Daft Punk’s Revolutionary Anime Musical Film is Coming Back to Theaters, but There's a Catch

Although the legendary electronic music duo Daft Punk parted ways in 2021, no other musical group has matched their experimental creativity. It's rare to find musicians who go beyond the extraordinary to convey the story of their songs. However, Thomas Bangalter and Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo rocked the world when they released an anime musical sci-fi film as a visual companion for their Discovery album. And best of all, the film is making a stellar comeback!

Billboard reports Interstella 5555: The 5tory of the 5ecret 5tar 5ystem is returning to theaters worldwide — but for one night only! For the first time in decades, fans and newcomers alike will have a rare chance to experience the newly remastered 4K version of this revolutionary work, which blends futuristic music, marvelous visuals, and an entirely speechless method of storytelling. The global theatrical release — December 12th — offers the opportunity to witness Daft Punk's Interstella 5555 in all its saturated, high-definition glory that feels just as innovative today as it did when it first debuted in 2003.

'Interstella 5555' Relies Entirely on Daft Punk's Music to Tell the Story

Interstella 5555: The 5tory of the 5ecret 5tar 5ystem is more than just a film; it’s a seamless marriage of sound and popping animation. At first, Daft Punk envisioned a live-action feature for Discovery, but they later found animation would better suit the story's concept of oppression and rebellion in the entertainment industry. According to Yokogao Magazine, this led the French duo to send a proposal to their childhood anime hero, Leiji Matsumoto — creator of Space Battleship Yamato and Galaxy Express 999.

Daft Punk had been longtime fans of anime and manga, especially Matsumoto's Space Pirate Captain Harlock series. Thomas and Guy-Manuel then pitched the idea to Toei Animation, where Matsumoto successfully joined in on the project along with director Kazuhisa Takenouchi.Given a $4 million budget, Daft Punk's sci-fi vision worked together seamlessly with Matsumoto's revered space animation style, thus creating the 65-minute visual wonder of their 2001 Discovery album.

Unlike traditional films, Interstella 5555 features no dialogue, relying entirely on music to tell its story. Each track becomes a chapter in the narrative, propelling the audience through a hypnotic rhythm. The plot follows the Crescendolls, a band of alien musicians kidnapped from their home planet and brought to Earth by a sinister manager, Earl de Darkwood. He erases the band's memories and transforms them into a manufactured, human-pop sensation, exploiting them for fame and profit. The band’s journey to rediscover their true identities and break free from their captor’s grip is a thrilling ride, masterfully conveyed through colorful, retro animation and Daft Punk’s pulsating soundtrack. From tracks like “One More Time” to “Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger,” every beat and melody enhances the film’s emotional action, making it a truly avant-garde music video film.

'Interstella 5555's Global Theatrical Release Redefines its Cult Status

When it debuted in 2003, Interstella 5555 redefined what a music video could be. At the time, music videos were often short, standalone visual interpretations of songs. Daft Punk, Matsumoto, and Toei Animation shattered that convention by creating a fully realized narrative that seamlessly integrated an entire album into its storytelling. This forward-thinking approach transformed Discovery from just an auditory film into a multi-sensory art piece, setting a precedent for future projects that would combine music and imagery in similarly ambitious ways.

The film’s production also broke barriers in how global artists could collaborate. Daft Punk's teamwork with a powerhouse animation studio resulted in a film that blended Western electronic music with the signature aesthetics of Japanese anime, a paring that somehow felt both nostalgic and ahead of its time. The ’60s and ’70s visuals, inspired by Matsumoto’s retro-futuristic space travel art, perfectly accentuated Daft Punk’s otherworldly sound. In 2003, Interstella 5555 was released with the album Daft Club and premiered at Cannes Film Festival. The animated musical quickly rose to cult classic status amongst fans and became an unforgettable gem of Daft Punk’s 28-year career.

Over the years, most have seen the film through home media or online streaming, formats that don’t do justice to its rich colors and intricate animation. The 4K remaster is expected to enhance every detail, from the shimmering lights of the Crescendolls’ home planet to the high-energy concert sequences. Many fans around the world have never had the chance to see it on the big screen. Although Daft Punk is no longer, their music remains as influential as ever. Interstella 5555 is a shining example of their boundary-pushing talents, and even if you’re neither a die-hard electronic music fan nor an anime lover, the sheer innovation of Interstella 5555 makes it a must-see event.

Mark your calendars for December 12, because this is your chance to immerse yourself in the revolutionary fusion of Daft Punk and Leiji Matsumoto’s animation. Experience the sound, color, and emotion of Interstella 5555 like never before, and join in on the global celebration at a local theater near you.

Interstella 5555: The 5tory of the 5ecret 5tar 5ystem is currently available to stream on Prime Video in the U.S.

WATCH ON PRIME VIDEO