A very Bluey movie as Joe Blumm steps back

BBC Studios and The Walt Disney Company have announced the first-ever animated feature film for Bluey as creator Joe Blumm steps back from the TV series.

The new deal sees Disney acquiring the global theatrical rights for the film, which will land in cinemas in 2027 followed by streaming on Disney+ in select markets.

The movie will also air on ABC iView and ABC Kids in Australia post-theatrical release.

Written and directed by creator Joe Brumm, the film is a Ludo Studio production in collaboration with BBC Studios.

The movie will continue the adventures of Bluey, a loveable, inexhaustible, blue heeler dog, who lives with her Mum, Dad and her little sister, Bingo.

But creator Joe Blumm also made an announcement to fans, “I’m writing this to share some Bluey news – some good, some trifficult. Let’s start with the good – after some time spent away from the series, working on another project, an old idea resurfaced and before I knew it, I’d written a Bluey feature script that I really love. Fast forward through a tonne of contracting and we’re about to embark on making an animated Bluey movie!

“Now, for the trifficult. I always said I wouldn’t keep making the show if I thought I couldn’t make any new season as good as the last. This would have been the case for me with a potential season four, so I’ve decided to take a break from my involvement in the TV series. In the event I can’t wrap my head around doing more seasons myself, The Sign will mark my TV finale for Bluey and I wrote it as such.”

“Bluey has completely changed my life. It’s been an immensely satisfying thing to be a part of, more than I can really put into words. To walk away from it while it’s at such a height will seem crazy to some but, for now, I am finding it difficult to reach back genuinely into that four to six year old world and write authentically.

“My Bluey crew and all the creative people in my life completely understand my decision. Working with that wonderful group of people has been the absolute highlight of my animation career and I hope Bluey on their CV is a badge of pride for them.

“To be clear, this is not an announcement about the end of the show, but it is an acknowledgment that my focus will be on the film.

“Thank you for taking this show into your homes, the whole experience has been an impossible experience to describe.”

Daley Pearson and Charlie Aspinwall, Co-Founders and Directors, Ludo Studio, said: “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. 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.”

Alan Bergman and Dana Walden, co-chairmen, Disney Entertainment, said: “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. 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.”

Tom Fussell, CEO, BBC Studios, said: “We are incredibly excited to take Bluey to cinemas given its extraordinary success on a global scale – it is some of the most popular IP in the world. It has been such a privilege to work with Joe and the team at Ludo on Bluey’s meteoric rise from inception through to becoming one of the most beloved TV shows of all time. BBC Studios has a long history of bringing the very best children’s television to the world in new and exciting ways, so working with Joe and the team, we felt a feature-length film was the natural next step. We are pleased to work with Disney on Bluey’s eagerly awaited theatrical debut and look forward to partnering with Dana, Alan, and the entire team on this momentous journey.”

The film will star vocal talent from the hit show including Melanie Zanetti and David McCormack as Bluey’s mum and dad, Chilli and Bandit Heeler, and music by composer Joff Bush.

The CG animated film will be produced by award-winning animation producer Amber Naismith (“Happy Feet,” “The Lego Movie,” “The Lego Batman Movie”) with Richard Jeffery returning to co-direct (“Bluey” Series 1-3), Joe Brumm is executive producer, with Charlie Aspinwall and Daley Pearson from Ludo Studio, alongside Justine Flynn for BBC Studios. For Disney, the film will be overseen by David Greenbaum, president of Disney Live Action and 20th Century Studios, and his team.

BBC Studios is financing and licensing the picture for distribution. Post-production funding is from the Australian government through the Producer Offset and Screen Australia, and support from the Queensland Government through Screen Queensland’s Post, Digital and Visual Effects Incentive.