Ready to check out Pixar’s ‘Soul’? Here’s where to watch the 2020 film

Soul, Disney Pixar’s much-anticipated animated adventure was due to get a theatrical release in the summer of 2020. However, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the studio nixed its original decision and chose to go the digital route. 

The movie is directed by Pete Docter who has previously helmed Pixar gems like Monsters, Inc., Up, and Inside Out. 

“The world can be an exhausting and frustrating place but it’s also full of unexpected joys, even in seemingly mundane things,” said Docter in a statement describing Soul per USA Today. “Soul investigates what’s really important in our lives, a question we’re all asking these days. I hope it will bring some humor and fun to people at a time when everyone can surely use that,” he added. 

A philosophical message encased in a blanket of humor? Sign us up! Here are all the details you will need to catch this feel-good movie.

Soulful chronicle

Soul follows the story of Joe Gardner, a middle school music teacher who loves jazz and dreams of one day performing before jazz music elites, finally getting the recognition he deserves. After years of pining for an opportunity to perform onstage, Joe finally receives his big break when he impresses the peeps at the Half Note Club during an open mic. 

But as you may have guessed, assuming it’s smooth sailing from here, is wishful thinking. An untimely accident forces Joe’s soul to separate from his body and travel back to the You Seminar, a celestial academy for soul training. There Joe meets other souls-in-training who help him rummage his way back to Earth before his body dies. 

The creator behind Soul told Entertainment Weekly, “Joe’s adventure will make him think again about what it truly means to have soul”. 

Powerhouse cast

With powerhouse voices from Jamie Foxx & Tina Fey, Soul will take you on a jazzy ride to the heart of the cosmos. Joining Foxx & Fey in the cast are Phylicia Rashad who will play Joe’s mother, Questlove as Curly the drummer in Joe’s band, and Daveed Diggs as Joe’s neighborhood nemesis.

Along with the star-studded cast, Soul will feature the Nine Inch Nails duo Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross who will compose the score, while “Late Night With Stephen Colbert” bandleader & musical director Jon Batiste will pen the original jazz compositions for the movie.

Rave reviews

Soul has received positive reviews from critics and currently has a score of 100% on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics applauded the movie for “its beautiful animation and soundtrack”.

Screenrant dubbed Soul as “Pixar’s finest or most resonant film”, while Screencrush called it Docter’s “most ambitious effort yet”. 

Where to watch?

Soul didn’t get a nod from the production house for either the summer release or the Thanksgiving bow. Though, after much speculation, Disney announced Soul will debut exclusively on the Disney+ platform on December 25, 2020. Here are all the ways you can stream Pixar’s soulful masterpiece.

Disney+

Soul will be available for all sixty million+ subscribers on Disney’s direct-to-consumer streaming platform on Christmas Day 2020 with no extra fees.

Earlier Disney charged $30 for “Premier Access” to stream the live-action remake Mulan which was released on September 4th, 2020. This move was met by public scrutiny after Warner Bros sanctioned the release of their future films without any extra cost on HBO Max. 

You can get the Disney+ memberships for either $6.99 per month or $69.99 per year. 

Disney Plus, ESPN+, and Hulu bundle

You can also sign up for the Disney Plus bundle which includes Hulu (basic version) and ESPN+ to stream all the Disney+ catalog including Soul. This package will cost $12.99 a month.

Disney+ can be watched on smart TVs, mobile devices, tablets, gaming consoles, Roku streaming devices, and internet browsers.