Disney Plus explained: Shows, fees, and everything else you need to know

The Disney Plus logo on a blue background
(Image credit: Disney)

Disney Plus has become a force to be reckoned with after just a couple of years. Despite being new on the scene in the grand scheme of things (it debuted in 2019), it's already racked up more than 150 million subscribers. It's also not what many feared it would be before launch - a glorified Disney Channel that struggled to offer anything more than family-friendly fare. Now it's a household name and feels like a proper rival to Netflix. 

Wondering whether it's worth trying, or how you can get Disney Plus for as little as possible? Don't worry, you'll find everything you need to know about the House of Mouse's streaming service right here. That includes must-watch shows and upcoming projects which should definitely be on your radar.

Let's get down to business (heh), shall we?

Recent updates

This guide has been updated with the most recent UK offer, which gets new subscribers three months of Disney Plus for £1.99 per month.

Disney Plus FAQ

Disney Plus logos of all brands on the service against a blue background, with 'now streaming' below

(Image credit: Disney)

How much does Disney Plus cost?

Following the most recent update, there are more Disney Plus sign-up offers than ever. I've got a crib-list of the best deals below.

USA
- Cheapest offer:
$7.99  per month (with ads)
- Best value: $139.99 annual membership (no ads, 16% off)
- Best bundle: Disney Plus (ads), Hulu (ads), ESPN Plus for $14.99p/m
- Gift card: 12-month subscription for $139.99

UK
- Cheapest offer:
£1.99 per month for three months (with ads)
- Best value: £79.90 annual membership (no ads, 12% off)
- Gift card: 12-month subscription for £79.90

CANADA
- Cheapest offer:
$7.99 per month (ads)
- Best value:
$119.99 annual membership (no ads, 12% off)

AUSTRALIA
- Cheapest offer:
$13.99 per month (no ads)
- Best value:
$139.99 annual membership (12% off)

What can you watch on Disney Plus?

What's available on Disney's streaming service? To put it bluntly, 'lots.' Even though some of us might be cynical about what it can offer beyond family-friendly cartoons, the service is crammed with hundreds of hours of feel-good content across a variety of genres. More specifically, it strikes a good balance between family-friendly fare and more mature shows too - as we mentioned in our Disney Plus review, it's home to some pop-culture juggernauts like Marvel, Star Wars, Avatar, and beyond. When combined with a plethora of live-action originals, there's plenty to keep you streaming. (In addition, any new films by Disney or its studios will appear here after their theatrical run in cinemas.)

How do you get Disney Plus for free?

Considering how many streaming services are vying for our cash nowadays, we wouldn't blame you for trying to get a free version of Disney Plus. Unfortunately, you're out of luck - there aren't many ways to get it for nothing. The Disney Plus free trial doesn't exist anymore, and few companies offer it as an add-on. (The only one that does is O2 in the UK, which gets you six months of Disney Plus with certain contracts.)

Will shows and movies leave Disney Plus?

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A selection of shows and movies on Disney Plus, split up into a grid

(Image credit: Disney)

Even though Disney owns a lot of content, licenses always make things tricky. That means movies and shows aren't guaranteed to be available in perpetuity. Classic Disney properties like Aladdin aren't going anywhere, and neither are series created especially for the platform (Agatha All Along, say). But content made by other companies? That may come and go. 

The Spider-Man movies are a good example. Technically speaking, Sony owns the IP rights despite the character's most recent films being made with Marvel, so they can only be added to Disney Plus as the result of a deal. 

Best of Disney Plus

Disney Plus

(Image credit: Disney Plus)

Check out the best movies on Disney Plus and the best shows on Disney Plus with our guides.

Fortunately, that's happening more and more these days; the older Spidey movies eventually found their way to the streaming service, for example, as has the once-missing Incredible Hulk. That's good news for anyone wanting to cut down on the amount of streaming services they have.

Are Disney Plus shows and movies in their original format?

