Scarlett Johansson's 'Black Widow' is finally coming to screens and here's how you can watch the long-awaited MCU movie.

It's been a really long wait but Black Widow, the first new film of the Marvel Cinematic Universe's Phase 4, is finally here. Starring Scarlett Johansson as Natasha Romanoff, Black Widow is one of the most highly-anticipated movies of 2021.

Watch Now: Black Widow 2021 Online

Besides featuring Johansson as the titular hero, the film also boasts a star-studded cast including Florence Pugh, David Harbour, O-T Fagbenle, William Hurt, Ray Winstone, and Rachel Weisz. The movie has been directed by Cate Shortland (Berlin Syndrome) with a screenplay by Eric Pearson (Thor: Ragnarok).

Black Widow is set between the events of Captain America: Civil War and Avengers: Infinity War. In it, we'll be seeing Natasha go on the run and reconnect with her estranged family of fellow assassins. The film is set to dive into Natasha's checkered past, as she tries to shut down a conspiracy involving the Red Room organization that turned her into a living weapon. Considering the character's tragic death in Avengers: Endgame, this is bound to be an emotional film for fans of the character.

Based on everything we know so far about the film, Black Widow promises to be one of 2021's biggest movies and we're here to answer every question you have about where to watch the film, how long it'll be available online, and how soon it'll be available to buy.

Is Black Widow Streaming Online?

Yes, Black Widow will be available to stream on Disney+ with Premier Access, which will cost you $29.99 (on top of your existing Disney+ subscription plan). The movie will arrive on the streaming service on Friday, July 9, 2021. If you'd like to visit the movie's landing page, you can do so using this link.

Watch Now: Black Widow 2021 Online

And in case you're not up for watching such a massive action movie within the restrictions of your browser, Disney+ is also available as a handy mobile app. You can get the app on Roku, Apple TV, or pretty much any major mobile or smart TV platform.

Most movies in 2021 have been following the dual rollout trend, appearing in both theaters and on streaming sites simultaneously. Black Widow won't be any different, so you can always try and watch the movie in theaters.

When Does Black Widow Leave Disney+?

So far in 2021, most movies that follow the dual rollout model generally have a streaming window of about 30 to 60 days from the release date after which they leave their respective streaming service. But Disney doesn't seem to be following that trend so fans can rest assured that Black Widow will be available for streaming for the foreseeable future.

In fact, the movie will reportedly be added to the normal Disney+ catalog on October 6, 2021. So if you're willing to wait that long, you can watch the film online without shelling out that extra $30. Disney has followed a similar process with Mulan and Raya and the Last Dragon.

Black Widow was originally supposed to arrive in theaters on May 1, 2020. The film's release was pushed a number of times due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the related closure of theaters. Interestingly enough, Disney was initially rather adamant that they would release the movie in theaters only but it looks like that decision has changed.

Is Black Widow in Movie Theaters?

If streaming isn't your thing, you're in luck. Black Widow was released in theaters on the same day as its streaming release.

The theatrical release will include Dolby Cinema, RealD 3D, and IMAX screenings. Plus, fans who watch the movie in IMAX will get to see about 22 minutes of the film in IMAX's expanded aspect ratio.

This is the first time MCU fans will get to head back to theaters since 2019's Spider-Man: Far From Home. Now that the number of coronavirus cases is dropping across the country and the vaccine rollout is being expanded, movie lovers are finally getting to go back to their local theaters. But that said, do check your state's most recent safety guidelines before you book your tickets for the show.

When Will Black Widow Be Released on Digital?

Disney announced on July 26th that Black Widow would be available to purchase on Digital much sooner than expected. The film will be released on Digital on August 10th, at which point anyone can buy the movie digitally to own.

When Can You Buy Black Widow on DVD and What Are the Bonus Features?

Black Widow will be released on DVD, Blu-ray, and 4K Blu-ray on September 14th, a little over a month after it's released on Digital. The physical release comes with a lot of bonus features, including nine deleted scenes, a blooper reel, and three behind-the-scenes featurettes. You can look at the full list of Black Widow bonus features below.

