Pixar’s ‘Soul’ will skip theaters, be available for Christmas streaming

Animated film will premiere on Disney+ in the U.S.

As the coronavirus pandemic continues, the Walt Disney Company on Thursday announced that Pixar’s next feature film — “Soul” — will skip theaters and debut exclusively on Disney+ in time for Christmas.

The animated family movie — originally scheduled for a June theatrical release and then moved to Nov. 20 — will now drop Dec. 25 on the streaming service. And unlike “Mulan,” which premiered on Disney+ for a premium $30 fee, “Soul” will be available to subscribers at no extra cost.

“We are thrilled to share Pixar’s spectacular and moving ‘Soul’ with audiences direct to Disney+ in December,” said Bob Chapek, chief executive officer of The Walt Disney Company, in a media release. “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.”

In international markets where Disney+ isn’t available, “Soul” will be released theatrically on a yet-to-be determined date.

The news comes days after movie theater operator Cineworld, which operates Regal theaters in the U.S., reported plans to temporarily shutter all 536 locations, citing the “challenging theatrical landscape.” Meanwhile, AMC and Cinemark said they don’t intend to close any U.S. venues, according to Variety.

“Soul” is the latest movie to change its theatrical plans due to the ongoing pandemic, joining the likes of “Dune” and the James Bond film “No Time to Die,” both of which were delayed until next year.

Produced at Pixar’s Emeryville studios and co-directed by Pete Docter (“Monsters Inc.,” “Up”) and Kemp Powers (screenwriter for “One Night in Miami”), “Soul” follows a middle-school music teacher (voiced by Jamie Foxx) who dreams of being a jazz performer. But before his big break, he gets in an accident that causes his soul to be separated from his body. He then teams up with a character (Tina Fey) to return his soul back to his body on Earth before it’s too late as various trials ensue.

Oakland native Daveed Diggs also has a voice role in the film, along with Phylicia Rashad, Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson and Angela Bassett.

Said Docter, “… ‘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.”