The first National Treasure film was released in 2004, an archeological dive into the United States’ founding myths that played sort of like a louder, dumber Indiana Jones crossed with The Da Vinci Code. Of course it was a hit, prompting the creation of a sequel and no doubt funding the purchase of several additional castles for its star, Nicholas Cage.
Yet despite the enthusiasm for the franchise, which made National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets an even bigger global hit, and years of news and rumors, a third National Treasure was never made, even as its star completed his transformation into some sort of living meme. Instead, we’re getting National Treasure: Edge of History (Dec. 14), a Disney+ streaming series in which Cage’s Ben Gates isn’t even featured; instead the series focuses on a young Mexican-American Dreamer, Jess Valenzuela (Lisette Olivera) as she searches for her missing father, uncovers the secrets of her family legacy, and hunts for Pan-American historical treasures. It’s not like there’s no budget for this thing—the trailer looks slick and Catherine Zeta-Jones has a supporting role—so maybe Jess and Ben can team up in a future season.
National Treasure: Edge Of History | Official Trailer | Disney+
Here’s everything else coming to Disney+ in December, including another film-to-streaming transplant minus its marquee name as the Night at the Museum franchise goes animated and loses Ben Still with the premiere of Night at the Museum: Kahmunrah Rises Again (Dec. 9), another installment of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid animated reboot (Dec. 2), and a live performance of the songs of Encanto recorded earlier this year at the Hollywood Bowl (Dec. 28).
Disney Plus series with new episodes premiering weekly in December 2022
The Mysterious Benedict Society, Season 2 (finale Dec. 7)National Treasure: Edge of History (premieres Dec. 14)The Santa ClausesSumo Do, Sumo Don’tWillow
Movies and complete series/seasons coming to Disney Plus in December 2022
Arriving Dec. 2
Akashinga: The Brave OnesDiary of a Wimpy Kid: Roderick Rules — Disney+ Originals film premiereHeroes of the MediterraneanPatagonia WingsPentatonix: Around the World for the Holidays — Disney+ Originals premiereThe TerritoryArriving Dec. 7
Alice’s Wonderland Bakery (S1, 5 episodes)Animal Fight Night (S1, S2, S3, S4, S5, S6)Beyond Magic with DMC (S1)Botswana (S1)Gigantosaurus (S3, 8 episodes)Raven’s Home (S5, 2 episodes)The Villains of Valley View (S1, 1 episode)Arriving Dec. 8
Solo Amor Y Mil Canciones — Disney+ Originals premiereArriving Dec. 9
Area 51: The CIA’s SecretCMA Country ChristmasIdina Menzel: Which Way to the Stage? — Disney+ Originals premiereNight at the Museum: Kahmunrah Rises Again — Disney+ Originals premiereOcean’s BreathShark vs. TunaRetrogradeArriving Dec. 14
Alaska’s Deadliest (S1)Broken Karaoke (Shorts) (S1, 1 episode)Drain the Oceans (S5)The Great Christmas Light Fight (S10)The Owl House (S3, 1 episode)Positive Energy (S1)Arriving Dec. 15
A Very Backstreet HolidayArriving Dec. 16
Beauty and the Beast: A 30th CelebrationHeroes of the Long Road Home with Martha RaddatzIf These Walls Could Sing — Disney+ Originals premiereLe Pupille — Disney+ Originals premiereMafia ConfidentialMuppets Most Wanted (Sing-Along Version)Where Oceans CollideArriving Dec. 21
Ancient X Files (S2, 5 episodes)Born in Africa (S1)Danger Decoded (S1)The FlagmakersPort Protection Alaska (S1, S2, S3, S4, S5)Arriving Dec. 23
From the AshesJaguar Beach BattleLittle GiantArriving Dec. 28
Encanto at the Hollywood Bowl — Disney+ Originals premiereGeneration X (S1)Savage Kingdom (S1, S2, S3, S4)Street Genius (S1, S2)Wicked Tuna: Outer Banks Showdown (S1)Arriving Dec. 30
Black Pharaohs: Sunken TreasuresGeneration Youtube
