At Disney’s biennial D23 event this weekend, CEO Bob Iger teased the return of fan-favorite characters from “The Mandalorian” and “Toy Story” in new movies and shows from the entertainment giant.
The event, which runs through August 11th in Anaheim, California — where Disneyland Park makes its home — highlights the projects Disney is working on in its animation studios and theme parks worldwide.
In past years, the D23 exposition has unveiled new trailers and offered sneak peeks at new attractions, including live-action series for Disney+ and new projects from Pixar Animation Studios.
“It is such a privilege for me to lead such a remarkable company that brings joy to so many people around the world — both to the young, and as Walt liked to say, the young at heart,” Iger said Friday night as he kicked off the Disney Entertainment Showcase. “We have a lot to be proud of and even more to look forward to.”
Among the projects Disney highlighted at this year’s event was a trailer for an upcoming film from the “Star Wars” universe, “The Mandalorian and Grogu” directed by Jon Favreau. The film, starring Pedro Pascal, is set for release on May 22, 2026, and is currently in production.
The expo also showcased “Moana 2,” which will debut in theaters on November 27 of this year. The film will feature the return of the voice of Moana, Auli’i Cravalho, and Dwyane “The Rock” Johnson as Maui, in addition to new characters like Moana’s little sister, Simea.
The studio also revealed they are working on sequels in the “Toy Story” and “Incredibles” franchises. “Toy Story 5” will be released in theaters on June 19, 2026, but “The Incredibles 3” does not yet have a release date.
Disney didn’t stop there. The company also announced release dates for “Avatar: Fire and Ash,” the latest in the James Cameron series following the alien race of the Na’vi that will be released next year, and concept art for “Frozen 3,” which will hit movie theaters in 2027.
A new trailer for the photorealistic animated “Mufasa: The Lion King,” which will be released this December, closed out the showcase.
“Our deep bond with fans, forged over a century of storytelling, is stronger today than ever before — driven by the unmatched strength of our creative studios, the wide appeal of our brands and franchises, and the innovative ways that we bring our stories to life in our theme parks and experiences,” Iger said Friday during his opening remarks.
He added that the world needs to be entertained — perhaps now more than ever — and the company takes that responsibility “seriously.”
“We are grateful for every moment, every memory that we’re fortunate enough to be part of,” Iger said. “And we’re grateful to you for caring so much about the things we create and inviting Disney into your lives in such profound ways.”
Representatives for Disney directed Business Insider to a press release about the event but did not respond to questions about the release date for “Incredibles 3” and other newly announced projects.
