Every Pixar movie and show coming to theaters and Disney+ in 2024
2023 was a relatively quiet year with Pixar. Coming of a turbulent 2022 which saw the studio release two films — Turning Red (straight to Disney+) and Lightyear (a box office bomb) — the beloved studio saw only one movie hit theaters in 2023: Elemental.
Elemental started off slow at the box office, but positive word of mouth resulted in long legs. It ended its box office run with a worldwide gross of $497 million. It was quite the turnaround for a movie that was considered dead int he water at release. It ultimately turned into a sleeper hit.
Now as we prepare to turn the calendar page and usher in the New Year, let's take a look at what's coming from Pixar in 2024.
Pixar is releasing a total of four movies in theaters, but there's a slight twist. Three of these movies have been out on Disney+ for months, Let's dive into the details.
Soul (Jan. 12, 2024)
Soul was originally scheduled to hit theaters on June 19, 2020, but its theatrical release was ultimately scrapped due to the pandemic and the movie was released directly to Disney+ on December 25, 2020. At the time, Disney was charging upwards of $30 for "Premier Access" to watch the movie. But it didn't do too well and it was made free for all subscribers shortly after.
I'm not sure how many people are now willing to pay money to see it in theaters, but Disney is doing the animators right by giving their movie the theatrical release it deserves. It does have a 95% on Rotten Tomatoes and an equally impressive 88% audience score, so those who have watched, have enjoyed it.
"Joe is a middle-school band teacher whose life hasn't quite gone the way he expected. His true passion is jazz -- and he's good. But when he travels to another realm to help someone find their passion, he soon discovers what it means to have soul.
"
Turning Red (February 9, 2024)
Another movie that was impacted by the pandemic, Turning Red was also a direct-to-Disney+ release, arriving on the streaming platform on March 11, 2022. Unlike Soul though, Disney did not charge an additional Premier Access fee.
Also unlike Soul, Turning Red found success on Disney+. It was streamed in 2.5 million U.S. households over its opening weekend, the most ever for a Disney+ original title. According to Nielsen, it was the second most-watched movie on U.S. streaming services in 2022, with 11.4 billion minutes viewed.
"A thirteen-year-old girl is torn between staying her mother's dutiful daughter and the changes of adolescence. And as if the challenges were not enough, whenever she gets overly excited she transforms into a giant red panda.
"
Turning Red has an even more impressive 95% on Rotten Tomatoes but just a 68% Audience Score.
Luca (March 22, 2024)
The third film on this list to get a theatrical release after COVID spoiled its initial premiere. Originally set to hit theaters on June 18, 2021, it was instead released on Disney+ in response to the pandemic. It also found success on streaming, becoming the most-watched streamed film of 2021 with over 10.6 billion minutes viewed.
Luca received solid review scores from critics and audiences alike. It sits at a 91% on Rotten Tomatoes with an 85% Audience Score.
Inside Out 2 (June 14, 2024)
And now we get to the only new Pixar film releasing in 2024, Inside Out 2. The 11-year-old Riley we first met nearly 10 years ago is now a teenager and she's got all sorts of new emotions going on.
Disney recently released the first trailer for Inside Out 2, introducing us Anxiety (voiced by Maya Hawke) and teasing other emotions like embarrassment, ennui and envy. Of course, some familiar emotions will be returning as well, including Joy (Amy Poehler), Sadness (Phylis Smith) and Anger (Lewis Black)
Win Or Lose (Disney+ In 2024)
Win or Lose, Pixar's first long-form original series, was supposed to arrive on Disney+ in December. But for some reason, it never came. There is speculation it could debut in Spring 2024. The series follows the intertwined stories of eight different characters part of a co-ed middle school softball team as they prepare for their championship softball game.
Monsters At Work: Season 2 (Disney+ in 2024)
Monsters at Work is an animated series based on the Monsters, Inc. movies. Season 1 debut ed in 2021, and now the second season is set to arrive at some point in 2024.