Your Ultimate Alan Menken Watchlist

By Jessica Benda

If Disney musicals can guarantee one thing, it’s memorable songs that stay with you for weeks after.

That’s often thanks to Disney Legend Alan Menken, lauded composer and resident EGOT winner (courtesy of one Emmy®, 11 Grammys®, eight Oscars®, and one Tony®). His career with Disney will come full circle when moviegoers are treated to his reimagined score for the live-action The Little Mermaid when it debuts in theaters worldwide on Friday, May 26.

Menken composed the songs and score for The Little Mermaid (1989) with the late Disney Legend Howard Ashman. The new score, which includes new arrangements and three new songs created in partnership with famed Broadway and film composer Lin-Manuel Miranda (no stranger to Disney, with composing credits for hit animated films Moana and Encanto to his name). Before we dive under the sea, we’ve compiled the ultimate Alan Menken watchlist to view before the film—or after, because we know you’ll be wanting more of Menken’s musical magic! While we haven’t included all of Menken’s work (that would require several weeks to make your way through), we’ve rounded up some of the can’t-miss Disney films from his celebrated career.

In the animated film Beauty and the Beast, the candelabra Lumiere dances atop a table of enormous and colorful cakes in the showstopper number, “Be Our Guest.”

Beauty and the Beast (1991)
Be our guest to watch this Disney classic. From the whimsical opening number “Belle” to the romantic (and Oscar-winning) “Beauty and the Beast,” the tale of a small-town girl and cursed prince swept viewers off to far-off places, as did Menken’s gorgeous score and Ashman’s lyrics. For added fun, make it a double-screening: Disney delivered a live-action reimagining of the film in 2017, once again scored by Menken.

In the animated film Aladdin, Aladdin kneels atop the Magic Carpet under the night sky. It hovers just above Jasmine’s balcony, who stands and looks intrigued by Aladdin and the Carpet.

Aladdin (1992)
A legendary Magic Carpet ride wouldn’t have been so memorable without its Oscar-winning musical accompaniment “A Whole New World.” Menken’s music tells the story of Aladdin and his discovery of a magic lamp hidden within in the Cave of Wonders. He befriends its charismatic Genie, who plays wingman as Aladdin pursues the heart of Princess Jasmine. When he’s not granting wishes, Genie is granting grand-scale musical numbers like “Friend Like Me” and “Prince Ali.” Originally, Menken and Ashman wrote an entire version of the score that was later shelved, and only “Friend Like Me” and “Arabian Nights” remained. After Ashman’s passing, Disney Legend Sir Tim Rice penned the lyrics to “One Jump Ahead” and “A Whole New World.” Almost three decades later, Menken returned to compose the music for the 2019 live-action reimagining.

In the animated film The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Quasimodo climbs between two pillars of Notre Dame. The still shows his silhouette and the purple and pink sky that he gazes out at.

The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996)
Written with Stephen Schwartz, this may be one of Menken’s most serious scores, underscoring a bittersweet story about a lonely bellringer named Quasimodo. He yearns to explore the world outside Notre Dame, expressed in the sweeping ballad “Out There,” but stays hidden under Claude Frollo’s order. Whether it be heroine Esmeralda’s hauntingly beautiful “God Help the Outcasts” or devious Frollo’s truly terrifying “Hellfire,” Menken delivers a score that can’t be missed.

In the animated film Hercules, the five muses sing and dance in a V formation. The background is orange and bright behind them.

Hercules (1997)
This animated musical went the distance, its score the result of Menken’s collaboration with lyricist David Zippel. Greek mythology is set to soaring gospel numbers as Hercules goes on a quest to regain his status as a god so he can rejoin his birth family on Mount Olympus. Add a ballad or two, and it’s clear that Menken’s music skills are as strong as Hercules’ “rippling pectorals.”

In Enchanted, Giselle sits atop a rock in Central Park. She wears a turquoise gown she crafted from curtains and smiles over at Robert. Robert wears a suit and looks confused by the musical number that just ended.

Enchanted (2007)
A fairy-tale princess tumbles into a terrible new world: Reality. From the animated kingdom of Andalasia, Giselle lands in the streets of New York City—but she brings her fairy-tale song and dance numbers with her! Who better to compose the score than the man behind so many Disney Princess films? Menken reunited with Schwartz to produce “True Love’s Kiss,” “Happy Working Song,” and the giant group number “That’s How You Know,” all of which merge that classic Menken sound with a mostly live-action story. It didn’t end there—15 years later, Menken returned for the equally magical sequel, Disenchanted.

