Winnie the Pooh (2011)

Winnie the Pooh is a 2011 American animated musical adventure comedy film produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios and released by Walt Disney Pictures. The 51st animated film produced by the studio, it is based on the eponymous novel series written by A. A. Milne and illustrated by E. H. Shepard. The film is a revival of Disney's Winnie the Pooh franchise and the fifth theatrical Winnie the Pooh film released. It was directed by Stephen J. Anderson and Don Hall (in his feature directorial debut), produced by Peter Del Vecho and Clark Spencer, and narrated by John Cleese. Anderson and Hall also wrote the film’s story with Brian Kesinger, Clio Chiang, Don Dougherty, Kendelle Hoyer, Nicole Mitchell, and Jeremy Spears. Jim Cummings reprises his voice roles as Winnie the Pooh and Tigger, and Travis Oates reprises his voice role as Piglet, while newcomers Tom Kenny, Craig Ferguson, Bud Luckey, and Kristen Anderson-Lopez provide the voices of Rabbit, Owl, Eeyore, and Kanga, respectively. In the film, the aforementioned residents of the Hundred Acre Wood embark on a quest to save Christopher Robin from an imaginary culprit while Pooh deals with a hunger for honey.

Production began in September 2008 with Walt Disney Animation Studios' chief creative officer John Lasseter announcing that Disney wanted to create a film that would "transcend generations". The film features six songs by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez and a score composed by Henry Jackman, as well as a rendition of the Sherman Brothers' "Winnie the Pooh" theme song by actress and musician Zooey Deschanel.

The film was released on April 6, 2011 in Europe and on July 15, 2011 in the United States. It received largely positive reviews from critics who praised its animation, voice acting, screenplay, musical numbers, and nostalgic feeling, though its short running time received some criticism. Despite the positive reception, Disney decided to abandon the idea of releasing one hand-drawn animated film every two years after the film underperformed at the box office (grossing $50 million worldwide on a $30 million budget), even though it wasn't intended to be a blockbuster hit like previous works. To date, it is Disney's last traditionally animated theatrical film. However, in 2019, producer Peter Del Vecho and Frozen directors Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee (who eventually became Chief Creative Officer of the animation studio) confirmed that there would be possibilities for other future hand-drawn projects at the studio.

International versions

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