Disney Movies Fans Are Most Excited About Over the Next Two Years

Disney has one of the most anticipated movie slates in Hollywood right now — and if you’re trying to plan which films are worth your time and money over the coming months, the lineup is genuinely impressive across nearly every genre the studio touches.

From live-action remakes of beloved animated classics to brand-new sequels that fans have been waiting years to see, the upcoming Disney movie calendar covers a wide range of stories. The challenge isn’t finding something to watch — it’s deciding what to prioritize.

Because

Why Disney’s Upcoming Movie Slate Deserves Attention

Disney as a studio umbrella now encompasses Walt Disney Animation, Pixar, Marvel Studios, and Lucasfilm — meaning “upcoming Disney movies” can mean anything from a hand-drawn fairy tale to a superhero blockbuster to a galaxy-spanning space adventure.

That breadth is part of what makes the slate so compelling. There’s almost no audience Disney isn’t trying to reach in 2025 and 2026. Families, action fans, animation lovers, and long-time franchise followers all have something significant coming their way.

The theatrical experience has also made a notable comeback post-pandemic, and Disney has been one of the studios leaning hardest into the big-screen event model — particularly for films that benefit from spectacle, sound design, and shared audience energy.

Confirmed Upcoming Disney Movies Worth Watching

Based on publicly confirmed Disney theatrical releases, here are the major upcoming films that have been officially announced and dated:

• Lilo & Stitch (Live-Action) — A live-action remake of the beloved 2002 animated film, following the story of a lonely Hawaiian girl and the alien experiment she adopts as her dog.
• Moana (Live-Action) — A live-action adaptation of the 2016 animated hit, with Dwayne Johnson returning as Maui.
• Zootopia 2 — The long-awaited sequel to the 2016 animated film that grossed over $1 billion worldwide.
• Toy Story 5 — Pixar’s continuation of one of animation’s most beloved franchises, with original cast members expected to return.
• The Mandalorian & Grogu — The big-screen theatrical debut of the hit Disney+ series, bringing together the fan-favorite duo for a feature-length story.
• Avatar 3 — James Cameron’s third installment in the Avatar franchise, following the record-breaking Avatar: The Way of Water.
• Avengers: Doomsday — A major Marvel event film bringing together characters from across the MCU.
• Freakier Friday — The long-awaited sequel to the 2003 Disney classic Freaky Friday, reuniting Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan.

A Closer Look at the Release Timeline

Disney has staggered its releases strategically across the calendar to maximize box office windows and avoid internal competition. Here’s a general overview of what’s coming and when, based on publicly confirmed information:

What Makes These Films Different From Typical Studio Releases

Several of the films on this list carry unusual weight — not just commercially, but culturally. The Mandalorian & Grogu marks a significant moment for the Star Wars franchise, which has struggled to find its footing on the big screen after mixed reactions to the sequel trilogy. Moving a streaming-born story into theaters is a bold bet.

Toy Story 5 similarly carries enormous expectations. The fourth film was widely seen as a definitive ending for Woody and the gang, so a fifth installment will need to justify its existence creatively — not just commercially.

The live-action remakes of Lilo & Stitch and Moana follow Disney’s well-established playbook of reimagining animated classics for new generations, a strategy that has produced both massive hits like The Lion King and more mixed responses like Pinocchio.

Avengers: Doomsday may be the single most anticipated Marvel film in years, representing a potential course correction for a franchise that faced criticism for some of its Phase 4 and Phase 5 output.

Why These Movies Matter to More Than Just Disney Fans

The health of Disney’s theatrical slate has ripple effects across the entire film industry. When Disney performs well at the box office, it reinforces the argument that theatrical moviegoing is still a viable — and valuable — cultural experience.

For families especially, Disney releases represent some of the few remaining cinematic events that genuinely bring multiple generations into the same theater. That shared experience is harder to replicate on a streaming platform, and Disney clearly knows it.

Whether you’re a lifelong Disney fan or someone who only heads to theaters for the biggest events of the year, this slate gives you multiple legitimate reasons to buy a ticket.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are all of these Disney movies confirmed for theaters?
Yes — all of the films listed above have been publicly confirmed by Disney for theatrical release, though specific release dates for some titles are still being finalized.

Will Dwayne Johnson actually appear in the live-action Moana?
Dwayne Johnson has been publicly confirmed to reprise his role as Maui in the live-action Moana remake.

Is Toy Story 5 really happening?
Yes, Pixar has officially confirmed that Toy Story 5 is in production, though full casting and plot details have not been fully disclosed.

Is The Mandalorian & Grogu a continuation of the Disney+ series?
Yes, the film is a theatrical continuation of the popular Disney+ series, bringing the same central characters to the big screen in a feature-length format.

How many of these films involve Marvel or Star Wars?
At least two confirmed films — Avengers: Doomsday and The Mandalorian & Grogu — fall under Marvel Studios and Lucasfilm respectively, both of which are owned by Disney.

Where can I find exact release dates for these films?
Disney regularly updates its official theatrical release calendar at disney.com, and major entertainment news outlets track confirmed date announcements as they are made.