When is ‘Shang-Chi’ Coming to Disney+?
Disney released the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s latest installment, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, exclusively in theaters on Sept. 3. This year, previous Disney titles, like Black Widow and Cruella, were released simultaneously in theaters and on Disney+. But Disney and Marvel Studios decided to launch Shang-Chi only in theaters. They wanted to see if it could perform well during a pandemic, and it did.
Now, a few weeks after the latest MCU film’s premiere, fans know when they can also watch it within the comfort of their own homes.
‘Shang-Chi’ is coming to Disney+
The Walt Disney Company announced that Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings would arrive on Disney+ on Friday, Nov. 12. It will be available to all subscribers. Jungle Cruise, Home Sweet Home Alone, and more are joining Shang-Chi on Disney+ that day.
What makes Nov. 12 so special is that it’s Disney+ Day, a celebration that marks the second anniversary of the streaming service. More announcements regarding the debut of new programming should be expected as we get closer to the day.
According to ComicBook.com, Disney CEO Bob Chapek talked about the company’s release strategy. Chapek said, “Regardless of where they originate, all of our films and episodic series will end up as part of the robust library of content on our direct-to-consumer platforms. Flexibility is the key component of our distribution strategy, and we have outlined three approaches for distributing our films. Releases in Theatres with the simultaneous offering via Disney+ Premiere Access, release straight to Disney+, and traditional exclusive theatrical releases.”
How did the MCU film do in the box office?
Shang-Chi was, without a doubt, a box office success despite the circumstances of the world. The latest installment into Phase 4 of the MCU made a record-breaking $94.4 million in the domestic box office Labor Day weekend. And as of Sept. 21, Shang-Chi has made $320.6 million in theaters worldwide.
Shang-Chi is shaping up to be one of the year’s highest-grossing movies, just behind its predecessor, Black Widow. Plus, critics and fans worldwide are singing the praises of the film. It’s one of the highest-rated MCU films on Rotten Tomatoes. So, it’s safe to say that Marvel Studios and Disney now feel comfortable releasing their titles exclusively in theaters, thanks to Shang-Chi‘s success.
[Spoiler Alert: The following contains spoilers for Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.]
What’s next for Shang-Chi?
While no sequel has been announced for Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, there’s no doubt that the characters in the film have a bright future in the MCU.
The end-credits scenes make it clear that Marvel intends to keep Shang-Chi, Katy, and Xialing around for the foreseeable future. And fans might even see a character or two pop up in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. In the first end-credits scene, Shang-Chi and Katy join Wong, Carol Danvers, and Bruce Banner in the Sanctum. They discuss the peculiarity of the Ten Rings, suggesting that they might not be from this universe. Which, of course, leads one to think of the multiverse.
Whatever the case may be, be ready to see a lot more of Simu Liu in Marvel’s future.
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is now in theaters.
