After more than seven years, Bluey is about to look very different.
The beloved Australian series has become one of the biggest children's franchises in the world while sticking with a colorful 2D animation style. Bluey, Bingo, Bandit, and Chilli have become instantly recognizable in that format.
But the franchise is making a major change for its first trip to theaters.
The Bluey Movie (2027) will use CG animation instead of the familiar 2D approach seen throughout the television series. Fans recently got a look at that transformation, and the response has been anything but unanimous.
Bluey Makes the Jump From 2D to CG
Bluey debuted in Australia in 2018 before becoming an international phenomenon. Disney acquired international broadcasting rights in 2019, helping the series reach an enormous audience through Disney+ and Disney's television platforms.
More than 150 episodes later, that familiar 2D appearance has become part of the franchise's identity.
That's why the movie's CG approach represents such a dramatic departure.
The first teaser for The Bluey Movie (2027), shown during Disney's D23 event, featured Bluey and Bingo playing “keepy uppy” with a red balloon. The moment itself was familiar, but the characters weren't presented exactly as fans had seen them before.
The new CG animation adds considerably more dimension and detail to Bluey's world.
Cosmic Dino is providing CG animation services for the movie, working alongside the team responsible for turning the television phenomenon into a theatrical release.
For real life?! The Bluey Movie is coming only to theaters August 6, 2027 💙 pic.twitter.com/95w9BJohee
— Walt Disney Studios (@DisneyStudios) August 15, 2026
Fans React to Bluey's New Appearance
The response quickly became divided.
Some fans criticized the decision to move away from the clean 2D aesthetic that helped make Bluey distinctive. The Direct reported that comments on the movie's YouTube trailer were disabled after a large response, including criticism of the visual change.
Others have been more accepting of the overhaul. Some viewers have said they prefer the original design but still believe the movie looks good.
That's an important distinction.
The backlash isn't necessarily about poor animation. Much of the frustration comes from changing something audiences already loved.
For longtime viewers, Bluey didn't need a visual reinvention.
Bluey's Original Creative Team Isn't Going Anywhere
There is also an important detail that could ease some concerns.
The people responsible for making Bluey special remain heavily involved.
Creator Joe Brumm is writing and directing The Bluey Movie (2027), with Richard Jeffery serving as co-director. Ludo Studio and BBC Studios remain involved, while Melanie Zanetti and David McCormack return as Chilli and Bandit.
That means the movie's appearance may be changing, but its creative foundation remains familiar.
Ultimately, that could matter much more than whether Bluey appears in two dimensions or three.
After seven-plus years of one recognizable look, however, fans are being asked to accept the biggest visual transformation in Bluey history.
They'll see whether the gamble pays off when The Bluey Movie (2027) arrives in theaters on August 6, 2027.
