10 things we’re most excited to watch on Apple TV + and Disney +
With cold winds come change. As we welcome November, we turn back clocks, begin holiday celebrations and count the days until Apple TV+ and Disney+ join the already cluttered collection of streaming services. Speaking of, want to find the best sites to watch movies for free? Tap or click here.
Crowded as the arena may be, one can’t overstate the buzz surrounding the launch of these two channels. The rumor mills have run rampant about content and pricing over the last several months, with much information remaining secret, mere days before the premieres.
Unlike the ending of a Marvel movie, we will not keep our fellow fans in suspense. Here’s what we are most excited to watch on each platform.
Apple TV+ brings original programming
While Apple TV Plus doesn’t bring a hoard of films, the streaming service will introduce viewers to a wide assortment of original programming.
Slated to launch on November 1st, Apple is ready to compete with notable rivals Netflix, Amazon and Hulu by bringing in A-listers, a 7-day free trial and a monthly fee of only $4.99. If you want to check the costs of Apple TV+ and Disney+ with other on-demand streaming services, tap or click here to see our comparison chart.
If you’re in the market for a new Apple product, we’ve got good news for you. The company is offering a year of Apple TV+ free with the purchase of a new or refurbished iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Mac or iPod touch.
Also, the family sharing feature allows subscribers to share their subscription with up to six family members who can watch Apple TV+ originals both online and offline, ad-free and on-demand with the Apple TV app.
In contrast to some of its competitors that roll out an entire season at one time, most Apple TV Plus series will premiere with three episodes. Afterward, each new episode will air weekly.
Here are our top ten picks for Apple TV Plus:
1. “The Morning Show”
Delve into the competitive and callous world of morning TV in this dramedy. Starring Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon and Steve Carell, “The Morning Show” pulls back the curtain on the big network workplace through the eyes of those who help America wake up.
2. “See”
This drama stars Jason Momoa as Baba Voss, a warrior in a future in which a virus obliterated humankind and left survivors blind. When Baba fathers twins who have the gift of sight, he must protect them from a queen who believes killing them is best for her and other surviving humans. “See” also stars Alfre Woodard as Paris, a priestess and advisor.
3. “Dickinson”
“Dickinson” is a dark, comedic coming-of-age story starring Hailee Steinfeld as Emily Dickinson. Although this series explores the family, gender and societal constraints faced by the rebellious young poet, its subject matter remains relevant today.
4. “For All Mankind”
If you are an “Outlander” or “Battlestar Galactica” fan, this series will quickly become a fav. “For All Mankind” questions what the world would be like if the global space race never ended. This “what if” approach highlights the lives of NASA astronauts and their families. Tap or click here for more information on the space race.
5. “Servant”
From the award-winning screenwriter and director of supernatural movies such as “The Sixth Sense” and “Signs,” M. Night Shyamalan brings new series “Servant” to Apple TV+. This psychological thriller follows a Philadelphia couple who suffers an unspeakable tragedy that fractures their marriage — and allows a mysterious force to enter their home.
6. “Truth Be Told”
This adaptation of the novel by Kathleen Barber stars Octavia Spencer as Poppy Parnell, a famous true-crime podcaster. New evidence compels Parnell to reopen a murder case and face the man, played by Aaron Paul, she may have wrongfully put behind bars.
7. “Oprah’s Book Club”
Beloved talk show host Oprah Winfrey brings her classic book club to Apple TV+. Each episode will feature a book handpicked by Oprah, along with a conversation about the issues it brings to light.
Book Club selections will be available for purchase through Apple Books, and for every purchase, Apple will donate to the American Library Association. New episodes will be released every two months.
8. “The Elephant Queen”
This documentary, narrated by Chiwetel Ejiofor, follows the epic journey of Athena, an elephant matriarch, as she leads her herd across the hostile African landscape in search of food and water after their water hole dries up.
9. “Ghostwriter”
Recreated for new audiences, this ’90s children’s favorite teams up four teens who must release fictional characters from literary works to defeat a mysterious ghost in their neighborhood bookstore.
