Joshua Bailey’s feature documentary investigates the theft of Epcot’s Buzzy animatronic and the hidden world of souvenir hunters, stolen theme park artifacts, and Disney-related crime. BayView Entertainment has acquired international rights ahead of sales at MIPCOM.
The Mystery Behind a Missing Animatronic
Theme parks are built around carefully constructed worlds, where familiar characters, elaborate sets, and mechanical figures help create the illusion of stepping into another reality. But what happens when pieces of those worlds disappear?
That question drives Stolen Kingdom, a feature documentary directed by Joshua Bailey that examines the history of mischief, scandal, and theft at Walt Disney World. Written by Bailey and Matthew Serrano, known for Defunctland, the film investigates the black market for stolen theme park props, focusing on the notorious 2018 theft of Buzzy, an animatronic figure from Epcot reportedly valued at nearly half a million dollars.
Rather than treating the incident as an isolated disappearance, the documentary places it within a broader story about the people, obsessions, and underground market surrounding stolen attractions and memorabilia.
Inside the World of Disney Collectibles and Crime
The film explores the intersection of Disney fandom and true crime, examining how objects associated with beloved attractions can acquire value far beyond their original purpose. For some collectors and enthusiasts, these artifacts represent a tangible connection to places and experiences that have shaped generations of visitors.
But the theft of such objects raises difficult questions about ownership, preservation, and the lengths people may go to obtain a piece of theme park history.
Stolen Kingdom also has potential appeal beyond Disney enthusiasts. Its investigation into a high-profile theft connects with true-crime audiences and the online urban exploration community, where abandoned spaces, hidden histories, and unusual discoveries regularly attract attention.
From Festival Screenings to International Distribution
Stolen Kingdom premiered at the Big Sky Documentary Film Festival and subsequently screened at Slamdance, IFF Boston, the Florida Film Festival, and the Sidewalk Film Festival, where it was selected as the opening-night film. The film’s festival run included sold-out screenings, according to its distributor announcement.
The documentary has also reached audiences beyond the festival circuit, with more than 150 theatrical screenings across the United States and Canada. It recently reached No. 1 on Apple TV in the United States among newly released documentaries, as reported in the announcement.
That reception has helped position the film for a broader international release.
BayView Entertainment Acquires International Rights
BayView Entertainment has acquired the international rights to Stolen Kingdom and is launching sales to international territories at MIPCOM in October 2026.
The company described the documentary as a welcome addition to its expanding slate of international releases. The acquisition gives the film an opportunity to reach viewers outside North America who are interested in documentary storytelling, unusual crimes, and the cultural influence of major entertainment destinations.
Antenna Releasing serves as the film’s North American distributor.
The Filmmakers Behind Stolen Kingdom
Bailey directs the documentary and co-wrote it with Serrano. The producing team includes Bailey, Slater Wayne (Jackass Forever, Nöthin’ But a Good Time), Brandon Pickering (Sell Your House), Colin Alexander, and Sam Fraser (Flip My Florida Yard).
Executive producers are Jake Williams (Closed for Storm, Abandoned), Joshua Koopman (Earlybird, How to Rob), and Sammie Astaneh (1922, Exile).
With its combination of theme park history, a headline-making theft, and an investigation into the market for stolen props, Stolen Kingdom offers a different perspective on the stories that can exist behind even the most carefully controlled entertainment environments.
Watch the Trailer
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