Disney is pausing the release of theatrical films in Russia, including Pixar's Turning Red. The Walt Disney Company issued a statement condemning Russia's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, which has resulted in a tragic humanitarian crisis that has seen one million refugees flee the wartorn country since the start of the war.
“Given the unprovoked invasion of Ukraine and the tragic humanitarian crisis, we are pausing the release of theatrical films in Russia, including the upcoming ‘Turning Red’ from Pixar,” The Walt Disney Company said in a statement in response to the crisis in Ukraine. “We will make future business decisions based on the evolving situation. In the meantime, given the scale of the emerging refugee crisis, we are working with our NGO partners to provide urgent aid and other humanitarian assistance to refugees.”
Pixar's Turning Red will be releasing directly on Disney+ in the United States on March 11. However, in countries where the streaming service is not yet available, like Russia, the plan was originally for it to release in theaters. Russia isn't typically a massive market for Disney in terms of the global box office, although the country did account for $45 million for Sony's Spider-Man: No Way Home.
Other upcoming Disney theatrical releases include Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness on May 5 and Lightyear on June 16. Joining Disney in pausing its theatrical releases in the region was Warner Bros. which announced shortly after Disney's statement that it would not be releasing The Batman in Russia. Netflix has also declined to carry Russian propaganda channels while U.K. media regular Ofcom is investigating news programs on the Russia-backed RT channel.