A sing-along version of Encanto is coming to Disney+. The animated musical has become a breakout hit since its theatrical debut in November and Disney+ release the following month. Set in Colombia, the film tells the story of an enchanted house inhabited by the Madrigal family. Through a miraculous candle, each family member is gifted with their own unique powers — with the exception of Mirabel, a seemingly ordinary daughter who pines for a gift of her own.
Much of Encanto's success stems from its memorable songs penned by Hamilton composer Lin Manuel-Miranda — namely, "We Don't Talk About Bruno," which at one point rose to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became Disney's biggest song since Aladdin's "A Whole New World" in 1992. Despite having limited radio play, "We Don't Talk About Bruno" instead became a smash hit via music streaming services and TikTok trends that have gone viral. Besides "Bruno," other popular songs from Encanto include opening number "The Family Madrigal"; Luisa Madrigal's solo, "Surface Pressure"; and the Oscar-nominated "Dos Oruguitas."
Building on Encanto's success, Disney+ has announced a sing-along version of the film will be released on Friday, March 18. According to Disney, this will be the first of several musical sing-alongs that the studio intends to release later this year. Other films like Frozen and Frozen 2, along with both the animated and live-action versions of Beauty and the Beast, will be re-released with the sing-along option. Watch a clip from the Encanto sing-along below:
Disney is undoubtedly looking to capitalize on Encanto for as long as the excitement lasts, offering a fun way to enjoy the film beyond simply turning on the subtitles. But with the release of a sing-along version, Disney is also doing what it does best — igniting a sense of nostalgia. Older fans, particularly millennials, will remember singing along to Disney VHS tapes and DVDs in their childhood. The sing-along version of Encanto continues the tradition, allowing younger generations to take part in a new kind of sing-along experience.
With future sing-alongs set to release down the line, older and younger audiences will soon have more movies to belt along with. Outside the Frozen films and Beauty and the Beast, Disney has not yet announced any other titles that will feature a sing-along version. But the move opens the door for all sorts of possibilities considering Disney+'s hefty musical library, ranging from classics like Mary Poppins to Steven Spielberg's West Side Story. Given the success of Encanto, Disney shouldn't be surprised to hear fans clamoring for more.
Source: Disney+