Every Major D23 2026 Announcement You Need to Know About

D23 first day delivered wonderful news to multiple audiences. From long-awaited X-Men casting to new parts of animations that have been dear to our hearts, we got everything and more. A lot of information has been released, so here is your comprehensive guide to day 1 of the D23 showcase.

MARVEL

Marvel is transitioning to the new phase, with earlier announcements at Comic Con about Black Panther 3 with David Jonsson as T’Challa II and Ghost Rider with Ryan Gosling; Disney has given us more movies to obsess over.

X-Men Cast Officially Revealed — May 5, 2028

Sadie Sink has opened the night as a lead mutant alongside Kevin Feige to introduce the rest of the characters in the new X-Men Mutant Saga. Sink’s character as Jean Grey has done wonderful numbers in the new Spider-Man: Brand New Day film. Jean Grey will ultimately lead the new movie. 

Joining her: Kit Connor as Cyclops — and yes, we are already hoping for a Cyclops and Jean Grey love story because the tension would be everything. Christopher Abbott as Charles Xavier. Samara Weaving as Emma Frost — wonderful casting, and Emma arrived on stage in all white already embodying the character perfectly. Inde Navarrette as Rogue — the fanbase is divided on this one, and we will reserve judgment until we see her in action. Maya Boyd as Storm, the newest addition to the announcement. And Adam Driver showed up via video as Mister Sinister. The movies will be directed by Jake Schreier – the one who brought us Thunderbolts, so we have high expectations for X-Men Saga.

Avengers: Doomsday Special Look — December 18, 2026

Chris Evans, Hayley Atwell, and Robert Downey Jr. presented another sneak peek on stage at D23. We got a new poster and a new teaser that showcases an army of Iron Giants, Sue talking about Victor Doom, and how he lost everything. We saw Thor hopelessly attacking Doom and miserably failing. If a God of Thunder can’t do anything about it, then the Avengers are in for one big mess. We got a surprise appearance from Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds via video, teasing but not confirming Deadpool and Wolverine involvement in Doomsday. 

VisionQuest Trailer — October 14, 2026 on Disney+

One of the most anticipated announcements for WandaVision fans. We got an official VisionQuest trailer. Paul Bettany is coming back as White Vision. One big question left from fans is whether we will see Wanda. As for now, the rumors are circulating that she will appear in one episode, but the story will not be focused on her. Elizabeth Olsen herself has not confirmed whether she is involved in the project, besides telling Inverse in a 2025 interview, “I didn’t know anything about it until [Paul Bettany], and I spent time with each other just the other week, and he’s so proud of it”. However, this series will be a perfect addition to a witchy trifecta of Wanda Vision and Agatha All Along.

STAR WARS

Ahsoka Season 2 — January 20, 2027 on Disney+

Rosario Dawson took the stage to introduce the Ahsoka Season 2 trailer, and the crowd went appropriately wild. Hayden Christensen is returning as Anakin Skywalker with Clone Wars era flashbacks confirmed — meaning we are getting the Anakin we deserve. Grand Admiral Thrawn is declaring war on the Rebel Alliance, and the premiere date is finally locked in: January 20, 2027 on Disney+.

Star Wars: Starfighter

Not much was shared publicly, but a secret trailer was screened behind closed doors at D23 for select attendees. A retro poster was released for the rest of us. Mysterious, and we are intrigued.

DISNEY ANIMATION

Disney Animation came to the stage with some wonderful and long-awaited announcements. They are taking the next 2 years by storm and surely will make nice box-office numbers.

Tangled Live Action — March 31, 2028

The first look into Tangled Live Action was revealed at the showcase. Kathryn Hahn as Mother Gothel is the most inspired Disney live-action casting in years, and the first look confirms it. Teagan Croft as Rapunzel and Milo Manheim as Flynn Rider sent a video message from Spain, where filming is currently underway.

Frozen 3 AND Frozen 4 Confirmed — 2027

Beloved Disney animation is coming back to big screens in 2027. Kristen Bell, Josh Gad, and Idina Menzel introduced the return of the animation on stage. Both films are set to resolve all lingering franchise questions. Frozen 3 is set to take place during Anna’s and Kristoff’s wedding, and will introduce a new villain, whose face we couldn’t see in the trailer. Big day for all the oldest daughters who adore Frozen!

Princess Diaries 3 Update

Anne Hathaway opened the entire Entertainment Showcase and introduced Princess Diaries 3. She has confirmed that the film is still in development, and assured people it is taking time to get it right. News of Julie Andrews not returning to the movie as Queen Clarisse came out just a few days prior, which potentially acted as a little setback. No official release date has been announced yet. 

PIXAR

Pixar is in their sequel era, and we don’t really mind.

Incredibles 3 — Summer 2028

Incredibles 3 will come back to our screens, but this time everyone is grown up. Violet and Dash, as young adults, want to prove they are ready to be real heroes while their Dad, Bob Parr, is struggling with his relevance as Mr.Incredible. The teaser introduced us to a new villain and ensured that Edna Mode, the most iconic bob, will be present in the animated film. 

Coco 2 — November 2029

Coco 2 will follow Miguel as a teenager, coming back to the land of the dead. Benjamin Bratt reprises his role as Ernesto de la Cruz. The first look concept art was revealed, and it looks even better than the first animation.

The Bluey Movie — August 6, 2027

Bluey has built one of the most genuinely universal children's franchises of the decade. The theatrical leap makes complete sense. Now all the tiny humans can enjoy seeing Bluey on the big screens. 

OTHER DISNEY

The New Simpsons Movie — September 3, 2027

The third Simpsons film is officially happening, arriving September 3, 2027. A new episode titled Yellow Mirror will drop on Disney+ on August 28 as a little appetiser. 

Kingdom Hearts Anime Series

Kingdom Hearts fans have been waiting 24 years for this moment. Benjamin Bratt took the stage to announce not one but two Kingdom Hearts developments. First — Kingdom Hearts: The Series, an original anime coming to Disney Channel and Disney+, developed with creator Tetsuya Nomura and Square Enix. No release date confirmed, but the official poster says "coming soon." Second — Kingdom Hearts IV, the long-awaited video game arriving late 2027, will feature the world of Coco, with Bratt reprising his role as Ernesto de la Cruz. The Land of the Dead's visual language and de la Cruz as a villain is genuinely inspired casting for the franchise. A very good night for Kingdom Hearts fans.

Oswald the Lucky Rabbit Miniseries — February 2027 on Disney+

Jon Favreau described this as a dream project — and it sounds like one. A three-part Disney+ miniseries arriving February 2027 that combines hand-drawn 2D animation with live action, bringing veteran Disney animators back to the studio. Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, Walt Disney's very first character before Mickey Mouse, is getting his moment. About time.

D23 2026 made one thing very clear — Disney is not slowing down. From the X-Men finally stepping into the MCU with a cast that suggests Marvel has been paying attention, to Pixar leaning fully into its legacy sequels, to Disney Animation delivering the kind of announcements that remind you why this studio has defined childhood for generations — the showcase covered an extraordinary amount of ground in one evening. The pipeline stretches into 2029 and beyond, and for the first time in a while, it feels genuinely considered rather than reactive. Whether all of it lands is a question only time and opening weekends will answer. But the ambition is visible, and in an industry that has spent the last few years playing it safe, that counts for something.