In the entertainment industry, the month of May typically serves as the starting point for studios to begin releasing big-budget films in hopes of breaking records, which usually continues through August. But this year, as COVID-19 became a pitfall for Hollywood in March, shutting down production sites and movie theaters across the country, studios have had to find an alternative way to make a profit, and also entertain stuck-at-home Americans.
Major studios like Disney, Warner Bros., NBCUniversal and more pushed back release dates of several films, including Disney’s highly anticipated Mulan, now set to premier Friday, July 24.
Plus, for the first time in industry history, many studios have started to skip theater releases entirely and premiere movies through a variety of on-demand providers, with NBCUniversal being the first to do so with Trolls World Tour. From cartoon comedies to book adaptations, these seven family-friendly movies are now available at home, and are sure to entertain the entire family through Virginia’s stay-at-home order.
Frozen 2
Recognized as the highest-grossing animated film of all time, Frozen 2 was a huge hit across the globe. And now, parents can delight in the fact that the music-filled tale is available at home as a result of the coronavirus. The movie was released three months earlier than expected to subscribers of Disney+ to stream for free, and other viewers can purchase it from providers like Prime Video, Google Play, iTunes and more. // $19.99
Dolittle
While initially released in theaters in January, this adaptation of a classic adventure tale featuring Robert Downey Jr. wasn’t scheduled to hit TV screens until summer. Now, however, kiddos and parents alike can watch the eccentric doctor go on a journey with his animal friends from the comfort of your couch. The film is available on several digital platforms, including Prime Video, Vudu, iTunes and more. // $19.99
Sonic the Hedgehog
Though not yet available on streaming services, Paramount’s Sonic the Hedgehog made its online debut on March 31 to platforms like Google Play, iTunes and Prime Video. The story follows Sonic, a powerful hedgehog who is now living on Earth, attempting to defeat the evil genius Dr. Robotnik. // $19.99
The Call of the Wild
Based on the 1903 adventure novel by Jack London, this story of a big-hearted dog originally hit theaters in late February starring Harrison Ford. Now, families can be taken on a scenic journey through the exotic wilderness of the Alaskan Yukon from the comfort of their homes, as the Disney film is available for purchase through various platforms. // $14.99
Onward
This animated tale of two teenage elf brothers was released to movie theaters across the U.S. on March 6, and just two weeks later, as the threat of the coronavirus continued to grow, Onward became available for purchase through online platforms like Prime Video, Apple TV and other digital stores. Disney+ subscribers now have the opportunity to bring the exciting tale (along with deleted scenes) to their TV screens for free as well. // $19.99
Trolls World Tour
Instead of making a theatrical debut on April 10, Universal Pictures’ Trolls World Tour was released directly to streaming and digital services like Apple TV, Prime Video, YouTube and more. The sequel features Anna Kendrick as Poppy and Justin Timberlake as Branch, as they discover a whole new world of Troll tribes. In addition to the release, NBCUniversal created Zoom backgrounds of star characters and interactive games to keep kiddos entertained when the movie ends. // $19.99
Artemis Fowl
Based on the bestselling book by Irish author Eroin Colfer, Artemis Fowl is the tale of a 12-year-old criminal mastermind who journeys to save his father. The Disney film was originally scheduled to hit theaters on May 29, but is now skipping the theatrical debut all together. While there is no date set for when the movie will be available for rent, Disney+ subscribers can follow the magical adventure starting Friday, June 12. // free for Disney+ subscribers
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