In the animated film Tangled, Rapunzel and Flynn Rider enter the Snuggly Duckling tavern. They stand in the doorway as Rapunzel braces her frying pan, looking terrified. Flynn smiles with his hands on his hips.

Tangled (2010)
A necessary item on the watchlist, Tangled explores the journey of Rapunzel, a lost princess with big dreams and a whole lot of hair. With the help of dashing rogue Flynn Rider, Rapunzel embarks on a quest to find the “floating lights” that she’s always watched from her window. Menken worked with Glenn Slater to deliver another magical score and memorable songs—who could forget “I See the Light” amid hundreds of lanterns? And the film was just the start! Rapunzel’s Tangled Adventure, a three-season series, continued the adventure with even more of Menken’s songs.

In Newsies: The Broadway Musical, Jack Kelly stands onstage with several “newsies” as they all raise their fists in the air. They wear newsboy caps and clothes reminiscent of the end of the 19th century.

Newsies: The Broadway Musical (2017)
Menken has composed several Disney musicals, but luckily for us, one of them was filmed at the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood. Based on the 1992 movie musical, the stage show follows Jack Kelly and the “newsies” as they strike against publishing giants who raise prices at their expense. Backed by lyrics by Jack Feldman, these protests usually come in the form of epic dance numbers, and it’s yet another must-see project of Menken’s.

Assembling a Seaworthy Cast for The Little Mermaid

By Alison Stateman

In just two days, the live-action reimagining of the beloved Academy Award®-winning animated classic The Little Mermaid will debut exclusively in movie theaters worldwide! The film, helmed by Oscar-nominated director and producer Rob Marshall (Mary Poppins Returns, Into the Woods), stars beguiling newcomer Halle Bailey in the title role voiced in the original film by Disney Legend Jodi Benson. With music by original composer and Disney Legend Alan Menken and lyrics by the late Disney Legend Howard Ashman, along with new lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, the film brings to stunning life the beloved story of Ariel—a beautiful and spirited young mermaid with a yearning for life beyond her father’s underwater kingdom. In the new film, the youngest and most defiant daughters of King Triton (Javier Bardem) visits the surface world, where she falls for Prince Eric (Jonah Hauer-King), setting into motion a romance that will change both of their worlds. Longing to learn more about the human world, Ariel makes a deal with Triton’s sibling, the evil Ursula (Melissa McCarthy).

Before heading to your local multiplex, Marshall, Bailey, and David Diggs (Sebastian) share memorable highlights from working on the movie.

Reimagining a Classic
David Magee (Finding Neverland) wrote the screenplay for the new film, which, like the animated movie, is based on the 1837 fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen.

“I love that Disney tackles and looks to projects that have strong original materials,” Marshall tells D23. “With Hans Christian Andersen, you have this classic writer of fables and tales. The reason it stands the test of time is because everyone can relate to someone who doesn’t feel like they belong in the world they’re in. …That’s why it resonates.”

About his new film, Marshall says he was “just as protective as the fans” of the original and “preserved all the great things that we love about The Little Mermaid, all the iconic moments and songs. We’ve just fleshed it out into a live-action piece that has more depth, more meaning, more scope.”

He continues, “When you have the tools to create a reimagination of something, the goal is to lift it up into something even more spectacular, even more beautiful, even more emotional. …There’s great color and light and joy to it.”

Ariel (Halle Bailey), at right, holds a fork she’s discovered up to Scuttle (voiced by Awkwafina) and asks what it is used for. Her devoted friend Flounder (voiced by Jacob Tremblay) is at center. 

Casting About
To bring the film to life required finding actors capable of taking on and making iconic characters their own. Marshall and producer John DeLuca first sensed that Halle Bailey could be Ariel upon witnessing her performance of “Where Is the Love” with her sister as part of their R&B duo Chloe x Halle at the 2019 Grammy Awards.

Bailey was asked to audition and, according to Marshall, was the first actor they saw for the role. A fan of The Little Mermaid since childhood, Bailey shares what that first audition was like. “I remember being both thrilled and overjoyed and excited, because this movie has been something that I have always loved since I was a baby,” she says. “And to get a chance to kind of reinvent Ariel was such a beautiful experience. …It was really an exciting time.”

After seeing “every single person for this role,” Marshall says it was undeniable that Ariel was meant for her. “She did that thing that you pray actors do as a director… that someone comes in and claims the role and says, ‘This is mine,’” he shares. “And that’s what she did when she sang ‘Part of Your World’ and read some of the scenes. It was so emotional. It was so deep.”

