After losing momentum last year, Disney is hoping to get back on track with its new release schedule. The goal: to focus on characters and licenses that have already proven themselves in the past. The recent release of Vice-Versa 2 seems to indicate that Bob Iger’s strategy is the right one, since the film has surpassed the billion dollar box office revenue after its third weekend in theaters. A first for 2024. Behind that, the big-eared firm plans to rely on its sure values to get back on track. Here are the upcoming Disney and Pixar releases this year, and this until 2026.
MOANA 2 – 27 NOVEMBER 2024
Following the critical and public success of the first part (and thanks to a nice box office score), Disney ordered a sequel to Moana. This sequel also placed on the promotion of Polynesian culture and showing “how the Pacific Islands are connected by the ocean” in the words of co-director David Derrick Jr. is set for release on November 27.
After receiving an unexpected call from her ancestors, Moana, along with Maui and an unlikely new crew of sailors, embarks on a journey that will take her to the dangerous waters of the far reaches of Oceania’s seas to experience an adventure like never before.
MUFASA: THE LION KING – DECEMBER 18, 2024
A fanfare end to the year for the firm with the big ears. A few weeks later Moana 2Disney will release the spin-off of the Roi Lion in live-action, centered on Mufasa, Simba’s father. In this new film mixing live-action shots and photorealistic computer-generated images, The King of the Savannah will meet Scarthe big bad guy from the 1994 animated classic, under the name Taka. The program includes many flashbacks to Mufasa’s childhood, told by the monkey Rafiki to Kiara, Simba’s daughter. Directed by Barry Jenkins (Moonlight), Mufasa: The Lion King is written by Jeff Nathanson, who wrote the screenplays forCatch Me If You Can et Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales.
Rafiki wants to pass on the legend of Mufasa to the young lioness Kiara – the daughter of Simba and Nala. He will be helped in this by Timon and Pumbaa, whose shock phrases are now well known.
ELIO – JUNE 18, 2025
After being delayed due to the Hollywood writers’ strike, Elio has been pushed back to summer 2025 to make way for Vice-Versa 2 (the film thanked him by a subtle easter eggs). In the film, Elio Solis, an eleven-year-old boy who can’t seem to fit in, finds himself transported across the galaxy to the Communiverse and mistaken for the intergalactic ambassador of our planet Earth, after making contact with aliens. The 28th production from Pixar Studios will be directed by Adrian Molina, (writer and co-director of Coco).
ZOOTOPIA 2 – NOVEMBER 26, 2025 (US RELEASE DATE)
Almost 10 years after the release of the first opus, Zootopia 2 is starting to show its face. After having surpassed the billion dollars in 2016, and collected the Oscar for best animated film, Disney and Pixar hope to do at least as well with one of its most lucrative licenses. If we know little about the plot of the film, the narration should once again follow the adventures of the police officer Judy Hopps and her new partner Nick Wilde.It was one of the most amazing experiences of my life, to be honest. I know the next movie will be on another level, as good, if not better. We are very excited,” promises producer Brad Simonen.
TOY STORY 5 – 17 JUIN 2026
The legend of Pixar studios returns for a 5th installment in 2026. This time, it will be Andrew Stanton, the father of the films Finding Nemo, Finding Dory et Wall-E will be directing. The plot remains unknown to this day. We expect news in the coming months.
VAIANA (LIVE-ACTION) – JULY 2026
In addition to Moana 2, Disney will develop a live-action version of the first part, Vaiana, the legend of the end of the world. From what we currently know, Dwayne Johnson to reprise role of Mauiand will star alongside Catherine Laga’aia as Vaiana.
FROZEN 3
Frozen being one of the most lucrative licenses (Frozen 1 and 2 have grossed $1.2 billion and $1.4 billion, respectively, at the global box office), so why stop? Disney is counting on a third installment to replenish the coffers. Elsa and her sister Anna are expected to return in 2026 according to initial estimates. However, we do not know who will be directing or what the film will be about.
What do you think about the upcoming Disney and Pixar releases? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments.
