Straight From D23 — Disney Unveils Movies ‘N More!!!
On Friday night, the Disney Entertainment Showcase at D23 thrilled fans with music, magic, and pure delight. The event featured a series of exciting announcements and exclusive reveals, covering beloved brands and franchises. Fans eagerly received updates on highly anticipated films and series, including Zootopia 2, Toy Story 5, Snow White, and Captain America: Brave New World.
The evening kicked off with a lively preshow hosted by CoryLive, featuring The Dueling DJs, DJ SP, DJ Keybo, and a hype crew. Disney CEO Bob Iger then took the stage to thunderous applause, expressing his gratitude for the warm welcome. Iger, attending D23 for the first time in five years, acknowledged the special connection between Disney and its fans. He emphasized that Disney’s mission is to surprise and delight, knowing that when they achieve this, they’ve done their job.
Iger’s greeting was followed by a series of surprises and star-studded appearances.
Here are some of the night’s biggest announcements and highlights:
Moana 2 The Disney Entertainment Showcase began with singing, dancing, and excitement, building up to one of the year’s most anticipated films, Moana 2. Auliʻi Cravalho, the voice of Moana, performed the new song “We’re Back,” accompanied by dancers and a live band. Dwayne Johnson, the voice of Maui, hyped the crowd with a call-and-response that shook the Honda Center.
The film, which opens on November 27, debuted a new trailer and poster, celebrating the growth of the Moana franchise.
Frozen 3 Frozen, one of the most popular cultural franchises, will soon warm fans’ hearts again with Frozen 3, debuting in 2027. Jennifer Lee, Chief Creative Officer of Walt Disney Animation Studios, showcased concept art from the film and revealed its logo, drawing appreciative gasps from the audience.
Incredibles 3 Pixar’s Chief Creative Officer, Pete Docter, shared his joy over the studio’s recent successes and future projects. He thanked fans for their support of Inside Out 2 and announced several upcoming series and films, including Dream Productions, Toy Story 5, and the new feature film Hoppers. The biggest surprise of the night was the announcement of Incredibles 3, which received a roaring response from the crowd. Oscar-winning filmmaker Brad Bird is currently developing the film.
Avatar: Fire and Ash Disney Entertainment also shared exciting news about its live-action slate, including the next film in the Avatar series. Stars Zoë Saldaña and Sam Worthington, along with director James Cameron, revealed the title of the third installment, Avatar: Fire and Ash. The film, debuting on December 19, 2025, also featured concept art from the upcoming sequel.
The Mandalorian & Grogu Director Jon Favreau and producer Dave Filoni previewed footage from The Mandalorian & Grogu, set to hit theaters in 2026. The film marks the first big-screen appearance of the beloved Star Wars characters and is the first Star Wars film in theaters since 2019.
Daredevil: Born Again Marvel Television’s Daredevil: Born Again, launching on Disney+ in March 2025, brought the cast to the stage, including Charlie Cox, Vincent D’Onofrio, and Jon Bernthal. The series will follow Matt Murdock and his nemesis Wilson Fisk as they navigate new challenges in New York. Fans were treated to exclusive footage from the series.
TRON: Ares TRON: Ares hit the stage in style, with star Jared Leto arriving on an iconic Lightcycle. He was joined by cast members Jeff Bridges, Greta Lee, and Evan Peters. The cast shared details about their characters and previewed the film’s music, composed by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross. TRON: Ares, directed by Joachim Rønning, is set for release on October 10, 2025.
Mufasa: The Lion King The Disney Entertainment Showcase closed with Mufasa: The Lion King. Lebo M. performed “Nants’ Ingonyama” with a full choir, setting the stage for director Barry Jenkins to present a special look at the film. The audience also saw the newest trailer before its official release.
Jenkins was joined by songwriter Lin-Manuel Miranda and the film’s cast.
Throughout the night, fans enjoyed performances from Disney on Broadway’s Frozen, a first look at The Greatest Showman, and a medley from Descendants: The Rise of Red. Famed magician David Blaine dazzled the audience with a card trick, previewing his upcoming series, David Blaine: Do Not Attempt.
As the event ended, fans left buzzing with excitement, eager for the Disney magic to come.