Ursula (Melissa McCarthy), using her magic, looks in on what Ariel has been up to on land. She stands facing the camera, with her hands posed over the scene she has conjured, wearing a sparkling gown, with the shell necklace holding Ariel’s voice within it.

For Ursula, Marshall says that Melissa McCarthy, who he had met and known peripherally, made “such perfect sense…It just seemed like she was so right for this.”

He continues, “I had a wonderful meeting with her and just knew we were on the same track. I just felt like we connected. And I think what’s interesting about this role—she’s very funny, which she always is, and brings such life and spontaneity to things—but she’s such a great actress. She brings such depth to this role as well. And I think people are going to see her in a way they’ve never seen her before. I don’t think they’re going to expect what they’re going to see here. She’s spectacular. And the voice is incredible.”

King Triton (Javier Bardem) addresses his daughter Ariel, whose back is toward the camera, in his underwater kingdom in a scene from the live-action The Little Mermaid.

For Triton, Marshall recalls grocery shopping at Ralphs with DeLuca as they discussed whether their good friend Javier Bardem might consider the role. “He’s so right for it. He’s such a brilliant actor. He has such depth and such nuance, and literally my phone rang and it was Javier,” Marshall marvels. “And he said, ‘Have you cast the role of Triton?’ It was like mental telepathy.”

Having actress and comedian Awkwafina play Scuttle, the seabird and self-proclaimed expert on “human stuff” memorably voiced by Disney Legend Buddy Hackett in the original film, was DeLuca’s idea. (Awkwafina previously voiced the dragon Sisu in Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Raya and the Last Dragon.)

Marshall recalls, “John said, ‘What about making her a female bird and what about Awkwafina?’ She’s so funny and such a great actress and I thought that was perfect.” For Sebastian, they asked Daveed Diggs to audition. They were fans of Diggs from his Tony Award®-winning dual portrayal of Marquis de Lafayette and Thomas Jefferson in Miranda’s Hamilton. “We had never met him. He came in and claimed the role of Sebastian for his own. He’s so original. He’s so funny. He’s so creative and he’s so wonderful and we just felt that in the room,” says Marshall. “Wait till you see him in this movie. He’s just brilliant.”

Diggs, like Bailey, was a fan of the original film and says “it’s still shocking to me that anyone would think that I should be Sebastian, but I love that character. I love this film. I’m super happy and grateful to be a part of it.” Working with Awkwafina was also a highlight for Diggs. “I was a big Scuttle fan always, so getting to work with Awkwafina on her rendition of it was really special for me. She’s so funny,” he adds.

For Flounder, Ariel’s steadfast fishy friend, Marshall thought of Jacob Tremblay (Room) because he’s a “marvelous actor.” In art, like life, timing is everything and Marshall says he was “at just the right age, just before his voice was about to change,” when they started recording the voice actors for the film. “He’s adorable as Flounder,” Marshall promises.

Menken adored working with the assembled cast: “I was thrilled with the experience of working with Halle and Jonah and Melissa and Daveed… and every other brilliant actor in this film. And the results were amazing. Plus, they were all total pros and easy to work with.”

DOWNLOADABLE: That’s No Moon, It’s a Coloring Page

By Analise Warner

Hello there, incoming transmission from Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi! Have the high ground with the Jedi Republic’s very own legendary mentor to Skywalkers of multiple generations. Use all the shades of the Force with an exclusive Obi-Wan Kenobi coloring page from Art of Coloring: Star Wars: 100 Images to Inspire Creativity and Relaxation. Fans of all ages will enjoy these stunning pen-and-ink illustrations of beautiful landscapes, elaborate patterns, and memorable characters from the Star Wars universe. Be the chosen one by downloading the noble coloring page below and remember “The Force is what gives a Jedi his power. It’s an energy field created by all living things. It surrounds us and penetrates us. It binds the galaxy together.”

DOWNLOAD HERE

These stylized pen-and-ink illustrations mix art nouveau and the world of Star Wars. From Art of Coloring: Star Wars: 100 Images to Inspire Creativity and Relaxation (Disney Editions, 2015).
© & TM Lucasfilm Ltd. All Rights Reserved.

Fun with Fire and Water: Making Disney and Pixar’s Elemental

By Bruce C. Steele

Disney and Pixar’s Elemental began as story questions director Peter Sohn kept bringing up in conversation. “I would pitch around to friends, ‘What would happen if fire and water became friends? What would be the possibilities?’” Sohn recalls. “And from there, you could feel the energy of a lot of ideas coming off of that—and when that happens, you know you’re finding something.”

