Disney+ has greenlit a new fantasy animated series called Journey, and it comes with a high-profile producing partner: Higher Ground, the production company founded by Barack and Michelle Obama. Variety broke the news Monday, confirming the series is in production for the streaming service.
The music-driven series, created by Matt Munn (Ice Age: Collision Course, Spies in Disguise), follows a young heroine named Journey whose home city is threatened when its protective energy shield begins to fail. Answering a mysterious call that leads her into the forbidden lands beyond the city walls, she uncovers the truth about her father’s disappearance and discovers a powerful magic within herself. Higher Ground has previously produced documentary and scripted content across multiple platforms, but this marks a notable step into the world of Disney+ animation.
Higher Ground’s Growing Entertainment Footprint
The Obamas launched Higher Ground Productions in 2018 following a high-profile deal with Netflix, and the company has since developed a wide range of acclaimed content across documentary, scripted, and children’s programming. Notable projects include the documentary Crip Camp, which received an Academy Award nomination, and the scripted series The G Word with Adam Conover. Their partnership with Disney+ on Journey signals a deepening relationship with the House of Mouse and adds a prestigious producing stamp to what promises to be a major animated title for the streamer.
Disney+ Animation On The Rise
Disney+ has been expanding its animated slate aggressively in recent years. Upcoming titles like Marvel’s Spidey and His Amazing Friends Season 5 and Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man Season 2 are among its family programming priorities. Journey adds another high-profile property to that roster.
The series joins a growing list of prestige animation projects at Disney+, which has invested heavily in original animated content as it competes with Netflix, Apple TV+, and other streamers for family audiences. A series backed by Higher Ground gives the streamer a project with both creative credibility and significant cultural buzz built in from the start.
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