Disney is making a splash for its 100th anniversary by re-releasing eight classic films in theaters. Among these films are three beloved Pixar picks: “Toy Story,” “The Incredibles,” and “Coco.” While these films have already had their fair share of theatrical screenings, it seems like Disney missed an opportunity to highlight other deserving Pixar titles like “Soul,” “Turning Red,” and “Luca.” These three films were sent straight to Disney+ instead of receiving wide theatrical releases, which has left many questioning Disney’s motives.
“Soul” is a groundbreaking film that won the best animated feature and best original score at the 93rd Academy Awards. It follows the story of Joe, a school teacher with dreams of becoming a jazz player. It’s disappointing that a film with such accolades and featuring Pixar’s first Black lead didn’t get a major theatrical release. Instead, it was released on Disney+ in December 2020.
“Turning Red” is another film that deserved a chance in theaters. It tells the story of Mei, an adolescent who transforms into a red panda as a metaphor for puberty. The film had a successful weekend premiere on Disney+, demonstrating its potential to draw audiences.
“Luca” is a heartwarming tale of friendship between two sea monster boys, which many interpreted as a queer coming-of-age story. Director Enrico Casarosa revealed that the leads were initially considered to be gay but ultimately focused on their friendship. This film, too, was sent straight to Disney+.
It feels exploitative and disingenuous for Disney to create diverse films featuring female and ethnic characters only to sideline them on Disney+. Pixar movies were once major theatrical events, but now they are treated as B-level straight-to-streaming releases. “Turning Red,” “Luca,” and “Soul” deserved better treatment.
On the other hand, it’s understandable from a business perspective why Disney chose to re-release familiar hits. The studio’s box office has been struggling this year, and re-releasing classics is an easy way to generate revenue. Films like “Toy Story,” “The Incredibles,” and “Coco” have proven to be highly successful in the past, making them safe choices to attract audiences.
Disney’s decision to re-release other films like “Beauty and the Beast,” “Frozen,” “Pirates of the Caribbean,” “The Lion King,” and “Moana” further showcases their risk-averse approach. These films have already had multiple home entertainment releases and are known to be successful.
While it would have been nice to see “Luca,” “Turning Red,” and “Soul” get their chance on the big screen, it’s understandable that Disney prioritizes their bottom line. Releasing these films in theaters would have been a gamble, and with their availability on Disney+, the box office outcome is uncertain. Nonetheless, it would have been a meaningful way to celebrate Pixar and give these films the recognition they deserve.
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