Disney will have the global theatrical rights for the film, while BBC Studios will finance and license the picture for distribution.
BBC Studios and The Walt Disney Company will produce the first-ever animated feature film for Bluey, the Emmy and BAFTA Award-winning animated series that is 2024’s No. 1 series on streaming.
Under the new deal, Disney will acquire the global theatrical rights for the film, expected to be released in cinemas in 2027 under the Disney banner. BBC Studios is financing and licensing the picture for distribution. The film is being supported by the Australian government through the Producer Offset and Screen Australia, and the Queensland Government through Screen Queensland’s Post, Digital and Visual Effects Incentive. Following the global theatrical release, it will stream on Disney+, and also air on ABC iview and ABC Kids in Australia post-theatrical release.
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 humor that made the television series a global phenomenon, the movie will continue the adventures of Bluey, a lovable, inexhaustible blue heeler dog, who lives with her mum, dad, and her little sister, Bingo.
Commenting on the development, Joe Brumm, 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.
The film will star 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 (Happy Feet, The Lego Movie, The Lego Batman Movie) with Richard Jeffery returning to co-direct (Bluey Series 1-3). Joe Brumm is executive producer, with Charlie Aspinwall and Daley Pearson from Ludo Studio, alongside Justine Flynn for BBC Studios. For Disney, the film will be overseen by David Greenbaum, president of Disney Live Action and 20th Century Studios, and his team.
