How to Watch Mulan on Disney+

Disney’s live-action Mulan adaptation comes out this Friday with an unprecedented release strategy for an unprecedented time. The 2020 film follows Hua Mulan (played by Chinese-born American actress Liu Yifei) on her journey from the family in which she is a misfit, to the Imperial Army in her father’s armor, to a showdown with the encroaching Rouran threat. You can check out our full spoiler-free review of the new film here, and read on to find out how, when, and where to watch Mulan when it comes out on Disney+ on September 4th.

What time does Mulan come out?

For United States audiences, Mulan will be hitting Disney+ as a “premium access” title on Friday, September 4th. Those who have an existing subscription for Disney+ will be able to purchase the new film starting at 12:01am PT on September 4th.

How much is Mulan on Disney+?

You’ll need both a Disney+ subscription and to purchase “premium access” to Mulan specifically, which will cost an additional $30 (OK, fine: $29.99). Those who purchase Mulan will be able to watch the movie as many times as they want for as long as they maintain their Disney+ subscription. If you canceled your subscription and then renewed it, you would regain access to Mulan.

As a reminder, there are three different existing Disney+ subscription tiers:

• Month-to-month Disney Plus subscription: $83.88 per year or $6.99 per month
• Annual Disney Plus subscription: $70 per year or $5.83 per month
• Disney Plus/Hulu/ESPN Plus bundle: $155.88 or $12.99 per month (for access to all three platforms)

Disney is making a relative gamble releasing the big-budget film via Disney+ rather than waiting until the COVID-19 pandemic is under control globally and then releasing the film in theaters. It’s unclear, at this point, if audiences will be willing to pay $30 for a film that single moviegoers would pay less for in theaters. The mouse is obviously banking on the relative dearth of new film content, excitement around the film, and the realization that a family of four would pay much more than $30 for a day out at the movie theater. Movie distribution studios and film critics are eagerly awaiting the results of this commercial experiment.

Will Mulan be free on Disney+?

Mulan will eventually be made “free” (which is to say available to paying subscribers) on Disney+. Mulan will remain a “premium access” title until December 4th, at which time it will be available to Disney+ subscribers at no extra cost. This gives the new film a three-month “premium acesss” release window, which is similar to the time it probably would have had in theaters.

You can purchase Disney+ here.