When will Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings launch on Disney Plus? It's a question that a lot of Marvel fans have asked since its September 3 release, especially those who don't feel comfortable catching it in theaters.
If you're one of those fans who wishes to watch it in the comfort of your own home, you're in luck: Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Tings is coming to Disney Plus. However, it won't arrive on the streamer until later this year, and there's one key reason why.
Below, we'll explain when Shang-Chi will be released on Disney Plus. We'll also reveal why it didn't receive a simultaneous launch in cinemas and Disney's streaming platform, which Black Widow in July.
Are you ready to dive in? Great, let's take a look.
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Does Shang-Chi have a Disney Plus release date?
Yes. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings has an official release date on Disney Plus. Marvel's latest movie will arrive on the streamer on Friday, November 12.
Disney confirmed that the MCU flick would land on its streaming platform on its Disney Plus Twitter accounts, explaining that Shang-Chi's release would coincide with Disney Plus Day – a newly announced, global fan event that celebrates the streaming platform.
Your #DisneyPlusDay lineup has arrived (with more to come) 💥🌴🚢☃🛵👓🌏➕ What are you most excited to stream on November 12? pic.twitter.com/CHuVkHxXIoSeptember 22, 2021
In August, we reported on that Shang-Chi would have be an exclusive theatrical release for 45 days following its September 3 release. At the time, we had expected that Shang-Chi would arrive in mid-October but, due to the forthcoming inaugural Disney Plus Day, Disney has taken the decision to delay its release until then.
Speaking during the company's Q3 earnings call last month, Disney CEO Bob Chapek had also revealed that Shang-Chi wouldn't launch day and date on Disney Plus and in theaters (per Collider).
This approach differed from Black Widow, which launched simultaneously on Disney Plus and in theaters on July 9. The move has proven to be controversial since, with star Scarlett Johansson suing Disney for an alleged breach of contract.
Shang-Chi will land on the streaming platform one week after the next MCU movie, Eternals, arrives in theaters, too. Like its predecessor, Eternals will also launch exclusively in theaters before coming to Disney Plus at some point in the future.
Will Shang-Chi be a Disney Plus Premier Access title?
No, Shang-Chi won't be a Premier Access release. Instead, it'll be free to watch for all Disney Plus subscribers when it arrives on November 12.
Of course, that means that you'll have to own a Disney Plus subscription in order to watch it for free. If you're curious about signing up for one, you can find out how much it costs per month here.
Analysis: Shang-Chi's box office performance may end Disney's in-flux release strategy
It's unsurprising why studios have experimented with day-and-date movie releases. With the Covid-19 pandemic continuing to disrupt the film industry, it makes sense that they want to offer audiences with the choice over how to watch their newly released content.
Despite Covid-19 Delta variant cases climbing worldwide, though, Disney opted to release Shang-Chi exclusively in theaters – and they've been justified in that decision.
Per Box Office Mojo, Shang-Chi has amssed $306.7 million worldwide since its September 3 launch. According to Deadline, $127.6 million of that haul came over the US Labor Day weekend between September 3 and September 6.
Breaking those numbers down further reveals that Shang-Chi has shattered some records, too. The MCU flick made box office history with its $71.4 million domestic haul (a new Labor Day weekend record), as well as posting the highest UK opening weekend during the pandemic era with a $7.7 million taking.
Add in Shang-Chi having the best September industry opening weekend in Hong Kong, and Marvel's first Asian superhero-led movie more than held its own.
Disney, then, should pay attention to Shang-Chi's box office success when it comes to making a firm decision on how it releases Marvel movies moving forward.
Of course, the studio's interchangeable release strategy is still somewhat skewed. Despite releasing simultaneously in cinemas and on Disney Plus, Black Widow pulled in more money than Shang-Chi did during its opening weekend.
Johansson's final outing as Natasha Romanoff, though, will have been helped by the character's popularity. Black Widow has been a pillar of the MCU for over 10 years, so fans were expected to flock to see her belated solo movie. Black Widow's July release also came when Delta variant cases were lower, too, which will have aided the film's theatrical performance.
So Disney has a decision to make over its release strategy. Some fans feel safer watching new MCU movies at home, so they still have to consider dual Disney Plus and theatrical launches. But Marvel films are made to be seen on the big screen – seeing them with friends and family beats watching them on a laptop or TV at home.
Disney is likely to remain flexible for the time being. Covid-19 cases could rapidly rise again, so it'll want to be adaptable enough to any such changes.
In order to stave off customer confusion about when and where fans can catch future Marvel movies, though, Disney needs to settle on a permanent blueprint – regardless of which one it chooses.
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