Along with Mufasa, Moana 2, and Toy Story 5, what other Disney and Pixar movies are set to release soon in theaters? Release dates, storylines, cast, rumors… here’s everything to know about the upcoming movies from these studios.
A Disney or Pixar movie release is always a big event, even if it doesn’t always achieve success. Whether it’s animated films or live-action movies, both studios know how to capture the public’s attention, with audiences eagerly awaiting their latest creations.
After the flop of Wish, Asha and the Good Star and the record-breaking success of Inside Out 2, what future Disney and Pixar films will be hitting theaters? Here’s a summary of the information on the studios’ upcoming productions.
What Are the Upcoming Movies from Disney Studios?
Moana 2
Returning to the Pacific islands, Moana is back in this second installment of the young adventurer’s journey with the legendary demigod Maui. After receiving an unexpected call from her ancestors, Moana embarks on a journey that leads her to the treacherous waters at the far edges of the oceans in Oceania. There, she will experience challenges like never before.
Auliʻi Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson return to voice the characters of Moana and Maui. Moana 2 is directed by David Derrick Jr. (Encanto), with Jason Hand (Moana) and Dana Ledoux Miller (The Impossible Rescue) contributing to the story.
The music is composed by Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear (The Unofficial Bridgerton Musical), Opetaia Foa’i (from the band Te Vaka), and Mark Mancina (Speed, Tarzan).
Mufasa: The Lion King
Before Simba roared across the Pride Lands, it was his father, Mufasa, who ruled the African savannah. In this new film, blending live-action with photorealistic CGI, Rafiki tells Mufasa’s story to Kiara, Simba’s daughter.
Through flashbacks, the movie takes us back to Mufasa’s childhood. An orphan, Mufasa’s life changes when he meets Taka, the royal heir who will later be known as Scar, the infamous villain of The Lion King.
A prequel to the 2019 film, Mufasa: The Lion King stars Aaron Pierre (The Underground Railroad) as Mufasa and Kelvin Harrison Jr. (Elvis) as Taka.
Several actors from the 2019 Lion King remake return for this prequel, including Billy Eichner and Seth Rogen as Timon and Pumbaa, Donald Glover as Simba, and Beyoncé Knowles-Carter as Nala. Additionally, Beyoncé’s daughter, Blue Ivy Carter, voices young Kiara.
Directed by Barry Jenkins (Moonlight), Mufasa: The Lion King is written by Jeff Nathanson, known for his work on Catch Me If You Can and Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales.
The film’s songs are composed by Lin-Manuel Miranda (Hamilton, Encanto), with additional music by Lebo M.
Snow White (Live-Action)
This live-action remake of the classic Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, directed by Marc Webb (The Amazing Spider-Man), revisits the 1937 story with Rachel Zegler (West Side Story) as the princess and Gal Gadot (Wonder Woman) as her wicked stepmother, the Queen.
This new musical adaptation of the famous Brothers Grimm tale is written by Greta Gerwig (Barbie) and Erin Cressida Wilson (The Girl on the Train) and has been in development for over two years. Its release was delayed by a year in 2023 due to the Hollywood actors’ strike.
The original songs for the movie are composed by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (The Greatest Showman).
Lilo & Stitch (Live-Action)
Disney’s live-action remakes are in full swing, and this new version of Lilo & Stitch is part of their lineup. Like in the original 2002 animated film, it tells the story of Stitch, a highly destructive little alien who crash-lands on Earth and is adopted by Lilo, a young Hawaiian girl who believes he’s a dog.
Dean Fleischer Camp (Marcel the Shell with Shoes On) directs the film, which was initially thought to be heading to Disney+ but is now set for a theatrical release.
The cast includes Chris Sanders, the original co-director and co-writer of the animated movie, who reprises his voice role as Stitch, along with Tia Carrere, Amy Hill, Sydney Agudong, Kaipo Dudoit, Courtney B. Vance, Billy Magnussen, and Zach Galifianakis.
