Lightyear may have flopped in theaters, but the latest Pixar film will now find a larger audience at home on Disney+. The blockbuster origin story and spinoff of the Toy Story franchise is now available to watch for free on the streaming service.
Lightyear arrived in June with high expectations as Pixar's first movie to release in theaters since the pandemic. With it also being a family-friendly, summer feature, there were hopes it would blast to infinity and beyond. But the movie failed to attract audiences, earning just $213 million worldwide against a $200 million production budget.
Despite its crashed landing at the box office, Lightyear actually received positive reviews from both critics and audiences. With it now being free on Disney+, it can truly soar to infinity and beyond and reach an even broader audience of families.
When it was announced that Lightyear would be headed to Disney+, director Angus MacLane offered a statement of excitement to share the film with as many people as possible.
"'Lightyear' looks amazing on the big screen, of course, but we are so excited to bring it to Disney+. We devoted years of our lives to this film and we are so proud of it. We want to share it with as many people as possible. Disney+ not only gives more fans an opportunity to see 'Lightyear,' it gives us all the means to see it again and again."
Lightyear stars Chris Evans and Keke Palmer shared the following message, announcing the movie's arrival on Disney+.
Evans, of course, is the voice of Buzz Lightyear, the titular space ranger, while Keke Palmer is the voice of Junior Zap Patrol's Izzy Hawthorne. The movie also features Uzo Aduba as Buzz's commander and best friend Alisha Hawthorne and Peter Sohn as Sox, Buzz's adorable mechanical feline companion.
Lightyear is the origin story of Buzz Lightyear, the legendary Space Ranger and hero who inspired the action figure seen in the Toy Story franchise (the one voiced by Tim Allen). Here's the official synopsis:
Lightyear follows the legendary Space Ranger after he's marooned on a hostile planet 4.2 million light-years from Earth alongside his commander and their crew. As Buzz tries to find a way back home through space and time, he's joined by a group of ambitious recruits and his charming robot companion cat, Sox. Complicating matters and threatening the mission is the arrival of Zurg, an imposing presence with an army of ruthless robots and a mysterious agenda.
Blast off with Buzz and company in Pixar's Lightyear, now streaming on Disney+.