Disney decided to take a stand in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The company released a statement Monday night explaining that it won't be releasing its films there for the foreseeable future.
Disney said in a statement that they are pausing the release of theatrical films in Russia, including the upcoming Turning Red from Pixar. We are working with our NGOs to provide aid and assistance to refugees, given the scale of the crisis.
The movie was going to be released in Russia a day before it was released in the U.S. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness will be Disney's next theatrical release after that. Lightyear will follow in June, and then in July there will be Thor: Love andThunder.
Disney is the first studio to take such a stance in Russia. It is not a huge loss for the company. Variety says a big hit in Russia is usually a small percentage of what a film makes overseas. Spider-Man: No Way Home was a huge hit there, grossing over 45 million dollars. The film's total international gross to date is over $1 billion.
Money may or may not be made on future films, but the strong support of Ukraine it shows is more important than that. Nice work by Mickey Mouse.
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