#FIRSTLOOK: “BLUEY” ANIMATED FEATURE IN DEVELOPMENT

BBC Studios and The Walt Disney Company today announced the first-ever animated feature film for “Bluey,” the beloved Emmy® and BAFTA Award-winning animated series. The new deal sees Disney acquiring the global theatrical rights for the film, which will land in cinemas in 2027 under the Disney banner. Following the global theatrical release, it will stream on Disney+.

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 humour that made the television series a global phenomenon, the movie will continue the adventures of Bluey, a loveable, inexhaustible, blue heeler dog, who lives with her Mum, Dad and her little sister, Bingo.

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.”

Alan Bergman and Dana Walden, co-chairmen, Disney Entertainment, said: “Since its debut on Disney Jr. 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.”

Tom Fussell, CEO, BBC Studios, 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. It has been such a privilege to work with Joe and the team at Ludo on ‘Bluey’’s meteoric rise from inception through to becoming one of the most beloved TV shows of all time. 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. We are pleased to work with Disney on ‘Bluey’’s eagerly awaited theatrical debut and look forward to partnering with Dana, Alan, and the entire team on this momentous journey.”

Daley Pearson and Charlie Aspinwall, Co-Founders and Directors, Ludo Studio, said: “Over the past eight years, we’ve had the privilege of working alongside an extraordinary team of more than fifty artists and producers whose talent, dedication, and creativity have shaped ‘Bluey’ into the beloved series it is today. Their work has paved the way for this incredible opportunity to expand ‘Bluey’’s world onto the big screen. We’re excited to continue showing Queensland as a home for world-class talent and to share a new beautiful ‘Bluey’ story by Joe Brumm with families around the world.”

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.

BBC Studios is financing and licensing the picture for distribution. Post-production funding is from the Australian government through the Producer Offset and Screen Australia, and support from the Queensland Government through Screen Queensland’s Post, Digital and Visual Effects Incentive.

Disney will release the “Bluey” movie in theatres worldwide, followed by streaming on Disney+. The movie will also air on ABC iView and ABC Kids in Australia post-theatrical release.

Available in over 140 countries, “Bluey” is 2024’s most-watched series globally on Disney+. “Bluey” is also the No. 1 kids show on CBeebies and Disney+ in the UK. The show has also garnered numerous awards, including a 2024 Peabody Award and back-to-back Television Critics Association Awards in 2023 and 2024.

#FIRSTLOOK: SIX NEW “BLUEY” MINI EPISODES COMING TO DISNEY+

Six new “Bluey Minisodes” will be premiering on December 9, 2024 on Disney+. This third batch of “Bluey Minisodes” rounds out the collection of 20 and will feature Bluey’s dreamhouse, a robot Bingo, and a sweet story with Bluey and Honey.

Additional details below:

-Six new “Bluey Minisodes” will begin streaming Monday, December 9 on Disney+ at 12:00 a.m. PST / 3:00 a.m. EST, and will roll out on Disney Jr., Disney Channel and Disney Jr. On Demand throughout the week.
-“Bluey Minisodes” are a series of one-to three-minute funny and sweet moments featuring Bluey and Bingo. The first batch was released on July 3 followed by the second batch on October 7. The stories lean into playful interactions and games that further explore the characters and world of “Bluey.”

The six new “Bluey Minisodes” premiering on December 9 include:
-“Strong Potion” – Bingo has taken a magic strength potion, so she can lift Dad about with ease.
-“Robo Bingo” – Mum attempts to get Robo Bingo to clean its teeth with very specific instructions.
-“Butlers” – In Bluey’s dreamhouse, Monty onboards a new butler. He takes him through the house that Jerry Lee has designed to help the ladies of the manor live a life of complete ease.
-“Where’s Bingo?” – Dad just can’t find Bingo anywhere and no one can help, but it turns out she’s just been on his shoulders the whole time.
-“Goldilocks” – A retelling of Goldilocks and the three bears from the bears’ point of view.
“Alongside” – Bluey and Honey go about their separate days until luck brings them together momentarily. A short story about the power of friendship.
-“Bluey Minisodes” is written by “Bluey” creator Joe Brumm and produced by Ludo Studio.

