Disney Plus UK has just added a new film saga to its library and fans of romances and fantasy films are in for a huge treat. The first instalment was released back in 2008, with the final film released in 2012, and it continues to have a huge cult following more than a decade later.

The films on Disney Plus are based on an award-winning book series which gained immense popularity and commercial success around the globe. Yet, the author was concerned whether she had made the right decision to sell the film rights as the initial script was so different from the books.

Twilight had been in development for about three years at Paramount Pictures’ MTV Films, but it included significant changes to Stephenie Meyer’s novels, with Bella (played by Kristen Stewart) being turned into a star athlete. Meyer had feared no one would recognise the story as Twilight, until Summit Entertainment acquired the rights.

The films in the series did not go down well with critics, but they were adored by fans of the books. The series consists of five instalments – Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse, Breaking Dawn Part 1 and Breaking Dawn Part 2.

Fans took to IMDb reviews to share their thoughts, with sarahhcraddock saying of the first film: “This movie was perfect. I am a huge fan of the series and have been since Christmas of 2007. I have been excited to see this film since they announced it, and remember the very day that they cast Robert Pattinson as Edward. In my opinion, there is nothing about the movie that could have been improved, save for making it a bit longer.”

Fanomi added: “This is one of the best movies I’ve ever seen. I never get bored of this one, it’s really breathtaking and mysterious and just really addictive. I’m never going to forget this movie.”

Sammanthalopez shared: “Everything in this movie is perfect, it captured the aura of the series (book). The visual is excellent and the music is fantastic. I think there are many negative comments here due to bandwagons hating.”

Meyer’s romance novels were released annually from 2005 until 2008 and they told the story of introvert Bella Swan, a student who moves to Forks, Washington and falls in love with a 104-year-old vampire named Edward Cullen.

The series is told mostly from Bella’s point of view, with actress Stewart narrating the films. The four books have won multiple awards, including the 2008 British Book Award for Children’s Book of the Year for Breaking Dawn.

The Twilight books consecutively set records as the biggest-selling novels of 2008 on the USA Today Best-Selling Books list. On Goodreads, Twilight was described as a “masterpiece”, with SK adding: “It still continues to be a masterpiece, in the sense I never get bored or tired of it.

“Each time I read this series, it’s like falling in love with Forks and the characters all over again. It’s good to be nostalgic once in a while, isn’t it?”

Paige added: “I’ve never loved anything as much as I love the Twilight series. No, that’s not a joke. And yes, I mean it. There’s just something about that ultimate comfort read that never gets old. I’m sure you have one, too, but maybe you’re lucky enough that the world doesn’t think it’s a guilty pleasure to read it over and over again like they do for mine.”

The film saga has become prominent in popular culture and inspired a parody film, Vampires Suck, which was released in 2010. The movies even inspired a Lego set based on the Cullen house, which was released in 2025.

Besides actors Stewart and Pattinson, the films also star Taylor Lautner as Jacob Black, who quickly became a second heartthrob. However, Lautner was almost recast ahead of New Moon, as director Chris Weitz was keen to enrol an actor with a larger body frame.

As Lautner wanted to keep the role, he worked out extensively and put on 30lbs, transforming into a ‘buff’ Jacob.

The Twilight Saga is streaming on Disney Plus

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