Disney has announced that in honor of Earth Month, Disney+ will be debuting two new Disneynature films on April 3rd. Disney+ announced today that Meghan Markle will be narrating the new Disneynature film Elephant. Previously announced was that Dolphin Reef, narrated by Natalie Portman, would be making its premiere. Last year’s Disneynature film Penguins will also be arriving on the Disney+ on April 3.
Along with these releases, Disney+ will also be unveiling The Earth Month collection. It will premiere other DIsney+ titles on the streaming service including In the Footsteps of Elephant, A Life on the Edge, and Diving with Dolphins. These will give viewers a chance to look behind the scenes into how these films were made. They will all arrive on Disney+ on April 3 as well.
These new films will join a collection of films devoted to nature already found on Disney+. These include National Geographic’s America’s National Parks, Wild Yellowstone, The Flood, JANE, Before the Floods, Planet of the Birds, Sea of Hope: America’s Underwater Treasures, Kingdom of the White Wolf, Tree Climbing Lions, Hostile Planet and Wild Russia.
Elephant
Elephant follows the life of an African elephant named Shani and her “spirited son” named Jomo. Together they and their herd make a journey that traverses hundreds of miles across the Kalahari Desert. They are led by the great matriarch Gaia. During their journey, they will face predators, brutal heat, lack of food, and other challenges as they struggle to follow the paths their ancestors have taken to reach their green paradise. It is directed by Mark Linfeld, co-directed by Vanessa Berlowitz and Alastair Fothergill. It is produced by ark Linfield, Vanessa Berlowitz and Roy Conli
Disneynature and the Disney Conservation Fund are supporting Elephants Without Borders in recognition of Elephant. This organization works in Botswana to ensure both people and elephants can thrive. Elephants Without Borders works on ways to protect the elephants’ homes and reduce the conflict between humans and wildlife. This is done through education, economic development, and other solutions that help either redirect the elephant migration away from the human population or help communities with tools to protect both people and property from elephants when they get too close.
Dolphin Reef
Dolphin Reef takes a deep-sea dive with Echo, a young Pacific bottlenose dolphin. Echo is struggling with the same thing many youngsters struggle with, is it time to grow up? As he faces the future he also must deal with dolphin society, which is less than simple. The coral reef that Echo and his family call home rely on all of its inhabitants to stay healthy. However, Echo is often more interested in adventure than staying home and helping. Keith Scholey, the director of Disneynature’s Bears, has returned to direct Dolphin Reef.
Disney’s history of supporting the environment goes back a very long time. The Disney Conservation Fund has provided grants and Disney Conservation Team Wildlife have led the efforts to help re-grow damaged reefs, build fisheries that save fish while also providing local jobs, rescue stranded dolphins, and also inspire kids to explore and protect the oceans, reefs and marine habitats. They do this not just through their own efforts but also by providing leadership and guidance to other organizations and communities.
About Disney+
Disney+ is the dedicated streaming home for movies and shows from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic, and more. From The Walt Disney Company’s Direct-to-Consumer and International segment, Disney+ is available on most internet-connected devices and offers commercial-free programming with a variety of original feature-length films, documentaries, live-action and animated series and short-form content. Alongside unprecedented access to Disney’s incredible library of film and television entertainment, the service is also the exclusive streaming home for the latest releases from The Walt Disney Studios. Visit DisneyPlus.com to subscribe and/or learn more about the service.
About Disneynature
The first new Disney-branded film label from The Walt Disney Studios in more than 60 years, Disneynature was launched to bring the world’s top nature filmmakers together to share a wide variety of wildlife stories on the big screen in order to engage, inspire and educate theatrical audiences everywhere. All seven of Disneynature’s theatrical film releases – “Earth,” “Oceans,” “African Cats,” “Chimpanzee,” “Bears,” “Monkey Kingdom” and “Born in China” – rank among the top 10 highest overall grossing feature-length nature films to date, with “Chimpanzee” garnering a record-breaking opening weekend for the genre. Disneynature’s commitment to conservation is a key pillar of the label and the films empower the audience to help make a difference, with each film driving significant conservation outcomes, supporting wildlife featured in the films.
