Credit: D23D23: The Ultimate Fan Event has finally arrived, and this is the weekend Disney fans spend all year waiting for.
The routine is the same every time. Months of rumors, leaks, permit-watching, and prediction posts build toward a handful of days when everything either gets confirmed or quietly dies. Fans go in with wish lists. Some walk out vindicated. Others watch a favorite theory collapse on stage in real time.
Thousands of fans came to Anaheim, California, for the start of D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event presented by Visa, with an expanded show floor at the Anaheim Convention Center and the Disney Entertainment Showcase at the Honda Center.
Last night, Disney set the tone for what is next across the entire company.
Disney CEO Josh D’Amaro opened the sold-out showcase by talking about the company’s relationship with fans.
“Right now, nearly half a million people are in our parks and on our cruise ships. Millions more are watching our stories in theaters or at home. Someone right now is seeing The Lion King on Broadway for the very first time,” D’Amaro said. “When you add it all up, Disney has something no other brand on Earth can claim. Not just a customer base, not just an audience, but an actual connection.”
The night was hosted by Zootopia 2 stars Ginnifer Goodwin and Ke Huy Quan. Here is everything that was announced.
Disney Live Action and Animation
- Dana Walden opened the showcase alongside Bart Simpson and presented a sneak peek at the upcoming The Simpsons film, in theaters September 3, 2027
- Anne Hathaway appeared to speak about her Disney history ahead of being honored as a Disney Legend on Sunday
- Lilo & Stitch 2 was confirmed to begin production in Hawaiʻi later this year, directed by Chris Sanders, opening in theaters May 26, 2028. Maia Kealoha appeared on stage before Stitch surprised the crowd alongside Angel
- The Bluey Movie debuted a teaser trailer and poster, featuring a game of Keepy Uppy with giant red balloons. Written and directed by creator Joe Brumm, in theaters August 6, 2027
- Ice Age: Boiling Point showed an exclusive clip introducing Jurassic Scrat, the prehistoric cousin of Scrat and Baby Scrat. Queen Latifah and Denis Leary presented. In theaters February 5, 2027
- Tangled, the live-action retelling, was represented by Kathryn Hahn as Mother Gothel, with a taped message from Teagan Croft and Milo Manheim, who were filming in Spain. Directed by Michael Gracey, in theaters March 31, 2028
- Oswald, a live-action animated hybrid series from Jon Favreau based on Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, screened a clip. Premieres February 17, 2027, on Disney+
Pixar Animation Studios
Pete Docter handled the Pixar block after an introduction from Alan Bergman.
- Incredibles 3 got an exclusive first look. Directed by Peter Sohn, in theaters June 16, 2028
- Coco 2 revealed concept art showing Miguel as a teenager. Benjamin Bratt joined Docter on stage to confirm the first film’s villain returns. In theaters November 2029
- Ghost Market was announced as a brand-new original, set at a plate lunch shop on Oʻahu’s North Shore that serves lost spirits. Directed by Trevor Jimenez and Jesse Andrews, in theaters March 2028
- Gatto showed a D23 exclusive look. Mark Ruffalo voices Nero, a black cat in Venice, with Laurence Fishburne as a feline mob boss. In theaters March 5, 2027
- KINGDOM HEARTS IV will feature a world inspired by Coco, with a late 2027 release window
Marvel Studios
- VisionQuest debuted a trailer and poster with Paul Bettany and James Spader on stage. The series concludes the trilogy that began with WandaVision and Agatha All Along. Premieres October 14, 2026, on Disney+
- Avengers: Doomsday unveiled a special look with Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, and Hayley Atwell joining Kevin Feige. Tickets are on sale now. In theaters December 18, 2026
- The untitled X-Men film revealed its cast. Sadie Sink as Jean Grey, Kit Connor as Scott Summers, Christopher Abbott as Professor Charles Xavier, Samara Weaving as Emma Frost, Inde Navarrette as Rogue, and Maya Boyd as Storm. Adam Driver announced by video that he will play Nathaniel Milbury. In theaters May 5, 2028
- Marvel’s Wolverine debuted a new trailer. Coming to PlayStation 5 on September 15
Lucasfilm
- Ahsoka Season 2 debuted a teaser trailer with Dave Filoni, Rosario Dawson, Hayden Christensen, and Eman Esfandi on stage. Premieres January 20, 2027, on Disney+
- Star Wars: Starfighter screened a sizzle reel for the room. Ryan Gosling appeared in a retro Mickey Mouse Club leather jacket following a video of his Mouseketeer days. Directed by Shawn Levy, in theaters May 28, 2027
20th Century Studios
- Romy & Michele 2 was introduced by Mira Sorvino and Lisa Kudrow amid a shower of yellow Post-it notes. Directed by Tim Federle, debuting on Hulu in 2027
Walt Disney Animation Studios
- Zootopia 3 is officially in early development. Ginnifer Goodwin, Ke Huy Quan, and Jared Bush revealed it with an exclusive custom sequence. Release timing to be announced
- Frozen 3 closed the night. Kristen Bell and Idina Menzel performed a new version of “Frozen Heart,” and Josh Gad performed a new song for Olaf’s first crush titled “Ooooh, Samantha,” both written by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez. New animation hinted at a villainess whose powers rival Elsa’s. Directed by Jennifer Lee and Trent Correy, in theaters November 24, 2027
Disney Entertainment Television
- The showcase opened with a number choreographed by Mandy Moore featuring the Dancing with the Stars pros and more than 50 additional dancers
- Percy Jackson and the Olympians debuted the season three teaser, inspired by “Titan’s Curse,” with Walker Scobell joined by Ming-Na Wen as Hera and Andra Day as Athena. Premieres November 20, 2026, on Disney+
- Kingdom Hearts (working title), an original anime series developed with Tetsuya Nomura, has been greenlit for Disney Channel and Disney+
What Stood Out at D23
A few takeaways from a very long night.
The Frozen 3 villainess tease is the announcement most likely to dominate conversation, since a character with powers rivaling Elsa’s changes the shape of that story considerably.
Zootopia 3 entering development this quickly says everything about how Zootopia 2 performed.
And the X-Men casting reveal was the biggest single roster drop of the night, with six actors announced on stage plus Adam Driver by video.
D23 continues through the weekend, with the Disney Legends ceremony and more parks news still to come.
