Indiana Jones 5’s unusual Disney Plus release schedule doesn’t make any sense
Destiny is calling
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Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destinyis finally set to launch on Disney Plus – and, bizarrely, it’s getting a staggered release on the streamer.
In an announcement posted on its social media channels, Disney confirmed that Harrison Ford’s final outing as the iconic archaeologist would make itsDisney Plusdebut on Friday, December 1. The action-adventure film’s arrival on the platform was subsequently confirmed in a press release from Disney’s US PR team.
In one month, history’s greatest hero arrives on #DisneyPlus.@IndianaJones and the Dial of Destiny, streaming December 1. pic.twitter.com/sZco1Xc4DPNovember 1, 2023
Ordinarily, that would be the end of the story. Disney usually releasesnew movies– those that initially debuted in theaters, anyway – on its primary streaming service on the same date worldwide. That means users living outside of the US can watch Disney’s latest blockbusters on one of the world’sbest streaming servicesat the same time as their American counterparts.
But there’s a sting in the tail for UK audiences looking forward to watching the fifthIndiana Jonesmovie. In a separate press release, Disney’s UK PR department revealed thatIndiana Jones 5won’t launch on Disney Plus until Friday, December 15 – a whole two weeks after it arrives stateside. There’s no information on when it’ll arrive in Australia, either.
Disney hasn’t explained whyIndiana Jones and the Dial of Destinywill launch on a different date in the UK, but to my mind it’s a weird decision. Other big-budget Disney-owned films, whether they’re the newestMarvel,Pixar, or Walt Disney Animation Studios movies, have always made their Disney Plus debut on the same date globally.
The only exceptions to this rule are 20th Century Studios films andHulu-exclusive flicks, which land on the US-only streamer first before arriving onDisney Plus Starin the UK and Australia.Indiana Jones 5’s staggered worldwide release is the first of its kind that I can think of, so it’s strange that Disney plans to bring the film to the same streaming service on separate dates. I’ve reached out to Disney’s US and UK PR teams for an official comment, and I’ll update this article if I hear back.
Indiana Jones 5’s arrival on Disney Plus comes four months later than it was rumored to be debuting on the platform. In August, we reported on one piece of gossip that suggestedIndiana Jones and The Dial of Destinywould debut on Disney Plus later that month. Of course, that didn’t happen, and it just goes to show that you shouldn’t believe everything you read on the internet.
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Still, it’s pleasing to finally learn when the whip-cracking, fedora-wearing adventurer’s latest outing will make its official streaming debut – especially for anyone who didn’t see it in theaters. In May, we reported onIndiana Jones 5’s first reviews, and they didn’t look greatfor a movie that fans were hoping would be a thrilling and emotive finale to Ford’s time as the man affectionally dubbed ‘Indy’.
That reception likely contributed toThe Dial of Destinyunderperforming at the box office, with the James Mangold-directed flick earning just $383.9 million globally. Even with its 88% audience score onRotten Tomatoessuggesting that it’s been more favorably received by audiences than by critics, on a reported budget of $300 million, that’s not a good look.
If you want to make up your mind about whetherIndiana Jones 5is any good, you don’t have long to wait for one of 2023’s finalnew Disney Plus movies. Well, unless you live in the UK, that is.
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As TechRadar’s senior entertainment reporter, Tom covers all of the latest movies, TV shows, and streaming service news that you need to know about. You’ll regularly find him writing about the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Star Wars, Netflix, Prime Video, Disney Plus, and many other topics of interest.
An NCTJ-accredited journalist, Tom also writes reviews, analytical articles, opinion pieces, and interview-led features on the biggest franchises, actors, directors and other industry leaders. You may see his quotes pop up in the odd official Marvel Studios video, too, such as thisMoon Knight TV spot.
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