CinemaCon 2026: Walt Disney Studios Presentation

Walt Disney Studios closed out CinemaCon 2026 with a bang! After four days of announcements, trailers, and first looks from Sony, Neon, Warner Bros., Universal, Amazon MGM, and Paramount, the House of Mouse descended on the Dolby Colosseum for a two-hour display of the studios’ holdings and their upcoming slate. Walt Disney Studios presented upcoming projects from Disney Live Action, Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar, Lucasfilm, Marvel Studios, 20th Century Studios, and Searchlight Pictures.

Alan Bergman, Chairman of Disney Entertainment, opened with a well-earned victory lap, discussing the successes of Zootopia 2, Avatar: Fire and Ash, and the live-action Lilo & Stitch, all of which grossed nearly $5 billion globally.

The presentation was hosted by Head of Theatrical Distribution Andrew Cripps and SVP General Sales Manager Matt Kalavsky; they took the stage wearing red shoes and carrying a Devil Wears Prada 2 popcorn bucket to set the tone for an afternoon of cinematic delights.

THE SUMMER OF 3D

In partnership with RealD, Disney confirmed that specially designed clip-on 3D lenses for those who wear glasses are coming. This innovation allows prescription eyewear movie-goers to fully experience the Summer of 3D without compromise. This was greeted as overdue and welcome news.

Disney announced that the Summer of 2026 will be the most ambitious 3D theatrical season in the history of cinema, with six major studio releases arriving in premium 3D across a single twelve-week stretch. While Disney does not produce all the films, the lineup is an undeniable display of Disney’s dominance.

Save the dates:

May 22: Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu (Lucasfilm)

June 19: Toy Story 5 (Pixar)

June 26: Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow (DC Studios / Warner Bros.)

July 1: Minions & Monsters (Universal/Illumination)

July 10: Moana (Disney Live Action)

July 31: Spider-Man: Brand New Day (Sony / Marvel Studios)

The RealD clip-on 3D lens partnership is designed to make this summer accessible to every audience member. Tickets for The Mandalorian and Grogu went on sale April 17, 2026.

20TH CENTURY STUDIOS & DISNEY LIVE ACTION

THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA 2

David Frankel returned to direct this popular comedy drama with returning stars Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt, Stanley Tucci, alongside Simone Ashley, Kenneth Branagh, Justin Theroux, Lucy Liu, Pauline Chalamet, B.J. Novak, Patrick Brammall, Conrad Ricamora, and Helen J. Shen.

20 years after the original film, Andy Sachs, played by Anne Hathaway, returns to navigate the landscape of new media and its gatekeepers. Hathaway sent a warm video message  saying, “20 years later, we are back!” before an exclusive scene was shown in the room.

The footage shown at CinemaCon was an immediate win. The entire room responded with audible joy.

The Devil Wears Prada 2  is set for a May 1, 2026, theatrical release.  

MOANA (LIVE-ACTION)

The live-action adaptation of the 2016 Disney animated film is directed by Thomas Kail, stars Catherine Laga’aia as Moana and Dwayne Johnson as Maui, and features music by Executive Producer Lin-Manuel Miranda. Johnson floated on to the Colosseum stage and introduced the trailer by telling a heartwarming story of the inspiration for his portrayal of Maui, being inspired by his late grandfather, “High Chief” Peter Maivia, a legendary Samoan professional wrestler.

He then welcomed Laga’aia, who took the stage with the power and poise of the character she portrays in her big-screen debut. She then added to the emotional weight of the moment, saying,

“I grew up watching Moana with my family, and now I get to be a part of her story.”

CinemaCon presented Laga’aia with the Rising Star of 2026 Award later that evening.

This action-adventure musical will be available in theaters on July 10, 2026.

THE DOG STARS

This Ridley Scott-directed action thriller is based on the 2012 novel by Peter Heller and stars Jacob Elordi, Josh Brolin, Margaret Qualley, Allison Janney, Benedict Wong, and Guy Pearce.

