The live-action adaptation of Mulan,one of the most anticipated films of 2020, largely skipped movie theaters in favor of a streaming release. Mulan lived exclusively on Disney+ beginning Friday, September 4
for subscribers who paid an additional $29.99 fee. Beginning today, December 4, Disney+ subscribers can watch Mulan at no additional cost.
The ability to stream Mulan with no added fees arrives after a long journey for the movie. Its release date was postponed from March 27 to July 24, then August 21, over the course of 2020. Following the shuffle, Varietyreported that the movie would forego a traditional theatrical rollout in favor of a premium at-home viewing experience.
Ahead, how to watch the visual spectacle of Mulan unfold and catch up with the original animated version.
How do I watch Mulan on Disney+?
In the words of Captain Li Shang, let's get down to business. As of December 4, Mulan is available to all Disney+ subscribers—no "Premier Access" fee required. You must be subscribed to watch the movie, so that will come at the price of a $6.99 monthly subscription. You can subscribe to Disney+ here, which also grants you access to the original 1998 animated film and 2004's Mulan II.
The previous free trial period of Disney+ is gone at the moment, but a Disney spokesperson confirmed to CNN that if you already paid $29.99 for Mulan, it ensures you'll have the movie forever: "The fee provides ongoing access to the film as long as they remain Disney+ subscribers." Plans include $6.99/month or $69.99/year. A Disney+/ Hulu/ ESPN+ bundle is $12.99 per month.
The movie is also available for purchase on Amazon, Google, and Roku, according to Variety.
Did Mulan ever play in theaters?
Mulan is one of several films, including Black Widow, In the Heights, and Christopher Nolan's now-infamous Tenet, to see its theatrical release delayed. But Deadlinepreviouslyreported that the movie would debut in some markets where theaters are re-opened and there isn't access to Disney+, including China, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Disney CEO Bob Chapek confirmed that Disney still plans to release movies in theaters when they are safely allowed to re-open. "We’re looking at Mulan as a one-off as opposed trying to say that there’s a new business windowing model," Chapek said in a company earnings call, per Deadline.
The film stars Chinese actress Liu Yifei, who also goes by Crystal Liu, in the lead role. She's joined by Yoson An as new character Chen Honghui (so long, Li Shang as a love interest), Donnie Yen as Commander Tung, Jet Li as the emperor, Rosalind Chao as Li, and Gong Li as the villainous Xianniang. Niki Caro (The Zookeeper's Wife, Whale Rider) helmed the movie, which is not a musical.
In an interview with Buzzfeed earlier this year, Caro revealed that a number of the original film's animated characters and songs will not be included in the live-action version. "We don't tend to break into song when we go to war." She added, "Not saying anything against the animation because the songs are brilliant and if I could squeeze them in there, I would have." Caro did, however, tease fans by explaining, "But we do honor the music from the animation in a very significant way, that's all I'll say."