Disney just gave fans a massive look at the future of its entertainment empire. Held in Anaheim, California, from August 14–16, 2026, D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event brought together Disney, Marvel, Pixar, Lucasfilm, Disney Animation and Disney+ for three days of announcements, exclusive footage, celebrity appearances and major reveals. The event featured more than 50 panels and one of the largest D23 show floors ever.
But this year’s D23 was about much more than nostalgia. Disney used the event to establish a roadmap stretching from 2026 through 2029 and beyond, with major franchises returning, new cinematic universes taking shape and some of Hollywood’s biggest stars joining the Disney family.
From Robert Downey Jr. returning as Doctor Doom to Ryan Gosling entering the Star Wars universe, and from the new generation of X-Men to Frozen 3, Incredibles 3 and Coco 2, here are the biggest announcements from D23 2026.
D23 2026: Three Days, Three Different Disney Worlds
The event was divided into three major days.
- August 14: Disney Entertainment Showcase — movies, television, Marvel, Star Wars, Pixar and Disney Animation
- August 15: Horizons: Disney Experiences Showcase — theme parks and future attractions
- August 16: Disney Legends Awards Ceremony — honoring major Disney figures and creators
Disney’s Entertainment Showcase took place at the Honda Center and featured exclusive footage, first looks and surprise appearances from some of the biggest names in Hollywood. The result was one of Disney’s biggest entertainment presentations in years.
The Biggest D23 2026 Movie Announcements
The most important takeaway from D23 is clear: Disney is betting heavily on established franchises while simultaneously rebuilding several of its biggest cinematic brands. The upcoming slate includes Marvel event movies, new Star Wars adventures, Pixar sequels, animated classics returning to theaters and live-action remakes.
| Movie / Project | Studio | Release / Window | Biggest Attraction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avengers: Doomsday | Marvel Studios | Dec. 18, 2026 | Robert Downey Jr., X-Men, Avengers |
| Star Wars: Starfighter | Lucasfilm | May 28, 2027 | Ryan Gosling |
| Frozen 3 | Disney Animation | Nov. 24, 2027 | Elsa, Anna & Kristoff |
| Incredibles 3 | Pixar | 2028 | The Parr family |
| X-Men | Marvel Studios | May 2028 | Sadie Sink, Adam Driver & new cast |
| Tangled – Live Action | Disney | Mar. 31, 2028 | Rapunzel & Kathryn Hahn |
| Coco 2 | Pixar | Nov. 2029 | Miguel & the Land of the Dead |
| Zootopia 3 | Disney Animation | In development | Judy Hopps & Nick Wilde |
| The Bluey Movie | Disney / BBC Studios / Ludo Studio | 2027 | Bluey |
The schedule demonstrates how Disney is building a multi-year pipeline rather than relying on a single blockbuster season.
Avengers: Doomsday Could Be Disney’s Biggest Movie of 2026
If there was one title capable of dominating D23, it was Avengers: Doomsday. Marvel showed new footage from the film, giving fans another look at the massive crossover that will bring together characters from the Avengers, Fantastic Four and X-Men worlds. The biggest shock remains Robert Downey Jr. returning to the MCU — not as Tony Stark, but as Victor von Doom.
A Massive Marvel Lineup
The film is directed by Joe and Anthony Russo and is scheduled to hit theaters on December 18, 2026.
The cast includes:
- Robert Downey Jr. — Doctor Doom
- Chris Evans — Steve Rogers
- Chris Hemsworth — Thor
- Pedro Pascal — Reed Richards
- Anthony Mackie — Captain America
- Florence Pugh — Yelena Belova
- Tom Hiddleston — Loki
- Patrick Stewart — Professor X
- Ian McKellen — Magneto
- James Marsden — Cyclops
The movie is effectively designed as the bridge between Marvel’s past and its next major era. And the stakes become even bigger with Avengers: Secret Wars, currently scheduled for December 17, 2027.
Why Avengers: Doomsday Matters
This isn’t simply another Avengers sequel. It is potentially the movie that finally connects: Avengers + Fantastic Four + X-Men + legacy Marvel characters That makes it one of the most anticipated theatrical releases of the entire D23 slate. Fans can also follow the latest details about the project in Avengers: Doomsday Official Trailer: Everything We Know About Marvel’s Biggest Movie of 2026, which covers the film’s story, cast and upcoming release expectations.
Marvel’s New X-Men Cast Has Finally Been Revealed
One of the biggest surprises at D23 was the official reveal of Marvel Studios’ new X-Men cast. The movie is currently scheduled for May 2028.
The New X-Men
- Sadie Sink — Jean Grey
- Kit Connor — Cyclops
- Christopher Abbott — Professor X
- Inde Navarrette — Rogue
- Maya Boyd — Storm
- Samara Weaving — Emma Frost
- Adam Driver — Mr. Sinister
Adam Driver’s involvement is particularly intriguing because his role places him on the villainous side of Marvel’s new mutant universe. The announcement also suggests that Marvel is not simply rebooting X-Men in isolation. Instead, the franchise appears to be becoming part of the larger MCU architecture established by Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars.The renewed interest in mutants also follows the success of animated projects such as X-Men ’97 Season 2 Returns to Disney Plus After Its Shocking Finale, which helped bring the franchise back into the spotlight.