In Elemental, opening June 16 only in theaters, fire is embodied in Ember (voiced by Leah Lewis), a young woman living in bustling Element City. The metropolis is occupied by four overlapping communities of people, each made of one the four elements of ancient myths: Water, Fire, Air, and Earth. Those residents include Ember and her parents, Bernie and Cinder (voiced by Ronnie Del Carmen and Shila Ommi, respectively), a Fire couple who own a bodega-like shop, and a Water dude named Wade (voiced by Mamoudou Athie), who pours unexpectedly into their lives. Wade could either cause a lot of trouble for the Fire family or help them past a looming crisis—and it’s up to Ember to get him to flow in the right direction.

This kind of “elemental” conflict, Sohn recalls thinking early on, “could be cool.” The premise had a lot of story potential, and “that potential is the thing that drives you forward—even if you don’t know whether the [animation] technology is there,” he says.

Among those leading the charge to solve the animation challenges of creating appealing and believable characters made from fire and water—and air and earth—was Elemental producer Denise Ream. “I loved the idea of the characters and I loved the heart of the story,” she says. “So, it’s a kind of a dream come true to get to work on something that you believe in and that’s a huge challenge. And it was way harder than we thought [it would be].”

With his background as an animator and director (The Good Dinosaur, 2015), Sohn was excited by the challenge, thinking, “Oh, this could be really fun to animate.” These would not be characters who would come to life through motion capture, since “this has to be done in a way that it doesn’t feel like a human in a water suit or a human in a fire outfit. We really wanted it to be its own entity and respect the materials of [each] element.”

“From day one, from a design perspective, Pete was very clear that this is not a person on fire—they were made of fire,” Ream says. “You wouldn’t want to see them walk like a human.”

In a scene from the Pixar Animation Studios feature Elemental, Ember, a female fire person, stands on the left facing Wade, a male water person, on the right. They are outdoors at night and silhouettes of the buildings of Element City can be seen behind them.

Telling a story through characters that are relatable but clearly non-human reminded Sohn of watching movies with his family—his parents were born in Korea—and finding that they often connected more with anthropomorphic but non-human characters, who were detached from any assumptions about race and culture. “You could identify with them without having to focus on something as specific as skin color,” he recalls.

In many ways, Elemental is a reflection of Sohn’s own life story as the American-born son of immigrants, just as Ember is the Element City-born daughter of a couple who immigrated there from far-off Fireland. It’s such a personal story for him, he says, that working on it exposed his own fragility. “Anything creative, when you share it, it’s just a vulnerable act,” he says. “That’s part of the art of making art. It’s very scary. But at the same time, the goal would always be to try to find the [universal] truth in it—and the fun in it as well.”

One entertaining reflection of Sohn’s own life is Bernie’s shop, which caters to Fire people—just at Sohn’s parents’ bodega served the Korean American community in the Bronx when he was growing up. “A lot of research went into that, but also a lot of fun,” he recalls. “Like, what would a Fire community [shop] sell? Logs, matchbooks—and so it started really inspiring the fun of the world by adding these details.” Some details were borrowed from Sohn’s memories of his parents’ store, where handmade signs asserted their ”right to refuse to serve anyone” and warned, “No checks.” “All those details started to merge,” Sohn says, “in a fun, fiery way.”

5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Weekend Presented by State Farm®

By Andie Hagemann

Your weekend will be dino-mite with these five new and beloved titles available on your TV and assorted streaming devices. On Friday, celebrate the 23rd anniversary of Dinosaur by streaming the film on Disney+. Then, watch a new episode of Kiff when it airs Saturday on Disney Channel and Disney XD, followed by a presentation of Thor: The Dark World that same day on FX. On Sunday, watch Oliver & Company, airing on Freeform, and the highly anticipated season finale of American Idol that night on ABC.

In a scene from Dinosaur, Aladar, an iguanodon, talks to a pack of dinosaurs.

