This week, Disney announced that Mulan will be making its long-awaited debut on the company's streaming platform, Disney+. Set to premiere on September 4, the film will cost $29.99, a hefty price tag for what many believed would be a one-time rental.
As it turns out, the $29.99 will get you more than a single watch or 24-48 hours with the film. According to a Disney+ representative, Disney+ subscribers "will have continuous access to the film for as long as they remain subscribers to the service."
In other words, if you choose to pay $29.99 for immediate access to Mulan on Disney+, you'll be able to watch it as many times as you want for as long as you remain subscribed to the service. You're basically paying an early access fee as the film will eventually arrive on the streaming service anyway.
Mulan, a live-action remake of the 1998 animated film, was originally supposed to release in theaters in March. However, the coronavirus pandemic put a halt to those plans and the film was pushed back multiple times before ultimately getting delayed indefinitely. With the majority of theaters still closed and no sign of the virus slowing, Disney finally decided it was time to pull the trigger and release it on its own streaming platform.
Disney CEO Bob Chapek made it clear that Mulan's VOD release is a one-off and not a new business model for the company. In fact, it will still be released simultaneously in certain markets where Disney+ isn't available and where theaters are open.