Many Pixar fans were excited at the thought of seeing Turning Red on the big screen, as it would have been the first of the studio’s films to be released in theaters since the pandemic started. However, Disney announced a change in plans as Turning Red is now a Disney+ exclusive.
This wouldn’t be the first time that a Pixar film went straight to Disney’s streaming service. Previously, “Soul” and “Luca” were released on Disney+ due to theaters being closed or an attempt to slow the spread. And unlike “Mulan,” “Raya and the Last Dragon, “Black Widow, and “Cruella,” the two Pixar titles launched for free at no extra cost to subscribers. This also makes “Turning Red” the third original Pixar title in a row to be released on Disney+.
“Disney+ subscribers around the world enthusiastically embraced Pixar’s Academy Award-winning ‘Soul’ and the critically-acclaimed “Luca” when they premiered exclusively on the service and we look forward to bringing them Pixar’s next incredible feature film ‘Turning Red’,” said Kareem Daniel, Chairman, Disney Media & Entertainment Distribution. “Given the delayed box office recovery, particularly for family films, flexibility remains at the core of our distribution decisions as we prioritize delivering the unparalleled content of The Walt Disney Company to audiences around the world.”
“Turning Red” marks the directorial debut of Domee Shi, the director of the Academy Award-winning short “Bao.” It is also the first film to be directed by a woman.
Here’s the official plot synopsis for “Turning Red:”
Disney and Pixar’s “Turning Red” introduces Mei Lee (voice of Rosalie Chiang), a confident, dorky 13-year-old torn between staying her mother’s dutiful daughter and the chaos of adolescence. Her protective, if not slightly overbearing mother, Ming (voice of Sandra Oh), is never far from her daughter—an unfortunate reality for the teenager. And as if changes to her interests, relationships and body weren’t enough, whenever she gets too excited (which is practically ALWAYS), she “poofs” into a giant red panda!
“Turning Red” features the voice cast of Rosalie Chiang, Sandra Oh, Ava Morse, Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, Hyein Park, Orion Lee, Wai Ching Ho and James Hong. It will also feature original songs for the fictional 4*Town boy band written by Grammy Award-winners singer-songwriters Billie Eilish and FINNEAS.
Directed by Academy Award® winner Domee Shi (Pixar short “Bao”) and produced by Lindsey Collins “Turning Red” releases on March 11, 2022.