Star Wars: Ryan Gosling Takes Fans to a New Galaxy
Marvel wasn’t the only Disney franchise with a huge reveal. Lucasfilm presented new footage from Star Wars: Starfighter, directed by Shawn Levy and starring Ryan Gosling. The movie is scheduled for theatrical release on May 28, 2027. Unlike another sequel centered around familiar Skywalker characters, Starfighter is designed as a new standalone adventure set in a previously unexplored period of the Star Wars timeline.
Starfighter’s Cast Includes
- Ryan Gosling
- Matt Smith
- Mia Goth
- Amy Adams
- Aaron Pierre
- Flynn Gray
The combination of Gosling, Levy and a completely new story makes Starfighter one of the most interesting bets in Disney’s upcoming slate. Disney and Lucasfilm are clearly trying to expand Star Wars beyond the Skywalker saga rather than endlessly repeating the same chapter.
Frozen 3 Is Bringing Anna and Elsa Back
Disney Animation also delivered one of the night’s most nostalgic moments. Kristen Bell, Idina Menzel and Josh Gad reunited at D23 to preview Frozen 3, with new footage and songs presented to fans. The movie is scheduled for November 24, 2027.
What We Know About Frozen 3
The story will feature:
- Anna and Kristoff’s wedding
- Elsa returning for another major adventure
- Olaf experiencing a new romantic storyline
- A mysterious new female antagonist
- New songs from Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez
And Disney has already confirmed that Frozen 4 is in development, meaning the franchise isn’t disappearing anytime soon. With the enormous global popularity of the first two movies, Frozen 3 is easily one of Disney’s safest bets for 2027.More details about the upcoming animated sequel are covered in Frozen 3: Everything We Know So Far, including its story, characters and release expectations.
Pixar Is Going Back to Its Biggest Franchises
Pixar’s D23 presentation made something very clear: the studio is entering another major sequel era. But this time, the lineup goes beyond one or two familiar franchises.
Incredibles 3
Incredibles 3 is officially targeting summer 2028. The movie will continue the story of the Parr family and is expected to put more focus on the younger generation of superheroes. After the enormous popularity of the first two movies, this is one of Pixar’s strongest commercial opportunities for the next decade.
Coco 2
Perhaps the most emotional Pixar announcement was Coco 2. The sequel is scheduled for November 2029 and will bring back Miguel for another adventure in the world introduced in the original film. The story is expected to explore Miguel as a teenager while bringing back the legendary Ernesto de la Cruz in a new conflict.
Other Pixar Projects
D23 also offered looks at several original projects, including:
- Ghost Market
- Gatto
- Hexed
- Clay
That balance between original concepts and established franchises could become crucial for Pixar as it moves toward the end of the decade.
Disney Is Bringing Tangled to Live Action
Another major announcement was the first look at Disney’s live-action Tangled. The movie is scheduled for March 31, 2028.
Tangled Cast
- Teagan Croft — Rapunzel
- Milo Manheim — Flynn Rider
- Kathryn Hahn — Mother Gothel
- Caitríona Balfe — Queen Arianna
Michael Gracey, director of The Greatest Showman, is directing the movie. The original 2010 animated Tangled became one of Disney’s most successful modern animated films, making the live-action adaptation an obvious candidate for the studio’s remake strategy.
Zootopia 3 Is Already in Development
Disney Animation also confirmed that Zootopia 3 is in development. That announcement comes after the huge success of Zootopia 2, giving Disney another major animated franchise to carry into the next decade. The return of Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde means Disney now has multiple animated franchises positioned for long-term theatrical runs, including:
- Frozen
- Zootopia
- Toy Story
- Incredibles
- Coco
This is clearly part of Disney’s strategy to build repeatable franchise audiences rather than one-off hits.
The Bluey Movie Is Coming in 2027
One of the more unexpected crowd-pleasers was the first teaser for The Bluey Movie. The project is being developed through a collaboration between Ludo Studio, BBC Studios and Disney, with a theatrical release planned for 2027. Given Bluey’s enormous popularity among families worldwide, Disney could potentially turn the movie into another major global family entertainment property.
The Biggest Stars at D23 2026
The scale of D23 was also reflected in the number of major Hollywood stars who appeared during the event.
Some of the most recognizable names included:
Marvel
- Robert Downey Jr.
- Chris Evans
- Hayley Atwell
- Pedro Pascal
- Patrick Stewart
- Ian McKellen
- Adam Driver
Star Wars
- Ryan Gosling
- Amy Adams
- Mia Goth
- Matt Smith
Disney & Pixar
- Anne Hathaway
- Kristen Bell
- Idina Menzel
- Josh Gad
- Benjamin Bratt
- Jodie Foster
Anne Hathaway was particularly notable because she appeared as Disney honored her as one of the 2026 Disney Legends.
