The 15 Biggest Disney Movie News Bombshells Of 2025 & 2026: A Full Slate Breakdown

The Walt Disney Company is once again dominating the cinematic landscape, with a colossal slate of films scheduled to hit theaters and streaming services throughout 2025 and 2026. As of today, December 10, 2025, the studio is leaning heavily on its most valuable franchises—Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and its classic animated library—to deliver a powerful mix of sequels, reboots, and original content, aiming to continue its impressive multi-billion-dollar box office streak.

The updated release calendar confirms a major strategic shift, prioritizing established Intellectual Property (IP) that has proven to be a financial powerhouse for the studio, balancing the highly anticipated return of animated classics like Zootopia 2 and Toy Story 5 with the massive scope of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and the Star Wars saga. This is the definitive guide to every major film announcement and release date you need to know from the House of Mouse.

The Complete Disney & Pixar Animated Feature Lineup (2025-2026)

Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pixar are set to launch a new wave of films, blending original stories with highly anticipated sequels that promise to be major box office draws. The animation slate is arguably one of the most exciting, focusing on beloved worlds and innovative new concepts.

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• Hoppers (Pixar) - March 6, 2025: Pixar’s next original animated comedy, a major entity in the studio's push for new IP, is set to kick off the spring season.
• Zootopia 2 (Walt Disney Animation Studios) - November 26, 2025: The sequel to the 2016 blockbuster is one of the most highly anticipated animated releases. The film will return to the bustling metropolis of Zootopia, continuing the adventures of Officer Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde.
• Toy Story 5 (Pixar) - June 19, 2026: Confirmed to be in development, the fifth installment in the flagship Toy Story franchise will see the return of Woody and Buzz Lightyear, continuing the emotional legacy of the series and ensuring the brand remains a top-tier animated entity.
• Moana 2 (Walt Disney Animation Studios) - November 27, 2026: Following the surprise success of the first film, Moana 2 is set to debut in the lucrative Thanksgiving window, promising more Polynesian mythology and musical adventures.
• Hexed (Walt Disney Animation Studios) - Fall 2026: An all-new original film, Hexed, is slated for a Fall release. The story will follow an awkward teenage boy, marking a return to original, non-franchise animated storytelling.

Live-Action Remakes and Franchise Extensions: The Disney Strategy

The strategy of adapting classic animated films into live-action versions remains a cornerstone of Disney’s production pipeline. While some remakes have faced criticism, the studio has confirmed a long list of titles that are either in production or deep development, with a few major releases scheduled for the next two years.

The Confirmed Live-Action Release Dates

• Snow White - March 21, 2025: Directed by Marc Webb, this live-action adaptation of the first-ever Disney princess film is one of the studio's biggest gambles for the year.
• Lilo & Stitch - May 23, 2025: The hybrid live-action/CGI film is a key part of the 2025 slate and is projected to be a significant box office success, potentially saving the live-action remake trend for the studio.
• Moana - July 10, 2026: A live-action version of Moana is in the works, separate from the animated sequel, demonstrating Disney's commitment to maximizing the value of this popular IP across different formats.

Other Major Live-Action Films in Development

Beyond the scheduled releases, several other classic animated films are being prepped for the live-action treatment, showcasing the depth of the studio's intellectual property vault. These projects, while not yet dated, are confirmed entities in the Disney pipeline:

• Tangled: The story of Rapunzel is expected to be a major undertaking, following the success of the original animated feature.
• Hercules: A musical fantasy remake of the 1997 classic is in development, with early reports suggesting a unique visual style.
• Bambi: A photorealistic CGI adaptation, similar to The Lion King, is reportedly in the works.
• Cruella 2: A sequel to the successful live-action origin story starring Emma Stone is moving forward.

MCU and Star Wars: Updates on the Multi-Billion Dollar Franchises

The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and the Star Wars saga continue to anchor Disney’s blockbuster strategy. The upcoming slate is packed with pivotal films that will shape the next phases of both iconic universes, focusing on wrapping up major sagas and introducing new heroes.

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The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) Phase 6 Highlights

The MCU schedule for 2025 and 2026 is critical, focusing on re-establishing the franchise's cinematic dominance and building toward the next major crossover events.

• The Fantastic Four: First Steps - July 25, 2025: This is a massive entity for the MCU, as it officially introduces the First Family of Marvel into the main continuity, setting the stage for future cosmic events.
• Spider-Man: Brand New Day - July 31, 2026: A highly anticipated co-production with Sony, this film is expected to continue the story of Peter Parker following his dramatic cinematic reset.
• Avengers: Doomsday - 2026: The first part of the next major crossover event, this film will be a pivotal moment for the entire MCU, setting up the finale.
• Avengers: Secret Wars - 2027: The conclusion to the current saga, this film is expected to be one of the largest cinematic events in history, featuring an unprecedented cast of characters.

Star Wars: The Return to Theaters

Lucasfilm is bringing the Star Wars saga back to the big screen with a focus on established characters and a new era for the Jedi.

• The Mandalorian & Grogu - May 22, 2026: The highly anticipated movie adaptation of the hit Disney+ series will be the first Star Wars film to hit theaters since 2019, serving as a major cinematic event and a crucial test of the brand's box office strength.
• Star Wars: New Jedi Order (Working Title) - TBD: Starring Daisy Ridley as Rey, this film is reportedly on hold and needs more script work, with filming potentially not beginning until 2026. This development highlights the strategic caution Lucasfilm is taking with its flagship property.

Topical Authority: Disney's Box Office Performance and Strategy

The 2025 box office has been a mixed bag for Hollywood, but Disney has continued its global box office streak, relying heavily on its iconic franchises. The studio’s financial results for Q1 2025 were bolstered by strong box office performance, with the surprise hit A Minecraft Movie nearing the $1 billion mark, and the domestic success of Lilo & Stitch.

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This success confirms Disney's current strategy: the focus is on a high-quality, high-IP output. The company is actively managing its release slate to ensure that each major tentpole film—whether it’s a Pixar sequel, a Marvel event, or a live-action remake—has the best possible chance to succeed. The financial performance of films like Inside Out 2 in 2024 further solidified the importance of high-quality animation and established brands in the global market.

The sheer volume of high-profile releases scheduled for the next two years—including the animated comedy Hoppers, the massive sequel Zootopia 2, and the introduction of The Fantastic Four—demonstrates an aggressive push to maintain Disney's position as the dominant force in global cinema. This strategic planning, focusing on franchise management and carefully timed releases, is the key to their continued box office supremacy.