Maleficent is missing from Disney Plus because of licensing deals made before Disney owned the streaming rights

The 2014 film Maleficent, starring Angelina Jolie, is not available on Disney Plus in most regions because Disney sold the streaming rights to other companies years before launching its own service. When Disney made the film, it licensed the rights to stream it to platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video in certain countries. Those deals are still active, which means Disney cannot put the movie on Disney Plus in those territories until the licenses expire.

The availability of Maleficent on Disney Plus varies by country. In some regions, the film may be available; in others, it remains locked to competing platforms. This happens because streaming rights are sold territory by territory, and older films often have complicated ownership histories across different services.

Key Takeaways

  • Maleficent (2014) is licensed to Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, or other platforms in most countries, preventing Disney Plus from carrying it.
  • Streaming rights are sold by region and have expiration dates, so availability can change when old deals end.
  • Disney Plus may eventually gain the film in your region once existing licenses expire, but there is no set timeline.
  • You can check where Maleficent is currently streaming in your country using a service like JustWatch or your Disney Plus app's search function.

How streaming rights work for older Disney films

When Disney produced Maleficent in 2014, the company did not own a streaming service. To make money from the film, Disney licensed it to platforms that did exist — Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and others — in exchange for payment. Each license covered a specific country or region and had a set end date, usually five to ten years out.

Disney Plus launched in 2019, five years after Maleficent came out. By then, the film's streaming rights were already sold to other companies. Disney cannot straightforward move the film to its own service because doing so would violate the existing contracts. The company must wait for those licenses to expire before it can add Maleficent to Disney Plus.

Which platforms have Maleficent in different regions

In the United States, Maleficent is typically available on Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, though availability shifts as licenses renew or expire. In the United Kingdom, the film may be on different platforms. In Canada, Australia, and other countries, the streaming home of Maleficent varies.

The fastest way to find where Maleficent is streaming right now in your country is to search for it on JustWatch.com or use your Disney Plus app's search bar. If the film appears in the search results with a "Not on Disney Plus" message, the app will often show you which other services carry it in your region.

When Maleficent might arrive on Disney Plus

There is no official date for when Maleficent will come to Disney Plus. The arrival depends entirely on when the current licenses expire in your region. Some licenses may expire in 2025 or 2026; others may not expire until 2027 or later. Disney does not announce these dates publicly because they are part of confidential contracts.

The sequel, Maleficent: Mistress of Evil (2019), may have different licensing terms and could already be on Disney Plus in some regions while the first film remains unavailable. This is common with film franchises, where each installment has its own rights history.

Why Disney doesn't buy back streaming rights early

Disney could theoretically pay to end the existing licenses early and bring Maleficent to Disney Plus when ready. In practice, this rarely happens because the cost is usually very high. The companies holding the licenses would demand significant compensation to give them up, and Disney would have to pay that amount in every region where the film is licensed elsewhere.

Instead, Disney focuses on adding films to Disney Plus where it already owns the streaming rights or where licenses have naturally expired. This is why some Disney films are on the service while others are not, even though Disney owns both.

What you can do if you want to watch Maleficent now

If Maleficent is not on Disney Plus in your region, you have several options. You can rent or buy the film through Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, or Vudu. Rental typically costs between $3 and $5 and lets you watch for 24 to 48 hours. Purchase costs between $10 and $15 and gives you permanent access.

If you have a Netflix subscription, check whether Maleficent is currently available there. Availability on Netflix changes periodically as licenses renew, so the film may appear and disappear from the service over time. You can also check your local library, which sometimes offers films through services like Hoopla or Kanopy at no extra cost.

The difference between Maleficent 1 and Maleficent 2 on Disney Plus

Maleficent: Mistress of Evil, the 2019 sequel, is more likely to be on Disney Plus because it was made after Disney launched the streaming service. Disney typically negotiates streaming rights differently for newer films, often keeping them for its own platform. However, even the sequel may not be available in all regions if Disney licensed it to other services in certain countries.

To check whether Maleficent: Mistress of Evil is on Disney Plus where you are, search for it in the app. If it is available, you can watch both films back-to-back once the first one eventually arrives on the service in your region.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Maleficent on Disney Plus anywhere in the world?

Yes, Maleficent may be on Disney Plus in some countries where Disney owns the streaming rights, but it is not available in most major regions including the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada. Check your Disney Plus app to see if it is available in your specific location.

Can I watch Maleficent on Disney Plus if I have a VPN?

Using a VPN to access Disney Plus in a different region violates Disney's terms of service. Disney actively blocks VPN connections, and your account could be suspended or closed if detected. It is not a reliable way to watch the film.

Will Maleficent ever come to Disney Plus?

Yes, Maleficent will likely arrive on Disney Plus eventually when the current licenses expire in your region. There is no set date, but it could happen within the next few years depending on when those contracts end.

Why is Maleficent on Netflix but not Disney Plus?

Netflix licensed the streaming rights to Maleficent before Disney Plus existed. Disney cannot move the film to its own service until Netflix's license expires. Once that happens, Disney can add it to Disney Plus.

Can I buy Maleficent permanently instead of renting it?

Yes. You can purchase Maleficent on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, or Vudu for between $10 and $15. Once purchased, you own a digital copy that you can watch anytime, though you must use the same account and platform where you bought it.