10. “Helpsters”
Here is another series sure to be a hit with the little ones. Brought to you by the creators of “Sesame Street,” “Helpsters” is a group of energetic monsters who love to help solve problems and can figure anything out — with a bit of planning.
Disney + brings it all
Disney is quick to let fellow streaming service providers know the House of Mouse means business. When it launches on November 12th, it will reveal a vast archive of animated classics, action-packed Marvel and Star Wars movies and more.
It’s difficult to envision anything but monstrous success with this new venture.
What won’t you find on Disney +? R-rate material. The entire lineup is kid-friendly. For $6.99 a month, or $69.99 per year, you can download all content for offline viewing (take that Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon!).
Furthermore, subscribers can have seven different profiles, enjoy unlimited downloads per title, and stream Disney+ on up to four devices simultaneously at no extra cost.
As any Marvel fan knows, all Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) films will migrate over to Disney+. That means your favorites will be available Nov. 12th. Other titles, including “Black Panther” and “Ant-Man and the Wasp,” will be on the platform within a year of launch. “Avengers: Endgame” will stream exclusively starting Dec. 11.
Here are our top ten picks for Disney+:
1. “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier”
A sequel to “Avengers: Endgame,” this series will reunite Anthony Mackie and Sebastian Stan as Sam Wilson (Falcon) and Bucky Barnes (Winter Soldier). This is the first among a long lineup of Marvel shows.
Although these characters have clashed in the past, they really are friends. Here’s hoping their alliance remains intact after defeating villains, including their old nemesis Baron Zemo.
2. “WandaVision”
This spinoff from “Avengers: Endgame” will see original cast members Elizabeth Olsen and Paul Bettany return as Scarlet Witch and Vision. While the scoop on this series remains shrouded in mystery, many MCU fans sit on the edge of their seats, wondering how Vision will return since he was killed off by Thanos in “Avengers: Infinity War.”
3. “Loki”
Want to know what happened to Loki after “Avengers: Endgame?” This series is your answer.
The bad boy from Asgard is back, and this time it’s all about Loki. Reprising the role is Tom Hiddleston, whose character will use the Infinity Stone to wander about the universe engaging in a variety of escapades.
4. “Hawkeye”
Jeremy Renner joins other Marvel heroes in getting his own spinoff. The series will follow Renner’s character, Clint Barton/Hawkeye, as he trains Kate Bishop to be an ace archer.
Reports suggest this series will further explore Clint’s stint as Ronin during the five-year gap between “Avengers: Infinity War” and “Avengers: Endgame.”
5. “Star Wars: The Mandalorian”
In addition to streaming your beloved Star Wars films, Disney+ will introduce you to an original series, “The Mandalorian.”
Set after the fall of the Empire and before the rise of the First Order, we accompany a lone warrior who travels across the outer reaches of the galaxy, outside the scope of the authority of the New Republic.
6. “Lady and the Tramp”
Disney continues to reboot its animated classics into live-action movies with “Lady and the Tramp,” which will debut exclusively on Disney+. Tessa Thompson and Justin Theroux lend their vocal talents in the title roles.
7. “Noelle”
This Disney Plus original holiday comedy stars Anna Kendrick and Bill Hader. As Kris Kringle’s daughter, Noelle must find her brother, who is crumbling under the pressure of taking over the family business from their dad. Can Noelle save Christmas?
8. “Encore!”
Here is a reality series for musical fans. Hosted by Kristen Bell, former classmates reunite to recreate the high school musicals they starred in years earlier. These second acts will include “Annie” and “The Sound of Music.”
9. “The World According to Jeff Goldblum”
Created specifically for Disney+, this National Geographic documentary series will follow Jeff Goldblum as he travels the world, exploring the history, science and people behind familiar objects, like sneakers or ice cream.
10. “Forky Asks a Question”
The “Toy Story 4” character has found its true purpose of asking and answering many of life’s toughest questions, such as “what is cheese?” and “what is love?” The answers will be presented in 10 shorts.
For further details and additional programming, visit Apple TV+ or Disney+. Better start making your popcorn; the wait is almost over.
Tags: Amazon, Apple, Apple iPhone, streaming services