Full Breakdown
Pixar Announces First Ghost-Themed Feature, “Ghost Market”
8/16/2026, 11:17:10 AM
Core Announcement at D23 2026
During Disney’s D23 fan convention in 2026, Pixar chief content officer Pete Docter (also referenced as Pete Doctor in some outlets) unveiled the studio’s next original film, Ghost Market. The teaser shows a fast-talking teenage content creator named Kyle, who is forced by his mother to vacation in Hawaii. While searching for a late-night snack, Kyle discovers a hidden market that serves “hungry ghosts” and serves as a crossroads between the living and the dead. The film is slated for theatrical release on March 10, 2028.
Background and Development
The concept originated from an earlier Wall Street Journal report that described a project titled “Ono Ghost Market,” inspired by Asian folklore about supernatural bazaars where spirits and mortals intersect. Initial plans called for the story to debut as a Disney+ series, but studio executives later elevated it to a feature-length picture—mirroring the recent shift of “Moana 2” from streaming to theatrical release. The premise aligns with Pixar’s recent interest in afterlife-themed storytelling, following films such as “Coco” and “Soul.”
Key Creative Personnel
- Pete Docter – Chief Content Officer, Pixar, who presented the film’s premise at D23.
- Trevor Jimenez – Director; previously a story supervisor on “Soul” and Oscar-nominated for the short “Weekends.”
- Jesse Andrews – Co-director (as noted in Reel360 coverage).
- Becky Neiman-Cobb – Producer.
Timeline
- 2026 D23 Expo – Public debut of the Ghost Market teaser and first official details.
- March 10, 2028 – Scheduled theatrical release (confirmed by multiple outlets).
Data & Statistics
- Release date: March 10, 2028 (spring 2028).
- Working titles: Initially reported as “Ono Ghost Market”; later shortened to “Ghost Market.”
- Genre positioning: Marketed as Pixar’s first ghost-focused feature, blending supernatural horror motifs with the studio’s signature humor.
Official Statements & Responses
The studio emphasized that the project’s shift from series to feature reflects confidence in its cinematic potential. No additional casting or voice-talent details have been disclosed, and Pixar indicated that the film will follow its usual post-theatrical window on Disney+.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Title discrepancy: Early coverage used the working title “Ono Ghost Market,” while later D23 announcements and the official release schedule refer simply to “Ghost Market.” Both titles appear in source material.
- Director confirmation: While most sources name Trevor Jimenez as director, Reel360 notes that Pixar has not formally confirmed the director, suggesting a slight uncertainty in official attribution.
- Release-date phrasing: Some outlets describe the launch as “spring 2028,” whereas the date ledger provides the precise date of March 10, 2028. Both descriptions are present in the source set.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Kyle is a fast-talking teenager and content creator from Chicago,” — Pete Doctor
- “Kyle stumbles into a mysterious hidden market and he quickly realizes his hunt for a late night snack has turned into something bigger – Kyle has discovered the crossroads between the living and the dead,” — Pete Docter
- “He stumbles into a mysterious hidden market in the middle of nowhere,” — Pete Docter
These statements capture the core premise and the creative vision articulated by Pixar’s leadership.
