The Walt Disney Company announced Monday that it is delaying the distribution of theatrical films in Russia, including the upcoming Pixar Animation Studios feature “Turning Red,” due to the “unprovoked invasion of Ukraine and the horrific humanitarian crisis.”
In response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Disney is said to be the first major Hollywood studio to halt theatrical releases in Russia.
In a statement, Disney added, “We will make future business decisions based on the unfolding situation.” “In the interim, we’re working with our NGO partners to provide urgent aid and other humanitarian support, given the size of the rising refugee crisis.”
The Ukrainian Film Academy launched an online petition over the weekend calling for an international boycott of Russian cinema and the Russian film industry in the aftermath of the invasion.
Turning Red was supposed to be released on March 10 in Russia, which has been a hotbed for recent Hollywood blockbusters including Sony’s Spider-Man: No Way Home. So far, the picture has grossed more than $44.5 million in the United States. Other Disney films set for release in Russia include Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (May 5) and Lightyear (June 16).
WarnerMedia dropped The Batman from its forthcoming release in Russia after the initial publication of this story, as studio executives throughout Hollywood debated whether to pull their upcoming films from Russia. In the early evening hours of Monday, Sony followed suit, announcing that Jared Leto’s Morbius would not be released in Russia in late March.
“How would we go ahead and release our movies there if the US and its allies want to cut Russia off from the rest of the world?” one studio executive told THR over the weekend. “How can anyone advertise their movies on state-owned media in Russia right now?” another executive added. The European Union’s decision to expel Russia from the global banking system SWIFT over the weekend is likely to have an impact on Hollywood studios. Studios may not be able to obtain any money back from their Russian distribution partners if SWIFT is not used.
The Motion Picture Association released its first statement about the invasion on Monday evening.