There was an almost electric air of anticipation at the Honda Center in Anaheim, the kind you only get when Burbank’s dream machine decides to lower its heaviest cards. D23 was never just an insider’s date or a cold succession of press releases, but a true statement of intent for global pop culture, with fans as the primary recipients. And indeed, this year too, driven by the overwhelming enthusiasm of hundreds of thousands of in-person fans and a boundless community connected from every corner of the planet, the event made one thing clear: Disney’s strategy for the coming years aims to balance the reassuring power of nostalgia with the visceral desire to take risks.
D23 Disney Reveals the Future! From Avengers: Doomsday and the New X-Men to Frozen 3
From the shakeup promised by the new Marvel Cinematic Universe installments to the expansion of the Star Wars Galaxy, to the new frontiers of Pixar and Disney animation between iconic sequels and thrilling original stories, the evening provided a fast pace of announcements, casting twists, and exclusive previews. Take a few minutes, make yourself comfortable, because there’s so much to tell with all the material we’ve seen and collected in two hours of the D23 showcase, with titles that will shape our cinematic and serial imagination in the coming years.
The Heart of Entertainment: Anne Hathaway and the Thrill of Being a “Disney Legend”
Anne Hathaway, newly nominated for Disney Legend (a title she will officially receive on Sunday), immediately reminded everyone how ingrained these stories are in the hearts of the public. Greeted by the roar of the Honda Center, the Oscar-winning actress made no secret of her emotion and gratitude for a career launched by the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse films. Between a mention of iconic sets, such as The Devil Wears Prada, and the recent success of Odyssey, the most heartfelt moment was when Hathaway wanted to pay homage to Pretty Princess (The Princess Diaries): With her trademark irony, she played with the audience by recalling Mia Thermopolis’ unforgettable lines. “I still can’t write Genovia,” the actress joked, asking fans to keep responding with the iconic “Shut up!” whenever the opportunity arises.
But his speech wasn’t just a nostalgic journey. Reiterating the importance of stories designed for a cross-section and family audience, Anne Hathaway wanted to thank fans for their patience, confirming that work on Pretty Princess 3 is progressing well: “We’re working hard to get it to you and make it perfect.” Finally, the actress introduced Dana Walden (President and Chief Creative Officer of The Walt Disney Company), officially kicking off the Entertainment Showcase lockdown. A sweet and emotional passing of the baton, before getting to the heart of the next Disney epics.
Jon Favreau’s Miracle: Oswald the Lucky Rabbit Relives Between 2D Animation and Live Action
There could only have been the narrative sensibility of Jon Favreau (here as creator, writer, co-director, and executive producer) behind the return of the character who effectively sparked the entire Walt Disney legend: Oswald the Lucky Rabbit. Presented by Favreau himself as a “very personal” project, the new incarnation of Oswald will arrive in the form of a hybrid miniseries (live-action and animation) in three episodes, debuting exclusively on Disney+ on February 17, 2027.
Oswald’s is the story of an expropriation, of rights lost to Universal and of a character who fell into oblivion while Mickey Mouse, born from the ashes of that farewell in 1928, became a global icon. Favreau retraced this ordeal with great emotional transport, also recalling Disney’s triumphant recovery of the rights just a few years ago.
The most extraordinary aspect of the miniseries, however, lies in its technical realization: for the animated part, traditional 2D animation was strictly used, recalling many longtime Disney animators who had not worked with this technique for years. It will all come together in a live-action setting heavily rooted in the major label’s history: filming, which involved live-action actors such as Ravi Cabot-Conyers, Kathryn Hahn and Albert Brooks, took place at cult locations including the ancient Hyperion Studios in Silver Lake, the original 3H Office building in Burbank and none other than Disneyland. The plot is a brilliant metacinematic stunt: following an earthquake in California, Oswald, locked in a vault since the 1920s, is freed. Disoriented and out of time, the animated rabbit will have to navigate the modern real world, aided by a middle school boy and his friends.
Pixar Turns 40 and Looks to the Future: From The Incredibles 3 to Coco 2, Including the Unreleased Ghost Market?
