When Is West Side Story Coming to Disney+?

Something’s coming to Disney+ just in time for awards season. Six decades after the iconic Sondheim Broadway adaptation racked up critical acclaim, the remake of West Side Story, helmed by Stephen Spielberg, is embarking on another Oscar campaign season. Spielberg’s take on the classic Broadway musical arrived in theaters December 10th after numerous Covid-19 delays, and had landed a whopping seven Academy Awards nominations.

Here’s the details on how to watch the new West Side Story adaptation, as well as the original, in anticipation of the Oscars on March 27th.

When Will I Be Able to Stream Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story?

Disney recently announced that West Side Story will appear on Disney+ in the U.S. and most international territories starting March 2nd. It will also be available to stream on HBO Max the same day. The film will make its debut on Disney+ in Taiwan on March 9th, and in Japan on March 30th.

If you don’t yet have Disney+, a basic subscription starts at $7.99 per month and will grant instant access to stream West Side Story when it drops on the platform March 2nd. Plus, you can save 15% if you sign up for a $79.99 annual plan.

Beyond West Side Story, Disney+ has a number of classic movie musicals available to stream, including the live-action adaptation of Sondheim’s Into the Woods and the recent recording of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Hamilton. You can even go deeper into your West Side Story fandom with ABC’s special Something’s Coming: West Side Story – A Special Edition of 20/20, which is now streaming on Disney+ as well. The mini-doc offers viewers a behind-the-scenes look at the production of the film.

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A Disney+ bundle includes the aforementioned service alongside Hulu and ESPN+ for only $13.99 a month — less than the cost of a popcorn and soda if you saw West Side Story in theaters.

How Can I Stream West Story Online for Free?

There is a way around ponying up for a Disney+ or HBOMax subscription if you want to watch West Side Story in the comfort of your own home. If you’re are a Verizon subscriber, you could be eligible for the “Disney+ on us” plan. Additionally, subscribers to Amazon Music Unlimited are eligible for a free six-month trial of Disney+.

If Disney+ isn’t your jam, don’t worry — HBO Max starts at $9.99 per month with an ad-free plan. Hate ads? You can get an ad-free plan for $14.99 per month. Pre-pay for an annual plan to save on either plan. Once you’re done with West Side Story, you’ll be able to watch a bunch of other Oscar-nominated movies including Dune, Nightmare Alley, The Eyes of Tammy Faye, and King Richard.

What Is West Side Story About?

Spielberg’s adaptation of West Side Story clocks in at 2 hours and 36 minutes, with a PG-13 rating. The film boasts a stunning ensemble cast, including Ansel Elgort, Rachel Zelger, Ariana DeBose, David Alvarez, Mike Faist, Josh Andrés Rivera, Ana Isabelle, Corey Stoll, Maddie Ziegler, and Brian d’Arcy James. West Side Story also features an appearance from original adaptation star Rita Moreno.

Like its predecessor film, West Side Story is based on the eponymous 1957 stage musical landmarked by music by Stephen Sondheim. Loosely based on Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, two rival street gangs battle it out in 1950s New York City with a romance at its center.

Can I Watch the Original West Side Story Online Anywhere?

We’d highly recommend checking out the original 1961 version of West Side Story, either before or after you watch the new Spielberg version. The original is available to stream on new platform Curia, and it’s also available to rent or buy on Amazon Prime Video.

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