In 2021, several animated Disney and Pixar films were released on Disney Plus, either as free exclusives, premium content, and in the case of Encanto, not long after premiering in theaters. Now, the pattern of release changes for Disney and Pixar animated films continues today, as Turning Red will now release on Disney Plus instead of releasing in theaters.
Pixar's Turning Red is the 25th feature film by the legendary animation studios, and the feature directorial debut of Domee Shi, who previously directed the short film Bao, thereby becoming the first woman to direct a short film for Pixar. Bao screened in front of The Incredibles 2 and received the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film in 2019. Shi will be the second female filmmaker to direct a Pixar feature film behind Brenda Chapman, a co-director of Brave. Furthermore, Turning Red is the first Pixar film to take place in Canada, which is also the home of director Shi.
Disney has announced that Pixar's Turning Red has been taken off the theatrical slate in favor of an exclusive streaming release on Disney Plus. This makes Turning Red the third Pixar film in a row to be released as a Disney Plus exclusive following Soul and Luca. The film maintains its original release date of March 11th and will be available on Disney Plus at no additonal charge, unlike Raya and the Last Dragon, Cruella, and Black Widow, among other titles. However, Turning Red will still be released theatrically in international markets where Disney Plus is not available, with release dates to be announced at a later date.
Turning Red is one of many animated features to be released in 2022, which is quickly emerging as a banner year for the medium. Disney will also be releasing Pixar's Lightyear later this year, as well as The Bob's Burgers Movie and Strange World. Other films such as Dreamworks' The Bad Guys, Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio, and Paramount's Under the Boardwalk will also be released.
2021 was a banner year for animation, especially when it came to Disney's output. Raya and the Last Dragon, Pixar's Luca, and Encanto all received positive reception from critics and fans, as all three films have achieved high viewership numbers. However, the releases of these films were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Raya and the Last Dragon was released day-and-date in theaters and on Disney Plus, Luca released as a free Disney Plus exclusive, and Encanto came to Disney Plus after an atypically brief 45-day theatrical window
The streaming exclusivity decision is a disappointing turn of events for Pixar fans looking forward to seeing Turning Red in theaters. Lightyear, Pixar's highly anticipated Buzz Lightyear spinoff film, is still slated for theatrical release next June, but in the meantime, here's hoping that Turning Red's Disney Plus premiere brings a slew of new audiences to the film.
Turning Red comes to Disney Plus on March 11th, 2022.
Source: Disney Plus
