Disney has always had the reputation of being the family-friendly brand, which they have kept true to. However, throughout the years of acquiring properties such as Hulu, Marvel Entertainment, Lucasfilm and most recently 20th Century Studios they have been left with little choice but to adapt.
That is just their screen entertainment, not accounting for the cruises, theme parks, sports channels, Broadway shows and toy-making production that they also involved in.
The long and short of it; you likely grew up on Disney content, or you are currently consuming Disney content, and/or will be raising your children on Disney content.
The Walt Disney Company recently held its biggest biennial expo, the "D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event presented by Visa", and in doing so, unveiled a long list of projects that you will have to put some coins aside for in the coming years.
Walt Disney Company CEO, Josh D’Amaro summed it up best when he addressed attendees at their D23 expo, held in Anaheim, California over the weekend.
“Right now, nearly half a million people are in our parks and on our cruise ships. Millions more are watching our stories in theatres or at home. Someone right now is seeing ‘The Lion King’ on Broadway for the very first time,” he said.
“When you add it all up, Disney has something no other brand on Earth can claim. Not just a customer base, not just an audience, but an actual connection.”
What this means is that they have solidified themselves as one of the biggest brands in entertainment, and at D23, they unveiled all the projects that you will be hearing about for years to come.
Here is a breakdown of all the various projects:
DISNEY
Lilo & Stitch 2 - The sequel to the blockbuster film, which grossed over $1 billion at the box office in 2025, will begin production in Hawaiʻi later this year, with the director, Chris Sanders, who co-created, co-wrote, and directed the 2002 animated film.
The Bluey Movie - Disney showed a teaser at the CG-animated film based on the beloved series about Bluey, a lovable, inexhaustible blue heeler dog who lives with her Mum, Dad, and little sister, Bingo. The Bluey Movie takes place on an action-packed day when a big surprise changes everything for Bluey and her family. Release: 6 August 2027.
Ice Age: Boiling Point - The highly anticipated film is a dinosaur-and-lava-filled madcap adventure that takes the gang and new addition, Jurassic Scrat, to never-before-seen corners of the treacherous Lost World. Release: 5 February 2027.
Tangled: The live-action adaptation of the 2010 animated feature is currently filming in Spain, and is directed by Michael Gracey (The Greatest Showman). Release: 31 March, 2028.
Oswald: Creator, writer, co-director, Jon Favreau unveiled the all-new live-action animated hybrid series based on the classic character Oswald the Lucky Rabbit. When an earthquake releases Walt Disney's creation, Oswald, who has been hidden away since the 1920s, a middle school boy and his friends try to help the cartoon rabbit navigate his way through the modern world. Release: Disney+, 17 February 2027.
Pixar Animation Studios
Incredibles 3: The new film features the fan-favourite family facing supervillains. "Incredibles 3" is directed by Peter Sohn (Elemental). Release: 16 June, 2028.
Coco 2: New concept art revealed Miguel as a teenager, along with the return of film’s villain Ernesto de la Cruz (played by Benjamin Bratt), resulting in a life-changing return trip to the Land of the Dead. Release: November 2029.
Kingdom Hearts: Disney & Pixar Games and SQUARE ENIX shared new details on “Kingdom Hearts IV” which will feature a world inspired by “Coco”, and a late 2027 release window. They also announced an original anime series inspired by the globally beloved video game franchise, has been greenlit for Disney Channel and Disney+. Developed in partnership with legendary video game creator Tetsuya Nomura, the series reimagines the iconic adventure with a brand-new story.
Ghost Market: Pixar is introducing audiences to ʻOno Market, a little plate lunch shop hidden away in a remote location on Oʻahu’s North Shore that serves lost spirits, stuck between life and death. The living have never set foot in this place - until a fast-talking kid named Kyle blunders in and finds himself on an unexpected supernatural adventure. Release: March 2028.
