Disney's long-awaited entry into the streaming space is here: Disney Plus has more than 10 million subscribers in just a few days.
This is a promising start to Disney's fight against Netflix, which is centered around its own in-house content, which is paying off with its animated classics, the Star Wars franchise, and Marvel movie library.
But wow-eee, Disney really had to plumb the depths of their archives to fill in the gaps between these two titles. Yes, the masses will gorge on The Mandalorian, but the true Disney connoisseur should turn to these wacky movies for their next Disney Plus binge.
(Image credit: Disney)
Darby O'Gill and the Little People
Let's start with some slightly inappropriate cultural snaps as Disney travels to the Emerald Isle. Darby O'Gill and the Little People, based on stereotypes that the Irish are superstitious drunks, is full of goblins and banshees. It has the charm of it: a rare performance by Sean Connery in which he ditches his native Scottish accent for an Irish one. And beat a goblin.
(Image credit: Disney)
Fuzzbucket
Picture the scene: It's the late XNUMXs, and TV executives around the world are clinging to the inexplicable success of ALF, a TV show about an alien puppet. Thinking he can take some of the "Next ET" pie, Disney lands on... Fuzzbucket.
If you're one of the many kids who are delighted to be visited by ET, expect to get a Fuzzbucket load. Part mole, part troll, maybe part man? It's a beautiful line between a person in a fur suit who is cute (see: Ewoks) and a person who is not... cute. Fuzzbucket is very much in the latter category, even the kid playing in front of Fuzzbucket doesn't seem to want to be there.
(Image credit: Disney)
The Ugly Dachshund
Just the absolute nerve to call any dog horrible. Unlike the Fuzzbucket above, they are wonderful little balls of down, regardless of their shape or size. This tells the story of the "ugly duckling", trading ducks against dachshunds and swans against large mastiffs. Controversial view: Dachshunds are overrated and the Great Dane is furious. Take this, Disney.
(Image credit: Disney)
Back to Oz
The Wizard of Oz: A fantastical coming-of-age story filled with talking lions, ghastly scarecrows, and (albeit scary) flying monkeys. "Return to Oz" is the sequel you'd have if you just showed the director this flying monkey scene. He is unintentionally terrifying, open with Dorothy undergoing electrotherapy after her first trip to Oz, before setting off to thwart another evil force. An anti-kids movie set to ruin the sleeping habits of a whole new generation, thanks to Disney Plus.
(Image credit: Disney)
Shaggy DA
Incredibly, it's a sequel. As a child, Wilby Daniels had already been turned into a dog by a magic ring, in a previous misadventure that saw him return to human form at the conclusion of it. Now, he is comfortably middle-aged and a lawyer. Depending on his position in front of the lawyers, he may think that what happens next is well deserved. When Daniels seeks to run for the position of Attorney, a rival steps into the ring and turns him into a dog. Weird Friday with a canine twist, all in all, which is much better than it actually is. Super catchphrase, though: "That's laughing at the pound! You'll turn around, sit down and ask for more!"
(Image credit: Disney)
mr boogie
A practical joke dealer takes his family to live in a seemingly haunted house. Are crazy poltergeist tricks the work of real minds, or is dad still having fun? Surprise! This is Mr. Boogedy. Except Boogedy isn't a pretty Casper. He is like a hothead, and his grotesque visage will be permanently etched on the retina of anyone who dares look at him in a televised endeavor.
(Image credit: Disney)
Operation Dumbo Drop
Remember when Disney made a movie about the Vietnam War? A comedy about Vietnam, no less? Sure, it's a kid-friendly "parental supervision" movie, but the synopsis seems much more sinister, with an army officer and his unit working to stop a warlord from hurling an elephant out of the sky to its loss. With Danny Glover (Predator 2), Ray Liotta (Goodfellas) and Dennis Leary (Holsten Pils beer commercials). Good family fun...