Disney marks 60 years of It’s a Small World by revealing new verse in heartfelt film

Written by the late Richard Sherman, the new verse celebrates unity, love and the enduring magic of the iconic song.

In ‘The Last Verse,’ Disney reflects on the global impact of the song over six decades, weaving together rare footage of fans singing along – from black-and-white clips of the 1960s to Super 8mm film of the 1970s, VHS footage of punk teens in the 1980s, and modern TikToks. The film culminates in a young child singing the newly revealed verse:

Mother Earth unites us in heart and mind

And the love we give makes us humankind

Through our vast, wondrous land

When we stand hand-in-hand

It’s a small world after all.

“As the legendary creators of some of the most cherished music of the past century, the Sherman brothers will be remembered for their profound impact on our global culture,” said The Walt Disney Company’s chief executive officer, Bob Iger. “Hearing Richard Sherman recite the final verse to It’s a Small World before he died will be a moment I will carry with me forever.”

The three-minute and 30-second film, created by Adam&EveDDB and directed by Henry Alex Rubin, debuts tonight during ABC News Studios’ The Untold Story of Mary Poppins: A Special Edition of 20/20. The event also celebrates the 60th anniversary of Mary Poppins, which earned the Sherman Brothers Oscars for Best Original Song and Best Original Score.

The film is also a tribute to Robert Sherman, who passed in 2012, and Richard Sherman, who passed away in May 2024. Rubin’s direction captures the spirit of the song’s history while celebrating the Sherman Brothers’ timeless ability to bring joy and connection through music.

The Last Verse will be available to stream on Disney+ starting November 28, as well as on YouTube and Disney’s social media channels.

“This beautiful short film is our tribute to their immeasurable musical contributions, their memory and to the countless memories they helped create for generations of people around the world,” added Iger.

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