D23 Recap
Photo Credit: Disney & Marvel Studios
D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event 2026 is underway in Anaheim, California (August 14–16), delivering a wave of reveals across movies, TV, theme parks, and more. With the Disney Entertainment Showcase on Friday and the Disney Experiences Showcase (Horizons: A Carousel of Progress) on Saturday complete, here’s a recap of the major announcements so far. The Disney Legends Award Ceremony is set for Sunday.
Marvel Studios
Avengers: Doomsday (in theaters December 18, 2026): A special look/trailer focused on Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom, with appearances by Chris Evans and Hayley Atwell alongside Kevin Feige. Tickets are on sale.
VisionQuest (Disney+, October 14, 2026): First trailer and poster, starring Paul Bettany as Vision and James Spader as Ultron. It concludes the trilogy that began with WandaVision and Agatha All Along.
Untitled X-Men film (in theaters May 5, 2028, directed by Jake Schreier): Full cast revealed, including Sadie Sink as Jean Grey, Kit Connor as Scott Summers/Cyclops, Christopher Abbott as Professor Charles Xavier, Samara Weaving as Emma Frost, Inde Navarrette as Rogue, Maya Boyd as Storm, and Adam Driver as Nathaniel Milbury (Mister Sinister).
Marvel’s Wolverine (PlayStation 5, September 15): New trailer for the Insomniac Games title.
Lucasfilm / Star Wars
Ahsoka Season 2 (Disney+, January 20, 2027): Teaser trailer highlighting a darker tone with Grand Admiral Thrawn.
Star Wars: Starfighter (in theaters May 28, 2027, directed by Shawn Levy): Special look/sizzle reel with Ryan Gosling (as Kade/Cade), plus cast including Matt Smith, Mia Goth, Aaron Pierre, and others.
Exclusive first screening of the animated special LEGO Star Wars: The Mandalorian (Disney+, September 2, 2026).
Pixar
Incredibles 3 (in theaters June 16, 2028, directed by Peter Sohn): Exclusive first look; the kids (Violet, Dash, Jack-Jack) take the spotlight as they prove they’re ready to be “real Supers.”
Coco 2 (in theaters November 2029): Concept art of teenage Miguel; Benjamin Bratt returns as Ernesto de la Cruz; original directors involved.
Ghost Market (in theaters March 2028): Original film set at a plate lunch shop on Oʻahu that serves lost spirits.
Gatto (in theaters March 5, 2027): Exclusive look; Mark Ruffalo voices Nero.
Walt Disney Animation Studios & Live-Action
Frozen 3 (in theaters November 24, 2027): Teaser clip involving Anna and Kristoff’s wedding; performances and story teases (Anna’s honeymoon; possible Olaf romance); Idina Menzel, Kristen Bell, and Josh Gad involved.
Zootopia 3: Officially in early development.
Lilo & Stitch 2 (in theaters May 26, 2028, directed by Chris Sanders): Production begins in Hawaiʻi later this year; Maia Kealoha appeared, with Stitch and Angel surprises.
Live-action Tangled (in theaters March 31, 2028, directed by Michael Gracey): Kathryn Hahn announced the film as Mother Gothel.
The Bluey Movie (in theaters August 6, 2027): Teaser trailer and poster (Keepy Uppy sequence); written/directed by Joe Brumm; 3D CG style.
The Simpsons film (in theaters September 3, 2027): Sneak peek/storyboards.
Ice Age: Boiling Point (in theaters February 5, 2027): Exclusive clip introducing Jurassic Scrat.
Princess Diaries 3: Anne Hathaway confirmed work is underway and thanked fans for their patience (no further production details).
Oswald (Disney+, February 17, 2027): Live-action/animation hybrid series from Jon Favreau based on Oswald the Lucky Rabbit.
Television & Other
Percy Jackson and the Olympians Season 3 (Disney+, November 20, 2026): Teaser.