Dinosaur—Friday, May 19, on Disney+
Friday marks 23 years since the theatrical debut of this roar-ific flick. Set during the Cretaceous period 65 million years ago, a three-ton iguanodon named Aladar (voiced by D.B. Sweeney) is raised by a clan of lemurs and eventually reunited with his own kind. With flaming meteors devastating the landscape, the dinosaurs find themselves in a race against time to reach the safety of their nesting grounds. When Aladar comes to the aid of a group of misfits, he makes an enemy of Kron (voiced by Samuel E. Wright), a stone-hearted leader. Faced with such perils as treacherous rock slides and attacking carnosaurs, Aladar and his friends must overcome tremendous obstacles before they can settle into a new life in a beautiful valley. The voice cast includes Ossie Davis, Della Reese, Joan Plowright, Alfre Woodard, Julianna Margulies, Hayden Panettiere, Peter Siragusa, and Max Casella.

A light blue bunny holds a dark blue backpack in a scene from Kiff.

Kiff—Saturday, May 20, at 8:30 a.m. ET/PT on Disney Channel and Disney XD
In the all-new episode, Kiff (voiced by Kimiko Glenn) leads a group to the mall to get a free pretzel. However, she realizes that with power comes great responsibility. Then, Kiff and Barry (voiced by Michael Croner) delve into researching the mysterious Ghost Wolf. The hilarious voice cast includes Eric Bauza, Lucy Heavens, Vella Lovell, and Nic Smal.

In a scene from Thor: The Dark World, actors Chris Hemsworth as Thor and Anthony Hopkins as Odin walk through a castle corridor.

Thor: The Dark World—Saturday, May 20, at 4:30 p.m. ET/PT on FX
Thor (Chris Hemsworth), the Mighty Avenger, fights to restore order across the cosmos, but an ancient race led by the vengeful Malekith (Christopher Eccleston) returns to plunge the universe back into darkness. To defeat the enemy, Thor sets upon his most dangerous and personal journey yet, forced into an alliance with the treacherous Loki (Tom Hiddleston) to save not only his people and those he loves, but the universe itself. The electric film also stars Natalie Portman, Stellan Skarsgård, Idris Elba, Ray Stevenson, Zachary Levi, Jaimie Alexander, Rene Russo, and Anthony Hopkins.

In a scene from Oliver & Company, Oliver, an orange cat, talks to a pack of dogs on a city sidewalk.

Oliver & Company—Sunday, May 21, at 8 a.m. ET/PT on Freeform
When Jenny (voiced by Natalie Gregory), a wealthy girl from Fifth Avenue, finds a kitten named Oliver (voiced by Joey Lawrence), she takes him uptown to live in her mansion—which prompts Sykes (voiced by Robert Loggia), a devious loan shark, to kidnap the pair. However, his plan is foiled when Oliver’s motley crew of dog buddies, aided by Jenny’s sassy poodle, Georgette (voiced by Disney Legend Bette Midler), decide to use their street savoir faire to rescue their feline friend. The film includes the voices of Billy Joel, Cheech Marin, Richard Mulligan, Roscoe Lee Browne, Sheryl Lee Ralph, and Dom De Luise.

Left: Iam Tongi performs during an episode of American Idol. Middle: Megan Danielle performs during an episode of American Idol. Right: Colin Stough performs during an episode of American Idol.

American Idol—Sunday, May 21, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on ABC
It’s time to crown the next singing sensation. The live coast-to-coast, three-hour season finale kicks off with special performances from music legends and top artists. Then, the Top 3—Iam Tongi, Megan Danielle, and Colin Stough—take the stage for the final time to impress America and superstar judges Luke Bryan, Lionel Ritchie, and Katy Perry. Who will be dubbed the next American Idol? Tune in to find out!

Bee Sweet as Hunny with ColourPop

By Analise Warner

Oh bother! ColourPop is inviting you to the Hundred Acre Wood to join the celebration for the restock of their Disney Winnie the Pooh exclusive collection! Join in the buzz as this fan-favorite collection makes its return exclusively online at ColourPop, starting today May 18. Better bee-lieve it that this vintage Disney Winnie the Pooh collection will have you feeling like an honorary resident of the Hundred Acre Wood with Eeyore, Piglet, and Tigger too!

Hunny Pot Lip Care Kit

  • ColourPop Lip Scrub: Smooth and soften lips with the most adorable hunny lip scrub and lip mask. Yum, yum, yum! The raw sugar lip scrub gently exfoliates and conditions for softer, smoother lips.
  • Fourth Ray Beauty Lip Mask: Formulated with ultra-moisturizing squalene, vitamin E, and shea butter to leave lips hydrated and ultra-kissable. This yummy 100% vegan lip scrub + mask kit is sweetened with a 100% vegan golden honey flavor and packaged in the cutest limited-edition Disney Winnie the Pooh Hunny Pots with mini honeycomb stir sticks!