Zootopia 2
The sequel to Zootopia is underway and is set to hit screens in November 2025, nearly 10 years after the release of the first film.
In this new movie, the rabbit Judy Hopps (voiced by Ginnifer Goodwin in the original) and the fox Nick Wilde (voiced by Jason Bateman) embark on a new mission that takes them to the Reptile District. There, they encounter a highly venomous snake named Gary, who is wanted by the authorities and voiced by Ke Huy Quan in the original version.
Zootopia 2 is directed by Byron Howard and Rich Moore and written by Jared Bush. All three also worked on the first movie.
Moana (Live-Action)
In addition to its animated sequel, the live-action remake of Moana (originally titled Moana, the Legend of the End of the World) is set to begin production in the summer of 2024, with a planned theatrical release in July 2026.
This film will see Dwayne Johnson returning as Maui, starring alongside Catherine Laga’aia, who will play Moana (originally voiced by Auli’i Cravalho in the animated film and its sequel). The cast also includes John Tui as Chief Tui, Frankie Adams as Sina, and Rena Owen as Gramma Tala.
The movie is directed by Thomas Kail (We Were the Lucky Ones), produced by Johnson and Lin-Manuel Miranda (who composed songs for the original animated film), and Auli’i Cravalho joins as an executive producer. The screenplay is penned by Jared Bush (Moana) and Dana Ledoux Miller (The Impossible Rescue).
Frozen 3
Disney Studios loves making sequels, and if there’s one universe they’re not ready to let go of, it’s Frozen. A third installment of the adventures of Elsa and her sister Anna is set for release in 2027.
The plot of this new movie and the director’s name are still unknown. However, it’s expected that Idina Menzel (Elsa), Kristen Bell (Anna), Jonathan Groff (Kristoff), and Josh Gad (Olaf) will return to the original cast of Frozen 3. Notably, Disney has also announced plans for a fourth movie.
What Are the Upcoming Movies from Pixar Studios?
Elio
This new feature film from Disney and Pixar was initially scheduled for release in 2024 but was postponed to summer 2025 to make way for Inside Out 2.
In this story, Elio, a young boy with a vivid imagination, is accidentally teleported to the Communiverse, an interplanetary organization with representatives from distant galaxies. Mistakenly identified by these dignitaries as Earth’s ambassador, Elio is anything but prepared for such a role. His adventure will lead him to bond with eccentric alien creatures, endure a series of increasingly daunting challenges, and, in one way or another, discover who he truly is meant to be.
Elio is directed by Adrian Molina (screenwriter and co-director of Coco) and features an original cast with America Ferrera as Olga, Elio’s mother; Yonas Kibreab as Elio; Jameela Jamil as Ambassador Questa; Brad Garrett as Ambassador Grignon; and Zoe Saldaña as Elio’s aunt.
Hoppers
At the latest D23 convention, Disney announced a new original Pixar film titled Hoppers. In the world of this film, scientists have discovered how to transfer human consciousness into a lifelike robotic animal, allowing humans to communicate with animals while appearing as one of them.
The story follows young Mabel, an animal-loving girl who uses this technology to explore the world of animals she cherishes so much, in the form of a beaver.
Hoppers will feature the voices of Piper Curda (May December), Jon Hamm (Mad Men), and Bobby Moynihan (Inside Out 2).
Toy Story 5
Woody, Buzz, and the gang are back once again in Toy Story 5. Directed by Andrew Stanton, the creator of Finding Nemo, Finding Dory, and Wall-E, this new installment will follow the toys as they face a new adversary: technology.
Tom Hanks and Tim Allen return to voice the cowboy Woody and his space ranger friend Buzz Lightyear.
The Incredibles 3
Announced at the D23 convention in August 2024, the third installment of The Incredibles is currently in development at Pixar, with Brad Bird, the director of the first two films, returning to lead the project.