This varies from case to case. And it's not all bad; as an example, you can choose to watch seasons 1-19 of The Simpsons in the modern 16:9 format (which caused upset upon release because it cut off a few visual gags) or the 4:3 original. In addition, insensitive cartoons from Disney's past with outdated attitudes or portrayals now have a disclaimer.

However, some alterations are a bit more controversial. To start with, a handful of changes were made to Star Wars including Greedo saying "McClunkey" before meeting his end. Meanwhile, Hamilton has had some of its swearing trimmed back.

What is the Star channel on Disney Plus?

Audiences in the UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand have access to a larger range of drama via the Star add-on. This channel is packed with sitcoms like Modern Family or genre classics such as Buffy the Vampire Slayer, to say nothing of Oscar-winners including Nomadland. As a result, Star fills a niche that Disney Plus has been lacking for some time - more grown-up content.

Don't worry about your kids watching something they shouldn't, though. It's quick and easy to lock Star behind parental controls, and you'll have the opportunity to do so right away.

Disney Plus pricing & deals

Disney Plus hero page with Iron Man, Darth Vader, Mrs. Incredible, and Moana in a row

(Image credit: Disney)

Leery of paying for yet another streaming service? I hear you - there are more than enough vying for our cash right now. While it's a shame that the free trial is no more (RIP), Disney Plus is split into two tiers to make things easier these days - one with ads and one without. With that in mind, I've listed the cheapest offers and Disney Plus bundles below.

UK readers, take note; until September 27, you'll get three months of Disney Plus at £1.99 per month. That's a lot cheaper than the usual rate, so it's well worth grabbing.

US price

Disney Plus Basic (ads) | $7.99 per month
Buy it if:Don't buy it if:Price check:
💲

Disney Plus Basic (ads) | $7.99 per month
Want the cheapest possible offer? This is it. Now that the free trial is gone, you won't get the streaming service for less. Just remember, it includes ads. (You'll need the $13.99p/m subscription to avoid them.)

Buy it if:
✅ You want the cheapest offer
✅ You aren't sure if you'll use it regularly

Don't buy it if:
❌ You hate ads

Price check:
💲
Disney Plus (no ads) $13.99p/m

Disney Plus (no ads) | $13.99 per month
Buy it if:Don't buy it if:Price check:

Disney Plus (no ads) | $13.99 per month
This is the 'standard' Disney Plus membership. It comes without ads, and can be cancelled at any time.

Buy it if:
✅ You want to avoid ads
✅ You aren't sure if you'll use it regularly

Don't buy it if:
❌ You're in it for the long haul

Price check:
💲 Disney Plus (ads) $7.99p/m

Disney Plus annual subscription (no ads) | $139.99 at Disney Plus
Save $27.89 -Buy it if:Don't buy it if:Price check:

Disney Plus annual subscription (no ads) | $139.99 at Disney Plus
Save $27.89 - So far as value for money goes, this is by far the best offer. You're essentially getting 12 months for the price of 10.

Buy it if:
✅ You know you'll use it for a year
✅ You aren't fussed about Hulu or ESPN

Don't buy it if:
❌ You want the cheapest upfront cost

Price check:
💲 12 months of Disney Plus monthly $167.88

Disney Plus (ads) + Hulu (ads)  | $9.99 per month
Save $5.99- Buy it if:


Don't buy it if:


Price check:

Disney Plus (ads) + Hulu (ads)  | $9.99 per month
Save $5.99 - If you want to make your money go further, this is a good start. You're almost getting Hulu for nothing!

Buy it if:
✅ You want the cheapest bundle
✅ You aren't bothered by ads

Don't buy it if:
❌ You hate ads

Price check:
💲 Disney Plus (ads) $7.99p/m
💲 Hulu (ads) $7.99p/m

Disney Plus (ads) + Hulu (ads) + ESPN Plus (ads) | $14.99 per month
Save $11.98 - 
Buy it if:
Don't buy it if:
Price check:

Disney Plus (ads) + Hulu (ads) + ESPN Plus (ads) | $14.99 per month
Save $11.98 - Looking for the best bundle? This is the clear winner. It gets you ESPN for free, and discounts Hulu's sticker price.