Scott, the ever-working octogenarian, appeared via video message from his current production to describe the film as “an intense epic thriller set in a world where survival is instinct, but humanity is a choice.”

The Dog Stars will be in theaters Aug. 28. 2026.

WHALEFALL

This film adaptation of a novel by Daniel Kraus is directed by Brian Duffield and stars Austin Abrams, Josh Brolin, Elizabeth Shue, John Ortiz, Jane Levy, and Emily Rudd. The Cinemacon footage follows Abrams, scuba-diving alone in dark water, then suddenly being helplessly drawn to the enormous open mouth of a sperm whale. All while the whale is consuming a giant squid before swallowing our Abrams whole.

This survival thriller was unlike anything seen on screen before and easily the most visually disturbing footage shown that day. Screams were screamed!.

Whalefall is set for a theatrical release on Oct. 16, 2026.

SEARCHLIGHT PICTURES

Disney will release four new titles on the Search Light Pictures label: Super Troopers 3, Wild Horse Nine, Behemoth, and Sweetsick.

SUPER TROOPERS 3

This upcoming American comedy is directed by Jay Chandrasekhar and stars Chandrasekhar, Kevin Heffernan, Paul Soter, Steve Lemme, and Erik Stolhanske. Eight years later, the team is back. Story details were not shared at CinemaCon, but the exhibitors were excited by the announcement of the title.

This film will be patrolling theaters Aug. 7, 2026.

WILD HORSE NINE

This dramedy thriller is directed by Martin McDonagh and stars John Malkovich, Sam Rockwell, and Parker Posey. The 1970s period piece is about two spies en route from Santiago to Easter Island to start a coup.

The exclusive clip shown at CinemaCon was an immediate standout. Malkovich and Rockwell, as the two agents, are a perfect pairing. The audience found it intriguing and a promise that Disney is committed to original stories.

This film is scheduled for theatrical release on Nov. 6, 2026.

BEHEMOTH

This drama is directed and written by Tony Gilroy and stars Pedro Pascal.

Further details on the film’s plot and release date were not shared at CinemaCon. The announcement of the creative team generated strong interest.

This film is in post-production.

SWEETSICK

This drama stars Cate Blanchett. Details on the director and plot were not disclosed at CinemaCon, but Blanchett’s involvement makes this a highly anticipated release.

Sweetsick is in post-production.

WALT DISNEY ANIMATION STUDIOS

HEXED

Hexed is an upcoming animated film directed by Josie Trinidad and Jason Hand, featuring voice performances by Hailee Steinfeld as Billie, a teenager who finds out she’s a witch, and Rashida Jones as Alice, Billie’s mom. Disney Animation presented the first-ever look at Hexed to CinemaCon exhibitors. The room seemed interested in what the film had in store.

This coming-of-age, witchy fantasy is set for a theatrical release on Nov. 25, 2026.

PIXAR ANIMATION STUDIOS

TOY STORY 5

This upcoming American animated adventure comedy was directed by Andrew Stanton and is the fifth main installment in Pixar’s Toy Story film series.

Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, and Joan Cusack return alongside Greta Lee as their new nemesis, Lilypad. Hanks and Allen appeared on the CinemaCon stage together for the first time in the franchise’s 30-year history, and the room responded exactly as you would expect with thunderous, nostalgic applause. Both men joked about their age with the comfortable ease before presenting two exclusive clips to exhibitors. As Bonnie becomes increasingly captivated by her new tablet, Lilypad, the toys must rescue her before digital life robs her of imaginative play. It’s honestly a timely story for this generation.

Toy Story 5 will be available in theaters for the Summer of 3D on June 19, 2026.

GATTO

This original Pixar film debuted a brief title card during CinemaCon. No footage or additional information was released to the crowd, and the full premise and story details have not yet been disclosed. On the success of Hoppers, the audience was prepared to trust the studio site unseen.

This animated adventure comedy is scheduled for theatrical release on March 5, 2027.