The series follows Bluey, a lovable and inexhaustible blue heeler dog who lives with her Mum, Dad and little sister, Bingo.

“Bluey” is produced by the multiple Emmy® Award-winning Ludo Studio for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and BBC Studios Kids & Family, the series airs and streams to Canadian and global audiences (outside of Australia, New Zealand and China) across Disney Channel, Disney Jr. and Disney+ through a global broadcasting deal between BBC Studios Kids & Family and Disney Branded Television.

#FIRSTLOOK: “BLUEY” SPECIAL “THE SIGN” DEBUTING ON DISNEY+

Disney Branded Television, BBC Studios Kids & Family and Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) have announced that the next installments of“Bluey,” including an extended length special, will premiere this April, marking the series’ first global rollout. The first new episode, “Ghostbasket,” will premiere on Sunday, April 7, teeing up the debut of the 28-minute special, “The Sign,” premiering a week later on Sunday, April 14. Both episodes will air first via ABC Kids in Australia and then roll out globally the same day across Disney+, Disney Junior and Disney Channel in Canada and all other available regions (with the exception of China and New Zealand).

“The Sign”marks “Bluey’s” longest ever episode. “Ghostbasket” is a standard-length episode. Both episodes are penned by series creator and writer Joe Brumm, directed by Richard Jeffery, and produced by Ludo Studio. Ten new episodes of the series premiered on Disney+ in January and will begin rolling out on Disney Channel and Disney Junior beginning March 25 – April 5.

Since launching in Australia in 2018, “Bluey” has gained millions of fans around the world, widely lauded for its heartfelt and funny portrayal of family life and celebration of play. The series follows Bluey, a loveable and inexhaustible Blue Heeler dog who lives with her Mum, Dad and little sister, Bingo.

A global ratings hit, the critically acclaimed serieshas been recognized with numerous awards, including a fifth consecutive AACTA Best Children’s Programme award, International Kids Emmy^® Award, the Television Critics Association Award, BAFTA Children & Young People Awards, Kidscreen Awards, Critics’ Choice Award nominations and many more.

Jointly commissioned by ABC Children’s and BBC Studios Kids & Family, “Bluey”is created and written by Joe Brumm and produced by the multiple Emmy Award-winning Ludo Studio in association with Screen Queensland and Screen Australia. The series streams to Canadian and global audiences (outside of Australia, New Zealand and China) across Disney Channel, Disney Junior and Disney+ through a global broadcasting deal between BBC Studios Kids & Family and Disney Branded Television.

#FIRSTLOOK: “BLUEY” COMING TO DISNEY+

FOR REAL LIFE! Ten all-new episodes of Bluey will premiere this Friday, January 12, 2024 on Disney+ in Canada.

A fan favourite amongst kids and families, Bluey has garnered multiple awards including the International Kids Emmy Awards, a Television Critics Association Award, BAFTA Children & Young People Awards, and is nominated for a Critics Choice Award at this weekend’s ceremony.

BLUEY features the loveable and inexhaustible Blue Heeler dog Bluey, who lives with her Mum, Dad and little sister Bingo. In these new episodes, Bluey showcases the joyful simplicity that can be found in families turning everyday events of family life – like making a cubby house (blanket fort) or a trip to the beach – into unique adventures that bring to life how children learn and grow through play.

Following the January Disney+ premiere, the new episodes will air on Disney Channel and Disney Junior in territories around the world later in 2024.

Also later in 2024, Disney+ viewers have even more new Bluey to look forward to, when the previously announced first-ever Bluey special, “The Sign,” premieres on ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) in Australia and globally on Disney+.

New and returning customers looking to enjoy Disney+ Canada’s latest content can subscribe to the Standard with Ads plan for $7.99/month by visiting www.disneyplus.com.