Buy it if:
✅ You want best overall value
✅ You want something for everyone

Don't buy it if:
❌ You aren't a fan of ads

Price check:
💲 Disney Plus $7.99p/m
💲 Hulu $7.99p/m
💲 ESPN Plus $10.99p/m

Disney Plus (no ads) + Hulu (no ads) +ESPN Plus (ads) | $24.99 per month
Save $17.98 - Buy it if:

Don't buy it if:Price check:

Disney Plus (no ads) + Hulu (no ads) +ESPN Plus (ads) | $24.99 per month
Save $17.98 - For anyone that wants to avoid ads, this is the bundle to get. It's excellent value, getting you ESPN for free and another of the services for quite a lot less.

Buy it if:
✅ You hate ads
✅ You want something for everyone

Don't buy it if:

❌ You don't mind ads

Price check:
💲 Disney Plus (no ads) $13.99p/m
💲 Hulu (no ads) $17.99p/m
💲 ESPN Plus $10.99p/m

UK price

Disney Plus Basic (ads)| £1.99 per month for three monthsBuy it if:
Don't buy it if:
Price check:

Disney Plus Basic (ads)| £1.99 per month for three months
This new offer has only just been introduced (it ends on September 27), and is now the cheapest deal you can get for Disney Plus. Just remember, it comes with ads.

Buy it if:
✅ You want the cheapest offer available
✅ You don't know if you'll use it long-term

Don't buy it if:
❌ You hate ads

Price check:
💲 Disney Plus (no ads) £7.99p/m

Disney Plus (no ads)| £7.99 per monthBuy it if:
Don't buy it if:Price check:

Disney Plus (no ads)| £7.99 per month
This is the 'standard' Disney Plus membership, and doesn't have any ads. It doesn't offer 4K, though.

Buy it if:
✅ You want a good all-rounder
✅ You don't know if you'll use it long-term

Don't buy it if:
❌ You want 4K

Price check:
💲 Disney Plus (ads) £4.99p/m
💲 Disney Plus (no ads, 4K) £10.99p/m

Disney Plus 4K (no ads)| £10.99 per monthBuy it if:
Don't buy it if:Price check:

Disney Plus 4K (no ads)| £10.99 per month
This is another new option in terms of Disney Plus subscriptions, and it gets you the streaming service without ads... and in super-sharp 4K.

Buy it if:
✅ You want the best quality
✅ You don't know if you'll use it long-term

Don't buy it if:
❌ You want to keep costs down

Price check:
💲 Disney Plus (ads) £4.99p/m
💲 Disney Plus (no ads) £7.99p/m

Disney Plus annual (no ads) | £79.90 one-off feeSave £15.98 - Buy it if:Don't buy it if:Price check:

Disney Plus annual (no ads) | £79.90 one-off fee
Save £15.98 - Considering how the price of a year's monthly sub would cost you around £95, this offer is cracking value. You're essentially getting 12 months for the price of 10.

Buy it if:
✅ You know you'll use it for a year
✅ You want best value for money

Don't buy it if:
❌ You want the cheapest upfront cost

Price check:
💲 12 months of Disney Plus monthly £95.88
💲 Disney Plus annual (4K) £109.99

Disney Plus 4K annual (no ads) | £109.99 one-off feeSave £21.89 - Buy it if:Don't buy it if:Price check:

Disney Plus 4K annual (no ads) | £109.99 one-off fee
Save £21.89 - If you know you're going to use Disney Plus for the long-haul, and want the best possible quality with 4K, this is the option for you. It gets you 12 months for the price of 10.

