PIXAR’S “Soul” has decided to bypass a theatrical release and will instead debut exclusively on Disney+ on Christmas Day at no extra charge.

The animated tentpole had been set to croon its way into theaters on Nov. 20. The decision to send the movie straight to Disney+ both underscores the precarious nature of moviegoing amid the ongoing pandemic, and the importance of Disney+ — which has amassed more than 60 million subscribers — to its parent company.

Unlike “Mulan,” which carried a premium price of US$29.99, Disney+ customers can watch “Soul” at no extra charge. In markets where the streaming service isn’t available, the film will play on the big screen. Dates are to follow.

“We are thrilled to share Pixar’s spectacular and moving ‘Soul’ with audiences direct to Disney+ in December,” Walt Disney Co. CEO Bob Chapek said in a statement.

Disney announced the seismic shift Thursday following a tumultuous week that saw MGM, Eon and Universal delay “No Time to Die” from Nov. 20 to April 2, 2021. The James Bond film had been determined to stick to its Thanksgiving date — like “Soul,” it had already pushed back its release once before because of COVID-19 — but came to the conclusion that a box office recovery in 2020 is unlikely.

Within hours of the “No Time to Die” delay, mega-theater circuit Cineworld revealed it is reclosing its U.K. and U.S. Regal locations because of a lack of Hollywood product.

The exit of “Soul” and “No Time to Die” from November mean that there isn’t another all-audience Hollywood tentpole hitting the traditional marquee until Dec. 25, when “Wonder Woman 1984” is scheduled to unfurl theatrically. The superhero sequel had been set for Oct. 2, but recently moved.

The Thanksgiving calendar does still include DreamWorks Animation’s event pic “The Croods 2: A New Age” (Nov. 25), although that film could end up on PVOD after 17 days per Universal’s new deal with AMC Theaters. Nor is it clear whether other big circuits will carry the sequel because of the AMC pact.

Separately, a debut on Disney+ does not exclude “Soul” from participating in the Oscar contest.

“Soul” is directed by Pete Docter and co-directed by Kemp Powers from a screenplay by Docter, Powers, and Mike Jones. The film stars the voices of Jamie Foxx, Tina Fey, Questlove, Phylicia Rashad, Daveed Diggs and Angela Bassett.

(SD-Agencies)