On November 24, 2021, Disney’s newest film ‘Encanto’ was released to theaters. Encanto is the first Disney movie to be coming out with a “theater only” release since the pandemic started. Not only is the film bringing in new stories to the Disney world, but it is also Disney’s first animated film co-directed by a Latina. Similar to other Disney films, Encanto utilizes catchy and upbeat songs to deliver an important message.

The movie is set in Columbia and begins by introducing the main characters of the film. Mirabel Madrigal who is the main character in Encanto starts introducing her family by singing the first song of the movie “The Family Madrigal”. Through this song we learn that everyone in the Family Madrigal has some sort of special gift except for Mirabel. Everything seems to be going great until Mirabel has a vision of Casita (the house where the family Madrigal lives) falling apart. She tries to warn everyone but no one believes her, so Mirabel decides to go on an adventure to find her long lost uncle Bruno. Bruno has the special gift of the ability to see the future. Mirabel and Bruno work together to help prevent the Casita from falling apart and to restore the power of the enchanted candle.

Encanto brought many successful hits into the world, but one song really blew up in particular. “We Don’t Talk About Bruno”, written by Lin-Manuel Miranda, reached number one on the US billboard Hot 100 making it the second song from a Disney animated film to reach number one (since Disney’s Aladdin’s “A Whole New World”) on the chart according to NPR. Critics are raving about this film, as it has become one of the biggest animated hits of the pandemic era. “Encanto might be the best Disney animated film since Frozen,” says Bilge Ebiri, one of rotten tomato’s top critics. Encanto has received a total of 90% on the tomatometer and 93% audience score. 

Encanto did well in theaters but had a shortened 30-day theatrical window. On December 24th the film was released to Disney+. That is when Encanto really became a breakout success, according to Insider. 

Like many other families, my family and I watched the film at home through Disney+. Although we didn’t get to experience Encanto on the big screens, the experience watching the movie was still very enjoyable and entertaining, and I definitely recommend watching this film.