Disney is prepared to solidify their release schedule, with many new announcements, particularly that 2026 will be a major year for the company – “The Mandalorian & Grogu,” the first “Star Wars” feature since “The Rise of Skywalker” in 2019, is scheduled for May 22, 2026; “Toy Story 5” will premiere on June 19, 2026; and the live-action adaptation of “Moana” will begin on July 10, 2026. In addition, “Tron: Ares,” the third film in the sci-fi franchise, will be released on October 10, 2025.
Other updates include “The Amateur,” a CIA revenge thriller featuring Rami Malek, Rachel Brosnahan, Caitríona Balfe and Laurence Fishburne, which was previously set for November 8, 2024. It will now debut on April 11, 2025.
The movie “Nightbitch,” starring Amy Adams, from Searchlight and Annapurna, was supposed to be a Hulu original but will now receive a prime, awards-worthy theatrical release on December 6, 2024.
Also, an unnamed Disney project, previously scheduled for July 10, 2026, has been taken off the calendar.
2026 looks to be very busy for the company, with a new “Avengers” movie coming from Marvel Studios and a film from Walt Disney Animation Studios (potentially the next installment in the “Frozen” series). Another “Star Wars” feature is also set for the Christmas slot of December 18, 2026. Could this be the new Rey movie, bringing Daisy Ridley back to the Star Wars universe?
There are still many titles yet to be announced for 2026, including an additional Pixar movie, as well as various Disney and Marvel titles. More announcements are expected at D23, a Disney-exclusive event akin to Comic-Con, taking place in Anaheim this August.
The film release schedule announcement comes shortly after the shareholder revolt rejected the influence of Nelson Peltz and his Trian Partners, an alternative investment management fund and a major shareholder in the Walt Disney Company.
“The Mandalorian & Grogu” will be directed by Jon Favreau and acts as an expansion of the popular Disney+ series about a bounty hunter (Pedro Pascal) and his cute charge (Grogu). Favreau co-wrote the script with Dave Filoni and will produce the film with Kathleen Kennedy and Filoni.
The live-action “Moana” will follow the “Moana” animated sequel (releasing in theaters this Thanksgiving) and will feature Dwayne Johnson reprising his role as Maui. It was written by original “Moana” screenwriter Jared Bush and will be directed by Thomas Kail.