Anne Hathaway, Dwayne Johnson and Other Disney Legends
The final day of D23 focused on the people who helped shape Disney’s history. The 2026 Disney Legends Awards Ceremony honored major names including:
- Anne Hathaway
- Dwayne Johnson
- Bob Iger
- Jonas Brothers
- Lin-Manuel Miranda
- Jerry Bruckheimer
- Alan Tudyk
- Susan Egan
Disney Legends is the company’s highest recognition for individuals who have made a lasting contribution to Disney’s entertainment legacy.
Disney’s Bigger Plan: A Franchise Machine Through 2029
The most interesting part of D23 2026 isn’t any individual movie. It’s the strategy behind the slate. Disney now has multiple major franchises moving simultaneously:
Marvel → Avengers → X-Men → Secret Wars
Star Wars → The Mandalorian and Grogu → Starfighter → future theatrical projects
Pixar → Incredibles → Coco → new original films
Disney Animation → Frozen → Zootopia → new animated franchises
This creates a continuous pipeline of recognizable intellectual property across theaters, Disney+, television, games and theme parks.
Disney Is Also Investing Heavily Beyond Movies
D23 2026 wasn’t only about Hollywood. Disney revealed an enormous pipeline of theme-park projects as part of its long-term investment strategy, including Villains Land, Monsters, Inc. Land, Cars-themed experiences, new Avatar content and major expansions at Walt Disney World and other Disney destinations. Disney has previously announced plans involving approximately $60 billion in investment across its Experiences business over roughly a decade, showing that the company is treating its parks and physical experiences as a major growth engine alongside movies and streaming.
Some of the Most Exciting Park Projects
- Villains Land at Magic Kingdom
- Monsters, Inc. Land at Hollywood Studios
- Cars-themed Piston Peak
- Encanto experiences
- Avatar expansion
- Indiana Jones attraction
- New Star Wars experiences
The strategy is simple: Disney wants audiences to experience its franchises not only on a screen, but also inside its theme parks.
Kingdom Hearts Is Becoming Part of Disney’s Bigger Universe
D23 also delivered major news for gamers. Kingdom Hearts IV received a new preview, including a new world inspired by Pixar’s Coco. The game is scheduled for 2027 and will continue the story of Sora following the events of Kingdom Hearts III. Disney and Square Enix also confirmed development of a Kingdom Hearts animated series, demonstrating how Disney is increasingly using games and animation to expand its major franchises.
So, What Is Disney’s Most Anticipated Upcoming Movie?
If we judge purely by the scale of the crossover, Avengers: Doomsday is arguably the biggest theatrical event coming out of D23 2026. But there are several different contenders depending on what audiences are looking for.
Most Anticipated by Franchise Fans
Avengers: Doomsday
The combination of Doctor Doom, the Avengers, Fantastic Four and X-Men makes it Disney’s biggest immediate gamble.
Most Anticipated New Star Wars Movie
Star Wars: Starfighter
Ryan Gosling + Shawn Levy + a completely new Star Wars story is an unusually strong combination.
Biggest Animated Comeback
Frozen 3
Elsa, Anna and Olaf remain some of Disney’s most recognizable modern characters.
Biggest Pixar Event
Coco 2
The return of Miguel more than a decade after the original has enormous emotional and commercial potential.
Biggest New Disney Remake
Tangled
The combination of one of Disney’s most beloved animated stories and a major live action cast could make it a major 2028 release.
D23 2026: Disney’s Roadmap at a Glance
| Year | Major Disney Projects | Why They Matter |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Avengers: Doomsday | MCU crossover event |
| 2027 | Star Wars: Starfighter | Ryan Gosling’s Star Wars debut |
| 2027 | Frozen 3 | Return of Disney’s biggest animated franchise |
| 2027 | The Bluey Movie | Major family entertainment bet |
| 2027 | Avengers: Secret Wars | Massive Marvel crossover |
| 2028 | X-Men | New MCU mutant universe |
| 2028 | Incredibles 3 | Pixar superhero franchise returns |
| 2028 | Tangled Live Action | New Disney remake |
| 2029 | Coco 2 | Return of Miguel |
| 2029+ | Zootopia 3 & more | Long-term animation strategy |
Final Thoughts: Disney Is Building Its Next Era
D23 2026 wasn’t simply a fan convention. It was Disney showing the entertainment industry what the next several years could look like. The company is simultaneously rebuilding Marvel, expanding Star Wars, strengthening Pixar, bringing back its biggest animated franchises and investing billions into its theme parks and physical experiences. The biggest question is no longer whether Disney has enough franchises.
It clearly does. The real question is whether Disney can turn this enormous collection of sequels, reboots and new projects into another sustained period of cultural dominance. With Avengers: Doomsday, Star Wars: Starfighter, Frozen 3, X-Men, Incredibles 3, Tangled and Coco 2 all heading toward audiences over the next few years, Disney’s answer appears to be very clear:
The next Disney era has already begun. Sources: Disney, D23, Marvel, StarWars.com, Reuters and major entertainment-industry coverage of D23 2026.