Disney+ Announces New Non-Fiction and Documentary Content Coming to Streaming Service

It’s time to clear your calendar. The new form of Netflix & Chill, Disney+ & Chill, will commence November 12 (pre-order is available now).

Disney+ ©Disney

During a showcase event hosted by the International Documentary Association, Disney+ shared news about new non-fiction and documentary content that will be available on the service.

New, non-fiction titles and filmmakers on Disney+ will include:

Howard

It was announced Disney+ acquired the worldwide distribution rights for the documentary Howard. The documentary, directed by Don Hahn (Beauty and the Beast), is the untold story of Howard Ashman, the lyricist on Disney classics including Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid and creator of musicals including Little Shop of Horrors. Look for the film exclusively on Disney+ in 2020.

Science Fair

Disney+ will be the exclusive streaming home for National Geographic’s Emmy Award-winning documentary film Science Fair. The winner of audience awards at Sundance Film Festival and SXSW Film Festival, the film follows nine high school students from around the globe as they navigate rivalries, setbacks and, hormones, on their journey to compete at The International Science and Engineering Fair. Look for Science Fair on November 12, when Disney+ launches.

Three projects connected to Disney+’s partnership with Supper Club were announced; People & Places, Wolfgang, and details on Marvel’s 616.

People & Places

Look for this new series to relaunch re-launch Walt Disney’s Academy Award-winning series of documentary short films from the 1950’s and 1960’s. Following Walt’s path, the series focuses on real-life stories of extraordinary people and places from around the globe that embody the Disney ethos — all told by a mix of up-and-coming and established filmmakers.

Wolfgang

Supper Club’s David Gelb (Jiro Dreams of Sushi) will direct this portrait of the life and work of the original “celebrity chef,” Wolfgang Puck.

Marvel’s 616

Gillian Jacobs (Love, Community) will direct the first episode in the previously announced documentary series Marvel’s 616. From the perspective of what it means to be a woman in what’s perceived to be a male-driven industry, Higher, Further, Faster will shine a light on the women of Marvel Comics and explores how they found ways to tell stories of representation and inclusion.

Jacobs will be joined by Paul Scheer, David Gelb, and Andrew Rossi, among others, to helm additional episodes of the series. The episodes will focus on a range of topics including an intimate look at the cosplay community, Marvel’s influence and relationship with hip-hop, illustrators who live and work internationally, and following a high school theater production of Marvel and Disney’s Spotlight program. Marvel’s 616 will be available in 2020.

Untitled Mickey Mouse Documentary

The new untitled documentary, Untitled Mickey Mouse Documentary will attempt to decode Mickey’s deeper significance, getting to the core of what his cultural impact says about each of us, and about our world. The film will strive to be the definitive analysis of Mickey as a cultural icon. The documentary is from award-winning producer Morgan Neville (Won’t You Be My Neighbor?, 20 Feet From Stardom) and director Jeff Malmberg (Marwencol, Shangri-la) along with Tremolo Productions and Lincoln Square Productions.

The Imagineering Story

During the event, documentarian and Academy Award and Emmy Award-nominated director and producer Leslie Iwerks (The Pixar Story, Citizen Hearst) gave a look inside the production process of her documentary series The Imagineering Story. The six-hour film will tell the 67-year history of Walt Disney Imagineering — a place best described as equal parts artist studio, design center, think tank, and innovation laboratory. Look for The Imagineering Story on November 12.