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After finding massive success on Disney+, the animated hit Encanto is heading back to movie theaters over this coming Presidents’ Day Weekend.
Disney is putting Encanto back in theaters over this coming Presidents’ Day Weekend to celebrate its tremendous success. The film from Walt Disney Animation Studios originally had a 30-day exclusive run in cinemas starting in November, and while it was well-received by critics, it underperformed at the box office. Following its release on Disney+ on December 24, however, Encanto‘s fanbase has only continued to grow, making the movie one of the studio’s most popular in years.
Set in the titular, fictional location in Colombia, Encanto follows the Madrigal family, who have been blessed with a miracle that provides each new child with a magical power. Protagonist Mirabel (Stephanie Beatriz), as the only Madrigal not to have received a gift, notices signs that her family’s magic is at risk of fading, and takes it upon herself to investigate and save the Encanto. The film works on multiple levels for its fans, telling an emotionally involving story of familial trauma while also sporting beautiful animation and an enjoyably catchy soundtrack.
Now that Encanto has found its adoring audience, Disney is giving them another chance to see the movie on the big screen. In honor of its successful soundtrack and recent Academy Award nominations, the film from directors Jared Bush and Byron Howard is returning to movie theaters across the US over the coming holiday weekend. While Disney doesn’t provide information as to where exactly these screenings will take place or whether they will continue past Presidents’ Day, the studio promises an « expanded theatrical footprint, » and fans had best keep an eye on their local listings.
While it will be interesting to see if viewers are willing to leave the comfort of their homes to see Encanto again, the response from the general public certainly gives reason for hope. The soundtrack, which features songs from Lin-Manuel Miranda, climbed all the way to #1 on the Billboard 200, while standout hit « We Don’t Talk About Bruno » joined Aladdin‘s « A Whole New World » as the only Disney songs to top the US singles chart. On the back of this rising popularity, Encanto earned Oscar nominations for Best Animated Feature, Best Original Score, and Best Original Song, and has a strong chance of taking home at least one of these during the March ceremony.
Of course, even as fans celebrate this move, it is likely to reignite the discussion around Disney’s treatment of Pixar’s releases. While Disney Animation films such as Encanto and Raya and the Last Dragon have either hit theaters or been released on Disney+ Premier Access, which necessitates an extra one-time payment for subscribers to unlock, the upcoming Turning Red will join Soul and Luca in dropping exclusively on Disney+ for no added cost. If the Omicron wave has subsided enough for Disney to feel comfortable sending Encanto back to theaters, surely Pixar’s latest deserves its first opportunity to succeed in cinemas.
Source: Disney
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