Disney is planning to release five more large-format films in the next few years, including Beauty And The Beast.

The move comes in the wake of the success of the Imax version of Fantasia 2000, which has grossed $64m (�48m) world-wide, showing in just 75 cinemas.

"We are so thrilled with the success of Fantasia on Imax,'' Walt Disney Studios chairman Peter Schneider said.

"We realised that we could broaden our filmmaking opportunities and the Disney label. We have therefore put these movies into production.''

In the pipeline

Imax is a large-screen film format which is viewed on a giant screen which fills the audiences' peripheral version, giving the sense of being immersed in the action.

The Imax version of Beauty And The Beast is scheduled to be released in March next year.

Disney has spent a year on the large-format version, which will include a new musical sequence featuring the song Human Again.

The other films in the pipeline include a live-action prequel of The Black Stallion and a musical based on Broadway play Bring In Da Noise, Bring In Da Funk.

Also to be made is Birds Of Prey, the first of a nature adventure series and a film about the X Games, an extreme sports competition.

All of the films will be around 50 to 60 minutes long.