In a surprising move, Disney has announced that Pixar’s popular films, ‘Soul’, ‘Turning Red’, and ‘Luca’, will be making their way to theaters for a special engagement. This decision comes amidst Disney’s continued struggles at the box office and aims to generate much-needed revenue. The studio plans to release these films nationwide in 2024, along with their signature short films.
The announcement came on December 5th, revealing that these three films, previously exclusive to Disney Plus, will now have the opportunity to be experienced on the big screen. The special engagement runs will allow audiences to enjoy the films in the way they were originally intended, leading up to the highly anticipated release of ‘Inside Out 2’ in June 2024.
To further enhance the theatrical experience, each of the films will be accompanied by one of Pixar’s beloved short films. ‘Soul’ will be paired with ‘Burrow’, while ‘Turning Red’ will be shown alongside ‘Kitbull’. Both of these shorts were initially released as part of Pixar’s SparkShorts series. However, instead of showcasing other SparkShort productions, Pixar has opted to re-air their classic 2000 film, ‘For the Birds’, which originally premiered before ‘Monster’s Inc.’ in 2001.
This decision by Disney is seen as an attempt to revitalize their box office performance, which has been underwhelming in recent years. However, it raises questions about the viability of re-releasing films that have already been available for streaming. With ‘Soul’, ‘Turning Red’, and ‘Luca’ all having been on Disney Plus for over two years and lacking the label of ‘culturally significant’, it remains to be seen whether this strategy will attract audiences.
The outcome of this special engagement could go one of two ways for Disney. If the event achieves moderate success, it would contradict Disney’s previous assertion that audiences are waiting for films to be available on streaming platforms. On the other hand, if the re-releases fail to resonate with moviegoers, it would add to Disney’s list of disappointments and further damage their reputation.
Tickets for the theatrical screenings of ‘Soul’, ‘Turning Red’, and ‘Luca’ will go on sale on January 2nd, 2024. ‘Soul’ is scheduled to hit theaters on January 12th, followed by ‘Turning Red’ on February 9th, and ‘Luca’ on March 22nd. Disney hopes that this limited run event will not only entice fans to relive the magic of these films in theaters but also rejuvenate their box office performance.
Despite the uncertainties surrounding this strategy, Disney is taking a bold step in bringing these beloved Pixar films back to the big screen. Moviegoers will have the opportunity to experience the wonder, emotions, and creativity of ‘Soul’, ‘Turning Red’, and ‘Luca’ once again, accompanied by the timeless charm of Pixar’s signature short films.
As Disney continues to navigate the ever-changing landscape of the entertainment industry, this decision stakes its claim as another chapter in the company’s ongoing quest to thrive in both the streaming and theatrical realms. Whether it proves to be a triumph or disappointment, only time will tell.
