Disney Entertainment showcased its world-class storytelling prowess on the first night of D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, presented by Visa®, at the Honda Center. The event featured surprise celebrity appearances, new film and series announcements, and major musical performances, captivating Disney fans worldwide. The showcase underscored the exceptional creative strength of Disney’s studios and the enduring bond between its stories, characters, and generations of passionate fans over the past century.
Walt Disney Company CEO Bob Iger kicked off the evening by expressing gratitude to the fans for their continued support and emphasizing what sets Disney apart as a global leader in creative storytelling and innovation. “Our deep bond with fans, forged over a century of storytelling, is stronger today than ever before,” Iger stated. He highlighted Disney’s unmatched creative studios, the wide appeal of its brands and franchises, and the innovative ways Disney brings its stories to life in theme parks and experiences.
Hosted by Yvette Nicole Brown, the event featured notable Disney creative leaders, including Disney Entertainment Co-Chairman Alan Bergman, Pixar Animation Studios’ Chief Creative Officer Pete Docter, Disney Animation’s Chief Creative Officer Jennifer Lee, and Marvel Studios’ President Kevin Feige. They introduced the stars and storytellers behind both new and beloved Disney titles.
Major Moments & Announcements from the D23 Showcase
Moana 2: The showcase began with a performance by Auli‘i Cravalho, the voice of Moana, alongside dancers and drummers from Nonosina Polynesia. Fans were treated to an exclusive first listen of We’re Back, a new song from the film. Moana 2 will open in theaters on November 29, 2024.
Zootopia 2: Fans were thrilled by the announcement of this highly anticipated sequel, which will feature Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde on a new case in Zootopia. The film is set to release in November 2025.
Frozen 3: Jennifer Lee teased the third installment in the Frozen series, sharing concept art and details about the film, which will hit theaters in 2027.
Avatar: Fire and Ash: James Cameron, along with stars Sam Worthington and Zoe Saldaña, revealed the title of the third Avatar film. The movie will continue the story of Jake Sully, Neytiri, and their family, and will be released on December 19, 2025.
Pixar’s Elio: Directed by Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, and Adrian Molina, this new Pixar film follows Elio, a space enthusiast mistaken for Earth’s leader. The film is expected in theaters soon.
Pixar’s Hoppers: Set for release in 2026, this film introduces Mabel, who transfers her consciousness into a robotic beaver. The movie features voices by Piper Curda, Bobby Moynihan, and Jon Hamm.
Toy Story 5: Pixar announced the return of Buzz, Woody, and the gang in a new adventure where they face a tech-driven threat. The film will be released on June 19, 2026.
Incredibles 3: Brad Bird is developing the third installment of this beloved superhero family film, with more details to be announced soon.
The Mandalorian and Grogu: A new Star Wars film directed by Jon Favreau and starring Pedro Pascal was previewed, set to premiere on May 22, 2026.
Captain America: Brave New World: Anthony Mackie took the stage to introduce his debut as Captain America in this film, slated for release on February 14, 2025.
Disney Live Action Highlights
Mufasa: The Lion King: The event concluded with a performance of “Nants’ Ingonyama” by Lebo M. and a special look at this Lion King prequel, set for release on December 20, 2024.
Snow White: A live-action reimagining of the classic tale, starring Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot, is set to hit theaters on March 21, 2025.
Lilo & Stitch: This live-action remake of the animated classic will arrive in theaters in Summer 2025, with a first look at Stitch shared on social media.
TRON: Ares: The latest installment in the TRON franchise, starring Jeff Bridges and Jared Leto, will be released on October 10, 2025.
Freakier Friday: Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan announced the title of the sequel to Freaky Friday, which will debut in 2025.
