Encanto arrives on Disney Plus on 24th December 2021. Image Source: CNBC

Walt Disney Animation Studios and Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures developed and distributed Disney's new release, "Encanto," which is described as a computer-animated musical fantasy comedy. Byron Howard and Jared Bush, with Charise Castro Smith as a co-director, direct the film. It is produced by Clark Spencer and Yvett Merino and features original music composed by Lin-Manuel Miranda.

Stephanie Beatriz, John Leguizamo, Mara Cecilia Botero, Diane Guerrero, Jessica Darrow, Angie Cepeda, and Wilmer Valderrama lend their voices to Encanto. The movie’s world premiere was held on November 3, 2021, at the El Capitan Theatre in Los Angeles, and on November 24, the movie was distributed theatrically in the United States.

According to the Daily Mail, "Encanto" is going to get a 30-day exclusive theatrical window and will be available on the Disney Plus streaming channel on December 24th, 2021, i.e., Christmas Eve. The announcement was confirmed on Tuesday that the movie would be available to all Disney Plus subscribers for no extra fee.

The story of "Encanto" revolves around the Madrigals, a family who lives in the Encanto, a secluded valley in Colombia's mountains. After Abuela Alma was forced to abandon her home with her young triplets, the family arrived in Encanto. Abuela was granted a miracle, which gave her a magnificent home and bestowed one-of-a-kind gifts on every one of her children, except Mirabel. Mirabel gets frustrated to be the only child without magical powers but when the Encanto's magic is threatened, causing the house's foundations to break and the Madrigals' powers to vanish, Mirabel is the one who steps forward to discover how to stop it.

The movie was highly appreciated by the critics for its animation, diversity, and songs. Scott Mendelson from Forbes describes the movie as "Disney’s 60th animated feature is among their best. Even with some grim undertones and periodically downbeat thematic elements, it is a generally joyful and thrillingly colorful fantasy that’ll once again make us realize how much visual wonder we take for granted in modern animation. "

Maya Phillips from The New York Times said, "The computer animation, some of the best from any major studio in the last several years, presents a dazzling confabulation of hues and a meticulous weaving of precious details—like the embroidery on skirts, the golden-brown crust of a cheese arepa, and the selection of native Colombian flora".

Maya in the review further mentioned that "Encanto" has a "robust engagement with, and respect for, Latino culture, noting that the Madrigal family members have skin tones that range from light to dark and have hair textures that vary from straight to kinky-curly. It is a spectrum that is representative of the diversity within the Latino community. And the grand pooh-bah of the contemporary musical movie score, Lin-Manuel Miranda, provides a spellbinding soundtrack of songs combining salsa, bachata, and hip-hop played with traditional folk instruments from Colombia".

Disney has decided to give its typical 45-day theatrical window for the new movies, including The Last Duel, Ron’s Gone Wrong, Eternals, West Side Story, and The King’s Man, where the date for The Last Duel has been set as December 1st, while December 15th is booked for Ron’s Gone Wrong.

The Eternals have yet to be awarded a release date, but according to sources, Disney may give them a 70-day theatrical window. Disney's new release approach appears to be linked to the dismal performance of Black Widow, which saw a significant dip in box office over the second weekend, prompting star Scarlett Johansson to file a lawsuit against the studio. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, on the other hand, are outperforming predictions after debuting solely in theaters. So, to maximize earnings and prevent legal disputes, Disney should return to releasing blockbusters first in theaters.