Buy it if:
✅ You want 4K resolution
✅ You want best value for money

Don't buy it if:
❌ You want the cheapest upfront cost

Price check:
💲 12 months of Disney Plus monthly 4K £131.88
💲 Disney Plus annual (no 4K) £79.90

O2 + Disney Plus | Free 6 months of Disney Plus
Save £47.94 -Buy it if:Don't buy it if:Price check:

O2 + Disney Plus | Free 6 months of Disney Plus
Save £47.94 - This is the only way to get Disney Plus for free in the UK right now. If you're an existing O2 user already, though, you can add the streaming service to your plan for a £2 discount on the overall bill.

Buy it if:
✅ You want to upgrade your phone
✅ You were on the fence about Disney

Don't buy it if:
❌ You already have an O2 contract

Price check:
💲 Disney Plus monthly (ads) £4.99p/m
💲 Disney Plus monthly (no ads) £7.99p/m

Canada deals

Disney Plus Basic (ads) | $7.99 per month
Buy it if:Don't buy it if:Price check:

Disney Plus Basic (ads) | $7.99 per month
This is the cheapest available offer right now, and is a new addition with the streaming service's price changes. Just remember, it comes with ads.

Buy it if:
✅ You want the cheapest offer
✅ You aren't sure if you'll use it regularly

Don't buy it if:
❌ You hate ads

Price check:
💲 Disney Plus (no ads) $11.99p/m

Disney Plus (no ads) | $11.99 per month
Buy it if:Don't buy it if:Price check:

Disney Plus (no ads) | $11.99 per month
Dislike ads? No problem. You can grab a monthly subscription without any interruptions for just under $12.

Buy it if:
✅ You want the cheapest offer
✅ You aren't sure if you'll use it regularly

Don't buy it if:
❌ You're in it for the long haul

Price check:
💲 Disney Plus (ads) $7.99p/m

Disney Plus annual (no ads) | $119.99 at Disney Plus
Save $27.89 -Buy it if:Don't buy it if:Price check:

Disney Plus annual (no ads) | $119.99 at Disney Plus
Save $27.89 - So far as value for money goes, this is your best bet with Disney Plus. It's effectively 12 months for the price of 10.

Buy it if:
✅ You know you'll use it for a year
✅ You want maximum value

Don't buy it if:
❌ You want the cheapest upfront cost

Price check:
💲 12 months of Disney Plus monthly $143.88

Australia deals

Disney Plus (no ads) | $13.99 per month
Buy it if:Don't buy it if:Price check:

Disney Plus (no ads) | $13.99 per month
That's the lowest available price on Disney Plus right now, and you can't do any better than that until an ad tier is eventually added.

Buy it if:
✅ You want the cheapest offer
✅ You aren't sure if you'll use it regularly

Don't buy it if:
❌ You're in it for the long haul

Price check:
💲 Cheapest available price

Disney Plus annual (no ads) | $139.99 at Disney Plus
Save $27.89 -Buy it if:Don't buy it if:Price check:

Disney Plus annual (no ads) | $139.99 at Disney Plus
Save $27.89 - Want the biggest bang for buck? This is your best bet. It gets you 12 months of the streaming service for the price of 10.

Buy it if:
✅ You know you'll use it for a year
✅ You want maximum value

Don't buy it if:
❌ You want the cheapest upfront cost

Price check:
💲 12 months of Disney Plus monthly $167.88

Which Disney Plus deal should you get?

If you're hoping to get the cheapest possible offer (perhaps you're just testing the water), US, UK, and Canadian readers can't do much better than the 'Basic' monthly membership. Short of picking up a free subscription via a phone contract like those O2 in the UK, there's no way of getting it for less at the time of writing. 

Luckily, this entry-level tier isn't too expensive. It costs $7.99 per month with ads in the US, £4.99p/m with ads in the UK (or £1.99 until September 27, anyway), and $7.99p/m with ads in Canada. Because you can cancel whenever you like so there's no long-term commitment.

However, this offer isn't necessarily top dog in terms of bang for your buck; that award would go to the annual subscription in the UK, Australia, and Canada. Even though it's paid off upfront (UK fans are looking at a cost of £79.90, Canadian readers will pay $119.99, and Australian viewers have to fork out $139.99), you're saving money in the long run. That's because you're getting 12 months for the price of 10.

