By Zach Johnson
Consider this an early Christmas present: The Walt Disney Company just announced that Soul, the all-new original feature from Pixar Animation Studios, will debut exclusively on Disney+ on December 25, 2020! In international markets where Disney+ isn’t currently available (or is soon to be), Soul will be released theatrically, with dates to be announced.
“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.”
Soul comes from visionary filmmaker Pete Docter, the Academy Award®-winning director behind Inside Out and Up, and co-director and writer Kemp Powers. The voice cast includes Jamie Foxx, Tina Fey, Phylicia Rashad, Ahmir Questlove Thompson, Angela Bassett, and Daveed Diggs. The film features original jazz music by Grammy® Award-nominated artist Jon Batiste and a score composed by Oscar®-winning duo Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross.
“The world can be an exhausting and frustrating place—but it’s also full of unexpected joys, even in seemingly mundane things,” said Docter, director of Soul and Chief Creative Officer of Pixar Animation Studios. “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.”
Over the last six months, marketplace conditions created by the ongoing pandemic, while difficult in so many ways, have also provided an opportunity for innovation in approaches to content distribution. With over 60 million subscribers within the first year of launch, the Disney+ platform is an ideal destination for families and fans to enjoy a marquee Pixar film in their own homes like never before.
Previously scheduled for theatrical release on November 20, 2020, Soul was named an official selection of the Cannes Film Festival earlier this year. The film will play at multiple upcoming festivals, including the British Film Institute’s London Film Festival on October 11.
