'Onward' To Get an Early Digital Release on Disney Plus

Amidst the global coronavirus pandemic, multiple studios and platforms have decided to and are facilitating an early digital release of their recently theatrically released films or ones that may never sight the light of the day in theaters.

Disney has become the latest one to join this bandwagon as the studio and Pixar's animated film Onward starring Chris Pratt and Tom Holland in leading voice roles will be available to buy digitally and on Movies Anywhere for $19.99 beginning on Friday at 5 p.m. PT. It hits Disney Plus on April 3 in the U.S.

“While we’re looking forward to audiences enjoying our films on the big screen again soon, given the current circumstances, we are pleased to release this fun, adventurous film to digital platforms early for audiences to enjoy from the comfort of their homes,” said director Dan Scanlon and producer Kori Rae.

The exhibition industry is counting on home entertainment earnings to recover some of its losses as theaters go dark in the U.S. — joining China, South Korea, Italy, and other countries hit hard by the outbreak — productions shut down en masse and major tentpole releases are postponed.

Last weekend, Disney also debuted Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker a few days early on digital and launched Frozen 2 three months in advance of its planned bow on Disney Plus.