WEATHER ALERT
Disney's streaming business is profitable for first time, but slowing US park business ups anxiety
Read full article: Disney's streaming business is profitable for first time, but slowing US park business ups anxietyDisney returned to a profitable third quarter as its combined streaming business started making money for the first time, along with a very strong showing in theaters for the movie “Inside Out 2.”.
What to stream this weekend: Beyoncé, Steve Martin, J-Hope, Mike Birbiglia, Bill Nighy and 'Madu'
Read full article: What to stream this weekend: Beyoncé, Steve Martin, J-Hope, Mike Birbiglia, Bill Nighy and 'Madu'This week’s new streaming entertainment releases include Beyoncé's “Act ll: Cowboy Carter,” a Amazon Prime docuseries about BTS member J-Hope and “Madu,” a documentary about a Nigerian boy who dreams of being a professional ballet dancer.
What to stream this week: Drake, 'Fair Play,' Assassin’s Creed Mirage and William Friedkin last film
Read full article: What to stream this week: Drake, 'Fair Play,' Assassin’s Creed Mirage and William Friedkin last filmThis week’s new entertainment releases include an album by Drake and another by Reba McEntire playing acoustic covers, the corporate thriller “Fair Play” starring Phoebe Dynevor from “Bridgerton,” and “Jane the Virgin” scene-stealer Jaime Camil hosts a new game show on CBS called “Lotería Loca.”.
What to stream this week: Adam Sandler, ‘Star Wars: Ahsoka,’ Tim McGraw and ‘Honor Among Thieves’
Read full article: What to stream this week: Adam Sandler, ‘Star Wars: Ahsoka,’ Tim McGraw and ‘Honor Among Thieves’This week’s new entertainment releases include the “Mandalorian” spin-off “Star Wars: Ahsoka” starring Rosario Dawson, the well-received, fantasy movie “Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves” lands on Prime Video and Tim McGraw roars back with the album “Standing Room Only.”.
Disney to boost prices for ad-free Disney+ and Hulu services and vows crackdown on password sharing
Read full article: Disney to boost prices for ad-free Disney+ and Hulu services and vows crackdown on password sharingWalt Disney CEO Bob Iger vowed to make its streaming services profitable via a planned October price hike on its ad-free Disney+ and Hulu plans and a crackdown on password sharing expected to extend through next year.
Turkish broadcasting watchdog investigates 'cancellation' of Ataturk TV series
Read full article: Turkish broadcasting watchdog investigates 'cancellation' of Ataturk TV seriesThe head of Turkey’s broadcasting watchdog says it has launched an investigation into claims that digital platform Disney+ pulled a series on Turkey’s founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk.
New this week: 'Spirited,' Pokémon, 'Nope' and 'Slumberland'
Read full article: New this week: 'Spirited,' Pokémon, 'Nope' and 'Slumberland'This week’s new entertainment releases include an album by Neil Young & Crazy Horse, a documentary about how Mickey Mouse became beloved by children and adults and a cash machine for Disney’s growing entertainment empire, and Chris Hemsworth puts himself and his body to the test in National Geographic’s “Limitless.”.
Sugar Land teen Holden Hagelberger is the star of ‘Trevor: The Musical’ on Disney+
Read full article: Sugar Land teen Holden Hagelberger is the star of ‘Trevor: The Musical’ on Disney+Houston Life chats with Sugar Land native Holden Hagelberger, the 14-year-old actor who stars in the title role of ‘Trevor: The Musical,’ a funny and emotional off-Broadway theater production about the power of acceptance, now streaming exclusively on Disney+.
A Texas mom warns ‘Hocus Pocus 2′ will ‘unleash hell on your kids’
Read full article: A Texas mom warns ‘Hocus Pocus 2′ will ‘unleash hell on your kids’One mom is urging parents not to let their children watch the newly-released “Hocus Pocus 2″ because the film will “unleash hell on your kids and in your home.”
