The D23 Expo, Disney's big annual fan event, took place in Anaheim, California past weekend. There were many trailers and new announcements from Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars and Disney itself. Along there were many sequels and remakes, but also completely new films and series. Here's our round-up for you:
DISNEYAfter about eight years, Walt Disney Animation Studios finally teased the second part of the animation success »Zootopia« at D23. In the first movie, the focus is on the police bunny Judy Hopps and her fox accomplice Nick Wilde. This should also be the case with »Zootopia 2«. You will see the two together on screen again in November 2025.
Fans of Anna and Elsa can also be happy. After waiting quite a while for the second and third part of »Frozen«, the fourth one will probably follow quickly. That's because Disney is working on the third and fourth movie at the same time. The release of »Frozen 3« is planned for fall 2027. However, there is no specific date for the fourth part, but only the statement that the story definitely dosn't end after three films.
On the stage of the D23, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson announced the movie »Monster Jam«, in which he will participate. The first pictures have already been shown. The film is based on the motorsport event of the same name. No details about the plot or the release date are currently known.
Of the live-action adaptation of »Lilo & Stitch« you can find a really cute preview. In it, the animated Stitch breaks out of the poster for the film announcement. In the summer of 2025, you will be encountering fluffy fur and cute alien eyes. In the original version, Chris Sanders once again lends his voice to the alien, as he did in the 2002 animated film. Newcomer Maia Kealoha as Lilo and »Hangover« star Zach Galifianakis as Dr. Jamba Jookiba are also starring in the live-action adaption.
For the film »Tron: Ares«, a part of the cast appeared at D23, including Jared Leto, who plays the eponymous AI Ares. Gillian Anderson, who gained fame mainly through »The X-Files«, and Greta Lee also play important roles in »Tron: Ares«. And of course Jeff Bridges is back on board. The third installment of the »Tron« franchise is a standalone sequel, which is scheduled to hit theaters on October 10, 2025.
This time, »Avatar« fans do not have to wait years for a sequel. With »Avatar: Fire and Ash« the story of Jake and Neytiri continues. However, it is supposed to be darker than before. As indicated in the title, it is about the "ash tribe" among the Na'vi. With this, director James Cameron wants to show a different side of them. The release is scheduled for December 19, 2025.
Disney has announced the second installment of the 2003 comedy »Freaky Friday« at D23. After 22 years, »Freakier Friday« will be released, again with Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan in their roles as daughter and mother.
In the wake of the D23, Walt Disney Animation Studios dropped the official trailer for »Moana 2«, which will be released in cinemas in late November. In the second film of the series, Moana sails across the sea after unexpectedly hearing the call of her ancestors. You can see what awaits you in the animated musical in the trailer:
https://youtu.be/hDZ7y8RP5HEAn absolute animation highlight is »Mufasa: The Lion King«. This special film of the »The Lion King« franchise can be admired on the big screen in December. The new trailer leaves you stunned and full of joyous expectation:
https://youtu.be/o17MF9vnabgAfter years in production hell, there was also a first trailer for the Disney live-action film »Snow White«, the very controversial and hotly debated Disney production. Starting with the dwarf discussion initiated by Peter Dinklage, to the stupid comments made by lead actress Rachel Zegler, who called the prince a stalker in an interview and made Snow White the girl boss. The ratio of likes and dislikes on YouTube of the trailer alone shows that fans of the original animated film »Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs« from 1937, Disney's first feature film, have probably not forgiven her for this embarrassing appearance. The Evil Queen is played by Gal Gadot, which will probably be one of the few highlights of the movie. The trailer takes you into Snow White's magical (very artificial) world, which you can immerse yourself at cinemas in March 2025 - if you like:
https://youtu.be/TbiPcMCz0EkIn addition to all the movies, there is now also a teaser for the second season of the series »Percy Jackson and the Olympians«, which is based on the books by Rick Riordan. The continuation of the first season is now in production and will be available to stream on Disney+ in 2025. The trailer shows you how turbulent and fantastic it will be this time around the young demigod Percy Jackson:
https://youtu.be/rziuqQhog0IPIXARPixar announced two sequels. There are no further details yet about »The Incredibles 3« - but there was a short teaser for »Toy Story 5«. According to director Andrew Stanton, Woody, Buzz and the gang will fight to ensure that their new child won't become an iPad child. "This time around, it's toy meets tech" said Stanton at the D23 presentation. "It's going to be fun, and we can't wait for you all to see it in the summer of 2026.".
