An Inside Look at Upcoming Disney+ 2021 Premieres

By Tina Charles

Thanks to A-list content like “WandaVision,” “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier,” “The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers” and “Big Shot,” more people are watching Disney+ in 2021 than ever before. 

With its superior slate of heart-pumping, heartwarming and hilarious movies and shows, the streaming platform is giving families plenty of reasons to watch together. There’s something for everyone to enjoy the rest of this spring, this summer and beyond. And they include blockbuster names like Disney, Star Wars, Marvel and Pixar.

For the kids

“Luca”

Originally set for theaters, “Luca” will now debut on Disney+. This Pixar original is about a boy living his best life in a seaside town on the Italian Riviera. Of course, that beautiful life comes with a big secret. That secret has something to do with sea monsters. 

Premieres June 18

“The Mysterious Benedict Society”

“The Mysterious Benedict Society” is based on Trenton Lee Stewart’s popular book series. A group of four young orphans is placed undercover at a boarding school, where their mission is to stop a nefarious plot with global ramifications. The eight-episode first season covers the first book, which sets up this whole world. 

Premieres June 25

“Monsters at Work”

A TV spinoff of the megahit “Monsters, Inc.” franchise, “Monsters at Work” follows the story of Tylor Tuskmon. He’s a young monster who discovers scaring is out and laughter is in when he takes a job at Monsters, Inc. This requires him to quickly adapt. Expect new characters to pop up alongside returning favorites. 

Premieres July 2

“Turner & Hooch”

Based on the 1989 film of the same name, Disney+ is bringing its own version to the small screen. Instead of Tom Hanks’ detective, actor Josh Peck plays a U.S. Marshall paired up with a drooling junkyard dog. The uptight agent soon realizes the pet he didn’t want is the partner he needs. 

Premieres July 16

“The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder”

The iconic series about a 14-year-old African American girl named Penny Proud and her family originally ran on Disney Channel from 2001 to 2005. It’s known for seamlessly blending humor with messages of inclusion and cultural diversity, making this reboot more relevant than ever.

Premiere date TBD

For tweens and teens

“High School Musical: The Musical: The Series” Season 2

In the long 16 months between seasons (courtesy of the pandemic), Olivia Rodrigo graduated to superstar status with her hit song “Drivers License.” Her huge songwriting success may mean more eyes on “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series.” 

For the 10-episode second season, the East High Wildcats have a lot going on, including performing their spring musical (“Beauty and the Beast”), facing a rival school in an intense competition and, as usual, general teenage drama. This hit is, of course, based on the classic “High School Musical” movies from the mid-2000s. 

Available to stream now

For families not yet ready to go back to the theater 

The following films are—or will be—pulling double duty on big and small screens at the same time. Viewers can either hit the theater or pay the Premier Access fee to watch at home. 

“Raya and the Last Dragon”

This is the story of saving the last dragon in a magical world where humans and dragons coexist, then monsters come in to destroy it. Currently, viewers have to pay for Premier Access, but there’s good news: In the near future—sometime this summer—the movie will be available to enjoy without the fee.

Available to stream now

“Cruella”

The most notorious Dalmatian hater in film grabs the spotlight for her own movie. Here, Disney’s “Cruella” is live-action and features Oscar-winner Emma Stone as the fashionable villain. The origin story is set in 1970s London, where she befriends a couple of thieves and catches the eye of a fashion legend. It’s time to find out how Cruella ended up embracing her wicked side.

Available to stream now

“Black Widow”

Even though Natasha Romanoff met a tragic ending in “Avengers: Engame,” Marvel didn’t let the complex heroine’s story end there. We finally get to see her difficult and heartbreaking backstory. We learn how she evolved into the spy/superhero we got to know in the MCU and what she was up to after the events of “Captain America: Civil War.” Hopefully, Marvel nerds will also find out what happened in Budapest.

Premieres July 9

For action lovers

“Star Wars: The Bad Batch”

“May the 4th Be With You” meant even more this year on Disney+. That’s when “Star Wars: The Bad Batch” saw the light of day for the very first time. The animated show follows elite and experimental clones first introduced in “Star Wars: The Clone Wars.” In this case, “The Bad Batch” is a unique squad of clones, each possessing an exceptional skill that makes them effective soldiers.

Available to stream now

“Loki”

The Marvel gods thankfully managed to create a show featuring the God of Mischief—Thor’s brother Loki—that takes place after the events of “Avengers: Endgame.” This naturally means viewers need to be ready for an insane timey-wimey roller coaster of a ride. Fan favorite Tom Hiddleston returns as Loki. 

Premiers June 11

“What If…?”

The title says it all, as this series deals in, well, the world of what if. It’s an animated anthology series that asks viewers to momentarily forget everything you’ve seen in the MCU movies. Open your mind to a reimagining of what would have happened if things had gone another way. In one episode, it’s Agent Peggy Carter who takes the super soldier serum. What would happen, you ask? Captain Britain, that’s what.    

Premieres this summer

“Hawkeye” 

Jeremy Renner gets his chance to shine in the drama named after his arrow-flinging comic book character, Hawkeye. The series will serve as a way to introduce Hailee Steinfeld’s Kate Bishop into the action. Kate’s the heir apparent to Hawkeye’s surly superhero.

Premieres late 2021

“Ms. Marvel”

Ms. Marvel is one of the newer Marvel heroes. Kamala Khan is a 16-year-old Pakistani American girl who loves superheroes like Captain Marvel. After she gets her own powers, her life changes forever. 

Premieres late 2021

Program availability may have changed and is subject to change.