Disney announces premiere for 'Clouds' movie inspired by Minnesota's Zach Sobiech

Directed by Justin Baldoni, "Clouds" will premiere Oct. 16 on the streaming service Disney+.

September 10, 2020 at 9:17PM
Zach Sobiech recorded "Clouds" and became a YouTube sensation in the year before his death to cancer in 2013.
Zach Sobiech recorded "Clouds" and became a YouTube sensation in the year before his death to cancer in 2013. (Chris Riemenschneider/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

The movie about Zach Sobiech, the Lakeland teen behind a viral sensation, has a release date and a heart-tugging trailer.

"Clouds," directed by Justin Baldoni ("Five Feet Apart") will premiere Oct. 16 on the streaming service Disney+.

Sobiech, who died from a rare form of bone cancer in 2013, became world famous after a video of him performing "Clouds" became an internet sensation. The movie, which was originally shot for a theatrical release, is based on the book "Fly a Little Higher" penned by his mother, Laura Sobiech.

The film was primarily shot in Montreal, but cast members Sabrina Carpenter, Thomas Everett Scott and Neve Campbell all attended a sing-along fundraiser at the Mall of America last December; footage from that event may end up in the final cut. See if you can spot indications of local shooting in the just released trailer.

Poster for the film "Clouds."
Poster for the film "Clouds." (Tim Campbell/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

about the writer

Neal Justin

Critic / Reporter

Neal Justin is the pop-culture critic, covering how Minnesotans spend their entertainment time. He also reviews stand-up comedy. Justin previously served as TV and music critic for the paper. He is the co-founder of JCamp, a non-profit program for high-school journalists, and works on many fronts to further diversity in newsrooms.

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