Disney+ announces new nonfiction films, shows for streaming service

At a recent showcase event for the International Documentary Association, Disney+ shared a look at some of their upcoming nonfiction content.

During the event, Disney+ announced the following titles and filmmakers:

• “Howard,” directed by Don Hahn (“Beauty and the Beast”)
• “People & Places,” produced by Supper Club’s Jason Sterman, Brian McGinn and David Gelb (“13th,” “Amanda Knox,” “Chef’s Table”), relaunching the original Walt Disney documentary short film series from the 1950s-1960s.
• National Geographic’s Emmy Award-winning feature documentary “Science Fair,” which will stream exclusively on the service
• An “Untitled Mickey Mouse Documentary” from award-winning producer Morgan Neville (“Won’t You Be My Neighbor?,” “20 Feet From Stardom”) and director Jeff Malmberg (“Marwencol,” “Shangri-la”)
• “Wolfgang,” directed by Supper Club co-founder David Gelb (“Jiro Dreams of Sushi”)
• Actress and filmmaker Gillian Jacobs will direct an episode of the previously-announced “Marvel’s 616” series

“Howard” is the untold story of Howard Ashman, the lyricist behind Disney films like “Aladdin,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “The Little Mermaid,” and creator of musicals including “Little Shop of Horrors.” The film will stream exclusively on Disney+ in 2020.

The re-launch of Walt Disney’s “People & Places” will tell the real-life stories of extraordinary people and places from around the world that embody Disney’s ideals, told by a mix of up-and-coming and established filmmakers.

Disney+ will be the exclusive global streaming home for National Geographic’s Emmy Award-winning documentary “Science Fair,” which will be available when the service launches on Nov. 12. The documentary follows nine high school students from around the world on their journey to compete at The International Science and Engineering Fair.

The “Untitled Mickey Mouse Documentary” will “decode Mickey’s deeper significance,” learning more about his cultural impact and what it says about each of us, and about the world. The film will strive to be the ultimate analysis of Mickey as a cultural worldwide icon.

“Wolfgang,” directed by David Gelb, will be a portrait of the life and work of the celebrity chef, Wolfgang Puck.

Gillian Jacobs will direct the first episode of the documentary anthology series “Marvel’s 616” called “Higher, Further, Faster.” The episode will showcase trailblazing women of Marvel Comics and show how they’ve found ways to tell more representative stories.

Jacobs will be joined by Paul Scheer, David Gelb, Andrew Rossi, and more to helm other episodes of the series. The episodes will focus on a variety of topics, including a look at the cosplay community, Marvel’s influence and relationship with hip-hop music, illustrators who live and work abroad, and follow a high school theater production of Marvel and Disney’s “Spotlight” program. This series will stream exclusively on Disney+ in 2020.

These nonfiction films and shows will be available exclusively on Disney+, which launches in the U.S. on Nov. 12. To learn more about the service, and to sign up in advance, visit DisneyPlus.com.