Based in the US? You can enjoy a better bang-to-buck ratio with the special offer that provides Disney Plus with ads, Hulu with ads, and ESPN Plus for $14.99p/m (or $24.99p/m if you want to go without ads). Because Hulu and ESPN fill a niche that Disney can't, it's a surprisingly good marriage of content.

Price increase

Because there was a recent Disney Plus price increase (toward the end of last year, to be precise), it's unlikely that we'll see another one in the immediate future. And because the last change tweaked some subscriptions and added extra tiers, I doubt you'll need to worry about extra changes in 2024. 

However, that's obviously not a guarantee. It's hard to say for sure, and Disney could hit us with another price hike this year. Nonetheless, I'm confident things will remain stable until 2025 due to previous trends.

Disney Plus exclusives

Disney Plus shows and movies in a grid

(Image credit: Disney)

Although you might be wary because Disney's often seen as a family-friendly venture, the streaming service offers a lot more than that. As well as live-action shows such as Loki and The Mandalorian, you can also catch up with more mature shows like or Daredevil (the Netflix one with a follow-up coming in 2024). Even Hamilton - yes, the original Broadway version from 2016 - can be found on Disney Plus. And judging by the House of Mouse's release schedule, that list will only get bigger over time.

To give you a better idea of what to expect, I've listed a breakdown of the top 10 exclusives available on Disney Plus now. 

  • Agatha All Along - The latest MCU show may not be what you'd expect from the superhero franchise; it's a supernatural tale of witches. As our review says, this "wacky, Wizard of Oz-esque series is hex-actly what Marvel needs."
  • Andor - This may be the best Star Wars series out there right now. It takes a more grown-up look at a galaxy far, far away, and its approach feels more like a prestige show on HBO than anything else. Actually, our review called it "the Star Wars show we've been waiting for."
  • The Beatles: Get Back - If you're even a little fond of The Beatles, you owe it to yourself to watch this. A documentary put together by Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson, it's a rare look behind-the-scenes at the band's creative process.
  • The Mandalorian - As the first live-action Star Wars series, this generated enough hype to become mandatory viewing each week. In fact, our review of its premiere said it was "Disney Plus' first must-watch show".
  • The Imagineering Story - Want to be inspired? Here's an in-depth look at the history of Disney theme parks and the tech powering their inventions. It's a fascinating exploration of the happiest place(s) on Earth.
  • Light & Magic - This documentary puts Industrial Light and Magic (AKA the effects company behind everything from Star Wars to the more recent Transformers One film) under the microscope. It's a genuinely inspiring watch, particularly if you're interested in the practical effects powering some of your favorite movies.
  • Loki - This time-hopping series is witty, mind-bending, and essential due to the huge storyline it sets up. As our review of episode one says, it's the start of something very big and very strange for the Marvel universe.
  • WandaVision - Blending sitcoms with unsettling drama to great effect, this is one of Marvel's most intriguing stories. As suggested in our review of the first episode, we were big fans.
  • Obi-Wan Kenobi - Set 10 years after Revenge of the Sith, this bridges the gap between the prequel and original Star Wars trilogies. We called it a "mature, beautifully realized slice of Star Wars" in our episode one review
  • The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special - Everyone's favorite ragtag crew of intergalactic criminals brings holiday cheer in a comical Christmas special. We can see this becoming mandatory seasonal viewing for fans of the MCU.

What's coming to Disney Plus?

Kathryn Hahn and Joe Locke in Agatha All Along

(Image credit: Marvel Studios)

Now we're getting to the good stuff. If you're wondering what's in the pipeline for Disney Plus, you won't be disappointed - there are dozens of new, original TV shows arriving over the next couple of years.

Here are some of the highlights.