2026 marks Pixar’s fortieth anniversary. An achievement that Pete Docter, welcomed on stage as a true hero, wanted to celebrate by remembering the origins of the first Toy Story and thanking the audience for the recent resounding successes of Toy Story 5 and the acclaimed Hoppers. But nostalgia quickly gave way to action, confirming that the studio has no intention of living off its income. On the contrary, the line-up presented at D23 mixes great, highly anticipated returns to original bets ready to shock the public.
Cat
Before diving into the big sequels and supernatural atmospheres, Pixar will open its new course with the first release on the calendar, set for March 5, 2027: Cat. The project will be signed by the close-knit duo of director Enrico Casarosa and producer Andrea Warren, who were already behind the Oscar-nominated success Luca. If that time the magic touched the Ligurian Riviera, this time the room of Emeryville’s studio moves between the calluses and canals of a fascinating, superstitious Venice full of mystery.
At the center of the story is Nero, an irreverent black cat (voiced by Mark Ruffalo), who, after years of navigating the city’s feline life, begins to wonder if he is really living his life right. Complicating his existence is the debt of honor he incurred with Rocco (Laurence Fishburne), a ruthless mafia boss of the local feline underworld. To save his own skin, Nero will be forced to form an unexpected alliance and embark on a journey that will lead him to discover his true purpose, assuming that the unpredictable magic of Venice does not prevail over him.
The Incredibles 3: The “Superhero League,” Bob’s Crisis, and the Next Generation’s Turn
The first real bombshell of the evening came with the official announcement of The Incredibles 3, due out on June 16, 2028, directed by Peter Sohn. Prepare for a status quo shakeup: Thanks to entrepreneur Winston Deavor, the Supers are legal again, but the system has been swallowed up by the “Superhero League“, a corporate mechanism made up of brands, marketing, and sponsors. While Bob (Mr. Incredible) faces a profound crisis of relevance in a world that seems to have overcome it, the real protagonists of this third chapter will be the children.
Violetta and Dash claim their independence by secretly acting as night watchmen, while Jack-Jack’s powers have become unpredictable and dangerous. Permanently uniting – or destroying – the Parr family will be the arrival of a new and devastating threat: a supervillain capable of unleashing a power greater than that of the entire family combined.
Ghost Market: Pixar Bets on the Supernatural with a Hawaiian tale of the Living and the Dead
But Pixar doesn’t just live on sequels. In March 2028, it will be the turn of Ghost Market (directed by Trevor Jimenez and Jesse Andrews), a work that pushes the study towards the new territory of the supernatural. We’ll follow the adventures of Kyle, a talkative teenager and content creator from Chicago, reluctantly dragged by his mother on vacation to the North Shore of O’ahu, Hawaii. Fleeing boredom to find a late-night snack, Kyle will stumble upon the Ono Market, a mysterious kiosk that serves as a veritable crossroads between the worlds of the living and the dead.
Coco 2: The Return of Ernesto de la Cruz, a Teenage Miguel, and the Landing in Kingdom Hearts IV
However, the latest, unexpected announcement, Coco 2, scheduled for November 2029, brought the arena down emotionally. Directors Lee Unkrich and Adrian Molina will take us back to the evocative Land of the Dead, taking the narrative a few years further. Miguel is now a teenager, but the ghosts of the past have not forgotten him. With a theatrical entrance on the Honda Center stage, Benjamin Bratt confirmed his return as the iconic Ernesto de la Cruz, whose legacy, destroyed under the weight of a giant bell, generated in him a fierce thirst for revenge. With a brilliant twist, fate will force Miguel and his nemesis to team up, in an adventure where the boy’s ancestors will once again play a vital role.
Closing the loop is an expansion of the franchise that has sent nerds into raptures: Coco’s world officially lands in the video game universe, becoming an explorable world in the highly anticipated Kingdom Hearts IV, confirmed for late 2027.
Kingdom Hearts Becomes an Anime Series for Disney+
If the announcement of the Coco level in Kingdom Hearts IV had already shocked fans of the video game franchise, the real bombshell for the television division came directly from Disney Entertainment Television: Kingdom Hearts will officially become an original anime series aimed at Disney+ and Disney Channel. The project (currently in development under the working title Kingdom Hearts) was born from a direct collaboration with the saga’s longtime father, Tetsuya Nomura, in a co-production between Disney Kids & Family and Square Enix.
