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The House of Mickey Mouse has recently undertaken a major cleanup, resulting in the removal of 25 original titles from its streaming platform, Disney+.
Indiana Jones Franchise Removed from Disney+
Fans of the beloved Indiana Jones series may be disappointed to learn that the entire saga is no longer available on Disney+. The streaming service has taken down the iconic films directed by the legendary Steven Spielberg. This dramatic move removed not only the classic adventures but also highlights a larger trend at Disney regarding its content inventory.
The films Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981), Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984), Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989), and Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008) have all vanished from the platform. These titles were added to Disney+ in June 2023 in anticipation of the theatrical release of Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, marking Harrison Ford’s farewell to the iconic character. Under director James Mangold, the latest film aims to introduce a new chapter in the beloved franchise.
Although Disney has acquired the intellectual property of Indiana Jones since purchasing Lucasfilm in 2012, the distribution rights are still held by Paramount Pictures. With the expiration of the previous licensing agreement, the classic films were taken down from the platform as of October 1. Currently, subscribers can only access Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny and a special feature titled Heroes of the Legend: Indiana Jones and Harrison Ford.
Surprising Content Cuts on Disney+
While the Indiana Jones series removal can be attributed to licensing issues, Disney’s decision to drop 25 original films and series seems to be a calculated financial strategy. This initiative appears to reflect a significant shift in corporate priorities.
As reported by Whats on Disney Plus, this latest move by Disney suggests a similar pattern observed last year when it discarded multiple titles viewed as “low-performing assets” for economic reasons. This effort helped the company save nearly $2 billion and streamline its content offerings.
Notable Titles Dropped
Some noteworthy titles that have recently disappeared from the service include A Small Light: Protecting Anne Frank, Genius MLX/X, and Togo, starring Willem Dafoe. The unexpected removal of these notable productions raises questions about Disney’s content strategy moving forward.
- A Small Light: Protecting Anne Frank
- Genius MLX/X
- Togo
- Science Fair: The Series
- The Greatest
What’s Next for Disney’s Streaming Strategy?
As September marked the close of the financial year for the Walt Disney Company, this push to remove content may be tied to efforts in making Disney+ profitable. The company has expressed a commitment to achieve financial viability for its streaming division by the end of 2024. With this ongoing content purging strategy, it remains to be seen how Disney plans to balance its iconic legacy with the pressures of modern content consumption and profitability.