By Zach Johnson
The “Summer of Disney+” continues when the 2006 film Flicka, loosely based on the 1941 children’s novel My Friend Flicka, joins the Disney+ library on Friday. A new episode of High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, featuring the first appearance by Asher Angel, debuts the same day on the streaming service. National Geographic’s SHARKFEST is in full swing, with World’s Most Dangerous Shark debuting Friday. The next night, recap the year in sports when ABC broadcasts The 2021 ESPYS Presented by Capital One, then celebrate the 40th anniversary of The Fox and the Hound by streaming the animated film on Disney+.
Flicka—Friday, July 9, on Disney+
In Wyoming, Katy McLaughlin (Alison Lohman) dreams of working on her father’s ranch—and one day taking it over. She tames a wild mustang and names her Flicka, eventually discovering that they are more alike than she imagined. So, after her father, Rob (Tim McGraw), sells Flicka, Katy schemes to win back the horse by entering a dangerous race.
High School Musical: The Musical: The Series—Friday, July 9, on Disney+
When Gina (Sofia Wylie) finds herself stranded at the airport over Spring Break, a surprise run-in with Jack (Angel) changes her mind about what she wants. Meanwhile, the separated Wildcats find a way to bond over song during their time off, as Ricky (Joshua Bassett) finally sees his mom again after their opening night run-in at High School Musical.
World’s Most Dangerous Shark—Friday, July 9, at 10 p.m. ET on National Geographic
The great white shark has a reputation for being the scariest in the sea, but renowned explorer Jacques Cousteau called the oceanic whitetip “the most dangerous of all sharks.” Now, two teams of experts are diving deeper into the world of the oceanic whitetip to reveal what makes this species a contender for the title of “world’s most dangerous shark.”
The 2021 ESPYS Presented by Capital One—Saturday, July 10, at 8 p.m. ET on ABC
Broadcast live from The Rooftop at Pier 17 at the Seaport in New York City, host Anthony Mackie joins top celebrities from sports and entertainment to celebrate the past year in sports by recognizing major sports achievements, remembering unforgettable moments, and honoring leading athletes and performances. Presenters include Kane Brown, DaBaby, Charli D’Amelio, Dixie D’Amelio, Alexandra Daddario, Taye Diggs, Desus Nice and The Kid Mero, Nina Dobrev, Dude Perfect, Rob Gronkowski, Sabrina Ionescu, Chloe Kim, Zachary Levi, Tracy Morgan, Joe Namath, Julius Randle, Disney Legend Robin Roberts, Mikaela Shiffrin, Iliza Shlesinger, Kurt Warner, and Roy Williams. Top athletes and celebrities scheduled to attend include Jocelyn Alo, Sasha Banks, Bianca Belair, Paige Bueckers, Jared Butler, Tyler Campbell, Vernon Davis, Mike Evans, Sarah Fuller, Chris Godwin, Derrick Henry, Justin Herbert, DeAndre Hopkins, Matt James, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Ronald Jones II, Giselle Juarez, Johnny Juzang, Rachael Kirkconnell, Betnijah Laney, Ally Love, LeSean McCoy, Amanda Nunes, Naomi Osaka, Jason Pierre-Paul, DiDi Richards, Shannon Saile, DeVonta Smith, Jalen Suggs, Nigel Sylvester, Drew Timme, Tara VanDerveer, and Chase Young, as well as Chris Nikic (Jimmy V Award for Perseverance recipient) and Maya Moore (Arthur Ashe Award for Courage recipient).
The Fox and the Hound—Saturday, July 10, on Disney+
Orphaned baby fox Tod (voices of Keith Mitchell and Andy Rooney) befriends a young hunting dog named Copper (voices of Corey Feldman and Disney Legend Kurt Russell). Everything changes when Copper learns to hunt and discovers he must pursue his friend. Tod is taken to a game preserve for safety, where Copper and his master hound him. But when the chips are down, Tod and Copper remember that their friendship overcomes all.
