Disney Announces 3D Blu-ray Releases Including The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast, Tangled, and Tron Legacy

The 3D trend is showing no signs of slowing down with Walt Disney Pictures announcing their line up of the latest 3D home entertainment titles. The studio has 15 Blu-rays slated to hit stores this year includingThe Lion King, Tron Legacy, Tangled, The Nightmare Before Christmas, and Beauty and the Beast. All this time we’ve been waiting for them to re-release The Lion King and they just had to do it in 3D didn’t they? Check out the official press release below…

THE WALT DISNEY STUDIOS UNVEILS STELLAR 2011 BLU-RAY 3DTM RELEASE SLATE

Leader In 3D Filmed Entertainment To Offer At Least 15 Films On Growing Blu-ray 3D Format For The Home

– TRON: LEGACY and TANGLED Lead Day-and-Date 3D Releases and THE LION KING and BEAUTY AND THE BEAST Make 3D Debut –

BURBANK, Calif. — January 3, 2011 — Continuing its leadership in the advancement of 3D entertainment and marking the most significant title commitment to the growing Blu-ray 3DTM market, The Walt Disney Studios today announced plans to release at least 15 of its films for in-home viewing on Blu- ray 3D in 2011.

Among the stellar list of films to debut on 3D include beloved and celebrated animated classics THE LION KING and BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, recent theatrical releases including the visually stunning high tech adventure TRON: LEGACY and acclaimed box-office smash hit TANGLED, plus many others to be announced that will release day-and-date and packaged with the Blu-ray 2DTM version.

“As our contemporary library of 3D content continues to grow, and the original artists and filmmakers meticulously „dimensionalize‟ their work for release on the Blu-ray 3D format, we will be offering movie- lovers the most incredible in-home entertainment experience they will ever have,” noted Lori MacPherson, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment. “In addition to offering new releases day-and-date in 3D and further cementing our leadership in the marketplace, we‟re thrilled that consumers will have the exclusive Blu-ray 3D experience of two of the most celebrated Disney animated features, THE LION KING and BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, in their homes.”

Also included among the titles slated for release in 2011 are BOLT, MEET THE ROBINSONS, TIM BURTON’S THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS, G-FORCE and CHICKEN LITTLE. These titles will join Walt Disney Studios‟ recent 2010 Blu-ray 3D releases ALICE IN WONDERLAND, DISNEY’S A CHRISTMAS CAROL and STEP UP 3, bringing Disney‟s list of available Blu-ray 3D titles for the home to nearly 20 in all.In addition to the film being in 3D, each disc will include thematically linked 3D menus, 3D previews of coming-attractions trailers and an introduction to the eye-popping world of Disney Blu-ray 3D featuring beloved characters Timon and Pumbaa from THE LION KING.

The Social Network Wins its 18th Best Picture Award

David Fincher’s The Social Network continues to plow its path to the Oscars by picking up its 18th BestPicture win. The latest honor comes from The Online Film Critics Society where it won three awards including the big one. Fincher also took home the award for Best Director and Aaron Sorkin won for Best Adapted Screenplay.

Here’s the complete list of winners from the Online Critics Association:

• Best Picture: The Social Network
• Best Director: David Fincher, The Social Network
• Best Lead Actor: Colin Firth, The King’s Speech
• Best Lead Actress: Natalie Portman, Black Swan
• Best Supporting Actor: Christian Bale, The Fighter
• Best Supporting Actress: Hailee Steinfeld, True Grit
• Best Original Screenplay: Christopher Nolan, Inception
• Best Adapted Screenplay: Aaron Sorkin, The Social Network
• Best Cinematography: Roger Deakins, True Grit
• Best Editing: Lee Smith, Inception
• Best Animated Feature: Toy Story 3
• Best Foreign Language Film: Mother
• Best Documentary: Exit Through The Gift Shop

Thus far, The Social Network has been named Best Picture by the Critic’s Circle, the Southeastern Film Critics Association, the National Board of Review, the Satellite Awards, and critic groups from Los Angeles, Chicago, Boston, San Francisco, Toronto, Dallas-Fort Worth, Las Vegas, Washington, D.C., St. Louis, Kansas City, Florida, and Oklahoma.

The film is currently nominated for Best Drama at this year’s Golden Globes, as well as best cast for the upcoming Screen Actor’s Guild Awards.

Tron Legacy Earns 3.5 Million at Midnight, Record 25 Percent Comes From IMAX

Today Tron Legacy finally debuts in theaters after 3 years of heavy campaigning from Disney Studios. The follow up to their 1982 feature Tron is expected to introduce a new generation to the mythology surrounding Kevin Flynn and his son Sam. According to Deadline, the movie is off to a good start by earning $3.5 million at midnight screenings on Thursday night.

The amount may not seem that huge in comparison to other openers like Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, and The Twilight Saga: Eclipse, but take this into consideration: 25% of its gross came from IMAX. That’s a record for the company! Tron Legacy grossed about $1 million from the 228 IMAX locations where it was featured.

By far, the 25% is the largest IMAX take from any movie’s midnight box office including Iron Man 2,Inception, and even Avatar. But with that, Legacy still isn’t the largest IMAX opening ever. We’re not sure if it will be able to beat current champ Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part I and their $11.8 million opening.

We’re not surprised that Tron Legacy had more IMAX viewers than anyone else. It’s Tron! It’s one of those movies that you should see in the best possible conditions. IMAX is definitely the way to go.