New this week: John Legend, 'Serpent Queen' and 'Pinocchio'
Read full article: New this week: John Legend, 'Serpent Queen' and 'Pinocchio'This week’s new entertainment releases include fresh music from John Legend and Kane Brown, Samantha Morton stars as the 16th-century queen Catherine de Medici in an edgy Starz series and a race between two upcoming “Pinocchio” films begins with Robert Zemeckis’ adaptation.
New this week: 'House of the Dragon,' Lakers doc and Lovato
Read full article: New this week: 'House of the Dragon,' Lakers doc and LovatoThis week’s new entertainment releases include fresh music from Demi Lovato, a documentary about Princess Diana that uses only archival footage and the “Game of Thrones” prequel finally arrives on HBO.
Disney raises streaming prices after services post a big operating loss
Read full article: Disney raises streaming prices after services post a big operating lossDisney unveiled a new pricing structure that incorporates an advertising-supported Disney+ as part of an effort to make its streaming business profitable.
New this week: 'Better Call Saul,' Bonnie Raitt and 'Barry'
Read full article: New this week: 'Better Call Saul,' Bonnie Raitt and 'Barry'This week’s new entertainment releases include a new album from Bonnie Raitt, Bob Odenkirk starts the long farewell season of “Better Call Saul” and “The Batman,” the biggest box-office hit so far this year, lands Monday on HBO Max.
New this week: Red Hot Chili Peppers and 'Apollo 10½'
Read full article: New this week: Red Hot Chili Peppers and 'Apollo 10½'This week’s new entertainment releases include albums from the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Thomas Rhett, a look back at Whitney Houston's life and legacy and the musical comedy “Better Nate Than Ever.”.
New this week: 'Turning Red,' Ryan Reynolds and Mooski album
Read full article: New this week: 'Turning Red,' Ryan Reynolds and Mooski albumThis week’s new entertainment releases include albums from Canadian rocker Bryan Adams and a Stephen Sondheim tribute from Betty Buckley, Ryan Reynolds starring as a time-traveling pilot in Netflix’s “The Adam Project” and a small-town murder case gets some big-star wattage in NBC’s “The Thing About Pam” with Renée Zellweger.
New this week: 'Ice Age,' Kevin James and 'The Gilded Age'
Read full article: New this week: 'Ice Age,' Kevin James and 'The Gilded Age'This week’s new entertainment releases include a new album from the legendary group The Temptations, the latest addition to the animated “Ice Age” franchise and a new series on HBO by “Downton Abbey” creator Julian Fellowes called “The Gilded Age” and starring Carrie Coon, Morgan Spector, Cynthia Nixon and Christine Baranski.
New this week: 'Sex and the City,' Juice Wrld and Will Smith
Read full article: New this week: 'Sex and the City,' Juice Wrld and Will SmithThis week’s new entertainment releases include a double album from Alicia Keys and a posthumous one from Juice Wrld, Sandra Bullock playing an ex-con in the Netflix film “The Unforgivable” and Will Smith testing himself in a wildlife documentary series.
New this week: 'Power of the Dog,' 'Annie' live and Kenny G
Read full article: New this week: 'Power of the Dog,' 'Annie' live and Kenny GThis week’s new entertainment releases include a new album from saxophone legend Kenny G, a documentary about the 12 young soccer players and their coach trapped in a flooded Thailand cave, and Jane Campion makes a triumphant return to filmmaking in “The Power of the Dog.”.
New this week: 'Becoming Cousteau,' Gaga and Tony Bennett
Read full article: New this week: 'Becoming Cousteau,' Gaga and Tony BennettThis week’s new entertainment releases include the first ever album of covers by Deep Purple, an acclaimed documentary about undersea explorer Jacques-Yves Cousteau on Disney+ and a concert video of Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga.
