The latest Disneynature film, Bears, is now open in theaters nationwide just in time for Tuesday’s Earth Day celebration.
The film follows in the cinematic footsteps of other Disneynature films including Oceans, African Cats, and Chimpanzee.
Bears is narrated by John C. Reilly (Wreck-It-Ralph) and follows a bear family for one year as two young cubs (Scout and Amber) learn how to survive in the rugged wilderness of Alaska with their mother, Sky.
The film is co-directed by Keith Scholey, a British zoologist and wildlife photographer who also co-directed African Cats for Disneynature.
“The thing with bears is—they seem like two huge characters in one animal,” Scholey said in an article on the Disney Post. “On the one hand, they are cuddly teddy bears. But on the other hand, they are grizzly bears who are these big, fierce monsters. However, the animals are actually neither of those. They are hugely charismatic and incredibly bright. You can feel that intelligence come through.”
The crew on Bears captured Sky and her cubs’ adventure during the month-long shoot in Alaska’s Katmai National Park.
Disneynature is donating a portion of the opening week proceeds to the National Park Foundation through the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund. Additionally, a portion of the proceeds from downloads of the Bears anthem Carry On (sung by Disney Channel star Olivia Holt) will also be donated to the National Park Foundation.
Previous Disneynature film campaigns have helped to establish 40,000 acres of marine protected area in the Bahamas, protected 60,000 acres of Keynan savanna, and helped plant 3 million trees in Brazil’s Atlantic Forest.
