Fresh from its run in theaters, Disney’s latest animated featureStrange Worldwill arrive on Disney+ in time for holiday viewing. The CG adventure will debut on the streaming service on December 23. The quick turnaround of the film, which was released in theaters over the American Thanksgiving weekend, follows a recent trend of a shrinking window between theatrical and streaming releases. Disney’s animated features have been one of the most prominent examples of this trend; some, likeEncanto, were released to theaters a month after their theatrical debut, and others, likeTurning Red, skipped a theatrical release entirely.
Some of the shift can be attributed to the lingering effects of the pandemic, but it may herald a permanent shift in the movie-making business. Complicating matters,Strange Worlddisappointed at the box officedespite largely-favorable reviews.Strange World’s financial failure only highlighted the turmoil within the company, which came to a head with the ejection of CEOBob Chapekand the reinstatement of his predecessor,Bob Iger. Reported to have a budget of $180 million, the film will surely end up in the red, although its theatrical run has yet to conclude.
Strange Worldfeatures the voices ofJake Gyllenhaal,Gabrielle Union,Dennis Quaid, andJaboukie Young-Whiteas the Clades, a family of adventurers who venture into a mysterious, surreal world where they encounter bizarre creatures and an existential threat to their way of life;Lucy Liu,Karan Soni, andAlan Tudykalso star. A departure from Disney’s staple animated comedies,Strange Worldis an adventure story, inspired by the novels of Jules Verne and ’30s pulp magazines. The company ventured into the realm of pulpy, throwback adventures in the early years of the 21st century, with the tonally-similarAtlantis: The Lost EmpireandTreasure Planet, both of which also were financially unsuccessful.
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Directed byDon HallandQui Nguyen,Strange Worldwas produced byRoy Conliand executive produced byJennifer Lee. Nguyen also wrote the film’s script. Disney veteranHenry Jackmancomposed the score.
Strange Worldwill hit streaming on December 23, but is still in theaters. Stay tuned to Collider for future updates.
