Full Breakdown
D23 2026: Disney Unveils Massive Slate of Films, Parks Projects and Archive Treasures
8/15/2026, 12:04:18 PM
Event Overview
From August 14-16, 2026 Disney staged its biennial fan gathering, D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, at the Anaheim Convention Center and the adjacent Honda Center in Anaheim, California. The three-day schedule featured a Friday-night Disney Entertainment Showcase, a Saturday “Horizons: Disney Experiences” showcase, and a Sunday Disney Legends Award ceremony.
New Film and Series Announcements
The Entertainment Showcase introduced dozens of upcoming titles across Disney’s studios:
- Avengers: Doomsday – December 2026 theatrical release.
- Frozen 3 – November 2027 with a new wedding storyline.
- Hexed – live-action Disney animated feature set for November 2027, starring Walton Goggins, Hailee Steinfeld and Jodie Foster.
- X-Men – new ensemble cast including Adam Driver and Samara Weaving.
- Zootopia 3 – “in the works.”
- Clay – original animated film scheduled for November 22, 2028.
- Incredibles 3 – summer 2028.
- Coco 2 – November 2029.
- Live-action Tangled – March 31, 2028.
- Star Wars: Starfighter – May 28, 2027.
- Lilo & Stitch 2 – May 28, 2028.
Series updates included season 2 of Ahsoka (January 2027 on Disney+), the three-part Oswald mini-series (February 2027), and season 3 of Percy Jackson and the Olympians (November 2027).
Theme-Park and Imagineering Highlights
The “Imagineering: Horizons” pavilion, billed as the largest Imagineering showcase in D23 history, offered more than 30 presentations. Guests saw concept art, maquettes and interactive stations for projects at Walt Disney World, Disneyland Resort, Disney California Adventure, Disney Paris, Tokyo Disneyland and Shanghai Disneyland. Highlights included:
- A 19-by-19-foot model of Piston Peak National Park for Magic Kingdom.
- New designs for Carousel of Progress, Tropical Americas (with an Encanto-themed Audio-Animatronic), and Monstropolis for Hollywood Studios.
- A model of the upcoming Avengers Pavilion for Hong Kong Disneyland and an expansion model for the Avengers Campus at Disney California Adventure.
- Early looks at Coco (Disney California Adventure), an Avatar destination, and a Wreck-It Ralph-themed attraction for Tokyo Disneyland.
Walt Disney Archives “Uncrated” Exhibit
The Walt Disney Archives opened its vaults to fans for the first time, displaying over 200 objects—props, costumes, puppets and other artifacts spanning Disney’s film, television and theme-park history—across four themed areas: Delivery, Receiving & Processing, Object Storage and Magical Containment.
Data & Statistics
- 200+ archival objects on display – the largest number ever shown at D23.
- 50+ immersive booths filled the show floor.
- 30+ Imagineer presentations took place within the Horizons pavilion.
Official Statements & Responses
Becky Cline, director of the Walt Disney Archives, said the exhibition was the result of extensive preparation and expressed hope that fans would enjoy the behind-the-scenes look at Disney’s vaults.
Jared Bush, chief creative officer for Walt Disney Animation Studios, described Clay as a fresh take on the studio’s mentor-student tradition, positioning the film as a comedic inversion of classic Disney mentor stories.
Timeline of Key Dates
| Date | Milestone |
|---|---|
| August 14-16, 2026 | D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event held in Anaheim |
| March 31, 2028 | Theatrical release of live-action Tangled |
| May 28, 2027 | Release of Star Wars: Starfighter |
| May 28, 2028 | Release of Lilo & Stitch 2 |
| November 22, 2028 | Theatrical release of Clay |
