Disney is unleashing a barrage of at least ten of its classic and modern animated films to HiDef Blu-ray between now and throughout 2011.
Coming in 2011 will be Blu-ray Diamond Editions of “The Lion King” and “Bambi,” and the first HiDef Blu-ray version of “Alice in Wonderland,” a special 60th anniversary edition, according to promotions in print and on-disc previews with the new Diamond Edition of “Beauty and the Beast,” being released this Tuesday, Oct. 5.
Also showcased as coming to Blu-ray but without any years or dates is “Dumbo,” in a special 70th anniversary edition (that would be 2011 since the movie was released in 1941).
The wave begins this week with the “Beauty and the Beast,” followed four weeks later by “Toy Story 3” on Nov. 2, then “A Christmas Carol” two weeks thereafter on Nov. 16, and finally a double movie release on Nov. 30 of “Fantasia” and “Fantasia 2000” only one week later on Nov. 30.
As we were the first to report here at 3DHollywood.net and HollywoodInHiDef.com, “The Lion King” is getting a 3D conversion for theatrical release, as is “Beauty and the Beast” for 2011, so it is unclear whether the Diamond edition of “The Lion King” will precede the 3D theatrical as is happening with “Beauty.” A 3D Blu-ray version of “Beauty” is expected in 2011.
But you can count on the upcoming holiday animated theatrical release of “Tangled” to also be released in 2011.
— By Scott Hettrick