Star Wars: The Mandalorian Headlines Launch Day For Disney+

Much has been made of Disney's entrance into the streaming wars. Backed by the power of its vast archive of content, it launches as an immediate entry into the top tier of premium services, next to Netflix, Hulu and Amazon. (And for just $6.99 a month. Read our primer.) With the wealth of popular franchises at its disposal, our Aaron Barnhart posits that ten years from now, there could well be only two major streaming services: Netflix and Disney+. While its launch day originals read like a cattle call of popular Disney properties, from Donald Duck to High School Musical to Pixar, one towers above the rest: the first-ever live action Star Wars TV series, The Mandalorian.

SERIES PREMIERE: Developed by Jon Favreau, Star Wars: The Mandalorian follows a lone gunfighter seven years after Return of the Jedi, as he traverses a very Mad Max portion of George Lucas' universe. Primetimer's Joe Reid has this overview of who's in the cast and what to expect from them. Streaming on Disney+

SERIES PREMIERE: After a multi-network sneak peek late last week, High School Musical: The Musical: The Series lands at its permanent home on Disney+ today. The very meta mockumentary series follows a high school drama teacher putting on a production of High School Musical: The Musical at the school where High School Musical was filmed. Primetimer's Kevin O'Keefe went one-on-one with the show's creator/showrunner Tim Federle. Streaming on Disney+

SERIES PREMIERE: Speaking of high school musicals, Kristen Bell's reality series Encore! follows a group of former high school classmates as they reunite many years after graduation to put on a new production of the musical they performed as students. Read our review. Streaming on Disney+

SERIES PREMIERE: The Pixar series Forky Asks a Question features the Toy Story 4 character posing simple yet surprisingly loaded hypotheses to teach children about life's nuances. Streaming on Disney+

PREMIERE MOVIE: Disney's latest live action remake is premiering in viewers' living rooms. Lady and the Tramp brings the star-crossed canine love story to life as never before. Streaming on Disney+

PREMIERE MOVIE: Anna Kendrick (Pitch Perfect) stars in Marc Lawrence's Noelle. The original holiday film follows Santa's daughter as she heads to the north pole with Dad's retirement fast approaching. Shirley MacLaine, Julie Hagerty, and Billy Eichner costar. Watch the preview. Streaming on Disney+

SERIES PREMIERE: National Geographic (another Disney company) presents The World According to Jeff Goldblum, in which the oddball actor travels and explores whatever topics tickle his fancy. Watch the preview. Streaming on Disney+

ALSO TODAY

• Jeff Garlin: Our Man in Chicago sees the Curb Your Enthusiasm and Goldbergs star performing standup in his hmoetown of Chicago. Streaming on Netflix
• Kings of Pain follows Rob Alleva and Adam Thorn as they submit themselves to bites and stings from some of nature's most brutal critters. 10:00 PM ET on History
• Ambitions returns for another season of family drama and intrigue. 10:00 PM ET on OWN

Mike Attebery is Senior Editor at Primetimer and the author of seven mystery thrillers. Follow him on Twitter at @mikeattebery.