>Pixar's Soul has decided to bypass a theatrical release and will instead debut exclusively on Disney+ on Christmas Day at no extra charge.
>The animated tentpole had been set to croon its way into theaters on Nov. 20. The decision to send the movie to Disney+ both underscores the precarious nature of moviegoing amid the ongoing pandemic, and the importance to its parent company of Disney+, which has amassed more than 60 million subscribers.
>Unlike Mulan — which came at a premium price of $29.99 — Soul will be available to all Disney+ customers at no extra charge. In markets where Disney+ isn't available, the movie will be released theatrically. Dates are to follow.
>“We are thrilled to share Pixar’s spectacular and moving ‘Soul’ with audiences direct to Disney+ in December,” said Bob Chapek, Chief Executive Officer, The Walt Disney Company. “A new original Pixar film is always a special occasion, and this truly heartwarming and humorous story about human connection and finding one’s place in the world will be a treat for families to enjoy together this holiday season.”
>Disney announced the shift on Thursday following a tumultuous a week that saw MGM, Eon and Universal delay No Time to Die, moving it from Nov. 20 to April 2, 2021. The James Bond film had been determined to stick to its Thanksgiving date — like Soul, it had already pushed back its release once before because of COVID-19 — but came to the conclusion that moviegoing is far from returning to acceptable levels. (New York and Los Angeles cinemas remain shuttered, while there are rising cases in some parts of Europe.)
>The animated tentpole had been set to croon its way into theaters on Nov. 20. The decision to send the movie to Disney+ both underscores the precarious nature of moviegoing amid the ongoing pandemic, and the importance to its parent company of Disney+, which has amassed more than 60 million subscribers.
>Unlike Mulan — which came at a premium price of $29.99 — Soul will be available to all Disney+ customers at no extra charge. In markets where Disney+ isn't available, the movie will be released theatrically. Dates are to follow.
>“We are thrilled to share Pixar’s spectacular and moving ‘Soul’ with audiences direct to Disney+ in December,” said Bob Chapek, Chief Executive Officer, The Walt Disney Company. “A new original Pixar film is always a special occasion, and this truly heartwarming and humorous story about human connection and finding one’s place in the world will be a treat for families to enjoy together this holiday season.”
>Disney announced the shift on Thursday following a tumultuous a week that saw MGM, Eon and Universal delay No Time to Die, moving it from Nov. 20 to April 2, 2021. The James Bond film had been determined to stick to its Thanksgiving date — like Soul, it had already pushed back its release once before because of COVID-19 — but came to the conclusion that moviegoing is far from returning to acceptable levels. (New York and Los Angeles cinemas remain shuttered, while there are rising cases in some parts of Europe.)