New this week: Documentaries on Bieber, Fauci and 'Buried'
Read full article: New this week: Documentaries on Bieber, Fauci and 'Buried'This week’s new entertainment releases feature music from Grammy-winning songwriter Natalie Hemby and two pop star documentaries — “Justin Bieber: Our World" and the concert film “Madonna: Madame X.”.
Fueling box office rebound, 'Quiet Place' opens with $58.5M
Read full article: Fueling box office rebound, 'Quiet Place' opens with $58.5MJohn Krasinski’s thriller sequel “A Quiet Place Part II” opened over the Memorial Day weekend to a pandemic-best $48.4 million, according to studio estimates Sunday.
The sequel we’ve been waiting for: Disney announces sequel to all-time favorite ‘Hocus Pocus’ debuting next fall
Read full article: The sequel we’ve been waiting for: Disney announces sequel to all-time favorite ‘Hocus Pocus’ debuting next fallIt’s been 300 years! Disney is finally bringing the Sanderson sisters back together.
Disney shifts 'Black Widow' and doubles down on streaming
Read full article: Disney shifts 'Black Widow' and doubles down on streamingThis image released by Disney/Marvel Studios' shows Scarlett Johansson in a scene from "Black Widow." (Marvel Studios/Disney via AP)NEW YORK – The Walt Disney Co. on Tuesday overhauled its upcoming film release plans, postponing some of its biggest films and shifting Marvel's “Black Widow," among other titles, to Disney+ the same time they arrive in theaters. “Black Widow," once planned to debut in May 2020, had been set to kickoff the summer movie season on May 7. In December when announcing an ambitious array of streaming programming, the company suggested that Disney+ would regularly be home to Pixar, among other brands. Warner Bros. earlier set a release plan for 2021 that, like Disney will with “Black Widow,” gives viewers the choice of paying for a movie at home or on the big screen.
Audiences hold back, even as more movie theaters open
Read full article: Audiences hold back, even as more movie theaters openAnimated character Raya, voiced by Kelly Marie Tran, left, appears with Sisu the dragon in a scene from "Raya and the Last Dragon." (Disney+ via AP)Theaters reopening in New York City this weekend did not set the box office on fire. Walt Disney Animation's “ Raya and the Last Dragon ” earned an estimated $8.6 million from 2,045 locations in North America. AdWarner Bros. “Tom & Jerry,” which is available to stream free for HBO Max subscribers, brought in $6.6 million from 2,563 North American theaters in its second available weekend. Many areas in North America are not yet fully open, including Los Angeles, and most California counties, Washington D.C., and much of Canada.
Marvel's Wanda has a future, but 'WandaVision' fate unclear
Read full article: Marvel's Wanda has a future, but 'WandaVision' fate unclearThis image provided by Marvel Studios shows Elizabeth Olsen as Wanda Maximoff in a scene from "WandaVision." (Marvel Studios via AP)LOS ANGELES – When “WandaVision” wraps its initial run next month on the Disney+ streaming service, Elizabeth Olsen’s Wanda will make her next appearance in the big-screen “Doctor Strange” sequel. It’s storytelling that determines how and when characters from the Marvel Comics universe hopscotch between TV and movies, Marvel Studios chief Kevin Feige said Wednesday. Feige wouldn’t say whether “WandaVision,” Marvel Studios' first original series for Disney+, has a future after its March 5 season finale. Asked if Marvel Studios might be able to regain them, Feige said he believes it could happen, but added that “rumors online about things reverting” to Marvel aren't always true.
Disney unveils plans to stream a galaxy of new series, films
Read full article: Disney unveils plans to stream a galaxy of new series, filmsNEW YORK – The Walt Disney Co.’s streaming plans shifted into hyper speed Thursday, as the studio unveiled a galaxy’s worth of new streaming offerings including plans for 10 “Star Wars” series spinoffs and 10 Marvel series that will debut on Disney+. But Disney also kept its biggest films — including Marvel's “Black Widow," Pixar's “Luca,” a “Lion King” prequel — on course for theatrical release. Jenkins becomes the first woman to direct a “Star Wars” film. Among the “Star Wars” series are two spinoffs of “The Mandalorian,” set during the series' timeline: “Rangers of the New Republic” and “Ahsoka,” with Rosario Dawson. Seven Disney films topped $1 billion worldwide.
