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Disney+ Makes History With New R-Rated Release—What to Expect

Bob Iger in front of the Disney+ logo
Credit: Inside the Magic

It’s nearly time for Deadpool and his less-than-enthusiastic partner Wolverine to land on Disney+, marking a significant moment for The Walt Disney Company’s streamer. For Disney+, launched in 2019, this release represents a monumental achievement.

Promotional image for Disney+, showcasing various titles available on the platform. Includes movies like "Onward," "Frozen II," "Toy Story 4," "Black Panther," "Guardians of the Galaxy," "Iron Man," "The Avengers: Endgame," and others, centered around the Disney+ logo.

Credit: Inside the Magic

Back in July, Marvel fans were treated to one of the most exciting projects in the MCU’s recent history—Deadpool & Wolverine (2024), directed by Shawn Levy. Touted as a revitalizing force for the franchise, this Multiverse-spanning film breathed new life into an MCU many had feared was losing its spark.

The film wasn’t the reboot many expected, but it generated buzz comparable to Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021) and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022). Featuring Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman reprising their iconic roles, the mercenary Deadpool and mutant Wolverine carved their way to the top of the box office, raking in an impressive $1.331 billion globally, with $633 million from domestic earnings.

Ryan Reynolds as Deadpool unmasked

Credit: Marvel Studios

This success has made Deadpool & Wolverine the highest-grossing R-rated film in history, overtaking Joker (2019) and Oppenheimer (2023). It’s also Disney’s second billion-dollar hit of 2024, following Pixar’s Inside Out 2, which broke records by surpassing Frozen II as the highest-grossing animated film of all time.

A major part of Deadpool & Wolverine‘s charm lies in the reunion of fan-favorite characters and the continuation of Fox’s superhero legacy. After Disney’s acquisition of 21st Century Fox in 2019, many projects were shelved, including Deadpool 3 and an X-Force spinoff.

Deadpool and Wolverine walking

Credit: Marvel Studios

Initially, writers Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick envisioned a quieter adventure for Deadpool 3, while X-Force was set to be an action-packed spectacle. However, Disney’s plans changed, and under Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige, the eventual result was a dynamic two-hander, which director Levy emphasized wasn’t just “Deadpool 3” but a proper team-up movie.

As anticipation builds, fans are eager to know when Deadpool & Wolverine will arrive on Disney+. Following the typical 89-day gap between theatrical and streaming releases, it could hit Disney+ as early as October 23. When it does, it will make history as Disney’s first-ever Disney-distributed R-rated film released on its streaming service.

Deadpool looking shocked

Credit: 20th Century Studios

While Disney+ already houses R-rated films like Logan (2017) and the previous Deadpool installments, those were originally distributed by Fox. This will be the first R-rated movie directly distributed by Disney itself, marking a new chapter in the company’s evolving approach to adult content.

Disney’s future seems to be leaning toward a broader content strategy, blending family-friendly hits like Inside Out 2 with more mature fare like Deadpool & Wolverine. This balancing act may signal Disney’s intent to cater to a more diverse audience moving forward.

Hugh Jackman as Logan

Credit: Marvel Studios

In the lead-up to its release, many speculated that Deadpool & Wolverine would serve as a soft reboot for the MCU, which has struggled in Phase Five apart from Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023). Though the Multiverse played a role, the film ultimately served as a swan song for Fox’s superhero franchise, with beloved characters like Johnny Storm (Chris Evans), Elektra (Jennifer Garner), and X-23 (Dafne Keen) making appearances.

One of the film’s highlights was the introduction of the Deadpool Corps, a Multiverse team of Deadpool variants. Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds’ wife, portrayed the fan-favorite Lady Deadpool (aka Ladypool), while their children Inez and Olin made cameo appearances as Kidpool and Babypool. In a surprising twist, Matthew McConaughey voiced Cowboypool, taking over a role originally intended for Reynolds himself.

Anthony Mackie as Captain America

Credit: Marvel Studios

As we look ahead, the MCU’s Phase Five is nearing its conclusion, with Captain America: Brave New World and Thunderbolts* scheduled for 2025. Phase Six will kick off with The Fantastic Four: The First Steps (2025), introducing new actors to the iconic superhero family.

The excitement is palpable, but how do you feel about an R-rated Deadpool & Wolverine streaming on Disney+? Let us know your thoughts!

About Thomas Hitchen

When he’s not thinking about the Magic Kingdom, Thomas is usually reading a book, becoming desperately obsessed with fictional characters, or baking something delicious (his favorite is chocolate cake -- to bake and to eat). He's a dreamer and grew up on Mulan saving the world, Jim Hawkins soaring through the stars, and Padmé Amidala fighting a Nexu. At the Parks, he loves to ride Everest, stroll down Main Street with an overstuffed pin lanyard around his neck, and eat as many Mickey-shaped ice creams as possible. His favorite character is Han Solo (yes, he did shoot first), and his favorite TV show is Buffy the Vampire Slayer except when it's One Tree Hill. He loves sandy beach walks, forest hikes, and foodie days out in the Big City. Thomas lives in England, UK, with his fiancée, baby, and their dog, a Border Collie called Luna.

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