID Mandates
The answer to that was streaming. Just a few months before the pandemic hit, Disney had launched its own streaming service, Disney+. So, subscribers could remain in the comfort of their own homes and watch new releases like Mulan (2020), Cruella (2021), Raya and the Last Dragon (2021), and more.
Once more people started venturing out to movie theaters, Disney developed a formula. A movie would be released in theaters nationwide, but around 45 days later, the movie would be released on Disney+. That way, those who didn’t go to the theater wouldn’t have to wait too long to be able to see Disney’s newest movie.
Unfortunately, as time went on, that method appeared to backfire on the Mouse House. Even though people could go to the movies, many of them didn’t because they didn’t want to — or couldn’t afford to — spend the money on tickets. And why spend that money when the movie was coming to Disney+ so soon anyway?
Well, Disney picked up on that, and, when it releases its newest film Wish (2023) on Disney+ on April 3, a new record will be broken. 133 days after it premiered, Wish will be the longest fans have had to wait for a Disney movie to be released on Disney+. And this isn’t since COVID. This is the longest wait since Disney+ launched in 2019!
Related: Here’s Everything You Need to Know About Disney’s Wish Movie
Based on past releases, many were expecting Wish to premiere on Disney+ sometime in February. However, Disney decided to release The Marvels (2023) that month, and nothing was really said about Wish. Fans kept asking when the film would come to Disney+, but Disney did not answer their desperate pleas.
In fact, Disney didn’t announce the streaming release date for Wish until mid-March!
Wish stars Hamilton (2020) and West Side Story (2021) actress Ariana DeBose as Asha, a young woman who lives in the Kingdom of Rosas, where wishes actually come true. She goes to work for the revered King Magnifico, but learns that he is not who he portrays himself to be. Asha wants to help the people of Rosas and reveal who King Magnifico really is, so she makes a powerful wish on a star. That star comes to life and helps Asha, even as the Kingdom turns against her.
In addition to DeBose as Asha, Wish also stars Chris Pine as King Magnifico, Angelique Cabral as Queen Amaya, Alan Tudyk as Valentino, and Jennifer Kumiyama as Dahlia.
Will you be watching Wish when it comes to Disney+ on April 3? Let us know in the comments!
