The Official 2028 Release Date & Director Change: 7 Shocking Updates On Incredibles 3

The long-awaited return of the Parr family has finally been given an official timeline, but fans will have to wait a little longer than expected. As of today, December 18, 2025, the most significant update on the highly anticipated animated sequel, Incredibles 3, is a confirmed release window. The superhero family is officially slated to hit theaters in 2028, a full decade after the release of Incredibles 2. This announcement places the film firmly within Pixar’s ambitious upcoming slate, which includes other major sequels and original concepts.

The news, which broke during the Destination D23 event in August 2025, confirms that the project is now officially "in development" at Pixar Animation Studios. However, the update came with a major shake-up in the creative team that has left many fans buzzing: a new director will be taking the helm, even as the original visionary remains involved in a key role. The wait for the third installment will be substantial, but the promise of new adventures for Bob, Helen, Violet, Dash, and the powerful Jack-Jack Parr is enough to keep the excitement levels high.

The Confirmed 2028 Release Window and Development Status

After years of speculation and hopeful rumors, Disney and Pixar have provided clarity on when we can expect to see the next chapter in the Incredibles saga. The official word is that the Incredibles 3 release date is set for 2028. This places the film a long way off, but it signifies that the project has moved from a theoretical idea to an active part of the Pixar production pipeline.

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The gap between the first two films was 14 years, from 2004 to 2018. The current timeline suggests a 10-year gap between Incredibles 2 and the third movie. This extended timeline is typical for major animated sequels, especially those from Pixar, which prioritizes story quality and development time over rushed production schedules. The studio has a packed calendar leading up to 2028, which explains the distant date.

The Pixar Animation Studios Upcoming Slate

The 2028 release for Incredibles 3 is part of a larger, ambitious schedule for Pixar. Understanding their current priorities helps contextualize the long wait. The studio is balancing original concepts with high-profile legacy sequels. Key projects currently scheduled ahead of the Parr family's return include:

• Hoppers (2026): An original film set to explore a new world.
• Toy Story 5 (2026): The continuation of Pixar's flagship franchise, set for a summer blockbuster release.
• Gatto (2027): Another original concept film.
• Coco 2 (2028 or later): A sequel to the beloved 2017 film is also in development, potentially sharing the 2028 window with Incredibles 3 or following closely after.

This packed schedule demonstrates that Pixar is strategically spacing out its major franchise sequels to ensure each film receives the focus and quality animation it deserves. The 2028 date for Incredibles 3 ensures it doesn't compete directly with the much-anticipated release of Toy Story 5.

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A Major Director Change: Peter Sohn Takes the Helm

Perhaps the most unexpected and significant news accompanying the release date announcement is the shift in the director’s chair. For the first two films, the creative vision was solely driven by two-time Academy Award winner Brad Bird. Bird, known for his work on The Iron Giant and Ratatouille, was the architect of the entire Incredibles universe. However, for the third installment, he will be stepping back from directing.

The new director for Incredibles 3 will be Peter Sohn. Sohn is a celebrated member of the Pixar team, having directed the critically acclaimed and financially successful 2023 film, Elemental, as well as The Good Dinosaur. This transition marks a major creative inflection point for the franchise, bringing a fresh perspective to the Parr family adventures.

Brad Bird is not entirely absent, however. Sources confirm that he will remain heavily involved in the project, specifically as the writer of the script. This ensures that the core tone, character dynamics, and thematic depth that defined the first two films will be preserved, while Sohn's direction will introduce a new visual style and energy. The change is reportedly due to Bird's focus on his long-gestating live-action project, *Ray Gunn*.

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Speculation and Story Entities: What the Long Wait Means for the Parr Family

A 2028 release date, a decade after Incredibles 2, opens up vast possibilities for the sequel's plot. The biggest question revolves around how much time will have passed in the film's universe. The first sequel picked up immediately where the original left off, but the long development time for the third movie suggests a potential time jump, which would be an exciting creative choice.

The key entities who would benefit most from a time jump are the Parr children:

• Violet Parr: Already a teenager in the first two films, a time jump would see her as a young adult, perhaps in college, dealing with adult relationships and the complexities of using her invisibility and force field powers in a world that is still adjusting to Supers.
• Dash Parr: His super-speed powers would be fully matured. He could be a high-school athlete struggling to balance his hero life with his normal life, or perhaps even a full-time hero like his parents, Bob Parr (Mr. Incredible) and Helen Parr (Elastigirl).
• Jack-Jack Parr: This is the most anticipated element. Jack-Jack's vast, unpredictable, and numerous powers were the comedic highlight of Incredibles 2. A time jump would see him as a pre-teen or young teenager, potentially struggling to control his chaotic abilities, creating a new, dynamic source of conflict and humor for the entire superhero family.

The core theme of the franchise—balancing normal family life with extraordinary superhero responsibilities—could be explored through a new lens as the children enter adulthood. Furthermore, the film will likely continue the narrative thread of the world's acceptance of Supers, which was only just beginning to normalize at the end of Incredibles 2. The introduction of new villains, perhaps a powerful entity that requires the combined, matured strength of the entire Parr family, is a strong possibility.

The shift in director to Peter Sohn, known for his emotional storytelling and vibrant visuals in Elemental, suggests that Incredibles 3 will maintain the franchise's action-packed roots while potentially deepening the emotional core of the family unit. While the 2028 release date feels far away, the official confirmation, the creative team updates, and the potential for a matured Parr family make the wait for this long-awaited sequel one of the most exciting prospects on Pixar’s horizon.