Looks like it’s going to rain sequels from the House of Mouse! At D23 2024, Disney unveiled its upcoming slate of films and series across all its franchises and studios such as the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Star Wars, and Pixar.
Among the headline-grabbing announcements was the sequel to the next Avatar film, titled Avatar: Fire and Ash. Disney also revealed that several of its beloved animated films are set to return with fresh new sequels, much to the delight of fans around the world.
Jennifer Lee of Disney Animation officially confirmed that Frozen 3 will hit theaters in 2027, and she also tantalized the audience with the news that a fourth Frozen film is already in the pipeline. This franchise has undoubtedly been a behemoth for Disney; the 2013 original Frozen, featuring the voices of Kristen Bell and Idina Menzel, grossed an impressive $1.28 billion globally. Its sequel, Frozen II, released in 2019, outdid its predecessor by pulling in $1.45 billion at the worldwide box office, cementing Frozen as one of Disney’s most lucrative titles.
❄️Is there a chill in the air…?❄️ Jennifer Lee announces at #D23 that #Frozen3 will be coming to theaters in 2027! pic.twitter.com/PUKIFFvcGN
In addition to Frozen 3, the studio delighted fans by confirming that Zootopia will be getting a sequel. The upcoming Zootopia 2 promises to bring back all of the beloved primary characters while also introducing a venomous new character named Gary, voiced by Everything Everywhere All at Once Oscar winner Ke Huy Quan.
Kicking off Walt Disney Animation’s #D23 showcase: Zootopia’s own Judy Hopps, Ginnifer Goodwin, shares more about the new faces we’ll meet in #Zootopia2 🐾 pic.twitter.com/6w7nNNy4cy
Meanwhile, Pixar also had some major announcements to make. After years of speculation, it was officially confirmed that The Incredibles 3 is in development. Brad Bird, who wrote and directed the first two films that became instant classics, is at the helm once again for the third installation. This news has been met with huge excitement as audiences eagerly anticipate what new adventures await the Parr family.
One last incredible announcement from Pixar.
… 👀#Incredibles3 is officially in the works 💥 #D23pic.twitter.com/9e7MzBmupk
But the announcements didn’t stop there. Andrew Stanton, who has been a guiding force behind the Toy Story series by co-writing all four films, also revealed fresh details about Toy Story 5. Stanton, who will direct the new film, unveiled that the toys will be going head-to-head against modern technologies like iPads and iPhones. Toy Story 5 is slated for a 2026 release.
Pete introduces Andrew Stanton, who gives #D23 a sneak peek of the newest challenge for Buzz, Woody, and Jessie: it’s toy meets tech! pic.twitter.com/HA0waQ4GvS
Also taking center stage was the announcement of Moana 2. Auliʻi Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson will reprise their roles as Moana and the powerful demigod Maui, respectively. The dynamic duo thrilled the crowd by performing a song from the upcoming sequel. Directed by David Derrick Jr., the film’s trailer was also revealed, showcasing an adventure that promises to be just as captivating as the first. Moana 2 is set to hit theaters on November 27, 2024.
It’s a call from the ancestors 🌊Watch the new trailer for Disney’s #Moana2, only in theaters November 27! pic.twitter.com/WXbIaU6q8q
This slew of announcements at D23 2024 has generated palpable excitement among Disney fans, who can hardly wait to see what new adventures their favorite characters will embark upon. Disney’s strategic continuation of these beloved franchises ensures that both new and previous generations will continue to feel the magic of the studio’s storytelling for many years to come. Whether through returning to Arendelle, exploring Zootopia once more, strapping in for superheroic exploits with the Incredibles, rediscovering the wonder of Buzz and Woody’s world, or journeying across the ocean with Moana and Maui, there is certainly no shortage of legendary tales on the horizon.
