Don Bluth Documentary Trailer Debuts Ahead of Amazon Release
A new documentary about animator Don Bluth's career, 'Don Bluth: Somewhere Out There,' premiered at a festival and will stream on Amazon starting November 20, 2026.
A documentary chronicling the life and career of legendary animator Don Bluth has debuted its first trailer ahead of a scheduled Amazon VOD release on November 20, 2026. Titled 'Don Bluth: Somewhere Out There,' the film from directors Dave LaMattina and Chad Walker premiered at the 2026 SCAD Savannah Film Festival as part of the Don Bluth Collection at SCAD. Copper Pot Pictures revealed the trailer on YouTube and will handle the direct-to-VOD release this fall.
The film focuses on Bluth's story after his departure from Disney, where he founded his own studio. Its official description promises a weave of intimate modern conversations with hundreds of hours of never-before-seen personal archives. A festival run for the documentary is currently being planned.
Background
The documentary explores Bluth's early exodus from Disney in the 1980s and his journey to founding his own animation studio. He left the company after working on The Fox and the Hound due to creative differences. This move was a key moment in the mainstream movie animation of the last 50 years.
Bluth's history with Disney was complex. Before his final departure, he worked there twice. His first stint began after high school when he served as an assistant on Sleeping Beauty. He later left Disney, traveled the world, produced musicals at a local theater, and earned a degree in English literature. After working at Filmation, he returned to Disney. During this second period, he contributed to films like Robin Hood, Winnie the Pooh and Tigger Too, and Pete’s Dragon before the split over The Fox and the Hound. A few years prior to this documentary, Bluth published a memoir titled "Somewhere Out There: My Animated Life."
Legacy and Content
The film highlights Bluth's creative legacy through never-before-seen archives, covering his films, video game work, and artistic struggles. After leaving Disney, Bluth made 12 films. He directed or was the visual force behind several classics that defined a generation's childhood nostalgia.
The documentary also covers his work on the landmark video game Dragon's Lair. It includes previously unseen footage, original animation artwork, and behind-the-scenes material to explore the highs and lows of his journey. The portrait drawn is of an artist battling his own ego and a career torn between art and commerce, revealing the cost of building an empire on his own terms. The film is executive produced by Lavalle Lee. Directors LaMattina and Walker previously directed documentaries including I Am Big Bird: The Caroll Spinney Story.
The documentary will be arriving on Amazon on November 20, 2026.
