The beloved 1970s children's television character Bagpuss is being revived for a live-action and animated feature film, set for release in 2027. The project, produced by Birmingham-based Threewise Entertainment, will see the saggy pink cat and his friends embark on a modern-day adventure in contemporary Britain.
The Bagpuss film will go head-to-head with Disney's upcoming Bluey movie, which is scheduled for release on 6 August 2027. Bluey, the Australian animated series about a Blue Heeler puppy, has become a global phenomenon, amassing 25 billion streaming minutes in the first half of 2025 and generating a $2bn merchandise empire.
Threewise Entertainment said the Bagpuss film, developed with the estate of creators Oliver Postgate and Peter Firmin, will retain the hand-crafted spirit of the original stop-motion series. The story follows Bagpuss and his friends as they stir from their slumber to mend lost and broken items in a world where children's programming faces funding challenges.
The original Bagpuss series, which first aired in February 1974, consisted of just 13 episodes but became a staple of BBC children's television, watched by millions. In 1999, it was voted the all-time favourite children's programme. The BBC holds no rights to the new film, according to producers.
Michael Ford, CEO of Threewise Entertainment, said there is no rivalry between the two films, noting that audiences have shown affection for thoughtful, character-driven storytelling. He expressed confidence that both Bagpuss and Bluey can thrive side by side, drawing parallels to the 2023 Barbenheimer phenomenon.
