Pixar’s “Soul” Gets New Trailer and Release Date

Before the pandemic took over our lives, Soul looked like it would be one of the brightest spots in a summer filled again with loud blockbusters and unnecessary sequels. But then it got pushed to Thanksgiving, and then it quickly became apparent even that wouldn't be a viable release date. So now Disney has shifted its other big animated release to Christmas Day. But you won't have to venture out to a theater or pay $30 to see it at home. It will be available exclusively for Disney+ subscribers at no extra cost.

Hailing from Pete Docter (my favorite Pixar director), this feels closer to Inside Out than Disney's Frozen II. Jamie Foxx voices Joe, a jazz musician and teacher whose soul separates from his body. That soul goes on a journey to be reunited, and learn what life and death is all about. Joining him on this quest is 22, voiced by Tina Fey. There will be plenty of heavy concepts, but just like Inside Out, they will be handled with colorful vistas, heartfelt storytelling, and memorable characters. The voice cast also includes Phylicia Rashad, Daveed Diggs, and Angela Bassett.

Music will unsurprisingly play a big role here, with jazz numbers arranged by Late Show bandleader Jon Batiste, and an original score by Oscar winners Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross. This marks the first animated film for the duo, whose music is typically pretty ominous. They may find themselves competing against themselves at the Oscars, as they've also done the score for David Fincher's Mank.

Soul will premiere exclusively on Disney+ on Friday, December 25.

About Kip Mooney

Like many film critics born during and after the 1980s, my hero is Roger Ebert. The man was already the best critic in the nation when he won the Pulitzer in 1975, but his indomitable spirit during and after his recent battle with cancer keeps me coming back to read not only his reviews but his insightful commentary on the everyday. But enough about a guy you know a lot about. I knew I was going to be a film critic—some would say a snob—in middle school, when I had to voraciously defend my position that The Royal Tenenbaums was only a million times better than Adam Sandler’s remake of Mr. Deeds. From then on, I would seek out Wes Anderson’s films and avoid Sandler’s like the plague. Still, I like to think of myself as a populist, and I’ll be just as likely to see the next superhero movie as the next Sundance sensation. The thing I most deplore in a movie is laziness. I’d much rather see movies with big ambitions try and fail than movies with no ambitions succeed at simply existing. I’m also a big advocate of fun-bad movies like The Room and most of Nicolas Cage’s work. In the past, I’ve written for The Dallas Morning News and the North Texas Daily, which I edited for a semester. I also contributed to Dallas-based Pegasus News, which in the circle of life, is now part of The Dallas Morning News, where I got my big break in 2007. Eventually, I’d love to write and talk about film full-time, but until that’s a viable career option, I work as an auditor for Wells Fargo. I hope to one day meet my hero, go to the Toronto International Film Festival, and compete on Jeopardy. Until then, I’m excited to share my love of film with you.