Right now, we are all living through the Covid 19 experience. We are living through history. This is a world-wide pandemic and it has caused cities, states, and even some entire countries to shut down. What it means in entertainment amounts to very little compared to what it means for other areas of people’s lives, be it health issues, financial problems, or daily work / living situations . That being said, this article is going to talk about the more fun side of things… the movies. After all, we all need entertainment of some kind, one way or another.
And that’s the mentality that has got Netflix and Disney Plus, as well as other streaming services, being the most popular locations in town. With everyone stuck at home, the only thing to do is watch TV. And this is why Ozark Season 3 is more popular than seasons 1 or 2 ever were. It’s the reason why Tiger King, a documentary about a very sad and disturbed group of people, became a world wide phenomenon. And it’s the reason why we have to take what we can get and look to see what the options are, when it comes to streaming and availability, that are out there.
Disney Plus has probably come through the strongest of the streaming services this time, releasing whatever they can as quickly as they can. First it was releasing Frozen 2 to the streaming platform months and months ahead of time. Then it was the movie Onward, being released to streaming just one month after it was put out in theaters. Now, theaters are of course closed down at this point, and have been for over a month. So Disney has got to be thinking, what’s the point of holding back on releasing this to streaming? Release it now, when it’s hot, and get people excited. Maybe get some new subscribers, and for everyone else, just make them really happy with the service. And they’re right.
Disney Plus also released a great documentary series on the making of the Mandolorian Streaming show, right in time for May the Fourth, (also known as Star Wars day.) Speaking of May the Fourth, Disney Plus also started streaming the new Star Wars movie, The Rise of Skywalker, on that date. So clearly they have a lot going on, and it’s mainly things that were in theaters, that they are getting out to the public as fast as they can.
Netflix is also doing well, although their content is more original material, whereas Disney has access to the big stuff that we were all going to the theaters to see. With Netflix, it’s been Tiger King and Ozark, but also this new Chris Hemsworth movie, Extraction, which has done so well that there is already a sequel in the works. And Netflix has bought up properties that did not get a theatrical run like they were supposed to, such as The Lovebirds with Kumail Nanjiani. That one looks pretty funny and will start streaming next month. So despite being in a tough situation, and being stuck inside, there’s a lot to watch.
Between these two streaming giants alone (not to mention something like Amazon Prime – featuring the best show of the past year… the Boys,) there are so many great options. Thank goodness Disney Plus launched when it did (just last year,) giving us the entire Marvel movie catalogue online (minus three movies, which are streaming on Netflix,) and their entire Star Wars catalogue online (minus Han Solo, also Netflix.) It’s a good time to have streaming at home. And if quarantine had to happen, at least it happened at a time in history when, entertainment-wise, we had more than enough to choose from.