Isn’t Disney+ the best thing to happen to on-demand TV since Netflix? There are so many cool and kid-friendly shows. It came to my attention recently that you can get Chinese audio for some of the children’s shows. WHAT? HOW?! This post will show you which ones you can get on Chinese audio, and how to do it.
*please note that I am based in Australia, so the shows may differ depending on your location
What is Disney+?
Disney+ is a massive entertainment streaming platform that offers these six following entertainment channels: Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic and Star. Channels will differ, depending on your location. US viewers have Hulu, while Australian viewers have Star.
Membership will give you access to
- 400+ TV Shows
- 1400+ Movies
Disney+ is currently available in the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the UK, Japan, Singapore and a few European countries. If you would like a comprehensive guide to Disney+, review.org has a great post on everything you need to know about the streaming platform.
How much is Disney+?
The basic subscription is AUD$11.99 per month, or AUD$119.99 per year (that’s 15% off).
Disney+ Premier is a premium add-on to your existing subscription, which allows you to watch the latest theatrical releases at home. This add-on costs an extra AUD$34.99.
How to get Chinese audio and Chinese subtitles on Disney+
There are mainly three options for Chinese audio:
Cantonese
Mandarin
Taiwanese Mandarin
As for Chinese subtitles, you can choose
Chinese (Hong Kong)
Chinese (Simplified)
Chinese (Traditional)
Once you have selected the movie, you press the “speech” button on the top right corner. Scroll to the Chinese audio and subtitles you would like to hear.
Viola! You have Chinese audio and subtitles now. You may listen to Elsa belt out “Let it go” beautifully in Chinese.
Note that it is still uncommon to get both Chinese audio, and Chinese subtitles for the shows.
One little problem with the Chinese subtitles on Disney+
They are translated from the English version, which means that the Chinese subtitles DO NOT match. So annoying.
You think with the caption technology these days, they can try and match the subtitles to the audio. Alas, you’ll have to contend with the mismatched Chinese subtitles for now.
Children’s shows that are currently available in Chinese audio
Finally, we get the best part of this blog post. Which are the children’s shows that are currently available in Chinese audio?
Movies
Movies are categorised alphabetically, and by advisory ratings: G vs PG.
Bear in mind that Disney movies made before the 1990s may have scenes and themes that will be considered culturally insensitive (such as Aladdin), and may depict tobacco intake (Think 101 Dalmatians and the chain-smoking Cruella).
Movies (G rating)
- 101 Dalmatians (1961)
- Finding Nemo (2003)
- Frozen (2013)
- Garfield The Movie (2004)
- Ice Age (2002)
- Ice Age: The Meltdown (2006)
- Ice Age: Continental Drift (2012)
- Ice Age: Collision Course (2016)
- Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs (2009)
- Kronk’s New Groove (2005)
- Lady and the Tramp (1955)
- Lady and the Tramp II: Scamp’s Adventure (2001)
- Lilo & Stitch (2002)
- Lilo & Stitch 2: Stitch has a Glitch (2005)
- Luca (2021)
- Meet the Robinsons (2007)
- Mickey’s Twice Upon a Christmas (2004)
- Mulan (1998)
- Mulan II (2005)
- Olaf’s Frozen Adventure (2017)*
- Peter Pan (1953)
- Piglet’s Big Movie (2003)
- Pinocchio (1940)
- Pooh’s Grand Adventure: The Search for Christopher Robin (1997)
- Rio 2 (2014)
- Sleeping Beauty (1959)
- Snoopy and Charlie Brown The Movie (2015)
- Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)
- The Lion King (1994)
- The Lion King II: Simba’s Pride (1998)
- The Lion King 1 ½ (2004)
- The Little Mermaid (1989)
- The Little Mermaid II (2000)
- The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Beginning (2008)
- The Many Adventures of Winnie The Pooh (1977)
- The Rescuers Down Under (1990)
- The Three Musketeers (2004)
- The Muppet Movie: The Original Classic (1979)
*denotes short movies
Movies (PG rating)
- Antman (2015)
- Disney’s A Christmas Carol (2009)
- Epic (2013)
- Moana (2016)
- Mulan (2020)
- Pocahontas II (1998)
- Ralph Breaks the Internet (2018)
- Spies in Disguise (2019)
- The Book of Life (2014)
- The Jungle Book (2016)
- The Lion King (2019)
- The Scariest Story Ever: A Mickey Mouse Halloween Spooktacular (2017)*
Some movies in the Marvel Cinematic Universe are available in Chinese too (such as Captain America: The Winter Soldier, and Avengers: End Game). For the purpose of this post, however, I have not included these M-rated movies.
Cartoons/Animations
Similarly, I have categorised the cartoons and animations alphabetically, and by advisory ratings: G vs PG.
I have also conveniently listed down the seasons that offers Chinese audio. Sadly, it is mainly the first season of the shows that does.
Cartoons/Animations (G rating)
- 101 Dalmatians (1997)
- Chip N Dale’s Nutty Tales (2017)
- Fish Hooks (2010-2013)
- Goldie & Bear (2015-2017) – Season 1 only
- Jake and the Never Land Pirates (2011-2015) – Season 1 only
- Kim Possible (2002-2007) – Season 1 only
- Mickey Mouse Roadster Racers (2017-2018) – Season 1 only
- Rapunzel’s Tangled Adventure (2017-2019) – Season 1 only
- Sofia the First (2013-2017) – Season 1 and 4 only
- Star vs. The Forces of Evil (2015-2019) – Season 1 and 4 only
- The Emperor’s New School (2006-2007)
- The Proud Family (2001-2002) – Season 1 only
- T.O.T.S (Tiny Ones Transport Service) (2019-2020) – Season 1 only
Cartoon Series (PG rating)
- Big Hero 6 The Series (2017-2020) Season 1 and 3 only
- Gravity Falls (2012-2014) Season 1 only
- Marvel Avengers Assemble (2013-2018) Season 1 and 2 only
- Marvel Guardians of the Galaxy (2015-2018) Season 1 and 2 only
- Marvel Spiderman (2017-2020) Season 1 only
- Star Wars Rebels (2014-2017) Season 1 only
I will add on to the list as it grows. In the meantime, happy watching and learning Chinese!
For more delicious Disney goodness, check out the Disney music albums that you can listen to in Chinese.
If you have a Frozen fan in the house, like me, why not teach them how to sing the songs in Chinese? It’s an effortless way to get more Chinese listening and speaking in their everyday life. I have been compiling the lyrics to the Disney albums slowly. All the Frozen 1 goodies (lyrics, books, videos and more!!) can be found in this post. For Frozen 2, click here.
Your website is SO helpful! 謝謝
I have been waiting for a long time now for Disney movies to be in zhongwen! And now you have a fantastic list for us to reference. Thanks! 🙂
You’re very welcome Danielle! I’m glad you found the blog helpful. ☺️