Soul will skip theaters and debut on Disney+ on December 25th

Here we go again. Just about every film that was scheduled to debut this year has been pushed back, while others have debuted on a streaming service, and it seems that SOUL will be one of the latter. The Walt Disney Company announced today that SOUL will now debut exclusively on the Disney+ streaming service on December 25, 2020. "We are thrilled to share Pixar’s spectacular and moving ‘Soul’ with audiences direct to Disney+ in December," said Bob Chapek, Chief Executive Officer, The Walt Disney Company. "A new original Pixar film is always a special occasion, and this truly heartwarming and humorous story about human connection and finding one’s place in the world will be a treat for families to enjoy together this holiday season." In international markets where Disney+ isn't available, SOUL will still be released in theaters, but those dates haven't yet been announced.

SOUL was originally slated to hit theaters on November 20th, but there had been rumblings that Disney might shift the animated film to Disney+ rather than delaying its release into the new year. While it's a shame that most won't get to see SOUL on the big-screen, it is nice to know that audiences will have another Pixar flick to tug on their heartstrings this holiday season. "The world can be an exhausting and frustrating place – but it’s also full of unexpected joys, even in seemingly mundane things," said SOUL director Pete Docter. "'Soul' investigates what’s really important in our lives, a question we’re all asking these days. I hope it will bring some humor and fun to people at a time when everyone can surely use that." Disney did something similar with MULAN earlier this year, which also debuted on Disney+, but for an additional price of $29.99 on top of your existing subscription. However, it seems like SOUL will be available to all Disney+ subscribers at no extra charge.

The official synopsis for SOUL:

What is it that makes you…YOU? Pixar Animation Studios’ “Soul” introduces Joe Gardner (voice of Jamie Foxx) – a middle-school band teacher who gets the chance of a lifetime to play at the best jazz club in town. But one small misstep takes him from the streets of New York City to The Great Before – a fantastical place where new souls get their personalities, quirks and interests before they go to Earth. Determined to return to his life, Joe teams up with a precocious soul, 22 (voice of Tina Fey), who has never understood the appeal of the human experience. As Joe desperately tries to show 22 what’s great about living, he may just discover the answers to some of life’s most important questions.

SOUL will debut on Disney+ on December 25, 2020.