Us Again: New animated short to accompany Raya and the Last Dragon

Last Updated on August 5, 2021

Us Again, a vibrant and original new theatrical animated short from director Zach Parrish that brings together dance, music, emotional storytelling, and inspired animation, is set to debut exclusively in theaters worldwide beginning on March 5, alongside Raya and the Last Dragon. Us Again is Disney Animation’s first new theatrical short since the 2016 release of Inner Workings, which accompanied Moana on the big screen. In addition to its theatrical debut, Us Again will make its way to Disney+ in June.

Per Walt Disney Animation's official press release:

Parrish is an eleven-year veteran of Disney Animation who served as head of animation on Big Hero 6 and director of the Short Circuit film, Puddles, in addition to his numerous animation credits on features for the Studio.  Award-winning choreographers/dancers Keoneand Mari (featured performers on World of Dance, and renowned for their collaborations with such top talents as Justin Bieber and Billie Eilish), and acclaimed composer Pinar Toprak (Captain Marvel) brought their unique talents to this experimental and musical fantasy. The film is produced by Brad Simonsen (associate producer on Big Hero 6, Zootopia, and Ralph Breaks the Internet), and executive produced by Jennifer Lee, the chief creative officer for Walt Disney Animation Studios.

In talking about Us Again being shared with audiences, WDAS President Clark Spencer said, “We’re thrilled to be premiering our first new theatrical short in five years, ‘Us Again,’ exclusively on the big screen alongside our incredible new feature, ‘Raya and the Last Dragon.’ Zach has tapped into elements from his personal life and collaborated with the very best in the world of dance and music to create this very special film.  We are so proud of what they have accomplished and look forward to sharing it with movie theater goers in March, and then in June on Disney Plus.”

Lee added, “One of my priorities has been to bring back theatrical animated shorts and to give artists at our Studio an opportunity to explore new ideas.  ‘Us Again’ has so much spirit and energy, and pushes the boundaries of our short-form storytelling.”

Us Again is set in a vibrant city pulsating with rhythm and movement and tells of an elderly man and his young-at-heart wife who rekindle their youthful passion for life and each other on one magical night.  The years fade away as the joy of dancing propels them across the exciting cityscape of their youth and revives fond memories and ambitions.  Us Again is told entirely without dialogue and set to an original funk and soul musical score reminiscent of the mid-60s.

“Working with Keone and Mari was the key to making this film work,” recalls Parrish.  “From the very beginning, I knew that I wanted this film to be music-driven.  And I felt that dance is a universal language that can translate into any culture.  I loved that their dance style felt like it was made for animation and that there was this genuine, honest and organic connection between them because they were actually a married couple in real life.  The story itself was inspired by my own grandparents, who faced getting older in different ways, along with my own physical limitations in playing sports resulting from getting older and injuries.  I started thinking about how someone might look at the world differently as things change and they grow older.”

If anyone can convey the beauty of our universal love language, dance, it's Disney. I always look forward to the studio's emotionally-driven and meticulously-crafted short films, and Us Again sounds like it's going to be one for the books.

You can get a full look at the art for Us Again below: