Disney Moves Forward With 18 Controversial Films After Massive Leadership Change

After months of speculation, Disney has officially found its next CEO. And while leadership changes usually spark talk about theme parks or Disney+, this one is already tied to something far bigger: the company’s future film slate.

Because it became clear almost immediately that Disney isn’t slowing down.

Instead, Disney appears ready to move forward with 18 upcoming projects that are already dividing fans. Some are sequels to franchises people thought were finished. Others are live-action remakes of movies that many feel should never be touched again.

And the most surprising part is that Disney doesn’t seem nervous about the backlash at all.

If anything, the company looks ready to lean into it.

Disney’s New CEO Era Begins

Bob Iger has been the face of modern Disney for years. He oversaw major expansions, massive acquisitions, and the kind of corporate influence that reshaped entertainment. But he also became the public face of Disney’s growing reliance on sequels, reboots, and remakes.

Now, that era is ending.

Bob Iger is scheduled to step down, and Josh D’Amaro is set to take over as CEO on March 18, 2026. That announcement grabbed attention immediately, because D’Amaro isn’t an unknown executive hiding in the background. Disney fans have seen him at major events, big announcements, and countless public-facing moments tied to the Parks division.

His promotion feels like Disney is trying to signal energy and confidence, even while criticism continues to swirl around the company.

But while the CEO transition feels like a major reset, Disney’s movie strategy doesn’t seem to be changing at all.

Bob Iger Built the Roadmap for Disney’s Most Divisive Era

During Iger’s time, Disney announced a wave of projects that instantly split audiences. Fans have spent years arguing that Disney has become too dependent on nostalgia and recognizable franchises.

Still, the strategy worked financially. Sequels and remakes continued to bring in massive revenue, even when online reactions were adverse.

Now, as far as the public can tell, many of these controversial projects have also been given the green light under Dana Walden’s leadership.

That means Josh D’Amaro is stepping into the CEO role with a slate of films already locked in. And this lineup is guaranteed to stir debate for years.

Disney Keeps Betting on Sequels and Live-Action Remakes

Disney has made it clear that it sees sequels and live-action remakes as its safest path forward.

The logic is simple. Familiar names sell tickets. Parents want to bring their kids to something recognizable. Disney+ thrives on franchises with built-in audiences.

But the downside is just as obvious.

Fans feel exhausted. Sequels get accused of ruining endings. Remakes get criticized for being unnecessary. And Disney has reached a point where even announcing a new project can trigger backlash before anyone knows the details.

That’s precisely why this list of 18 films is already being called controversial.

Pixar Sequels That Fans Didn’t Expect

Pixar has always had a reputation for originality, which is why its future of sequels continues to frustrate some fans.

Toy Story 5 (2026) is one of the most prominent examples. Many fans still believe Toy Story 3 (2010) was the perfect ending. Others feel Toy Story 4 (2019) already pushed the story too far. A fifth movie makes it feel like Disney simply refuses to let the franchise rest.

Incredibles 3 (possibly 2028) is also on the horizon. The original The Incredibles (2004) remains one of Pixar’s most beloved films, but Incredibles 2 (2018) didn’t satisfy everyone. A third installment could be a huge win, but it could also cement the idea that Pixar is no longer focused on new stories.

Then there’s Coco 2 (TBD), which might be the most emotionally risky sequel Disney could make. Coco (2017) is widely seen as a modern classic, and many fans feel it should remain untouched. A sequel could easily be viewed as Disney trying to cash in on a story that already ended perfectly.

Frozen and Zootopia: Guaranteed Hits, Guaranteed Debates

Disney Animation is also leaning heavily into its most prominent brands.

Frozen 3 (2027) is already confirmed, and while it will almost certainly make massive money, it’s still divisive. Some fans love the franchise, but others feel the story is already complete and that Disney is only continuing it because it’s profitable.

Zootopia 3 (TBD) is another sequel already in discussion. While it hasn’t been confirmed, Walt Disney Animation is already eyeing another installment. The Zootopia films have always sparked debate online, partly because of their themes and messaging. Another installment will likely bring the same arguments back into the spotlight.

Disney is also exploring nostalgia in different ways with Phineas and Ferb 3 (possibly 2028). Fans of the original series are excited, but critics argue this is another example of Disney reviving older properties instead of creating something new.

Live-Action Remakes That Keep Stirring Backlash

Live-action remakes have become one of Disney’s most polarizing strategies.

The live-action Tangled (2027/2028) is already making fans nervous. The animated Tangled (2010) is loved for its humor and charm, and people worry that a live-action version could lose the energy that made the original special.

Hercules live action (possibly 2027 or 2028) has also stirred controversy. The animated Hercules (1997) has a unique style and tone that fans worry Disney won’t replicate. Many believe the film’s music and comedic energy are too closely tied to animation to work in live-action.

Then there’s Moana live action (2026), which is controversial because it feels so soon. The original Moana (2016) isn’t even that old, and many fans think Disney is rushing to recycle the franchise rather than letting it stand as a modern classic.

Disney’s Villain Sequels Continue to Split Audiences

Disney has also leaned into villain-focused storytelling, and that trend remains divisive.

Cruella 2 (TBD) is moving forward, and while the first film had a strong fanbase, it also frustrated audiences who felt Disney was forcing sympathy onto iconic villains.

Maleficent 3 (possibly 2027 release) falls into the same category. The Maleficent franchise has always divided fans because it reimagines one of Disney’s most classic villains as a misunderstood hero. Some people love the reinvention, while others feel it damages the original legacy.

Long-Awaited Sequels With Uncertain Futures

Some projects on Disney’s slate are controversial simply because they’ve been talked about for so long.

Princess Diaries 3 (TBD) is one of Disney’s most anticipated sequels, but it also comes with massive expectations. Fans have waited years, and many worry the movie won’t live up to what people imagine it should be.

Sister Act 3 (TBD) is another title that excites longtime audiences but also sparks skepticism. Disney’s recent track record with revivals has made some viewers cautious.

Then there’s Aladdin 2 live action (TBD). Disney confirmed the project back in 2020, but details and development remain unclear. That uncertainty makes it divisive, because it feels like Disney is holding the franchise in limbo.

The Three Men and a Baby remake, also confirmed in 2020, feels similar. It’s a recognizable title, but the lack of progress has led some fans to wonder whether Disney is serious or simply keeping it on the shelf.

Disney Keeps Expanding Its Ice Age Universe

One of the more unexpected projects on the list is Ice Age: Boiling Point (2027). The Ice Age franchise has a long history, but many fans see it as a series that peaked years ago.

Now that Disney owns the property, continuing it feels like another example of Disney expanding every franchise it can, whether audiences asked for it or not.

Avatar’s Future Is Still Polarizing

Finally, Disney is continuing its partnership with one of the most debated franchises in modern film.

Avatar 4 (2029) and Avatar 5 (2031) remain on the schedule, and the franchise continues to divide audiences. Some fans view Avatar as a groundbreaking cinematic experience. Others see it as overrated, overly long, and disconnected from mainstream culture, despite its massive box-office success.

Either way, Disney is committed, and these films will dominate the conversation when they arrive.

Disney’s New Leadership Won’t Slow the Machine

If there’s one thing this slate proves, it’s that Disney’s new CEO era isn’t beginning with caution.

It’s beginning with momentum.

Josh D’Amaro may be stepping into the CEO role, but he’s inheriting a roadmap shaped by Bob Iger and supported by Dana Walden. And that roadmap is packed with sequels, remakes, and franchise expansions that will keep Disney in the middle of controversy for years.

Some of these films will be massive hits. Others may disappoint. But Disney is clearly betting that the brand is strong enough to survive the backlash.

And if the company is right, this next era could be one of Disney’s biggest yet—even if fans can’t agree on whether it’s the right direction.