Disney Unveils Thrilling Slate of New Films with Exciting Sequels in Fan-Favorite Franchises

Director Andrew Stanton has returned to helm “Toy Story 5,” marking his comeback to the franchise that began in 1995. Simultaneously, Pixar is also working on a third installment of “The Incredibles.”

ANAHEIM, Calif. — In a grand spectacle at Disney’s D23 convention, the entertainment giant unveiled a slate of upcoming movies and TV series. Highlights included sneak peeks, live performances, and surprise guest appearances. Dwayne Johnson, Zoe Saldana, and Jude Law graced the stage, heightening fan excitement.

Disney CEO Bob Iger received a standing ovation from the crowd of over 15,000 attendees. “We’re thrilled to share glimpses of our upcoming projects with our fans,” he said, emphasizing the importance of entertainment in today’s world. “The showcase included teasers from the ‘Avatar,’ ‘Toy Story,’ and ‘Incredibles’ franchises,” Iger added.

In one of the event’s standout moments, Auli’i Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson performed a song from “Moana,” accompanied by drummers and dancers in vibrant costumes. Shortly after, Disney released the first full-length trailer for “Moana 2,” featuring both new and returning characters like Pua the pig and the Kakamora pirates.

Johnson and Cravalho will reprise their roles in “Moana 2,” set for a November 27 release. Johnson shared his excitement, particularly noting that his daughters, ages 6 and 8, were in the audience. He also announced a new project, a “Monster Jam” live-action movie, though updates on the live-action “Moana” are still pending.

Jude Law revealed that “Star Wars: Skeleton Crew” will premiere on Disney+ on December 3. He shared how he fell in love with “Star Wars” at a young age and presented a clip from the coming-of-age series.

Meanwhile, Pixar revealed the development of “The Incredibles 3.” Chief Creative Officer Pete Docter confirmed the news, heightening anticipation for the superfamily’s return.

Andrew Stanton will lead “Toy Story 5,” tackling the theme of toys versus technology. The film is scheduled for a summer 2026 release.

In another significant reveal, Jennifer Lee, Chief Creative Officer of Walt Disney Animation Studios, presented concept art for “Frozen III.” The artwork depicted Anna, Elsa, and Olaf overlooking a mysterious creature, with the film targeting a 2027 release.

James Cameron, alongside actors Zoe Saldana and Sam Worthington, provided the official title for the third Avatar film: “Avatar: Fire and Ash.” Although too early for clips, concept art was shared, showcasing fresh glimpses of Pandora.

Cameron hinted at unexpected elements in the new film, stating, “The new film is not what you expect, but it’s definitely what you want.” He will be honored as a “Disney Legend” to close out D23.

Docter also announced an original Pixar movie titled “Hoppers,” starring Bobby Moynihan and Jon Hamm. Exclusive previews of “Elio” were shared, revealing Yonas Kibreab and Zoe Saldana as part of the cast. The film is scheduled for a June 13, 2025 release.

In a first for Pixar, two new series will debut on Disney+. Following the success of “Inside Out 2,” “Dream Productions” will stream in 2025. Additionally, “Win or Lose,” Pixar’s first longform series, will premiere on December 6.

Disney fans were also delighted with an exclusive look at “Zootopia 2,” set for a November 2025 release. Ginnifer Goodwin announced that Ke Huy Quan would join the cast as a snake.