There’s no denying it any longer: the holiday season is *so nearly upon us*. And if there’s one thing that’s an absolute non-negotiable at this time of year (apart from mulled wine and Quality Street), it’s feel-good films that are like a warm hug for your soul.
This year, to celebrate its centennial, Disney is releasing one such film. And much like the heart-warming fairytale classics we grew up with – Snow White, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Pinocchio, you know the ones – its latest animated release, Wish, is all about the power of your dreams, and willing them to come true. Actually, ‘wishing upon a star’ is pretty integral to the new movie’s storyline (Jiminy Cricket eat your heart out). Just like in more recent classics Moana and The Princess And The Frog, Wish will see characters looking to the stars above to wish their dreams into reality – but most importantly, show the power in us all to make them come true.
Throw in a ridiculously catchy soundtrack, beautiful animation, a sharp-witted heroine (who, naturally, goes up against a villain who you just love to hate) and an all-star voice cast, and you’ve got all the ingredients for a magical, musical Disney classic. So, get planning that cinema trip with your friends and family ASAP. This isn’t one to miss.
Here’s everything we know about the film so far…
What’s Wish about?
The brand-new musical comedy follows 17-year-old Asha who lives in a kingdom where people’s wishes can only be granted by the charming, confident King Magnifico. But the king keeps people’s wishes hidden away inside hundreds of ‘wish bubbles’ while his subjects patiently wait for their dreams to one day come true. But when Asha makes a wish on a shooting star, everything changes.
Described by Disney as “an animated musical-comedy”, Wish invites you into “the magical kingdom of Rosas, where Asha, a sharp-witted idealist, makes a wish so powerful that it is answered by a cosmic force – a little ball of boundless energy called Star. Together, Asha and Star confront a most formidable foe – the ruler of Rosas, King Magnifico – to save her community and prove that when the will of one courageous human connects with the magic of the stars, wondrous things can happen”.
The film is essentially a celebration of everything we loved about Disney movies growing up: characters who are defined by their dreams – and their inspiring determination and passion in making them come true.
“At the heart of our film is this: ‘There is no greater power in the universe than someone with a true wish in their heart,’” says Jennifer Lee, Wish’s writer and executive producer, who also worked on Frozen and Frozen II. “It really is a film about understanding that with great wishes often comes greater struggle. Hopefully, it’s aspirational on how to persevere.”
Who’s in the cast?
The seriously impressive voice cast stars Academy Award winner and one of GLAMOUR’s Women of the Year 2023 honourees Ariana DeBose as Asha. And yes, before you ask, we will be treated to Ariana’s incredible vocals, as Disney released a clip from the film’s eponymous song ‘This Wish’ last month.
Chris Pine will voice the villainous King Magnifico, while Alan Tudyk plays sidekick Valentino – Asha’s adorable pet goat who gains the power to talk via a magical falling star.
Who else is involved?
Wish is directed by Chris Buck, who co-directed Disney’s 2013 iconic Frozen, and Fawn Veerasunthorn, the animator and story artist behind 2016’s Moana. Given that Wish is bringing back the studio’s tradition of 2D animation after 12 years – blending it with the modern 3D we’ve come to recognise from Disney’s newer releases – it’s safe to say we’re going to have a visually stunning film on our hands.
Plus, we’ll be treated to seven all-new songs that are sure to become your new ‘singing in the shower’ soundtrack. Behind the tunes are Grammy-winning producer, songwriter and musician Benjamin Rice, and the Grammy-nominated songwriter behind some of Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez’s greatest hits, Julia Michaels. Could we have a new era-defining mega-hit like Let It Go on our hands? We can but wish (sorry).
Is there a trailer?
Yes, there is! And it looks all kinds of epic:
© Disney
What about the release date?
Wish will be released in cinemas on 24 November – don’t miss your chance to see it on the big screen and book your tickets now!
