Say what you will about Disney reimagining their animated classics into live-action films, but the concept has been a box office smash for them. But Pete’s Dragon was one of those rare films to be hybrid of live-action and cel animation. It wasn’t as big of a hit with the masses, but it did gain a cult fan base, and soon it will be joining the live-animation reimaginings that came before it like Alice In Wonderland, Maleficent, and Cinderella.

Disney debuted very brief glimpses of the film during the D23 Expo in August of last year, and we haven’t heard much since then. Now, the studio has revealed the first motion poster for Pete’s Dragon. Check it out here below.

Following a strong 2015 slate, The Walt Disney Studios continues its eclectic lineup of original productions, branding via Marvel, Star Wars, Pixar, and Disney, and a few remakes. 2016 should once again demonstrate Disney’s prominence in the film business, though Universal is experiencing a creative and critical resurgence to some degree. What Disney holds in its favor is consistency (in quality, generally) and accessibility (familiarity with properties). Consumers know (almost) precisely what they receive in buying a ticket to a Disney movie – even if Disney now has its hands in Lucasfilm and Marvel films.

Here is a preview of 2016 films from The Walt Disney Studios.

Bryce Dallas Howard popped by the Disney D23 Expo 2015 in Anaheim, California, yesterday to talk about Pete’s Dragon and give fans a sneak peek. She describes her character, Grace, as a realistic and practical forest ranger.

Check out the image gallery and more here below.

Disney has just announced the release dates for Dreamworks’ Ghost In A Shell, starring Scarlett Johansson in the lead role, as well as their remake of Pete’s Dragon. They have also shifted the schedules for Jon Favreau‘s Jungle Book and Craig Gillespe‘s coast guard film The Finest Hours starring Chris Pine and Casey Affleck.

Rupert Sanders (Snow White And The Huntsman) will direct a live-adaptation of the hit anime Ghost In A Shell, with the film slated for an April 4, 2017 release. While the Avengers actress’ schedule is busy, it shows that Disney wants to get the film out sooner than later. Also, with the recent cast announcements for the Pete’s Dragon remake, with Dexter‘s Michael C. Hall and Wes Bentley (American Horror Story: Freak Show) signing on, it only makes sense that the studio reveal the release date for the film, which will be August 12, 2016.

Pete’s Dragon
Blu-ray l Blu-ray/DVD Combo
DIRECTOR: Don Chaffey
STARRING: Helen Reddy, Jim Dale, Mickey Rooney, Red Buttons, Shelley Winters, Sean Marshall
Walt Disney Home Video
RELEASE DATE: October 16, 2012

Two hours represents a worthy portion of the day that could be used to engage in many activities. Cleaning the house. Raking a yard full of leaves. Painting a room. All of those chores seem much more entertaining than watching portions of Pete’s Dragon, an inept entry in the Disney catalog.

This musical-themed drama/comedy symbolizes why general audiences may have failed to connect with some of what the company produced during the 1970s.