D23 2026: Every Movie and Series Announced and Shown at This Year’s Fan Event
The announcements included release dates for several major titles, first-look material for others, and a clear split between projects with firm theatrical plans and those still in development. For viewers, that distinction matters more than the volume of announcements: some titles can be scheduled, while others remain speculative.
Pixar’s next slate mixes sequels with new intellectual property
The most concrete Pixar announcement was The Incredibles 3, which is scheduled to reach theaters on June 16, 2028. Brad Bird remains involved as the screenwriter, but Peter Sohn, director of Elemental, is directing. The story will focus on Violet and Dash as they attempt to establish themselves as Supers in their own right, alongside their parents Bob and Helen.
That creative change is strategically significant. The Incredibles 3 is the first film in the franchise not directed by Bird, even as it retains his writing involvement. For Disney, the move tests whether a major Pixar property can expand beyond its original author without abandoning the established family structure that supports the brand.
Pixar also announced Ghost Market, described as the studio’s first ghost movie. Directed by Trevor Jimenez and Jesse Andrews, it follows Kyle, a boy living in Hawaii who discovers a haunted market populated by what the film presents as “hungry ghosts.” The movie is planned for theaters in spring 2028.
The studio showed new art from Gatto, directed by Luca filmmaker Enrico Casarosa. The story centers on Nero, a Venetian stray cat who becomes indebted to a cat mob boss and forms a friendship with a street musician named Maya. Pixar also presented concept art for Coco 2, in which a now-teenaged Miguel returns to the Land of the Dead. No release date for either film was provided in the available event details.
Disney’s broader franchise strategy remains in view
The event also featured The New Simpsons Movie, with extremely early footage showing Homer pursuing a ball during a baseball game before the situation turns destructive. The film is scheduled for theatrical release on September 3, 2027.
The project extends a movie franchise that has been dormant since The Simpsons Movie, but the available footage suggests Disney is still presenting it as a theatrical property rather than a streaming-first release. That choice places the title within the company’s larger effort to use recognizable franchises as event programming in cinemas.
The Princess Diaries 3 remains less defined. Anne Hathaway attended D23 and indicated that work on the film is continuing, while no first look or release date has been announced. Hathaway is returning as Mia Thermopolis, now Queen Mia of Genovia. Julie Andrews, who played Queen Clarice Renaldi, will not reprise her role.
That combination—an active production update but no date or footage—puts the sequel in a different category from the projects with scheduled releases. Viewers should treat it as a confirmed development rather than a near-term viewing option.
For audiences tracking the wider creator economy around entertainment franchises, creator biographies and platform facts offer a separate reference point, but they should not be confused with official release information.
What to track before planning a viewing calendar
D23’s announcements establish a long-range pipeline, not a complete schedule. The Incredibles 3, The New Simpsons Movie, and Ghost Market have release windows or dates in the available material. The Princess Diaries 3, Gatto, and Coco 2 do not yet offer the same level of certainty.
The practical risk is overreading early footage and concept art as evidence of a locked production plan. Disney used the event to maintain attention across multiple divisions and years, but projects without release dates remain subject to further announcements. The near-term takeaway is therefore limited: The New Simpsons Movie is the next dated theatrical title among those detailed here, while Pixar is building a slate that combines established franchises with original concepts.
The industry impact is straightforward. Disney is continuing to monetize recognizable intellectual property while using new projects such as Ghost Market and Gatto to refresh Pixar’s pipeline. The next meaningful signal will be whether the undated titles receive firm release plans—and whether the studio can convert a large announcement slate into a consistent theatrical calendar.