Pixar's latest film, , is skipping cinemas and heading straight to Disney+ this Christmas. Scheduled for digital release on Dec. 25, the movie stars Jamie Foxx as Joe Gardner.
The animated flick, initially slated as a summer tentpole, was delayed from June to November. Recent news of more than 660 theaters closing in the US and UK, however, likely pushed Disney to debut its family-friendly film through its streaming service instead.
Unlike the studio's live-action remake of , which followed a similar straight-to-streaming journey (and charged viewers an extra $30 along the way), will be available at no extra charge to Disney+ subscribers, according to Variety.
"We are thrilled to share Pixar's spectacular and moving with audiences direct to Disney+ in December," The Walt Disney Company 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."
, directed and co-written by Pete Docter (, ), also features Roots drummer Questlove, Phylicia Rashad (), Daveed Diggs (), Angela Bassett (), Richard Ayoade (), musician Cody Chesnutt, and, of course, John Ratzenberger.
"The world can be an exhausting and frustrating place—but it's also full of unexpected joys, even in seemingly mundane things," Docter said in a statement shared by . " 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."
joins a number of films rescheduled for digital release, including Tom Hanks' World War II naval drama , streaming now on Apple TV+, as well as and , hitting Netflix on Oct. 16 and HBO Max on Oct. 22, respectively.