It will not be a simple compendium or summary of video games, but a true reimagining of the narrative universe, capable of expanding the lore with a new story while celebrating the iconic characters and worlds that have marked entire generations of players. For those who grew up crossing Keyblades with Disney icons and Final Fantasy characters, one of the most anticipated serial dates of the coming years is in store.
The Simpsons Returns to Theaters: Bart, Dana Walden, and the First Look at The New Film?
The Disney Entertainment Showcase was opened by an unpredictable but magnetic couple: Dana Walden (President and Chief Creative Officer of The Walt Disney Company) and a true icon of television history, Bart Simpson. In a vitriolic virtual sketch joking about the franchise’s eternal youth and the similarities between the two (“We haven’t aged a day in nearly forty years!”), the Simpson family’s eldest son appeared not on the arena’s giant screen just to elicit applause, but to give fans one of the evening’s very first, huge announcements.
Exactly twenty years after the overwhelming success of The Simpsons Movie (2007), TV’s most famous yellow family is officially preparing to make its big theatrical comeback. Accompanied by a very first sneak peek shown exclusively to the D23 audience, the new Simpsons film already has an official release date set for September 3, 2027. A cinematic event that promises to be crucial in reaffirming the overflowing satirical power and pop impact of a work that has continued to define the collective imagination for generations.
Queen Latifah and Denis Leary launch Ice Age: Boiling Point.
There’s a thread of pure nostalgia that unites multiple generations who have grown up in cinema over the past twenty years, and it has the appearance of a mammoth, a saber-toothed tiger, and a ramshackle sloth. Queen Latifah (Ellie’s longtime voice) and Denis Leary (Diego) remembered him with great warmth on stage at D23, taking the stage to celebrate over two decades of the saga and preview the new installment from 20th Century Studios: Ice Age: Boiling Point.
The film, directed by John C. Donkin and produced by Lori Forte, promises to literally raise the temperature by returning the pack to full strength, still led by Manny (Ray Romano), Sid (John Leguizamo), Diego, Ellie, and Buck (Simon Pegg), in the most hidden and unexplored corners of the menacing “Lost World”. Between lava eruptions, dinosaurs, and the inevitable dose of slapstick comedy, the chaos will be triggered, as always, by Scrat’s pursuit of the acorn. But the famous rodent won’t be alone: in addition to Baby Scrat, a huge prehistoric version of the character, renamed Jurassic Scrat, will make its debut on this ride. The film will hit the big screen on February 5, 2027.
Disney Live Action News
Balancing between the unwavering strength of nostalgia and the will to hammer the nail while it’s hot on the latest hits, Disney’s live-action division continues to be one of the driving forces of the entire list. At D23, the formula is renewed with two top-notch aces up its sleeve: on the one hand, the highly anticipated and sumptuous flesh-and-blood adaptation of one of the most beloved modern fairy tales of the new millennium, and on the other, confirmation of the immediate construction work underway for the sequel to a phenomenon that will fetch over a billion dollars at the box office.
“Ohana Means Family”: Lilo & Stitch 2 Announced with Angel Debut!
Following the incredible success of the first live-action adaptation, which broke the billion-dollar global box office wall in 2025, Lilo & Stitch’s tropical universe is poised to double. The very young Maia Kealoha (who plays Lilo) took the stage at D23, greeted by the overwhelming affection of the Honda Center, before being “interrupted” by the virtual irruption of her inseparable alien friend onto the arena’s giant screens. But the real surprise for Disney lore fans came soon after: Stitch was not alone, but joined by Angel (Experiment 624), his iconic pink companion with irresistible charm, ready for her official live-action debut.
The event confirmed that production on Lilo & Stitch 2 will kick off in the evocative Hawaiian settings later this year, aiming for a theatrical release on May 26, 2028. Ensuring the continuity and authentic spirit of the work will once again be Chris Sanders, creator and co-director of the 2002 animated classic and Stitch’s unmistakable original voice. A welcome return that promises to expand the family (Ohana) without losing an ounce of the whimsy and excitement that made the franchise famous.