Sweet as Can Bee Shadow Palette

The palette is inspired by the vintage hues of Pooh, his best friends, and the Hundred Acre Wood! This sweet as hunny exclusive Disney Winnie the Pooh Palette includes a soft mix of honey tones, sage, pink, gold, and a dash of warm chocolate and wine. Features our ultra-pigmented, blendable pressed powders with shimmering metallic, matte sparkle, and creamy matte finishes. It’s long-wearing, applies evenly and feels super velvety. This limited-edition palette features one-of-a-kind details like honeycomb-shaped shadow pans for that extra touch of sweetness.

Four New Exclusive Merchandise for D23 Gold Members!

By Peyton Liebler

Calling all fans from under the sea and galaxies far, far away! D23 is here to huff, puff, and blow you away with some fabulous new thingamabobs to make all your collections complete. From new pins to new publications, check out some exciting new D23 Gold Member-exclusive items coming to shopDisney on Tuesday, May 23, starting at 8 a.m. PST.

VIEW LATEST MERCH
Three Little Pigs Pin

D23-Exclusive Three Little Pigs 90th Anniversary Pin - $19.99
Who’s afraid of this big bad pin? A D23 Gold Member exclusive, it’s a “Practical” way to celebrate 90 years of classic Silly Symphony fun, and the twisty tale of the Three Little Pigs. The pin features the villainous Big Bad Wolf, set against a rather sturdy-looking wall of bricks!

Inspired by the Academy Award®-winning Silly Symphony short Three Little Pigs, which premiered in 1933. In the years since, the short has garnered several well-deserved accolades; earned a place in the United States National Film Registry; and has been adored by generations of fans. The film follows the classic story of pig brothers Fiddler, Fifer, and Practical, who attempt to evade the clutches of the notorious Big Bad Wolf; it also gave us the now classic Disney song, “Who’s Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf?”

Star Wars Return of the Jedi Pin

D23-Exclusive Star Wars: Return of the Jedi 40th Anniversary Pin – $19.99
The force is strong with this pin celebrating 40 years of Star Wars: Return of the Jedi! This D23 Gold Member exclusive is the perfect way to reflect on four decades of plunder in Jabba’s palace, and even the escapades of the Ewoks from Endor. Relive the iconic moment of Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader’s epic duel aboard the Death Star and commemorate the generations that have been inspired by a galaxy far, far away, ever since Star Wars: Return of the Jedi premiered on May 25, 1983.

Inspired by the film Star Wars: Return of the Jedi—the epic conclusion to a worldwide phenomenon that built a universe spanning nine films in the Skywalker Saga; two spin-off story films; multiple television shows; and immersive experiences inside Disney Parks. In the film, after a quick trip back to Tatooine, Luke Skywalker, Leia Organa, and Han Solo are reunited and join up with the amassing rebel fleet to take down the evil Empire once and for all. But the Empire is plotting too: Emperor Palpatine commands his troops aboard his newly constructed Death Star stationed above the forest moon of Endor, where the Rebels—and some unlikely furry friends—make their stand against the Empire. While Luke confronts Darth Vader on the Death Star once more, Han leads a team to take out a shield protecting the battle station so that the Rebel fleet can destroy it and finally put an end to the war...

The Little Mermaid Pin

D23-Exclusive The Little Mermaid (2023) Pin - $19.99
Look at this pin; isn’t it neat? We know your collection won’t be complete without it! This D23 Gold Member exclusive is an excellent way to go under the sea and welcome the reimagined The Little Mermaid to the big screen... Discover what enchanting treasures lie in store for you when you add this pin to your collection of gadgets and gizmos aplenty. Watch and you’ll see, someday this pin will be part of your world.

Inspired by the film The Little Mermaid (2023), a live-action reimagining of the beloved story of Ariel—a beautiful and spirited young mermaid with a thirst for adventure. The youngest of King Triton’s daughters and the most defiant, Ariel longs to find out more about the world beyond the sea and, while visiting the surface, falls for the dashing Prince Eric. Mermaids are forbidden to interact with humans, but Ariel must follow her heart—so she makes a deal with the evil sea witch Ursula, which gives her a chance to experience life on land... but ultimately places her life, and her father’s crown, in jeopardy. 

twenty three Summer Publications

D23-Exclusive Disney twenty-three Summer 2023 Publication Covers – $19.99 (Each Sold Separately)
Welcome, foolish mortals, to fun under the sea, and even a few elemental connections... as Disney brings the heat with a slate of films that are sure to warm hearts—and provide some chills as well! To celebrate the start of the summer season, the new issue of Disney twenty-three features three covers highlighting a trio of the biggest films coming soon from Disney: The Little Mermaid, Elemental, and Haunted Mansion.