Original Kingdom Hearts anime series (Disney Channel and Disney+): Developed with Tetsuya Nomura/Square Enix involvement. Kingdom Hearts IV will feature a Coco-inspired world (late 2027 window).
Romy & Michele 2 (Hulu, 2027).
Marvel’s Spidey and His Amazing Friends greenlit for a seventh season on Disney Jr. and Disney+.
Walt Disney World
Villains Land (Magic Kingdom; official name confirmed): Massive expansion with a cursed/twisted wishing well backstory. Two attractions revealed—a thrilling roller coaster through Maleficent’s enchanted briars around her mountaintop fortress (new coaster elements never attempted before) and a dark ride hosted by the Magic Mirror into a Mirror Realm featuring multiple villains (including Dr. Facilier). Glenn Close appeared as Cruella de Vil. Dining, shopping, and more planned.
Monstropolis (Monsters, Inc. land at Hollywood Studios): Portions open in 2027 (theater show and more first; door coaster later). Randy Newman’s first theme-park song, “Welcome to Monstropolis,” for a show hosted by Mike and Sulley. Locations include Harryhausen’s (with animatronic elements) and Archie’s Scare Pig Pizza.
Tropical Americas (Animal Kingdom): Updates including Indiana Jones and the Myth of the Jade Serpent (new Indy story in a Maya temple with a massive serpent) and Antonio’s Fiesta de Encanto (guests enter Casita on Antonio’s gift day).
Piston Peak National Park (Cars-themed area in Frontierland, replacing Rivers of America/Tom Sawyer Island): Detailed model shown. Attractions include an off-road rally race (Lightning McQueen and Mater commentary) and Miss Fritter’s Daredevil Spin-Along/demolition-derby experience.
Expedition Everest Yeti brought back to life with updated audio-animatronics.
Journey Into Imagination at EPCOT fully reimagined with Figment and the return of Dreamfinder. Spaceship Earth story updates.
Carousel of Progress updates: Jamie Lee Curtis and Bryan Cranston as mom and dad, plus a refreshed 1980s scene (late spring 2027).
“Magic Happens” parade returns (summer 2027).
Disneyland Resort
Avengers Campus expansion: Avengers Infinity Defense (dark ride) and Stark Flight Lab open in 2028 (doubling the land’s size; talent reprisals including Robert Downey Jr., Anthony Mackie, Brie Larson).
Coco boat ride (set after the original film/Coco 2; queue with Héctor Rivera elements).
Full reimagining of Tomorrowland at Disneyland Park, returning to Walt’s optimistic original vision with new attractions and open spaces (Avatar land timeline adjusted accordingly).
Refreshed “Remember… Dreams Come True” (Disneyland, February 2027) and updated “World of Color” (Disney California Adventure, February 2027); “Magic Happens” parade returns (summer 2027).
International Parks & More
Disneyland Paris: Lion King-themed area/attraction following Simba’s journey; Space Mountain reimagined as De la Terre à la Lune.
Tokyo: Reimagined Space Mountain (Earthrise); Sugar Rush: Sweet Rescue (Wreck-It Ralph).
Hong Kong Disneyland: New Avengers experiences/Research Testing Labs.
Shanghai Disneyland: Spider-Man land with coaster and more.
Disney Cruise Line: Disney Believe sets sail in 2027 (Moana-themed Grand Hall elements); new class of ships in 2029.
Second season of The Imagineering Story (Leslie Iwerks) in production for Disney+ next year.
The Disney Princess Experience: New immersive adventure in development (Rapunzel, Tiana, Belle, Moana, Ariel).
This has been one of the most announcement-heavy D23s in recent memory, spanning theatrical releases into 2029, major MCU and Star Wars milestones, and transformative park expansions. More could still come on the final day, particularly around the Legends ceremony honoring figures including Anne Hathaway, Bob Iger, Dwayne Johnson, Lin-Manuel Miranda, the Jonas Brothers, and others. Stay tuned for official Disney channels for full details, concept art, and exact timelines.
Source: d23.com