Holiday movies, music specials arrive to light a bleak year
Read full article: Holiday movies, music specials arrive to light a bleak year(NBC/Apple/HBO Max/Netflix/Disney + via AP)LOS ANGELES – Bring on the sentimental holiday rom-coms, the chorus of Christmas music specials and the nostalgia of last century’s animated charmers. HOLIDAY HARMONY— “My Gift: A Christmas Special From Carrie Underwood,” now streaming on HBO Max. — “Mariah Carey’s Magical Christmas Special,” Dec. 4, Apple TV+. Music, dancing, animation and surprise guest stars help create what the streaming service promises to be a heartwarming journey with the pop star. Dolly Parton sings hymns, holiday pop classics and tunes from her new album, and shares personal and faith-based Christmas memories.
Taylor Swift 'folklore' concert film coming to Disney+
Read full article: Taylor Swift 'folklore' concert film coming to Disney+NEW YORK – A concert film featuring Taylor Swift performing songs from her new album is coming to Disney+. The singer announced Tuesday that “folklore: the long pond studio sessions” will premiere on the streaming platform on Wednesday. The concert film will include guest appearances from Jack Antonoff, Aaron Dessner and Bon Iver — acts who all appear on Swift's “folklore" album. Swift filmed “folklore: the long pond studio sessions” in upstate New York in September. The singer also directed the concert film.
Pixar’s ‘Soul’ bypasses theaters, will stream on Christmas
Read full article: Pixar’s ‘Soul’ bypasses theaters, will stream on ChristmasNEW YORK – The Pixar film “Soul” will skip theaters and instead premiere on Disney+ on Christmas, the Walt Disney Co. announced Thursday, sending one of the fall’s last big movies straight to streaming. The successive delays of the film industry's would-be blockbusters has only made the dire circumstances of movie theaters more acute. Without aid, the organization said, 69% of small and mid-sized movie theater companies will close or go bankrupt. “The stark reality is that many movie theaters will not be able to open again if they don’t receive government help,” says Esther Baruh, director of government relations for the association. It recently announced that it would lay off 28,000 workers, most of them at Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, and Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida.
Baby Yoda is back! What you need to know about Season 2 of Star Wars: The Mandalorian
Read full article: Baby Yoda is back! What you need to know about Season 2 of Star Wars: The MandalorianStar Wars fans, get excited! The second season, will drop on Disney+ on October 30, according to the streaming service via Twitter. Pop-culture sensation Baby Yoda, also known as The Child will also make a return in Season 2. According to the official website, The Mandalorian is nominated for 15 Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Drama Series. If you need to catch up, Season 1 of The Mandalorian is still streaming on Disney+.
5 musicals that should be filmed for a streaming network since Broadway is still closed
Read full article: 5 musicals that should be filmed for a streaming network since Broadway is still closedConsidering Disney+ saw a 72% increase in downloads of its app over the weekend, it’s safe to say that bringing musicals filmed on stage to a mass audience is a pretty good idea. Some will argue that theater is meant to be consumed live, but with so much uncertainty about when Broadway will return, it’s not a bad idea to start filming more Broadway musicals and plays for streaming networks. While it’s still a wildly popular musical, fans have been begging for some sort of movie version for years. Disney’s most popular and long-running show on Broadway is “The Lion King,” and it’s hard to imagine the people wouldn’t love to watch a filmed version of this production. Do you plan to watch “Hamilton?” Are there any musicals you’d like to see from the comfort of your home?
