33 Disney-Owned Musicals Still Missing On Disney Plus
Since launch, Disney+ has defined itself as the destination for Star Wars, Marvel, and, thanks to recent additions of Hamilton and The Greatest Showman, movie musicals. In fact, when Disney executives addressed what is popular on Disney+, one genre dominated the discussion.
“Musicals are doing very, very well,” said Bob Iger on February 4, 2020 when speaking to investors. “We’ve been heartened by the fact that there has been consumption of a broad array of [titles] across all of our brands… led by musicals, recent theatrical releases and The Mandalorian.”
Recently, Disney+ launched a Musicals Collection to highlight this genre. Among hundreds of missing Disney-owned titles, the family streaming service continues to lack dozens of musicals that are part of the Disney-ABC-Muppets-20th Century Studios legacy.
While some titles are currently licensed to other streamers or may involve music licensing fees, the majority are within reach in the Disney vault and available for a song. Here are 33 Disney-owned musicals currently missing on Disney Plus.
Animated Movies
1. Make Mine Music (1946)
Recently marking 74 years since release, this is the only fully animated Disney classic currently not available on Disney+.
2. So Dear to My Heart (1948)
A boy raises a lamb its mother has rejected, which he names after a racehorse. Similar to Enchanted and Mary Poppins, this classic has several animated sequences.
3. Ferngully: The Last Rainforest (1992)
When a sprite shrinks a human boy, Zak, down to her size, he vows to help the magical fairy folk stop a greedy logging company from destroying their home in this 20th Century Studios release.
Rodgers and Hammerstein Musicals
4. The King And I (1956)
Yul Brynner inhabits the role of the King of Siam, one he played on stage 4,625 times during his lifetime. It’s a puzzlement why it’s not on Disney+.
5. Carousel (1956)
Similar to The Sound of Music, this and other R&H musicals likely require some music licensing from the R&H Company for streaming.
6. South Pacific (1958)
During World War II, a nurse stationed on a South Pacific island finds love across cultural lines.
7. State Fair (1945)
From the rides to the livestock to the food competitions, State Fair is as American as apple pie.
Disney-Produced Live Action Movies
8. Step Up (2006) Starring Channing Tatum, Jenna Dewan
Co-produced by Touchstone Pictures, this hip-hop dance film sparked a franchise.
9. The Magnificent Rebel (1961)
While not technically a musical, this biopic on Ludwig van Beethoven features extensive classical music.
10. The Horsemasters (1961)
This film about a group of young people learning horsemanship in England features the first Disney song from songwriting brothers Richard and Robert Sherman, who went on to write songs for Mary Poppins and countless classics.
11. The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band (1968)
This deep cut from the Disney vault is based on the biography of Laura Bower Van Nuys, one of eight children who played in a band with her siblings.
12. Polly (1989)
Legendary African American director Debbie Allen reimagines the story of Pollyanna with a Black cast and a half-dozen musical numbers.
13. Polly: Comin’ Home! (1990)
After the first film became a ratings hit, a sequel reunited the cast one year later.
14. Summer Magic (1963) Starring Hayley Mills
Co-starring Burl Ives, this musical is one of half-dozen films featuring Disney Legend Hayley Mills currently missing on Disney+.
15. The Waltz King (1963) Biopic on Johann Strauss II
Young Johann isn’t cut out to be a lawyer like his father, and charts his own path to becoming the composer of “The Blue Danube” among other classical standards.
Disney-Owned Musicals from ABC and The Muppets
16. Geppetto (2000) Starring Drew Carey
While Disney prepares to produce another Geppetto potentially with Tom Hanks, this ABC musical co-starring Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Brent Spiner, and Usher remains missing.
17. Muppet Classic Theater (1994)
In this direct-to-video production, the Muppets retell six classic fables as only they can.
18. A Muppet Family Christmas (1987) Featuring Jim Henson and Frank Oz
The Muppets are snowed-in together in this beloved special. While licensing fees for certain songs have kept the full uncut program from being released, Disney should make it happen.
19. The Muppet Musicians Of Bremen (1972) Featuring Jim Henson and Frank Oz
The classic Brothers Grimm fairy tale comes to life in an early Muppets TV production.
20. Mr. Willowby’s Christmas Tree (1995)
Based on Robert Barry’s classic 1963 book, it depicts the story of Mr. Willowby (Robert Downey Jr.) and the mice living in his mansion searching out the perfect Christmas tree. This musical co-stars Stockard Channing (The West Wing) and Leslie Nielsen (Police Academy).
21. The Muppets’ Wizard of Oz (2005)
While it’s not regarded as the Muppets’ strongest comic material, it’s a mystery why this ABC special hasn’t released on Disney+.
22. The Music Man (2003) Starring Matthew Broderick and Victor Garber
This update of the Meredith Wilson classic musical features Broderick as masterful con artist Harold Hill.
Disney-Owned Musicals from 20th Century Studios
23. Drumline (2002) Starring Nick Cannon, Zoe Saldana
This coming-of-age comedy introduces a street drummer from Harlem who expects to lead the college marching band’s drumline to victory—but has a few things to learn first.
24. That Thing You Do! (1996) Directed by Tom Hanks
In his directorial debut, from a script he wrote, Tom Hanks immortalizes America’s transition from doo-wop to rock ‘n’ roll through the ups and downs of a one-hit-wonder band.
25. Stormy Weather (1943)
Loosely based on the life and times of its star, dancer Bill “Bojangles” Robinson, Stormy Weather features some of the most celebrated dance sequences seen on-film including “Jumpin’ Jive” featuring Cab Calloway and the Nicholas Brothers.
26. Bright Eyes (1934) Starring Shirley Temple
The child star is featured in over a dozen hit 20th Century films, several of them musicals.
27. Doctor Dolittle (1967) Starring Rex Harrison
The antagonist of the smash hit My Fair Lady is back, this time as a veterinarian who can talk to animals.
28. The Nutcracker (1993)
Featuring the New York City Ballet interpreting George Balanchine’s choreography of the classic story, this Christmas musical tells the story of a young girl whose love for a toy turns it into the handsome prince (Macaulay Culkin.)
29. Stars And Stripes Forever: The Story of John Philip Sousa (1952)
He wrote dozens of marching band standards, yet few know his own life story.
30. There’s No Business Like Show Business (1954) Musical by Irving Berlin
Starring alongside silver screen icon Marilyn Monroe, comic genius Donald O’Connor considers this big-budget ensemble musical the favorite of his films.
Shorts And Specials
31. Simply Mad About the Mouse: A Musical Celebration of Imagination (1991)
This direct-to-video special features 80s and 90s stars Billy Joel, LL Cool J, and Harry Connick Jr. among others reinterpreting past hit Disney songs.
32. The Hunchback of Notre Dame Festival of Fun Musical Spectacular (ABC, 1996)
To celebrate the animated film’s premiere, Disney staged an elaborate stadium show in New Orleans complete with Disney Renaissance stars reprising their beloved hits.
33. Tarzan in Concert with Phil Collins (ABC, 1999)
This special takes viewers behind-the-scenes of the film along with showcasing the talents of pop-rock star Phil Collins, whose songs are featured in Tarzan.
Which of these musicals would you most like to see added on Disney+? Are there other Disney-owned titles missing from this roundup of musicals? Comment below to join the conversation.
