Disney+ unveils new entertainment experience for the region at Riyadh event

Disney+ hosted a special event in Riyadh to mark a new chapter in its regional journey, bringing together leading Saudi and international talents, content creators, media representatives, and industry partners to showcase upcoming experiences and new content for audiences in the region.

Disney and Pixar's 'Toy Story 5' launches new storytelling era in Saudi Arabia

The evening featured a major announcement for Saudi audiences: Disney+ revealed that the highly anticipated Disney and Pixar film "Toy Story 5" will premiere exclusively on Disney+ in the Saudi dialect starting October 6. This marks the first time a Walt Disney production has been dubbed in Saudi Arabic. The Saudi version brings together a cast of prominent Saudi actors, comedians, and content creators to voice beloved characters from the series.

The Saudi voice cast includes Ibrahim Khairallah (Buzz Lightyear), Suhaib Qudsi (Woody), Reem Al-Habib (Jessie), Malik Nejer (Smarty Pants), Aseel Siraj (Lily Pad), Yasser Al-Saqaf (Atlas), Aseel Murayyah (Snappy), Mohammed Al-Qass (Mr. Pickle Pants), Abdullah Rafaa (Forky), Shahad Al-Ahmari (Bo Peep), Rahaf Al-Zaydi (Trixie), and Fares Al-Yahya (Ducky).

The event also featured well-known figures from the Saudi content creator community, including Mohammed Salem, Khawla Al-Saif, Yasmin Al-Shafie, Abdulaziz Khoja, Hadi Al-Khudari, Dr. Adel Radwan, Abdulaziz Al-Dulaijan, and Mohammed Shamsi.

The Saudi adaptation was meticulously crafted to reflect local language, humor, and cultural context, preserving the spirit of the original film while making the dialogue feel natural and familiar for Saudi viewers.

More global stories coming to Disney+

The event also highlighted a slate of highly anticipated international productions coming to Disney+, including new releases from Turkey, South Korea, and beyond.

Turkish content featured prominently, reflecting its growing popularity in the region. Stars of the hit drama "Khalifa," Ilhan Şen and Biran Damla Yilmaz, attended the event to announce the show's return for a second season following the success of its debut.

South Korean stars also joined the evening remotely. Lee Si-young sent a special message to fans ahead of the November 4 premiere of "The Empress's Revenge" on Disney+. Hyun Bin, Jung Woo-sung, and Seo Eun-soo also connected with regional fans as "Made in Korea" returns for its second season.

Excitement continued with previews of upcoming Disney+ releases for the whole family, including the live-action adaptation of Disney's "Moana," the highly anticipated 23rd season of "Grey's Anatomy," and a sneak peek at the new Marvel series "Vision Quest."

Tamim Fares, General Manager of Disney+ Middle East and North Africa, said: "This evening marks a new milestone for Disney+ in the region and reflects our ongoing ambition to bring audiences closer to the stories they love. Our approach starts with understanding what viewers here want: the familiarity of Disney and the brands they've known for generations, alongside experiences that reflect their lifestyles, travels, and viewing habits."

He added: "This means enhancing the Disney+ experience by offering more options to personalize viewing, giving families greater choice and control over what they watch, and continuing to deliver more of the stories audiences love. A trusted, family-focused viewing experience has always been at the heart of Disney, and it remains a priority as we develop Disney+. It also means finding new ways to bring these stories closer to audiences, whether through beloved characters brought to life in the Saudi dialect or by providing more outstanding entertainment from around the world."

He concluded: "As we continue to enrich our library with great stories, we want Disney+ to be a place where audiences always find what they love, discover something new, and enjoy it in their own way."

Disney+ experience for the whole family

Disney+ also announced a new app launching across the Middle East and North Africa from the evening of October 6, introducing a range of new features and updates designed to enhance the viewing experience. The platform will continue to offer entertainment for all ages, from acclaimed dramas and documentaries to comedies, family favorites, and classic animated titles.

Among the new updates, subscribers will be able to watch content on the go throughout the Middle East, Europe, the United States, and more. Over time, the experience will become increasingly personalized, with content recommendations tailored to individual viewing preferences.

Enhanced parental controls and the "Kids World" section will provide a dedicated space with carefully curated content for younger viewers, giving parents greater control and peace of mind over what their families watch.

Disney+ is available starting at 49.99 Saudi riyals (SAR) per month, with no hidden fees and the option to cancel at any time. The platform offers a constantly updated library catering to diverse interests, combining a legacy of unforgettable stories with the latest blockbusters, new originals, and exclusive releases. Disney+ features content from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic, Hulu, and FX, offering a wide range from documentaries and acclaimed dramas to comedies, animated classics, and general entertainment. Subscribers can also enjoy the Emmy® and BAFTA®-winning series "Rivals" season two, the award-winning comedy "Only Murders in the Building," "Zootropolis 2" from Walt Disney Animation Studios, and "Send Help" from 20th Century Studios.

Disney+ also provides advanced parental controls to ensure a suitable viewing experience for all family members. Subscribers can set access permissions for adult content and create PIN-protected profiles, alongside the existing "Kids World" profiles for children, giving parents and guardians added reassurance while using the platform.