Disney Accelerates 'Frozen 2' Streaming Debut Amid Coronavirus Outbreak
Disney is moving up the Disney+ release of "Frozen 2" to this Sunday, three months ahead of schedule, to entertain families stuck at home during the COVID-19 pandemic. The early release highlights the company's shift toward streaming as theatrical film premieres face indefinite delays.
Disney announces that it is releasing "Frozen 2" on Disney+ this Sunday, March 15, which is a full three months ahead of the previously scheduled streaming date. This accelerated timeline comes as Hollywood broadly pauses or cancels theatrical release schedules in response to the global COVID-19 outbreak. CEO Bob Chapek notes that the film's themes of family and perseverance are incredibly relevant right now for families staying at home.
While Disney pushes up this streaming release, the company simultaneously delays highly anticipated theatrical films like the live-action "Mulan," "The New Mutants," and "Antlers." Moving "Frozen 2" directly to homes makes perfect sense because Disney currently operates largely as a television, streaming, and gaming company rather than a traditional theatrical studio. This pivot reflects a broader industry shift as social distancing measures force movie theaters to close or significantly reduce capacity.
International audiences in Canada, the Netherlands, Australia, and New Zealand gain access to the film on Tuesday, March 17. U.S. subscribers are able to stream the movie on Sunday, although Ultra HD video playback is not available until Tuesday. This early release strategy also helps Disney fill its streaming catalog while the company reportedly navigates challenges in producing new original content for the platform.