What Previous Marvel Movies Should You See to Understand Black Widow?

From what we know of the movie so far, Black Widow will be more about Natasha's past than the greater, grander MCU storyline. So technically it should be possible to see the film without having seen all the other MCU movies. Which would be good considering there are a lot of them. That said, considering how interconnected the Marvel movies are, it's always advisable to catch up on at least what Black Widow herself has been up to ahead of the film.

Two-time Academy Award nominee Scarlett Johansson sued Walt Disney Co., claiming the biggest entertainment company in the world broke its promise to release her latest film 'Black Widow' only in movie theaters when it made it available for streaming on the Disney+ video service.

Disney wanted to draw audiences away from movie theaters to its own streaming service to generate revenue, grow subscribers and to devalue Johansson's contract, the actress said in a complaint filed Thursday in Los Angeles Superior Court.

Disney fired back aggressively calling Johansson's complaint 'sad and distressing in its callous disregard for the horrific and prolonged global effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.' The company said it fully complied with Johansson's contract and she already earned $20 million from the film.

Johansson's complaint underscores what is likely to be an ongoing issue for Hollywood as studios increasingly look to release their films earlier online to boost the subscription revenue they generate from their streaming services. In the wake of the pandemic, studios are opting for more releases through paid online platforms.

Disney's Marvel Studios and Periwinkle Entertainment, a company through which Johansson offered acting services for the film, entered a 2017 agreement that called for a wide 'theatrical release' of 'Black Widow,' which they understood to mean an exclusive release in theaters for for about 90 to 120 days, according to the complaint.

Previous Marvel films had an average 'uninterrupted window' of 117 days in theaters, Johansson said.

Johansson, who plays the elite spy Black Widow, also known as Natasha Romanoff, has starred in numerous other films such as 'Vicky Cristina Barcelona' and 'Jojo Rabbit.'

Her contract with Marvel guaranteed her a share of the box office receipts, she said in the complaint. According to a person familiar with the contract, it had specific financial targets based on box office revenue and she would've made $50 million if the film topped $1 billion in sales.

So far 'Black Widow' grossed $158 million in the U.S. and Canada, and $318 million worldwide, according to Box Office Mojo. It had a steep fall from its July 9-11 opening weekend of $80 million in U.S. and Canada though, which has been partly blamed on the Disney+ release. Disney said streaming revenue was $60 million on the first weekend of release.

In its statement Thursday, Disney said the release of 'Black Widow' on Disney+ Premier Access had 'significantly' enhanced Johansson's ability to earn additional compensation on top of what she already received.

But Johansson claims Disney surrendered hundreds of millions of dollars in theater ticket sales by releasing the picture when it knew the theatrical market was weak, and also by releasing it online.

'Disney intentionally induced Marvel's breach of the agreement, without justification, in order to prevent Ms. Johansson from realizing the full benefit of her bargain with Marvel,' she said in the complaint, noting Disney's Chief Executive Officer Robert Chapek was awarded equity grants totaling 3.8 times his $2.8 million base salary for working quickly to 'program new offerings' for the direct-to-consumer channel.

'The message to — and from — Disney's top management was clear: increase Disney+ subscribers, never mind your contractual promises, and you will be rewarded,' Johansson said.

Disney+ Premier Access model that lets viewers watch films repeatedly for $30, in addition to the $8 monthly subscription price, further reduced the box office sales, Johansson said. She notes 'Avengers: Endgame' had 85% more repeat viewers in theaters than its prequel, 'Avengers: Infinity War.'

A Marvel fan holds the Guinness World Record for the most times seeing a film in a theater, having watched Endgame 191 times, Johansson said. But with Premier Access, there are no repeat ticket sales, she said.

'It is tantamount to handing each moviegoer a free DVD on their way out of the theatre,' Johansson said in the complaint.