Big things are happening with Blueynow that The Walt Disney Company has entered a partnership with Ludo. Although we can expect Bluey, Bingo, and all their friends to make their debut at the Disney Parks beginning this January, the big reveal was the announcement of a feature film inspired by our favorite cartoon dog.
While we still have a long while to wait until we even get our first trailer, as the film isn't slated to release until 2027, the fanbase has been predicting a Bluey movie for years. However, now that reality is setting in, it might be time to start thinking seriously about Bluey's future.
Is This Bluey's Big Break?
Very few cartoon characters have had quite the cultural impact that Bluey has had on our popular culture. Since 2018, the Australian animated series about a playful blue heeler puppy has taken the world by storm. With over 150 episodes, a collection of minisodes, and even a celebrity fanbase, Bluey has come a long way since "Magic Xylophone."
The idea of Bluey getting her own movie is only natural after such a successful career (largely thanks to her presence on Disney+), but could this film come with changes to the character and/or the show? The short answer is yes, but we need to unpack why to truly get to the meat of the matter.
After voraciously consuming the entirety of the series, here are some of this writer's personal takes on where the franchise is headed with and without the upcoming feature film.
For starters, we need to address the emu in the room. As many die-hard Bluey buffs already know, Bluey creator Joe Brumm made waves with his letter to the fanbase announcing that he was stepping away from the show to work on the film. While this might have some clutching their pearls, it also might be the next logical step for the series.
A project as beloved and successful as Bluey needs the right amount of attention to make it work the right way, so it makes perfect sense that Brumm would want to devote that time and energy to make the film a success. That said, he has also shared that the show will be in very capable hands, and fans can rest easy.
Another thing fans should be aware of is that we've already seen what a potential movie could look like. While Disney has shared that the new film will be CG-animated, it might also only be CG-enhanced.
Take a look at the episode "The Adventure" from season one. Notice how the presentation shifts whenever Bluey and Chloe are in the middle of their game of make-believe. While a small change, it's also incredibly noticeable, and it just might be a hint at Bluey's cinematic shift.
Lastly, the question on everyone's minds after all the big news might be, "Is this the end?" Considering Disney just entered a deal to bring the pups into the parks and aboard the cruise ships, that's obviously not the case. However, some fear a decrease in quality once the film has come and gone.
Fans can speculate until they're blue in the face, but the best thing they can do right now is wait and see. One comfort that they can keep in mind is that both Disney and Ludo have far too much invested in their partnership to risk losing such a large audience. Bluey's new movie might not come out until 2027, but that doesn't mean we don't have something to look forward to.
Fans can get their Bluey binge on by watching all 150 episodes on Disney+ and ABC iView.