What is Premier Access on Disney Plus? Explaining the service and how to get Jungle Cruise
What is Premier Access? Is it the same thing as Disney Plus or a completely different service? Don't worry if you're confused - it's all a bit bewildering. Fortunately, the answer lies somewhere in the middle. Think of it like going to the cinema: Disney Plus is the theatre, and Premier Access is your ticket. That makes it home to brand-new movies like Jungle Cruise this July 30 and Black Widow earlier in the month.
- Jungle Cruise Premier Access: $29.99 one-off fee
If you're still wondering "what is Premier Access?", don't panic. We've broken down everything you need to know about the initiative below, including how it works and how much it costs in your region. Our guide will give you the lowdown on how to see these movies for as little as possible, too.
What is Premier Access?
Premier Access is best described as an add-on to the Disney Plus streaming service. It allows you to watch new movies like Jungle Cruise or Black Widow for a one-off fee, kind of like a standard digital purchase. So long as you've got a Disney Plus subscription, you can then see the film as often as you want.
At the time of writing, Premier Access for Black Widow costs $29.99 in the US, £19.99 in the UK, $34.99 in Canada, and $34.99 in Australia (the price will be the same for Jungle Cruise this coming Friday). While that may seem steep, and it arguably is if you're just buying for yourself, let's return to our theater ticket analogy. Compared to the cost of an entire family going to the cinema, it's actually pretty good value. Particularly if you include inflated snack and drink prices.
However, it's worth bearing in mind that you need to have an active Disney Plus sign-up first. More specifically, you cannot pay for or see Black Widow (not to mention Jungle Cruise) unless you have a Disney Plus membership. Without one, there's no way of watching either movie.
If you're able and can do so safely, you could have a socially-distanced viewing party with your family or friends to justify the price
With that in mind, how much does a Disney Plus subscription cost? Although there are numerous Disney Plus bundles to choose from, a single month of the service is your cheapest option now that the Disney Plus free trial is gone. Sign up now and one month of Disney Plus will set you back $7.99 in the US, £7.99 in the UK, and $11.99 in Canada or Australia.
Not keen on sticking around? Because there's no binding contract, you can always cancel before being charged for the next month if you'd prefer to keep costs down (just remember, cancelling loses you access to anything you bought on Premier Access until you sign up again).
In other words, you'll be able to see Black Widow as often as you like once you've paid for Premier Access... so long as you're an active Disney Plus subscriber. This makes its cost a little more palatable; if you're able and can do so safely, you could have a socially-distanced viewing party with your family or friends to justify the price.
The offer won't be available forever, though. Premier Access deals for Raya and the Last Dragon were removed after a month or two, so Black Widow and Jungle Cruise will almost certainly follow suit. You'll still be able to see the films if you already purchased them on Premier Access (phew), but everyone else will have to wait until their home release later this year.
Is anything else available on Premier Access?
Wondering if you can buy anything else through Premier Access? Although it normally offers one movie at a time, there's some crossover this month - Cruella is also available right now, as is Black Widow.
It's unclear if anything else is going to make the jump to Premier Access during 2021, but never say never. Go back a year and you'll find Disney claiming that it wouldn't launch Black Widow on Premier Access, for example. Yet here we are. Could we see Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings or Eternals make their debut on Premier Access as a result? Time - and the global situation - will tell.
Even if more movies do turn up, you'll have to pay again anyway
Just don't think you'll automatically get them because you paid for Cruella or Black Widow. Even if more movies do turn up, you'll have to pay again anyway. As an example, anyone who bought Mulan Premier Access still had to pay for Raya and the Last Dragon Premier Access. That may seem harsh at first, but let's return to the cinema ticket analogy. You don't get to keep seeing films after buying one ticket.
You'll have a limited window in which to buy them, too. For instance, Mulan was removed a month or two after it launched. If you missed the boat, you had to wait until the film appeared on Disney Plus for free in December 2020. The same thing has happened with Raya. Once Jungle Cruise has had its day in the sun, Premier Access could disappear again.
Which devices can use Premier Access?
Any device that supports Disney Plus will support Premier Access and, by extension, Cruella. That list includes everything from smartphones to TVs, and some consoles are in the mix as well.
We've got a full list for you below.
- Samsung or LG Smart TV
- PS4
- Xbox One
- Roku device
- Google Chromecast
- Apple TV
- Fire TV
- iOS/Android device
- Web browser
Will Black Widow and Jungle Cruise ever be free on Disney Plus?
Will Black Widow ever be available for free on Disney Plus? Definitely. Much like Cruella before it, Black Widow is coming to Disney Plus a couple of months after it debuts on Premier Access. More precisely, all Disney Plus subscribers will be able to watch it from October 6 2021.
It's likely to be the same story with Jungle Cruise
In other words, anyone on the fence about Premier Access (and those who aren't fussed about watching Black Widow right away) are probably better to wait. Hold out for a few months and you'll be able to see the film as part of your standard Disney Plus membership.
It's probably going to be the same story with Jungle Cruise. Once that movie has finished its theatrical run, it'll become available for all Disney Plus subscribers a few months later.
Premier Access deals
NOTE: A Disney Plus subscription (see deals here) is required to use Black Widow or Jungle Cruise Premier Access.
Premier Access deals for Black Widow are live now and Jungle Cruise offers will be available shortly, but costs vary depending on your region. We've listed a breakdown of these prices below, and you can order the movie as we speak (so long as you've got an existing Disney Plus membership, of course).
Premier Access deals - USA
Premier Access | $29.99 one-off payment
NOTE: You need an active Disney Plus subscription ($7.99 per month, $79.99 for a year, or $13.99 p/m for Disney Plus, Hulu, and ESPN Plus) to access this deal.
If you have a Disney Plus subscription already, you'll be able to see Black Widow after paying the one-off Premier Access fee of $29.99 this July. Happily, it isn't a one-time thing either; once you've paid, you can watch the film as often as you like due to the fact that there isn't an expiry date. However, you will still need a Disney Plus membership.
Premier Access deals - Canada
Premier Access | $34.99 one-off payment
NOTE: You need an active Disney Plus subscription ($11.99 per month or $119.99 for a year) to access this deal.
Got an active Disney Plus membership? all that needs to be done to see Black Widow is pay the one-off Premier Access fee this July. That allows you to watch the film as often as you like (so long as you've got an active Disney Plus sub, anyway).
Premier Access deals - UK
Premier Access | £19.99 one-off payment
NOTE: You need an active Disney Plus subscription (£7.99 per month or £79.90 for a year) to access this deal.
If you've already signed up for a Disney Plus subscription, all you need to do to catch up with Black Widow is buy its Premier Access deal. Once that's out of the way, you can see the film as often as you want and at your leisure so long as you've got an active Disney Plus membership - there's no limit or expiry date.
Premier Access deals - Australia
Premier Access | $34.99 one-off payment
NOTE: You need an active Disney Plus subscription ($11.99 per month or $119.99 for a year) to access this deal.
For those of you with an active Disney Plus membership (any of them will do), all that's left in order to see Black Widow on is this Premier Access deal. Once that's done, you can watch the film whenever you want - unlike view-on-demand services, it won't expire after you've paid for it.
Want to know whether the streaming service is worth your time? Be sure to check out our Disney Plus review for details. As for what's just arrived on the service, check out our guide to everything that's new on Disney Plus.
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