It’s Disney, Marvel, Star Wars, and Pixar all rolled into one epic event.
If you’re itching to get back to the cinemas but nothing’s caught your eye, Disney’s D23 Expo might just change that. With a lineup of new projects, Marvel and Star Wars updates, and the sequels we’ve all been dying for, there’s a lot to get excited about!
Hosted at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California, Disney’s showcase featured big reveals for 2025 and 2026. Expect the return of beloved classics like The Incredibles, Toy Story, Frozen, and Moana. Plus, there are live-action adaptations of Snow White, Lilo & Stitch, and Mufasa: The Lion King. Excited yet? You should be!
Here’s a Quick Look at Disney’s Upcoming Projects Featured During the D23 Expo
With 15,000 excited fans in attendance, the Disney fan event was packed with celebrity appearances, exclusive sneak peeks, and full trailers of the most anticipated upcoming movies. Here’s a quick rundown:
Snow White
Nearly 90 years after its 1937 debut, Snow White returns as a live-action film! Starring Rachel Zegler as Snow White and Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen, this reimagining of the classic tale is set for release in March 2025. Get ready for a fresh take on the princess, who found refuge with seven dwarfs while fleeing her wicked stepmother.
Lilo & Stitch
Miss that heartwarming Lilo & Stitch vibe? Good news! Disney is bringing everyone’s favorite blue alien back to the big screen in a live-action adaptation. Slated for summer 2025, Stitch will be voiced by his original actor, Chris Sanders.
Mufasa: The Lion King
Serving as both a prequel and sequel to the hit 2019 The Lion King, which wowed audiences with its photorealistic animation, this new film dives into the epic backstory of Mufasa and Scar, narrated by Rafiki. While previous films portrayed Mufasa and Scar as royal siblings, this story shakes things up by revealing that Mufasa wasn’t born into royalty but was actually an orphaned cub taken in by Scar’s family. Set for release on December 20, the film features Aaron Pierre as young Mufasa and Kelvin Harrison Jr. as young Scar, and returning stars like Donald Glover as Simba and Beyoncé as Nala, with her daughter Blue Ivy voicing Princess Kiara.
Moana 2
“Can I get a chee-hoo?” They’re back! Our favorite demigod Maui and the brave princess Moana are returning for the second installment of the beloved animated musical adventure. Set three years after the original 2016 hit, the new film introduces Moana’s younger sister, Simea, and takes the duo on an epic journey across the far seas of Oceania, exploring long-lost and treacherous waters. Auliʻi Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson, who even performed at the D23 Expo, are back to reprise their roles. Mark your calendars for the film’s release on November 27!
The Incredibles 3
Yes, it’s finally happening! Our favorite superhero family is back in action. While details are still under wraps, writer-director Brad Bird confirmed that the Parr family will continue to face epic challenges, which we’re sure they’ll successfully overcome. Who’s excited to see what new powers Jack-Jack will unleash?
Toy Story 5
Ready for another emotional rollercoaster? In Toy Story 5, Woody, Buzz, Jessie, and the gang take on a new adventure as they face off against electronic devices. Set for release in the summer of 2026, this film tackles the challenge of staying relevant in a world dominated by gadgets.
Along with these exciting updates, there are even more films headed to cinemas soon! Get ready for the Zootopia sequel and the continuation of Elsa and Anna’s story in Frozen 3, which will be split into two parts. Plus, new installments of Percy Jackson and the Olympians (Season 2), Freakier Friday, and Wizards of Waverly Place are on the way.
Director James Cameron and stars Zoe Saldaña and Sam Worthington also took the stage to share updates on the third Avatar movie, now titled Avatar: Fire and Ash. Meanwhile, Marvel, fresh off Comic-Con, made waves with announcements about the upcoming series Ironheart, updates on The Fantastic Four: First Steps, and the spinoff Agatha All Along from WandaVision. They also dropped a trailer for the Star Wars series Skeleton Crew, starring Jude Law, set in the same post-Return of the Jedi era as The Mandalorian.
Pixar also joined the fun, announcing its original film Hoppers, coming to theaters on June 13, 2025, and two new Disney+ series, Dreams Production and Win or Lose. Exciting stuff, right? Stay tuned for more updates—let’s keep the magic alive!
Cover image credit: Disney D23
