The Walt Disney Company is making Frozen 2 available on Disney+ three months earlier than planned, it revealed Friday. The family film will be available on the platform beginning Sunday.
“Frozen 2 has captivated audiences around the world through its powerful themes of perseverance and the importance of family, messages that are incredibly relevant during this time, and we are pleased to be able to share this heartwarming story early with our Disney+ subscribers to enjoy at home on any device,” Disney CEO Bob Chapek said in a statement.
While the company did not specifically reference the coronavirus outbreak, which President Donald Trump on Friday declared a national emergency, it noted that Frozen 2 will be available for streaming early “for families during these challenging times.” Since the outbreak began spreading from Wuhan, China, it has caused over 5,300 deaths worldwide and affected over 144,000 people in 137 countries.
Thus far, Disney has adhered to the normal windowing schedule for its films, allowing them to have a full theatrical run and home video sales period before making them available on Disney+. That has meant that most films won’t be available on the streaming outlet until around seven months after their theatrical debut. Toy Story 4, for instance, was made available on Disney+ in late February. It was released in theaters June 21, 2019.
As the No. 1 animated movie of all time, Frozen 2 — the sequel to 2013’s Frozen — tells the story of Anna, Elsa, Kristoff, Olaf and Sven, who travel to an ancient enchanted forest to find the origin of Elsa’s powers. Kristen Bell and Idina Menzel lead the cast, which includes Josh Gad and Sterling K. Brown.
Frozen 2 joins the robust lineup of Disney+ content that includes blockbuster titles from Pixar, Marvel and more.