LUCASFILM

STAR WARS: THE MANDALORIAN AND GROGU

This sci-fi action adventure was written and directed by Jon Favreau, stars Pedro Pascal as Din Djarin (the Mandalorian) , Sigourney Weaver as Col. Ward, and Jeremy Allen White as Rotta the Hutt, and has 49 minutes of expanded IMAX aspect-ration footage. Favreau took the stage and immediately established the emotional stakes invested in this film, “Star Wars made him fall in love with movies,” he said. His father took him to see Star Wars in theaters, and later worked in a theater as an usher for Return of the Jedi.

After this declaration, the CinemaCon audience was shown approximately 20 minutes of the completed film’s opening sequence. It began on a snow planet where former imperial leaders have gathered under the protection of a remaining Imperial officer. The Mandalorian has other thoughts, and his companion Grogu is there to provide a little backup. By the end of the footage and Star Wars sizzle reel, the audience’s excitement was palpable. This film is the Star Wars franchise’s return to the theatrical experience, and it promises to deliver.

Tickets went on sale April 17, 2027, and the film is available in theaters on May 22, 2026, just in time for the Summer of 3D.

20TH CENTURY STUDIOS — ANIMATED

ICE AGE: BOILING POINT

This adventure comedy, produced by 20th Century Animation, is the sequel to Ice Age: Collision Course, the sixth main installment in the Ice Age franchise. Ray Romano, John Leguizamo, Denis Leary, Simon Pegg, and Queen Latifah will reprise their roles from previous films. Romano, Queen Latifah, and Leary took the Colosseum stage together to introduce footage from the room warmed with the adoration of the return to their beloved characters. The opening sequence revealed Baby Scrat, and a collective “aww” was let out across the Colosseum. Here’s hoping the exhibitor’s enthusiasm translates next year.

This animated feature film is scheduled for theatrical release on Feb. 5, 2027

MARVEL STUDIOS

AVENGERS: DOOMSDAY

Joe Russo and Anthony Russo are back to direct the long-awaited follow-up to Avengers: Endgame, starring Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom and Chris Evans as Steve Rogers / Captain America, with the X-Men crossing over and the full MCU ensemble cast.

Kevin Feige said, “Avengers: Doomsday goes all the way back to the original X-Men, bringing the crossover event fans have been waiting for.”

He then brought out the Russo brothers, Downey, and Evans. The room absolutely lost control.

“I said I would only come back if there was a real reason, and in Doomsday, there is a very real reason to need Steve Rogers,” Evans included.

The Russos noted they are building on everything that came before and acknowledged the six-year wait since Endgame. They framed the new film as a natural continuation.

The first full-length trailer was shown to the CinemaCon audience, and the room was so lit that they played it twice. The footage opens with Professor X inside the X-Mansion, and Downey’s Doctor Doom lands outside fully masked. Trailer highlights include Shang-Chi as a confirmed Avenger while battling Channing Tatum’s Gambit, Thor faces Doom directly, and Steve Rogers wields Mjolnir.

The audience reaction was a reminder of why people enjoy experiencing films in a theater full of people.

Disney also announced a new Infinity Vision enhanced reissue of Avengers: Endgame in September, which includes new footage to prepare audiences for what is coming.

This superhero adventure is scheduled for theatrical release on Dec. 18, 2026.

Disney’s CinemaCon 2026 presentation was a coordinated display of the powerhouse that is the studio’s library with genuinely surprising, original content. In addition to the new and original content, Disney also boasts the longest, most consistent cinematic windows of the other studios; they are dedicated to the theatrical experience.

The genuine highlights were the films that weren’t sequels or remakes. The extraordinary survival premise of Whalefall, the dark comedy of Wild Horse Nine, and Cate Blanchett’s return to drama in Sweetsick all culminate in a solid justification for the theatrical experience without the need for nostalgia to drive ticket sales.

But the room’s defining moment was the six-year return of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, and the trailer delivered.

Disney continually dominated the global box office, and after this presentation, they are not backing down from continuing that trend.