by Thinus Ferreira
The year's most-watched show on Disney+ is becoming a film in 2027, with the animated kids series Bluey coming to the big screen in 2025 with its first theatrical release.
Disney and BBC Studios announced that 2024's number one series on streaming on Disney+ will become a film in 2027 under the Disney banner.
Following the global theatrical release, the Bluey movie will stream on Disney+.
The Bluey film, written and directed by Bluey creator Joe Brumm is a Ludo Studio production done with BBC Studios, and will bring the adventures of Bluey - a loveable, inexhaustible, blue heeler dog, who lives with her mum, dad and her little sister, Bingo - for the first time to cinemas.
The Bluey film will use the same vocal talent from the Australian series, including Melanie Zanetti and David McCormack as Bluey's mum and dad, Chilli and Bandit Heeler, as well as music created by Bluey composer Joff Bush.
Joe Brumm, says "I really enjoyed the experience of working with a longer format on the episode The Sign in season 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."
In a statement, announcing the film, Alan Bergman and Dana Walden, co-chairmen of Disney Entertainment, said "Since its debut on Disney Junior (DStv 309) and Disney+, Bluey has become a global phenomenon, uniting families everywhere with its heartfelt stories of play, imagination and connection".
"We are so proud to expand upon our relationship with BBC Studios to bring the magic of Bluey to the big screen – for real life! – and we are deeply grateful to Joe Brumm for creating a world that continues to inspire and delight families everywhere."
In the statement, Tom Fussell, BBC Studios CEO, 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".
"BBC Studios has a long history of bringing the very best children's television to the world in new and exciting ways, so working with Joe and the team, we felt a feature-length film was the natural next step."