Meta and YouTube take action against Russian state media 1:14
New York (CNN Business)
Disney, Hollywood's largest and most influential movie studio, has decided to pause the release of its theatrical films in Russia following the country's invasion of Ukraine last week.
"Given the unprovoked invasion of Ukraine and the tragic humanitarian crisis, we are pausing the release of films in Russia, including Pixar's upcoming 'Turning Red,'" a Disney spokesman said in a statement late Monday.
"We will make future business decisions based on the evolution of the situation."
The company added that Disney is working with its non-governmental organization partners to "provide urgent aid and other humanitarian assistance to refugees" displaced by the military attack.
The Russian invasion of Ukraine has been condemned by many countries around the world and triggered a series of crippling economic sanctions targeting the Russian economy.
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Disney had several films scheduled to be released in Russia in the coming months.
That includes Marvel's "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness" on May 5 and Pixar's "Lightyear" on June 16.
Although Russia is not a major film market like China and the United States, the move to withdraw films from the country, at least for now, is notable.
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The company's decision could also prompt other movie studios to follow Disney's lead and get their own movies out of the country.
Disney's news comes just hours after Netflix, the other big name in the entertainment world, said it is refusing to broadcast Russian state TV channels on its service in the country.
Conflict Russia - UkraineDisneyWar in Ukraine
