In a move that is sure to set the nerves of cinema chains jangling once again, Disney has used Thursday's investor event to announce that its next animated adventure, Raya And The Last Dragon will debut on Disney+ via its additional charge Premier Access tier on the same day as big screens.
While Disney has only said that this applies to one film so far – unlike Warner Bros.' recent announcement that it will put its entire 2021 schedule on HBO Max/other streaming services on the same day as cinemas – between Mulan and now Raya, you can see where this might lead. Disney is playing coy on that matter – saying only that it is evaluating options based on the marketplace. Which is to say, the company is figuring out how many films might see the same treatment depending on pandemic conditions.
Raya And The Last Dragon is set in the fantastical kingdom of Kumandra, home to an ancient civilization that venerated dragons for their power and their wisdom. The land's people are made up of five clans, but they're under threat since dragons are long gone and a dark, sinister force has invaded. So Raya (Cassie Steele) is on a mission to find the last dragon, a creature she believes has the power to save her world. What she finds is the quirky dragon Sisu, a white, pink and teal dragon (Awkwafina) who also appears in human form.
It'll land in the US on March 5, where it'll play in whatever cinemas are open and be available to watch on Disney+ for $30 in addition to the regular subscription fee. The UK release is set for 5 March, and we can expect a similar £20 deal as that for Mulan.