  • Daredevil: Born Again (TBC 2024) - This series has hit a few roadblocks since being announced, and it's been revamped significantly in recent months... but from what we've seen of those changes, it's still one to watch. Indeed, the alterations make it more of a follow-up to the excellent Netflix Daredevil show.
  • Star Wars: Skeleton Crew (TBC 2024) - Apparently inspired by Amblin movies like Goonies, this new story in a galaxy far, far away starring Jude Law and a gaggle of kid spacefarers sounds very promising.
  • Ironheart (TBC 2024) - Following her appearance in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Ironheart will follow Riri Williams (Dominque Thorne) who is known as "the creator of the most advanced suit of armor since Iron Man."
  • Spider-Man: Freshman Year (TBC 2024) - Telling the story of Peter Parker's journey to become Spider-Man in the MCU, this animated series will take inspiration from the early comic books. Charlie Cox is set to appear as Daredevil too. 
  • Star Wars: Rangers of the New Republic (date TBC) - We're not sure what this series will involve (or if it'll actually happen, following the firing of Gina Carano whose character it appeared to revolve around), but it seems to be spinning directly out of The Mandalorian.
  • Star Wars: Lando (date TBC) - The smooth-talking smuggler (as portrayed by the incomparable Donald Glover) was one of the highlights of Solo, so being able to revisit his adventuring days is irresistible.
  • Night at the Museum reboot (date TBC) - Night at the Museum is yet another do-over for Disney Plus, though a release window hasn't been announced yet.

What devices are compatible with Disney Plus?

A group of people in front of a TV showing the Disney Plus homepage

(Image credit: Disney)

As you'd expect from a multi-media giant like Disney, their streaming service is available almost everywhere. That means it's easy to get a hold of regardless of whether you want to watch on TV, your phone, tablet, or console. Most of these will let you download the app and start watching straight away so long as you've got an account. For more info, don't miss our guide on how to download Disney Plus.

Here's the full list of devices compatible with Disney Plus right now:

  • Samsung Smart TV
  • LG Smart TV
  • Panasonic Smart TV
  • Toshiba Smart TV
  • Hisense Smart TV
  • iPhones
  • iPads
  • Android phones
  • Android tablets
  • Amazon Fire tablets
  • Windows 10/11 computers and tablets 
  • PlayStation
  • Xbox
  • Roku device
  • Google Chromecast
  • Apple TV
  • Fire TV
  • Web browser

Disney Plus errors

Disney Plus error image with Wreck it Ralph and Vanelope holding 'signal' signs

(Image credit: Disney)

Even an entertainment giant like Disney struggles to contend with millions of subscribers tuning into their streaming service, so it makes sense that there would be a few errors here and there. Luckily, they're easy to sort out. If you have consistent issues, we've got a few tips for you to try below.

  • Log out of Disney Plus, then log in again: OK, so we know you've probably tried this already - our apologies. But most of the time, it provides a quick and easy fix. All you need to do is select your profile, go to 'Account Details', and select 'log out of all devices.' As this would suggest, it'll sign you out of every device using Disney Plus.  You're then free to log in again.
  • Check your internet and make sure Disney Plus isn't down for everyone: If you're struggling, we'd recommend making sure that your internet is still active - take a look at the router or your other devices. If everything seems fine, have a quick look at Disney's troubleshooting page.
  • Delete the app and re-download it: The nuclear option of error code solutions. If you're getting nowhere, it's worth deleting the app on your TV or device and then re-downloading it. This could straighten out any issues Disney Plus is having.

Still hitting a brick wall? We'd suggest contacting Disney Plus Help on Twitter. You can also head over to the Disney Plus troubleshooting page.

For an explanation of the most common issues, remember to check out our Disney Plus error guide.


If you want to grab the streaming service as a present for a loved one, you should drop in on our Disney Plus gift card page.

Benjamin Abbott
Tabletop & Merch Editor

As the site's Tabletop & Merch Editor, you'll find my grubby paws on everything from board game reviews to the latest Lego news. I've been writing about games in one form or another since 2012, and can normally be found cackling over some evil plan I've cooked up for my group's next Dungeons & Dragons campaign.

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