Disney has been around for decades withof movies and animations that bring us together. Disney is an industry relying on massive storytelling and creating stories for everyone. The film industry created by Walt Disney has developed into an empire with twelve resorts around the world, and grows with the help of the Imagineers who help bring the magic to life. But what this article is explaining is the question:; what is next for Disney?
Lately, Disney has had major backlash in reviews of its movies. Moana 2 failed miserably, Snow White got terrible reviews, Lilo and Stitch wasn’t able to deliver certain expectations, and Elio failed in the box office. Disney has been taking a safer route by developing sequels rather than original ideas. But Disney Imagineersimagineers and creators are devoted to making movies and telling stories that are both entertaining and open up our eyes to life. And we are about to discover what is coming soon from Disney.
Disney has opened up the gates to the annual D23. What is D23? D23 is Disney’s convention where they announce the newest attractions, merchandise, and upcoming events in the coming years. One of the biggest presentations at D23, which has everyone’s hopes up, is the showcase of movies and films that Disney is developing. They are presented by their head animators, directors, and actors. Here are some of the movies that might be heading to the theaters in the next few years.
TRON: Ares
TRON is coming back to theaters with its newest upgrade. Based on the 1980’s science fiction film that inspired the Disney World attraction TRON, Disney announced that TRON: Ares will be shown in theaters on 10-10-2025. At D23, a clip is shown with footage of the characters being presented and introducing the modern setting of the film. TRON is about exploring a world where AI has taken to the next level by creating androids with human features interacting with people and possibly exploring what life means.
If you enjoy science fiction, robots, action, and lessons about life, see TRON, and you might be taken to a whole new world.
The movie is directed by Joachim Romming and stars Jared Leto, Greta Lee, and Evan Peters. The movie is rated PG-13.
Zootopia 2
10 years ago, Zootopia came out in theaters that transported us to the massive and colorful city of Zootopia, where it is inhabited by animal residents from as big as an elephant to as small as a mouse. It grossed over 2 billion in the box office and received the Academy Award and for best animated feature film and an Oscar. And now the worldwide phenomenon is ssssslithering back into theaters for its sssssequel.
Zootopia 2 followed the investigation of the first film, led by rookie rabbit cop Judy Hopps (Giniffer Goodwind) and sly ex-con fox Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman) to solve the mystery of disappearing mammals and uncover a plot led by fear and desire for power. An announcement at last year’s D23 announced that Zootopia 2 will be released in 2025. And they are bringing some new voices to some new characters. The presentation included the key factor in the sequel that Zootopia will be introducing reptiles and other cold-blooded creatures, including Zootopia’s first reptile: a cheerful pit viper named Gary D’Snake, voiced by Academy Award-winning actor, Ke Hu Quan.
Without giving too much away, the film will include a cast of characters, old and new, and introducing a possible new villain, and a crazy adventure following Judy and Nick as they struggle to solve a mystery and learn more about their partnership. The following voices (just to name a few) include Nate Tolerance, Idris Ebla, Quinta Brunson, Patrick Warburton, and Shakira is returning as Gazelle with a new style and a new song (which she collaborated with Ed Sheeran).
If you are a fan of Zootopia or you saw the first one, I recommend seeing the second movie. You may not be a fan of sequels, but you also might be interested in finding out the mystery.
Zootopia 2 will be released on 11-26-2025 and is rated PG.
Avatar: Fire and Ash
In 2009, the world of Avatar explored a bright and vibrant world inhabited by magic, undiscovered species, and its native tribes. The movie budget was about 237 million and grossed over 2 billion in the box office and received positive reviews for its visual effects. In 2010, two more sequels were announced with a release date in 2014. It kept getting pushed back until December 16, 2022, when Avatar: The Way of Water came out in theaters and broke multiple box office records. But there is more to explore infor the world of Avatar.
The sequel will be introducing another tribe called ‘The Ash People’ whose destructive nature could change the way of the natives’ lives forever. With amazing visuals mixed with imaginative storytelling, Avatar is something you won’t want to miss.
Avatar: Fire and Ash is directed by James Cameron and stars Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang, and Joel David Moore.
Avatar: Fire and Ash will be in theaters on December 19, 2025, and is rated PG-13.
Hoppers
Before the showcase at D23, Disney Pixar released a teaser for its new original movie ‘Hoppers’. The movie answersis answering a question: what could happen if you can understand and communicate with animals and nature?. In a short summary of it, a girl’s perspective turns upside down when she hacks into a newly developed technology where her consciousness is downloaded into a realistic beaver robot, which allows her to communicate with animals. But her curiosity gets the better of her when meeting the inhabitants of the animal kingdom, including an actual ‘king’.
