Brisbane’s Ludo Studios and Bluey mastermind Joe Brumm are teaming up to make a feature-length film that will stream on Disney+ after its ‘cheese and crackers’ theatrical run.
The series that captured the hearts, imagination, and accents of children across the globe will make its theatrical debut in 2027.
‘Bluey,’ the beloved animated series set in a Queensland home was initially created for the ABC and has since exploded in popularity internationally. The ‘Heeler sisters’ Bingo and Bluey and their parents Bandit and Chilli, are now streamed in homes in more than 140 countries. In 2024, the show was the most-watched series globally on Disney+. In the US alone, 842 million hours of Bluey were watched between January and November this year.
Now, the iconic Australian series that premiered on television screens in 2018, is getting the Hollywood treatment.
“I want this to be an experiential event for the whole family to enjoy together,” says Bluey creator Joe Brumm. “I really enjoyed the experience of working with a longer format on ‘The Sign’ in Series 3, so going even further with a feature film feels like a natural extension of that. I’ve always thought ’Bluey’ deserved a theatrical movie.”
The 45-year-old writer and director confirmed that he will step away from the television version of the show while working on the animated feature. Ludo Studios, the Brisbane-headquartered animation company run by Daley Pearson and Charlie Aspinwall, will produce the film in conjunction with BBC Studios and Screen Australia.
“We’re excited to continue showing Queensland as a home for world-class talent and to share a new beautiful Bluey story by Joe Brumm with families around the world,” Pearson and Aspinwall say.
“Over the past eight years, we’ve had the privilege of working alongside an extraordinary team of more than fifty artists and producers whose talent, dedication, and creativity have shaped ’Bluey’ into the beloved series it is today. Their work has paved the way for this incredible opportunity to expand ’Bluey’’s world onto the big screen.”
The film’s storyline has not been disclosed, though Disney confirms it will ‘deliver the same charm and humour that made the television series a global phenomenon.’
LA-based Disney Entertainment co-chairs Alan Bergman and Dana Walden say the animated movie will continue the adventures of Bluey, a ‘loveable, inexhaustible,’ blue heeler dog and her family.’
“Since its debut on Disney Jr. and Disney+, ’Bluey’ has become a global phenomenon, uniting families everywhere with its heartfelt stories of play, imagination and connection,” Bergman and Walden state. “We are so proud to expand upon our relationship with BBC Studios to bring the magic of ‘Bluey’ to the big screen – for real life! – and we are deeply grateful to Joe Brumm for creating a world that continues to inspire and delight families everywhere.”
Bluey won a Peabody Award this year and has taken home Television Critics Association awards in 2023 and 2024. It has also claimed an International Emmy, multiple Logies, an Aria Music award, numerous Australian Directors Guild awards, and Critics Choice awards.
Look back on the week that was with hand-picked articles from Australia and around the world. Sign up to the Forbes Australia newsletter here or become a member here.