Mother Gothel Takes the Stage: First Taste of Rapunzel’s Live-Action
It wasn’t the blonde heroes who anticipated the warmth of Rapunzel’s magic on stage, but the one who made the 2010 animated film of the same name an instant classic: the brilliant and narcissistic Mother Gothel. Playing her in the highly anticipated new live-action Tangled will be none other than Kathryn Hahn (WandaVision, Agatha All Along), who took the stage with overwhelming energy that immediately unleashed the fans in attendance at the Honda Center.
The actress, with her proverbial irony and playing on the “terrible yet affectionate” nature of her youth-obsessed stepmother, introduced the project to the audience. Currently filming in some beautiful locations among cathedrals and monasteries in Spain, the new Tangled will make its film debut on March 31, 2028. And it was from Spain, in a friendly video message apologizing for their absence due to filming in progress, that the two very young actors chosen for the roles of Rapunzel and Flynn Rider greeted the audience: Teagan Croft (Titans) and Milo Manheim (Zombies). The film, directed by Michael Gracey (already acclaimed for the visual magic of The Greatest Showman) and produced by Kristin Burr, promises to be one of the most sumptuous pieces of the live-action genre, also supported by important additions to the cast, such as the arrival of Diego Luna in a completely new role.
Percy Jackson’s Maturity: The Titan’s Curse Raises the Stakes for Season 3
The growth journey of Percy Jackson & the Olympians continues to establish itself as one of the most solid and faithful serial successes in the Disney+ fantasy landscape. On stage at D23, an enthusiastic Walker Scobell officially unveiled the third season, which will adapt one of the most beloved and dark chapters of Rick Riordan’s literary saga: The Curse of the Titan. With a November 20, 2026, release on Disney+, the series is poised to make a significant leap in atmosphere, with the narrative becoming more complex and the threats decidedly more lethal.
Underscoring the political and family weight of the impending clash between gods and Titans was the completion of the Olympic Council at the 600° floor of the Empire State Building. Scobell has welcomed two prestigious casting innovations to the stage that will enrich the divine pantheon: Andra Day as Athena, goddess of wisdom, and the legendary Ming-Na Wen as Hera, queen of Olympus. Between explosive family dynamics, the debut of Artemis’s Hunters, the arrival of new demigods, and the desperate mission to rescue Annabeth, Percy will face his toughest test yet to prevent war with Cronus’ forces from finally engulfing the mortal world.
The Great Rebirth of the Marvel Cinematic Universe?
Between the return of the icons that have made the history of the franchise, serial trilogies that have reached their climax, and the long-awaited Mutant era, Kevin Feige has brought to D23 a series of aces capable of completely redefining the future of the MCU.
VisionQuest: The End of the Trilogy Between Existential Crises and Ultron’s Return
The Marvel Studios panel was opened by the television division, ready to close the circle of a narrative journey that began in 2021. VisionQuest, coming to Disney+ on October 14, 2026 under the guidance of showrunner Terry Matalas, represents the final chapter of the serial trilogy inaugurated by WandaVision and continued with Agatha All Along. On stage at the Honda Center, a brilliant Paul Bettany joked about his “numerous deaths” in the MCU before delving into the show’s more intimate nature: having retreated into isolation after being rescheduled, Vision finds himself asking philosophical questions about his humanity and purpose, interacting with the AIs of his memory (from FRIDAY to JARVIS).
Shattering his inner search will be the entrance of Thomas Shepard (a young man linked to the reincarnation of his son) and the return of a threat from the past: James Spader, who unexpectedly took the stage with Bettany to confirm his presence as Ultron. No longer just a digital voice, but a tangible presence ready to put Vision’s escape to the fire and sword.
Avengers: Doomsday: Three Head-to-Head Universes and the Return of the Giants
If there was one moment that shook the foundations of D23, it was the unveiling of Avengers: Doomsday, scheduled for release on December 18, 2026. Directed by the Russo Brothers, the film represents the definitive crossover event: for the first time on the same screen, we will see the Avengers, the Fantastic Four, and the original X-Men interact. Easing the tension before the cast joined was a hilarious video contribution by Hugh Jackman, who jokingly asked Kevin Feige from the British sets if there was still room for him to “round up the cast.”