Considering Pixar’s newest movie Elio flopped in the box office, Disney hasn’t had a lot of luck with new original movies. But Hoppers tells a wacky story about how seeing things differently can lead you on a journey through the animal world. Hoppers is a movie that is meant to make you laugh. If you are looking for something to have a good laugh, Hoppers is the movie for a good time. It’s wacky, it’s crafty, it’s imaginative, and maybe you might learn something from it.
Hoppers was presented at D23 by the director of Hoppers, Daniel Chong, and producer Nicole Grindle. They featured some voice actors of the movie, including Piper Curda and Bobby Moynihan.
Hoppers is rated PG and will be released in theaters on March-6-2026.
Toy Story 5
You know the movie that has captured all of our hearts. It has been around for 30 years and makes us have nostalgia about our youth (and our parents’parents youth). And the story continues. That’s right. Andy’s toys Woody, Jessie, and Buzz Lightyear are back for their newest adventure. That’s right, D23 has announced that Toy Story 5 is coming soon. And they are about to introduce all new toys.
After the heart-wrenching end to its third sequel, Toy Story 4, the fans were thrilled that they could share it together and have a good laugh. But at D23, Pixar announced Toy Story 5 was coming. They even introduced a new voice, and it revealed comedian and actor Conan O’Brien is voicing a potty-training toy named “SmartyPants” who will play an important role in this film.
If I can be honest about the news, I think that it’s very unexpected that they decided to do this, and it is very risky. Don’t get me wrong, I love Toy Story (and the sequels, and the mini shorts, and the holiday specials), but do we really need another Toy Story? It feels really unnecessary. We just had Toy Story 4, and at least it met most expectations, but I don’t want them to mess it up. It feels like Disney is trying to create a bigger story rather than create a new onestory. I would go see it and recommend you see it too, but my biggest hope is that they don’t ruin it.
Toy Story will be out June 19, 2026, rated PG.
Hexed
Even though Disney has been putting energy and time into their sequels, a new original will be coming out soon in the next few years. Fortunately, Jared Bush (Moana, Zootopia, Encanto) was there and presented a preview at D23 for Disney’s new original animated movie “Hexed” (at least it has a cool name). The movie follows a teenage boy and his mom who explore a world where they learn the boys’ differences hold magic powers.
When Encanto came out, the world felt a connection with the characters, the cultural ethnicity, and the popular songs composed by Lin-ManuelLin Manuel Miranda. Though it is unclear if the feature will be a musical or feature songs, Hexed is a new original animated movie thatwhich we’ve been hoping Disney will produce. It introduces a world so new and vibrant, but also feels like that has a dark side. Hexed is about how our differences and backgrounds make us special, and it is something we should celebrate. I would go see Hexed when it comes out because it is new and imaginative.
Hexed will be released in the year of 2026, and Jared Bush is the Chief Creative Officer.
Other Honorable mentions: Sequels and originals 2026, 2027, 2028, and beyond.
- Avengers Doomsday (2026)
- The Mandalorian and Grogu (May 2026)
- Ice Age: Boiling Point (2027)
- Frozen 3 (2027)
- Gatto (2027)
- Incredibles 3 (2028)
- Coco 2 (2028)
I decided to do this article because I am passionate about movies, and Disney has made me believe in myself and always made me feel young at heart. That concludes the recent news following D23 and what’s up next for Disney. What are your thoughts about these upcoming movies? Which ones are you going to see? Which ones will be a hit or be a flop? Write in the comments what you think.? Thank you for reading, and hope you have a magical day.
May all your dreams come true,
Madison Klein (a major Disney nerd).
https://www.laughingplace.com/disney-entertainment/destination-d23-disney-studios-showcase-recap/ (D23)
https://www.fantasylandnews.com/2025/09/17/tron-ares-advance-screenings-announced-for-d23-gold-members/ (Tron Ares)
https://deadline.com/feature/d23-announcements-movies-tv-1236038316/ (D23)
https://whatsondisneyplus.com/disney-reveal-new-details-on-zootopia-2-at-destination-d23/ (Zootopia 2)
https://thewaltdisneycompany.com/pixar-hoppers-trailer/ (Hoppers)
https://movieweb.com/avatar-3-fire-ash-first-look-concept-art-d23-brazil/ (Avatar)
