Mulan Will Cost £19.99 to Watch on Disney+ in the UK

After having its original March release date shifted endlessly due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Disney recently shocked movie-goers when it announced that its long-awaited, live-action remake of Mulan would go straight to its own streaming service, Disney+, instead.

Now, following the news that it would cost a whopping $29.99 to rent in the US, Disney have revealed that Mulan will be available to watch in the UK from September 4 at a cost of £19.99 under its “Premier Access” banner – though this price only applies to those already subscribed to its streaming service. At the moment, Disney+ is available at a cost of £5.99 per month. The film will also be available on other streaming platforms, with costs still to be announced.

While the sum of £19.99 is a bit better than the originally purported £28.99 rental fee, especially since you're permitted to watch the movie as many times as you like, one has to wonder how Disney's decision to bring Mulan to the small screen will have a knock-on effect on the industry at large. If it turns out that the film grosses just as much cash without going into theatres, it could spell disaster for cinema chains and independent cinemas alike – especially if the studio decide to go down this path for all future releases, too.

Mulan is based on the acclaimed 1998 animated film of the same name, of course, which starred Eddie Murphy, and is best remembered for its eye-catching visuals and catchy songs, and its story of a young Chinese girl who joins the Army under the guise of a man. This new retelling, which has received early positive buzz, eschews the musical aspects and comedy in favour of a more traditional “historical epic” approach.

Mulan is available to rent on Disney+ from September 4.