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Animated Australian television series Bluey is headed for the big screen in 2027 as BBC Studios and The Walt Disney Company confirmed today that a feature film of the global phenomenon will be made in its home state of Queensland.
The production will be the largest animated feature ever made in Queensland, with BBC Studios financing and licensing the picture for distribution.
The award-winning show already airs in 140 countries and was the most popular streamed series of 2024 in the US as well as the top kids’ show on CBeebies and Disney+ in the UK.
Written and directed by Bluey creator Joe Brumm and produced by Brisbane’s Ludo Studio, the production team will collaborate with BBC Studios for a full-length feature film that will continue the adventures of Bluey, the loveable blue heeler dog who lives with her mum, dad and little sister Bingo.
The film will star the vocal talent from the hit show, including Melanie Zanetti and David McCormack as Bluey’s mum and dad, Chilli and Bandit Heeler, with music to be created by Bluey composer Joff Bush.
Supported by the Queensland Government through Screen Queensland’s Post, Digital and Visual Effects Incentive, the production is the largest animated feature film to be made in the state, with Screen Queensland anticipating the production will transform the local industry as a “new hub for animation expertise”.
“Bluey is a global household name, and we are thrilled to back one of Queensland’s favourite ambassadors on her first adventure to the big screen, which continues the series’ tradition of showcasing Queensland’s quintessential lifestyle, culture and environments,” says Queensland’s Minister for Arts John-Paul Langbroek.
“Just like Bluey herself, this is a 100 per cent Queensland production and we know this movie will build on the international successes of Boy Swallows Universe and Black Snow to showcase our region globally, while creating local jobs and boosting our economy.”
The Bluey production is expected to employ more than 130 screen practitioners and contribute an estimated $35 million to the state’s economy.
“It doesn’t get bigger than Bluey,” says Jacqui Feeney, the CEO of Screen Queensland.
“Ludo Studio is a demonstrable innovation success for Queensland and this project will not only expand the skills and experience of our local animation specialists but will attract the best and brightest from across Australia making Brisbane a globally recognised animation hub.
“The award-winning Ludo Studio is a shining example of what’s possible within Brisbane’s fast evolving production sector and this film will see them collaborate with a number of local companies.
“Bluey illustrates the enormous capacity for our local screen stories to capture hearts and minds as well as lure visitors to Queensland to explore ‘Bluey’s world, for real life’. We couldn’t be prouder to now be supporting this first feature-length iteration.”
Ludo Studio, co-founded by Daley Pearson and Charlie Aspinwall, says the support of Screen Queensland and the Queensland Government has been critical to bringing the Bluey series to life.
“Over the past eight years, we’ve had the privilege of working alongside an extraordinary team of more than 50 artists and producers whose talent, dedication, and creativity have shaped Bluey into the beloved series it is today,” say the founders in a joint statement.
“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.”
Tom Fussell, the CEO of BBC Studios, says the move to the big screen leverages the global popularity of Bluey across television screens and streaming services globally.
“It has been such an honour 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,” says Fussell.
“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.”
The computer-generated 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 alongside Justine Flynn for BBC Studios, with Charlie Aspinwall and Daley Pearson from Ludo Studio. For Disney, the film will be overseen by David Greenbaum, president of Disney Live Action and 20th Century Studios, and his team.
Disney will release the Bluey movie in theatres worldwide, followed by streaming on Disney+. The movie will also air on ABC iview and ABC Kids in Australia post-theatrical release.
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