The long-awaited short film Carl’s Date from the Dug Days series (on Disney+) is releasing in theaters ahead of Pixar’s Elemental on June 16, 2023.
Originally noted to release on February 10, 2023, in a Hulu press release, fans were confused when the soundtrack dropped on that day (and removed a few hours later), but the short film wasn’t released.
We now know that Carl’s Date was set to release on Disney+, but it was held to release in theaters alongside Elemental due to the romantic (and highly emotional) tie-in to Elemental. This was even guessed by one of our Pixar Post Forum members, Brendan.
This is great news in our opinion, because it frankly just feels right to have a Pixar short film released in theaters.
CARL’S DATE POSTER
OUR REVIEW
During our Elemental press days at Pixar animation studios, we were treated to a special screening of Carl’s Date.
Carl’s Date is by far the most emotional short I have yet to view in the entire Pixar catalog. I sat in the Pixar theater with my throat burning as I tried to bottle my emotion, but the phenomenal storytelling of Carl’s Date just took me to an emotional place and made me cry. The care the team took with handling the topic of Carl’s dating was perfect from beginning to end, especially when it came to Ellie.
Carl’s Date isn’t all about Carl. Dug shines bright and has quite possibly turned me (a cat-lover) into a dog lover with this short. The playful pup continues to partake in his silly banter with Carl before he becomes the best friend that we all need. The old saying that a dog is man’s best friend has never been more true.
Carl’s Date pairs perfectly with Elemental as both films will have you reaching for your tissue or shirt sleeve if you forgot your Kleenex.
PRESS RELEASE
This year, Pixar Animation Studios resumes the magical moviegoing tradition of pairing their feature film with an animated short—like 2018’s Oscar®-winning “Bao” that accompanied “Incredibles 2” in theaters. Releasing in front of “Elemental” is a new short that catches up with Carl Fredricksen (voice of Ed Asner) and his lovable talking dog, Dug (voice of Bob Peterson), who were introduced in Pixar’s Oscar®-winning feature “Up.”
Written and directed by Academy Award® nominee and Emmy® Award winner Bob Peterson and produced by Kim Collins, this all-new short, “Carl’s Date,” finds Carl reluctantly agreeing to go on a date with a lady friend—but admittedly with no idea how dating works these days. Ever the helpful friend, Dug steps in to calm Carl’s pre-date jitters and offer some tried-and-true tips for making friends—if you’re a dog. “Carl’s Date” opens in theaters in front of Disney and Pixar’s “Elemental” on June 16, 2023.
