Pixar’s SOUL To Release On Disney+ Christmas Day, Bypassing Theaters
By Cooper Dowd, Staff Writer
Disney announced that Pixar’s SOUL, which stood as one of the last movies slated for a theatrical release this fall, will bypass the theater and debut for free on Disney+ on Christmas Day.
“We are thrilled to share Pixar’s spectacular and moving Soul with audiences direct to Disney+ in December,” Walt Disney Co. CEO Bob Chapek said. “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.”
After a lackluster domestic release of Nolan’s TENET, Disney released its MULAN remake on Disney+ for $29.99. Disney’s SOUL announcement highlights both exhibitors’ continued hesitancy to open theater doors during the pandemic and also increased reliance on streaming services for entertainment.
Movieguide® reported previously that, “Despite a few bright spots over the course of late August and September with the domestic releases of Christopher Nolan’s TENET in theaters and Disney’s MULAN over the streaming service Disney+, the next projected release dates are not until November 20. Those releases include the next James Bond installment NO TIME TO DIE and Pixar’s SOUL.”
Both movies already pushed back their release dates due to COVID-19 and now, with the recent shifts, the next Hollywood tentpole scheduled to hit theaters is WONDER WOMAN 1984 on Dec. 25.
Disney executives hope that the family-friendly Pixar movie’s release will gain new subscribers and encourage current users to support their streaming service.
“The world can be an exhausting and frustrating place – but it’s also full of unexpected joys, even in seemingly mundane things,” Pete Docter, director of SOUL and chief creative officer of Pixar Animation Studios, said. “SOUL investigates what’s really important in our lives, a question we’re all asking these days. I hope it will bring some humor and fun to people at a time when everyone can surely use that.”
Docter previously worked on Movieguide® Award-nominated projects including UP, INSIDE OUT and WALL-E, among others.
Although Movieguide® cannot speak to SOUL’s content, we hope that it contains the same spiritually uplifting and moral themes of previous Pixar installations.
Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