While all D23 Gold Members were sent one of these covers of this new publication, now is your chance to collect all three!

From lightsaber battles to big bad wolves, there’s so much to discover with these incredible new products exclusive to D23 Gold Members. They are just a few of the many great ways to dive in and celebrate your favorite “tails”! Make sure to visit the D23 section of shopDisney at 8 a.m. PST on Tuesday, May 23, to snag these splendid collectibles!

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*All items available while supplies last. To purchase, you must log in to shopDisney.com with the Disney account tied to D23 Gold Membership. These items are sold for their respective prices posted above, plus applicable sales tax. Maximum of two (2) items of each style for purchase per D23 Gold Member for online orders. Shipping not available to PO boxes; shipping and handling fees may vary for all online orders. Other restrictions may apply. All information is subject to change including, but not limited to, artwork, release dates, editions sizes, and retail prices.

Everything New You Can Stream on Disney+ in June 2023

By Zach Johnson

Kick off summer with even more films, series, and specials on Disney+!

On Friday, June 9, watch Searchlight Pictures’ Flamin’ Hot, directed by Eva Longoria (also streaming on Hulu). It’s the inspiring true story of Richard Montañez (Jesse Garcia), who as a Frito-Lay janitor disrupted the food industry by channeling his Mexican-American heritage to turn Flamin’ Hot Cheetos from a snack into a total phenomenon.

Stream Assembled: The Making of Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania on Wednesday, June 14, for a behind-the-scenes look at the first film of Phase 5 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Two days later, Marvel Studios and director David Gelb will present Stan Lee, the official documentary film about Disney Legend Stan Lee and his rise to influence in the world of comic books and pop culture. Tracing his life from his upbringing as Stanley Lieber to the rise of Marvel Comics, Stan Lee tells the story of his remarkable life, career, and legacy in his own words through personal archive material. A week later, on Friday, June 21, stream the first episode of Marvel Studios’ new series Secret Invasion. Set in the present day MCU, Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) learns of a clandestine invasion of Earth by a faction of shapeshifting Skrulls. Fury joins his allies, including Everett Ross (Martin Freeman), Maria Hill (Cobie Smulders), and the Skrull Talos (Ben Mendelsohn), who has made a life for himself on Earth. Together, they race against time to thwart the Skrull invasion and save humanity.

In a scene from World’s Best, Manny Magnus, playing Prem, and Utkarsh Ambudkar, playing Prem’s father, wear matching shirts and entertain a crowd of people.

On Friday, June 23, stream Disney’s all-new hip-hop musical comedy adventure World’s Best. In the film, 12-year-old math genius Prem (Manny Magnus) discovers his recently deceased father (Utkarsh Ambudkar) was once a famous rapper and immediately sets out to learn more about his father’s life and passions. Empowered by imaginative hip-hop music-fueled fantasies, Prem is determined to find out if hip-hop truly is in his DNA.

Close out the month on Wednesday, June 28, by streaming the first episode of Disney Gallery: Star Wars: The Mandalorian – The Making of Season 3; the complete second season of the Disney+ Originals series Week-End Family; and all eight seasons of ABC’s Home Improvement. And throughout the month, Disney+ will continue to add new episodes of series such as Pupstruction, Raven’s Home, and The Villains of Valley View.

All the titles coming to Disney+ in June are listed below:

Friday, June 2
Pride from Above

Wednesday, June 7
America’s National Parks (Season 2)
Avatar: The Way of Water (Season 2)
First Alaskans (Season 2)

In a scene from Flamin’ Hot, Jesse Garcia, playing Richard Montañez, wears a Frito Lay uniform and stocks a grocery store shelf with bags of chips.