Gatto: Scrappy black cat Nero (voiced by Mark Ruffalo) begins to question whether he’s lived the right lives after years of manoeuvring the canal-ridden, superstitious city of Venice, Italy. Indebted to Rocco (Laurence Fishburne), the ruthless local feline mob boss, Nero finds himself in a quandary. Release: 5 March 2027.
Marvel Studios
VisionQuest: Vision, rebooted and having escaped from those who sought to weaponise him, has been in hiding. Searching for new meaning, he consults the AI personas embedded in his programming, including F.R.I.D.A.Y., E.D.I.T.H., J.A.R.V.I.S., and the infamous Ultron.
His discreet existence ends when a bounty placed on his head thrusts him on the run with Thomas Shepard, a mysterious boy who may be Vision’s son, reincarnate. As Vision evades capture, he must confront his nature, resist Ultron's influence, and unravel the enigma that is his young companion if he’s to survive. Release: Disney+, 14 October, 2026.
Avengers: Doomsday: Beloved heroes from three distinct universes are set on a deadly collision course and face an existential threat unlike anything they’ve ever encountered. Release: 18 December 2026.
X-Men film: Marvel Studios’ head, Kevin Feige was joined onstage by Sadie Sink, who debuted as (spoiler alert) Jean Grey in “Spider-Man: Brand New Day”, and director Jake Schreier ("Thunderbolts*"), to discuss the all-new X-Men film in development. Release: 5 May, 2028.
Gaming: Insomniac Games in collaboration with Marvel Games and Sony Interactive Entertainment, debuted a new trailer from the upcoming Marvel’s Wolverine. PlayStation 5 release will be on 15 September.
Lucasfilm
Ahsoka Season 2: As Ahsoka and her Jedi apprentice Sabine Wren travel across a mysterious and perilous world to find their way home, their friends Hera, Ezra, Zeb, and Chopper must face the powerful Grand Admiral Thrawn and his sinister allies, who seek to plunge the New Republic into war. Release: Disney+, 20 January, 2027.
Star Wars: Starfighter: When a cynical rogue is confronted by his mysterious past, he is hurled into a dangerous adventure across the galaxy that puts him on a crash course with destiny. Release: 28 May, 2027
Walt Disney Animation Studios
Zootopia 3: The new movie is officially in early development at the studio. Release: To be announced at a later date.
Clay (working title): Set in a magical forest full of fantastical creatures. When the rebellious misfit Flip is unwillingly chosen during a yearly ritual to mentor a young, impressionable ball of clay named Mushy, the unlikely duo is swept into a chaotic, funny, and ultimately life-changing adventure. Release: 2028.
Hexed: The original magical coming-of-age saga will see Billie Doe, an impulsive and unconventional teenage girl who discovers secret magical abilities. Release: 25 November 25, 2026.
Frozen 3: Cast members Kristen Bell (voice of Anna) and Idina Menzel (voice of Elsa), and Josh Gad (voice of Olaf) showed an all-new animation of Anna, Elsa, Olaf, Kristoff, and Sven, which hinted at a new villainess whose powers rival those of Elsa’s. Release: November 24, 2027.
Disney TV
Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The upcoming third season is inspired by ‘Titan’s Curse’. The official teaser trailer for season three. Release: Disney+, 20 November, 2026.
LION: National Geographic series showed the remarkable true story, filmed over four years following real pride and a single cub, Kio, on his journey to becoming king. LION premieres 19 August on National Geographic and streams 20 August on Disney+ and Hulu.
Camp Rock 3 will stream on Disney+ soon, sees the executive producers and stars Joe, Nick, and Kevin Jonas return with a new generation stars.
The Disney Theatrical Group also announced that their brand-new stage adaptation of The Greatest Showman, based on the 2017 smash-hit film. 20th Century Studios will also release "Romy & Michele 2", a sequel film to the beloved 1997 film will stream on Disney+ in 2027.
theolin.tembo@national.mg.co.za