The apotheosis was reached with the entrance on stage of the three absolute protagonists: Hayley Atwell (Peggy Carter), Chris Evans, cheered with a dull roar for his great return as Steve Rogers, and Robert Downey Jr. No longer the hero who gave birth to the MCU, but the face of the ultimate villain: Doctor Victor von Doom. Between jokes about Captain America’s broken happiness and the looming threat of a collapsing Multiverse, Feige gave the audience a chilling new trailer, far better than the one recently released.
X-Men: The New Age of Mutants led by Sadie Sink and Adam Driver
Completing Marvel’s triptych of wonders was the official announcement of the X-Men reboot, which is scheduled to debut in theaters on May 5, 2028. The presentation, led by director Jake Schreier (Thunderbolts*), put the new generation of mutants at the center, starting with Sadie Sink, who, after her debut as Jean Grey in Spider-Man: Brand New Day, introduced Xavier’s new school to the stage.
A fresh and hugely talented cast will see Kit Connor as Cyclops, Christopher Abbott as Professor X, Samara Weaving as Emma Frost, Inde Navarrette as Rogue, and Maya Boyd as Storm. Closing the event with an electric shock was a video message sent directly from Pinewood Studios by Adam Driver: the actor revealed that he will not play the role of Magneto as many speculated, but rather that of the nefarious Doctor Nathaniel Milbury, better known as Sinister (Mister Sinister).
The Galaxy Far Away Looks to the Future: The New Star Wars Course at D23
Ahsoka 2: Anakin Returns and Thrawn Threats in Season 2
Greeted by the roar of the Honda Center audience, Dave Filoni kicked off the Lucasfilm block alongside Rosario Dawson, Hayden Christensen, and Eman Esfandi to present the highly anticipated second season of Ahsoka, confirmed to arrive on Disney+ on January 20, 2027. A return that raises the stakes significantly: after the fall of the Empire, the galaxy faces the terrifying advance of Grand Admiral Thrawn, as the remnants of the Rebel Alliance try to defend the fragile New Republic.
On stage, Hayden Christensen gave fans a taste of the evolution of his Anakin Skywalker, who, in the form of a Force Ghost or through visions, will continue to support and test his former Padawan: “This season, Anakin is pushing Ahsoka to face the most important question of her life: Are you a Jedi or not?” Meanwhile, Ezra Bridger (Eman Esfandi), finally returned home and reunited with his rebel family (Hera, Sabine, Zeb and Chopper), will join the front line of battle. The first teaser shown in the room confirmed an even darker, more epic and visceral tone.
Star Wars: Starfighter, Ryan Gosling led by Shawn Levy for 50 years into the saga
The real cinematic bombshell of the evening came with the unveiling of Star Wars: Starfighter, the new big-screen film directed by Shawn Levy (Deadpool & Wolverine), coming to theaters on May 28, 2027. A date that is far from accidental: the film will be released on the same weekend that, exactly 50 years earlier (in May 1977), Star Wars by George Lucas changed the history of cinema forever. To mark the occasion, Filoni also announced that the original ’77 film will return to theaters in a restored version in 2027 to celebrate the saga’s half-century.
Starfighter will star Ryan Gosling, who took the stage wearing a vintage Mickey Mouse Club leather jacket (complete with archival footage projected on giant screens to commemorate his early steps in the Disney family) before receiving his character’s official jacket from Levy. Gosling will play Cade Oron, a cynical outlaw who grew up in the galaxy’s slums, whose fate will be intertwined with the fastest fighter ship ever built. The film will explore a time era entirely new to the saga on the big screen, supported by a stellar cast that includes Amy Adams, Matt Smith, Mia Goth, Aaron Pierre and newcomer Flynn Gray.
At the Heart of Magic: Walt Disney Animation’s Art Between Great Sagas and New Betting
From the snow-capped peaks of Arendelle to the uncharted neighborhoods of Zootropolis, to completely new enchanted realms: at D23, Walt Disney Animation Studios demonstrated how to combine the epicness of record-breaking franchises with the desire to experience original stories that will make entire generations dream.
