Barack and Michelle Obama’s Higher Ground is heading into fantasy animation. The former first couple’s production company is partnering with Disney Branded Television and Disney Kids and Family on a new music-driven animated series for Disney+.
The project, currently titled Journey, marks another step in Higher Ground’s move toward a more flexible production future after years under a first-look deal with Netflix.
Created by Matt Munn, whose credits include Ice Age: Collision Course and Spies in Disguise, Journey centers on a young heroine whose home city is threatened when its protective energy shield begins to fail.
When Journey answers a mysterious call beyond the safety of the city walls, she ventures into forbidden lands and discovers the truth about her father’s disappearance. Along the way, she also learns that she carries a powerful magic within herself — one that may be the key to saving her people.
Ayo Davis, president of Disney Kids and Family, described the series as an adventure rooted in classic Disney themes. “Journey is an epic adventure anchored by a remarkable young heroine whose courage inspires those around her,” Davis said. “At its core, it’s a story about resilience, self-discovery and the power of believing in something bigger than yourself, the kind of universal themes that have defined Disney stories for generations.”
For Higher Ground, the project reflects the company’s continued interest in family storytelling that blends entertainment with emotional purpose. “Combining adventure, imagination and music, Journey is a true original that takes bold swings,” said Jessie Dicovitsky, Higher Ground’s head of television. “We’re proud to partner with Disney on this fantastical series and to build on Higher Ground’s history of delivering fun and meaningful stories for kids and families.”
The Disney+ collaboration comes as Higher Ground continues to evolve beyond its original Netflix arrangement. Earlier this year, reports indicated that the company was transitioning away from an exclusive studio pact and toward a more independent model that would allow it to work with multiple partners.
Speaking at History Channel’s special edition of HistoryTalks in April, Barack Obama said the company was shifting its production strategy. “We were in partnership with Netflix,” Obama shared. “We’re in a process now of transitioning to a more independent future where we can work with a bunch of different studios.”
Higher Ground launched with a focus on scripted, documentary, and family programming, building a slate intended to elevate stories around identity, civic life, history, and culture. With Journey, the company is moving into an original animated fantasy space alongside one of the most established family-entertainment brands in the world.
No release date or voice cast has been announced.
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