Joe Gardner, a middle school music teacher, has long dreamed of performing jazz music onstage, and finally gets a chance after impressing other jazz musicians during an opening act at the Half Note Club. However, an untimely accident causes Gardner's soul to be separated from his body and begin to proceed to the Great Beyond, and Gardner manages to escape to the Great Before, a world where souls develop personalities, quirks, and traits before being sent off to Earth. There, Gardner must work with souls in training at the Great Before, such as 22, a soul with a dim view on the concept of life, in order to return to Earth before his body dies.
a Cannes Film Festival '20 and BFI London Film Festival '20 selection. A span of daytime to sunrise, alternating from reality to imaginary, from Disney and PIXAR: Pete Docter directs from the story & screenplay by Docter, Mike Jones and Kemp Powers. Produced by Dana Murray; Executive Producers: Dan Scanlon and Kiri Hart. Original Electronic Score performed by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross; Jazz Compositions & Arrangements by Jon Batiste; featuring "It's All Right" by Batiste, and "Parting Ways" by Cody ChesnuTT • Soundtrack on Walt Disney Records.
Disney+ release: December 25, 2020 • Limited Theatrical Engagement: January 12, 2024