Disney Picks Up Animated Adaptation Of Global Phenomenon ‘Warrior Cats’

Disney has picked up the animated adaptation of Coolabi’s global phenomenon Warrior Cats.

Warrior Cats is based on Erin Hunter’s feline book series that follows the adventures and drama of multiple clans of feral cats.

The series will drop in 2028 on both Disney+ and The Disney Channel alongside hits like Bluey and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse+. Emmy-winner Rodrigo Blaas (Finding Nemo) is directing with the collaboration of El Guiri Studios and the adaptation from Original Force is also for China’s Tencent Video.

The Warrior Cats books, which are written by a team under the pseudonym Erin Hunter, have sold more than 90 million copies and been translated into 38 languages. According to Disney, Warrior Cats generates 50 million views per month across user-generated content on YouTube and nearly 3 billion views on TikTok. The Roblox game, meanwhile, has been played more than 735 million times.

“We’re always seeking out fresh, imaginative storytelling that resonates with families around the world,” said Ayo Davis, president, Disney Kids & Family. “Warrior Cats has inspired a generation of fans, and we couldn’t be more excited to partner with Coolabi Group to bring this phenomenal series to life on Disney+ and Disney Channel.”

Coolabi boss Will Harrison added: “Disney is the perfect partner for such a hugely loved brand, and we look forward to expanding the fanbase further both in the U.S. and globally when the series hits the small screen.”

Speaking exclusively to Deadline last year, Coolabi chairman Neil Court said Warrior Cats “insulates the company from the vagaries of what’s happening with the kids television business now, which is so precarious.”

The news comes with the Annecy International Animation Film Festival starting in a few days’ time and with Disney making some serious moves in the kids space having rebranded from Disney Branded Television to Disney Kids & Family under Davis. At the same time, the team revealed animated fantasy series Journey from President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama’s Higher Ground.

Warrior Cats is not the first animated feline adaptation to have emerged today. Earlier, we revealed that UK TV personality Dermot O’Leary’s Toto the Ninja Cat is being adapted by Studiocanal and Superprod.