BBC Studios and The Walt Disney Company have announced the first-ever animated feature film for ‘Bluey’, the beloved Emmy and BAFTA Award-winning animated series that is 2024’s very popular series on streaming platforms.
The new deal sees Disney acquiring the global theatrical rights for the film, which will land in cinemas in 2027 under the Disney banner. Following the global theatrical release, it will stream on Disney+, an official statement put out by The Walt Disney Company stated.
Written and directed by ‘Bluey’ creator Joe Brumm, the film is a Ludo Studio production in collaboration with BBC Studios. Delivering the same charm and humour that made the television series a global phenomenon, the movie will continue the adventures of ‘Bluey’, a loveable, inexhaustible, blue heeler dog, who lives with her mum, dad and her little sister, Bingo.
Brumm, the creator of Bluey, said: “I really enjoyed the experience of working with a longer format on The Sign in Series 3, so going even further with a feature film feels like a natural extension of that. I’ve always thought Bluey deserved a theatrical movie. I want this to be an experiential event for the whole family to enjoy together. I’m excited to continue to partner with Cecilia Persson, Tom Fussell and the team at BBC Studios, and Dana Walden, Alan Bergman and Disney to bring this new Bluey story to the big screen.”
Tom Fussell, CEO, BBC Studios, said: “We are incredibly excited to take ‘Bluey’ to cinemas given its extraordinary success on a global scale – it is some of the most popular IP in the world. It has been such a privilege to work with Joe and the team at Ludo on Bluey’s meteoric rise from inception through to becoming one of the most beloved TV shows of all time.”
The film will feature vocal talent from the hit show including Melanie Zanetti and David McCormack as Bluey’s mum and dad, Chilli and Bandit Heeler, and music created by ‘Bluey’ composer Joff Bush.
The CG animated film will be produced by award-winning animation producer Amber Naismith with Richard Jeffery returning to co-direct (‘Bluey’ Series 1-3). Brumm is executive producer, with Charlie Aspinwall and Daley Pearson from Ludo Studio, alongside Justine Flynn for BBC Studios.
Disney will release the ‘Bluey’ movie in theaters worldwide, followed by streaming on Disney+. The movie will also air on ABC iView and ABC Kids in Australia post-theatrical release.
Available in over 140 countries, ‘Bluey’ is 2024’s most-watched series globally on Disney+, and the year’s No. 1 most-watched series on streaming to date through November among total viewers in the U.S., with more than 50.5 billion minutes watched (842 million hours, as per Nielsen data.