Friday, June 9
Flamin’ Hot (Premiere)
Hailey’s On It! (Season 1, 6 Episodes)

Wednesday, June 14
Assembled: The Making of Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania (Premiere)
Last of the Giants: Wild Fish (Season 2)
Miraculous Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir (Season 5, 5 Episodes)
Pupstruction (Season 1, 8 Episodes)
Raven’s Home (Season 6, 4 Episodes)

Friday, June 16
Pretty Freekin Scary (Season 1, 7 Episodes)
Stan Lee (Premiere)
The Villains of Valley View (Season 2, 5 Episodes)

Wednesday, June 21
Extraordinary Birder with Christian Cooper (Season 1)
Minnie’s Bow-Toons: Camp Minnie (Season 1, 9 Episodes)
Secret Invasion (Episode 1) (Premiere)

Friday, June 23
World’s Best (Premiere)

Wednesday, June 28
Alice’s Wonderland Bakery (Season 2, 7 Episodes)
Disney Gallery: Star Wars: The Mandalorian – The Making of Season 3 (Episode 1) (Premiere)
The Ghost and Molly McGee (Season 2, 5 Episodes)
Home Improvement (Seasons 1–8)
Home in the Wild (Season 1)
Secret Invasion (Episode 2 )
Week-End Family (Season 2 Premiere) (All Episodes Streaming)

QUIZ: Finish the Lyrics to These Sherman Brothers’ Songs

There are few who have contributed as much to the musical legacy of The Walt Disney Company as the award-winning songwriting duo of Robert and Richard Sherman. In honor of Jewish American Heritage Month, we are celebrating these Jewish Disney Legends with a quiz that will test your knowledge of their whimsical lyrics. From classic Walt Disney films such as The Jungle Book and Mary Poppins (which earned the pair their first Academy Awards) and even Disney Parks favorites, including “it’s a small world” and Carousel of Progress, these brothers created timeless tunes that we all adore. Now, let’s see how well you remember them!

“Two tiny wings, eyes big and yellow. Horn of a steer, but a lovable fellow. From head to tail, he’s royal purple pigment. And there, ______________!”

Correct! Wrong!

“I choose me ________ with pride. Yes, I do. A broom for the shaft and a broom for the flume.”

Correct! Wrong!

“There’s a great, big, beautiful tomorrow shining at the end of every day. There’s a great, big, beautiful tomorrow, and tomorrow’s just______”

Correct! Wrong!

“They’re far, they’re near, they’re gone, they’re here. They’re quick and slick, they’re insincere. Beware, beware, __________.”

Correct! Wrong!

“Far from the frenzy of the frantic world above. Two beneath the blue could even_______.”

Correct! Wrong!

“Slip into silent slumber. Sail on a silver mist. Slowly and surely your senses will cease to_____.”

Correct! Wrong!

“There is just one moon and one golden sun, and a smile means ________ to everyone.”

Correct! Wrong!

“Once a lonely caterpillar sat and cried to a sympathetic _______ by his side. ‘I’ve got nobody to hug, I’m such an ugly bug.’”

Correct! Wrong!

“Then the flappers appeared on the scene, rumble seats and ____________. Radios and dizzle and jazz, round your cameras and razzamatazz.”

Correct! Wrong!

“The honey bees that fetch the nectar from the flowers to the ______ never tire of ever buzzing to and fro.”

Correct! Wrong!

QUIZ: Finish the Lyrics to These Sherman Brothers’ Songs
You have one little spark of lyrical knowledge, but with a step in the right direction you’re sure to do better next time!
The wonderful thing about quizzes… is that you can always take them again! Hit play on the Simply Sherman album from Disney Music Emporium and give this test another try.
Hip Hip Pooh-ray! You did great on this quiz! You’re definitely on a magic journey to getting 100 percent!
Wow, you’ll have all your friends saying, “I Wan’na Be Like You,” when they see how well you did on this quiz! Great job!

DOWNLOADABLE: Join the Rebel Alliance Among the Galaxy’s Greatest

By Analise Warner

An inspiration to the galaxy, Princess Leia has used her connection to the Force and the Light Side to motivate generations. She has truly spanned the Star Wars universe as symbol of hope and resilience… plus, she’s a space-bun icon! Use all the shades of the Force with an exclusive coloring page from Art of Coloring: Star Wars: 100 Images to Inspire Creativity and Relaxation.

Fans of all ages will enjoy these stunning pen-and-ink illustrations of beautiful landscapes, elaborate patterns, and memorable characters from the Star Wars universe. Download the royal coloring page below—and have patience, Padawan, as the final Star Wars coloring page download is released next week! (Here’s a hint from the princess herself: “Help me Obi-Wan, you’re my only hope.”)

DOWNLOAD HERE

These stylized pen-and-ink illustrations mix art nouveau and the world of Star Wars. From Art of Coloring: Star Wars: 100 Images to Inspire Creativity and Relaxation (Disney Editions, 2015).
© & TM Lucasfilm Ltd. All Rights Reserved.