Why Netflix & Disney Both Have Pinocchio Movies In 2022

Netflix and Disney both have competing Pinocchio movies releasing in 2022, leading audiences to query why there will be two new simultaneous takes on this classic intellectual property. An instantly recognizable, beloved character, Pinnochio first appeared on-screen in the 1911 Italian silent film of the same name. Since then, the character has appeared in no less than 34 feature films to date, with both Guillermo Del Toro’s Pinocchio and Disney’s live-action Pinocchio set to add to this illustrious character’s filmography in 2022.

Although the character of Pinocchio is very closely associated with Disney following their seminal 1940 animated feature, Pinocchio’s lineage can be traced back far earlier in history. Created by Italian writer Carlo Collodi as the protagonist for his 1883 novel The Adventures of Pinocchio, Pinocchio’s first incarnation was a far more deceptive character, with his creator Geppetto describing him as a “wretched boy.” This is a far cry from more modern portrayals, however, with Disney’s 1940 classic the first to shape the contemporary perception that Pinocchio is a sweet and naive marionette doll brought to life.

Why Netflix and Disney can both have Pinocchio movies on the release slate for 2022 boils down to the character’s rights being in the public domain. While it is true that Pinocchio is among the most closely associated character with Disney, Collodi’s original literary work was published before 1927, making it fair game for any studio looking to adapt the classic tale. Furthermore, Pinocchio creator Collodi died in 1890, meaning Pinocchio also transferred into the public domain in 1960, a full 70 years after the author’s death per literary public domain regulations.

It is not hyperbole to claim that Disney made Pinocchio’s popularity what it is today, with the 1940 animated film still holding a rare 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes‘ website. Many believe that Pinocchio represents the pinnacle of Disney’s continually heartwarming and magical works, containing a perfect blend of fear, adventure, heart, and ambition that conspire to make it one of the greatest animated movies of the 20th and 21st centuries. As such, it is easy to see why Disney feels compelled to revisit the scene of arguably their greatest triumph, with their latest live-action remake scheduled for an unspecified 2022 release. Back To The Future director Robert Zemeckis is set to add stardust to proceedings, while The Haunting of Bly Manor‘s Benjamin Evan Ainsworth will lend his voice as the puppet-turned-real boy Pinocchio in a faithful live-action remake of Disney’s original film.

In contrast, Guillermo Del Toro’s Pinocchio is set to be a much darker fantasy feast upon its 2022 Netflix release. Set in 1930s Fascist Italy, the Netflix version of Pinocchio will see the wooden puppet come to life in stop-motion and torment those around him as he struggles to live up to his father’s unrealistic expectations. Del Toro’s Pinocchio, therefore, will be a more faithful re-telling of Carlo Collodi’s original story that reads like a Grimm fairytale rather than the Pinocchio story known worldwide today. Del Toro’s Pinocchio will also feature an all-star cast, including Ewan McGregor, Finn Wolfhard, Cate Blanchett, Christoph Waltz, Tilda Swinton, and Fantastic Beasts‘ Ron Perlman.

While it is impossible to state which of these two films will better resonate with contemporary audiences before their respective releases, both Netflix and Disney can legally lay equal claim to the Pinocchio story. Disney’s long-standing association with Pinocchio’s image may well help the production company’s immediate cause in promoting their live-action remake, but, equally, Netflix’s legions of streamers means there will likely be a huge appetite for Del Toro’s darker take on Pinocchio. Public domain laws mean Netflix and Disney both have Pinocchio movies sure to cause a stir in 2022, but audiences will likely have to wait until summer 2022 to see either of them.

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