Witches, Three-Eyed Cats, and Jodie Foster: Disney Reveals the Magic of Hexed
Walt Disney Animation Studios continues to bet on original stories that can refresh the classic imagery of magic. The closest date on the calendar is set for November 25, 2026, with Disney’s Hexed, a dynamic and whimsical coming-of-age fairy tale. Presented at D23 by Chief Creative Officer Jared Bush and protagonist Hailee Steinfeld (who voices the young Billie Doe), the film draws us into the world of witches, overturning the traditional canons of the genre.
The story follows Billie, an impulsive teenager who suddenly discovers that she possesses incredible and uncontrollable magical powers. The explosion of her abilities catapults her directly to Hexe, a vast and dangerous magical realm hidden from most. Joining her on this journey of self-discovery will be a quirky alliance: her prudent mother Alice (voiced by Rashida Jones) and Beef Roger Crummchuk, a quirky and hidden three-eyed magical cat, voiced by an irresistible Walton Goggins who took the stage to preview his character’s design. But the highlight of the presentation was the announcement of the main antagonist: to take on the role of the evil Heavenly Queen, willing to do anything to maintain power over Hexe, will be two-time Oscar winner Jodie Foster. A historic return for the actress to Disney after her childhood classics (such as All Happened on a Friday), which also marks her first-ever role as a voice actress in an animated film.
Zootopia Never Stops: Zootopia 3 Officially Announced!
If there was any certainty at D23, it was that the most famous animal metropolis in modern animated cinema was set to expand further. But the surprise came with ways and times capable of surprising the entire Honda Center. Hosting the entire Disney Entertainment Showcase were Ginnifer Goodwin (the unmistakable voice of bunny Judy Hopps) and Oscar winner Ke Huy Quan (who voices snake Gary De’Snake). The two welcomed Jared Bush, Chief Creative Officer of Walt Disney Animation Studios and the mastermind behind the first two installments, on stage.
After recalling his nearly fifteen years inside the studio and the extraordinary impact of the franchise, Bush gave the audience a previously unseen promotional sequence and built specifically for D23. In the short and hilarious sketch, Judy Hopps and Gary find themselves grappling with an unlikely investigation into a “rabbit strangling neighbors” before dropping the real bombshell of the evening: Zootopia 3 is officially in development.
In addition to confirming the return of the original voice cast, Jared Bush teased fans by hinting at the new narrative direction of the third installment. If the saga has so far focused almost exclusively on the world of mammals, Zootopia 3 will push the boundaries of world-building even further, finally introducing the bird and bird community. A visual and conceptual expansion that promises to open the door to new social dynamics, withering jokes, and, of course, that big dose of heart and satire that has made the saga a record-breaking global phenomenon.
Real Weddings, Unreleased Songs, and New Threats: Frozen 3 Sets D23 Ablaze
Closing the evening in style, giving fans at the Honda Center a burst of pure electricity, was Disney’s most successful animated franchise in recent history: Frozen 3. Directed by Jennifer Lee and Trent Correy, the film will make its theatrical debut on November 24, 2027. To celebrate the announcement, the original voice cast took the stage for a live musical performance to the tune of the new songs composed by award-winning Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez. Kristen Bell (Anna) and Idina Menzel (Elsa) performed a rearranged version of the iconic Ice Heart theme (Frozen Heart), followed by Josh Gad (Olaf), who drew laughter and applause by performing a hilarious love song called Ooooh, Samantha, dedicated to his first crush.
Beyond the stage show, the presentation offered juicy details about the evolution of the plot. Frozen 3 will see Anna and Kristoff finally ready to fulfill their dream of love with the long-awaited royal wedding. What was supposed to be a honeymoon for the new Queen of Arendelle will, however, turn into their biggest, most complex, and dangerous adventure ever. The first animated footage previewed revealed the presence of a dark and mysterious new antagonist, whose power and magical abilities seem capable of directly rivaling Elsa’s. An epic challenge that will push the two sisters, Kristoff, Olaf, and Sven beyond the known confines of Arendelle.