Pixar's 'Soul' to release exclusively on Disney+ on December 25
What's the story
Pixar's Soul is ditching its slated traditional release in theaters for Disney++. According to a recently-made announcement, this animated movie will be available to the 60+ million subscribers of Disney's prime OTT platform at no extra cost; the monthly subscription that comes at $6.99 is enough. The film will release on December 25 and in countries where Disney+ is unavailable, it will hit theaters.
Statement
"A new original Pixar film is always a special occasion"
"We are thrilled to share Pixar's spectacular and moving Soul with audiences direct to Disney Plus in December," Disney 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," he added.
Context
The film has Tina Fey and Jamie Foxx in lead
Soul, starring Tina Fey and Jamie Foxx, narrates the story of a middle-school music teacher (Foxx), who meets with an accident. His soul leaves his body to reach You Seminar, where 22, voiced by Fey, helps him regain his life. Co-director Pete Docter said, "I hope it will bring some humor and fun to people at a time when everyone can surely use that."
Competition
What prompted Pixar to go the OTT way
The movie had its initial release date on June 19 but was rescheduled to November 20 due to low theater footfalls and sweeping health risks by the pandemic. However, when Universal Pictures advanced the release of The Croods: A New Age from December 23 to November 25, just five days after Soul hitting the screens, Pixar was prompt to apply the OTT strategy.
Strategies
Pixar is testing performances of its films on OTT, theaters
Pixar, like other studios, is also testing performances of its films on traditional theaters and OTT simultaneously. Onward released on March 6 but was shifted to Disney+ soon after. Meanwhile, Soul doesn't face the widespread price bump on the platform that Disney's Mulan did when it was launched on it in containment zones for a hefty price of $29.99 apart from the subscription cost.