What you need to know before streaming ‘Hamilton’ on Disney+ over the weekend
Read full article: What you need to know before streaming ‘Hamilton’ on Disney+ over the weekendSince there’s likely to be a good chunk of people who will watch “Hamilton” over the weekend who’ve probably never seen it before, here is a quick rundown of what you need to know before experiencing the phenomenon. The “Hamilton” on Disney+ is a filmed version of the show, not a movie. It’s easy to call the version of “Hamilton” coming out on Disney+ a movie, but technically, it’s the stage version, filmed. An actual movie version of “Hamilton” will probably happen eventually, but this is a great way to really capture the magic of the stage version of the show. And because the people at Disney are incredibly smart, free trials of the streaming service have ended, so if you want to watch, you’re going to have to sign up.
MCU Streaming Guide: How to Watch the Marvel Movies in the Right Order
Read full article: MCU Streaming Guide: How to Watch the Marvel Movies in the Right OrderIt may seem straightforward enough -- watch them in the order they were released -- and that's one way to go. Here's ET's guide to the optimal Marvel watch, whether you are coming to the MCU for the first time or planning a rewatch. 2, Thor: Ragnarok, Black Panther, Captain Marvel and Avengers: Endgame. Both Avengers: Infinity War and Ant-Man and the Wasp are Disney+-bound, arriving on June 25 and July 29, respectively. We're introducing a third: The Infinity Watch.
Celebrate ‘Star Wars’ Day with new ‘Mandalorian’ docuseries on Disney+
Read full article: Celebrate ‘Star Wars’ Day with new ‘Mandalorian’ docuseries on Disney+Disney is planning to drop a new eight-part docuseries called “Disney Gallery: The Mandalorian,” beginning Monday. Disney Gallery: The Mandalorian, an Original Series, starts streaming May the 4th, only on #DisneyPlus. pic.twitter.com/gRSge03Hzn — Star Wars (@starwars) April 23, 2020The series takes a behind-the-scenes look at how the fan-favorite series, “ The Mandalorian , ” was created. “After the stories of Jango and Boba Fett, another warrior emerges in the Star Wars universe. Production has been shut down on all of its shows, including some upcoming Disney+ series.
In 3 months, Disney+ has already scored 26.5 million subscribers
Read full article: In 3 months, Disney+ has already scored 26.5 million subscribersDisney+ has 26.5 million subscribers, the company reported in its first fiscal quarter earnings report on Tuesday, exceeding analyst expectations. Disney+, which launched on November 12, is the company's first foray into the streaming world. Analysts expected that the service would bring in 20 million to 25 million subscribers this quarter. The company’s movie studio had a strong quarter with $3.7 billion in revenue, which was up more than 100% over the year prior. The company’s streaming unit also saw revenue go up more than 100% from last year, bringing in $3.9 billion.
What’s new on Netflix, Hulu, Disney+ and more in 2020
Read full article: What’s new on Netflix, Hulu, Disney+ and more in 2020You might be using the same streaming services this year, but luckily, there are tons of new movies, TV shows, documentaries and so much more available on Netflix, Hulu, Disney+ and Amazon Prime. ‘Ferris Bueller’s Day Off’This obviously isn’t a Netflix original movie, but sometimes Netflix puts on a good throwback movie that is too good not to mention. “The Goop Lab” is actress Gwyneth Paltrow and her lifestyle brand, Goop, all teamed up with Netflix to bring us six episodes of Goop-related content. You probably haven’t seen it since the ’90s, but that’s the best thing about Disney+. What TV shows and movies are you most excited to see this year?
These baby Yoda memes are driving the internet crazy
Read full article: These baby Yoda memes are driving the internet crazyWhether you’re a fan of “Star Wars” or not, we’re sure you have fallen prey to the baby Yoda craze that is sweeping social media. Thus, the baby Yoda craze was born, but we’re not complaining. Well, we’ve scoured the web looking for the best baby Yoda memes the internet had to offer. Every single baby Yoda meme has been me like HOWWW pic.twitter.com/z4yLusRgYv — scandal (@eskandalowithak) November 29, 201921. We know the internet is full of other baby Yoda memes, so share your favorite in the comments below.