The movie »Elio« has been making the rounds in film news since 2022 and a first trailer was released already a year ago:
https://youtu.be/2w_K3CB8PuENow it's finally set to release in the summer of 2025. A little boy named Elio is mistaken for the Earth's ambassador and ends up in an alien world where he is supposed to represent the Earth.
The brand new film »Hopper« is planned to be released in 2026. Hopper tells the story of Mabel, a young girl who transfers her consciousness into a robot beaver to learn more about the animal world.
The first Pixar TV series »Win or Lose« will launch on December 6, 2024. It's all about the Pickles softball team, which is preparing for a championship. In it we get to know insecure children, helicopter parents, a lovesick referee and the Pickles' trainer. Here is the first trailer:
https://youtu.be/ONFrGjdzhfsThe second Pixar series is »Dream Productions«, an »Inside Out« spin-off that will be about the dream factory in Riley's head.
MARVELOf course there was also a lot to see - and to celebrate - at Disney's superhero department, because »Deadpool & Wolverine« crossed the 1 billion box office border these days! Congratulations, although we didn't expect anything less ;).
Like about two weeks ago at SDCC, Kevin Feige rocked the stage during the Disney Entertainment Showcase and talked about all current and upcoming MARVEL highlights. Open for public (and visible online by now) was a new trailer on the Disney+ series »Agatha All Along«:
https://youtu.be/R9pXbNz6VbwThose of you who is into this witchy spin-off will probablby also enjoy the »The Ballad of the Witches' Road« performance by Kathryn Hahn and her witches :)
https://youtu.be/Ok2vN2Q48nIThe new series by the way will kick-off on September 18 with 2 from 9 episodes.
Clearly Anthony Mackie aka Sam Wilson couldn't be missing at the even. He was again chatting with Feige about »Captain America: Brave New World«. There were also some sizzles about »The Fantastic Four: First Steps«. But really exciting were the latest infos - and actually first teasers which were only shown to visitors at the panel and some press guys - on the »Ironheart« serie (launching on Disney+ in 2025) and of course of the continuation »Daredevil«.
For that, the new "old" cast of the »Marvel's Daredevil« Netflix series (2015 to 2018) came on stage under thounderous applause - and the presented »Daredevil: Born Again« teaser (leaks can be found on YouTube ...) was a damn blast! We are really in a pleasant and positive anticipation here and are very looking forward to March, to meet Charlie Cox, Vincent D'Onofrio and Jon Bernthal again.
A nice and comprehensive round-up of the Marvel panel can be found on the official Marvel Entertainment YouTube channel:
https://youtu.be/QpmyuancoS4STAR WARSFour new trailers have been presented from the world of Star Wars. The first preview of »Skeleton Crew« has already been released for everybody on YouTube:
https://youtu.be/a6voXgBlmpkAt first glance, this strange, US-typical suburb looks a bit strange. Then we are treated to a kind of »The Goonies« in space with, of course, the first appearance of Jude Law. Since the series is set in the same time period as »The Mandalorian«, there is a possibility that Jude Law could also appear in a later crossover of the series. »Skeleton Crew« is primarily intended to appeal to young viewers, but also offers connections for older ones. The planned launch on Disney+ is December 3 of this year.
The nicely twisted Lego Star Wars film »Rebuild the Galaxy«, for which a trailer is already available, is quite amusing and full of allusions:
https://youtu.be/TTYx1ETg9loThe four-part series event can be streamed from September 13th.
Exclusively for the D23 audience, there was a trailer for the second season of »Andor« and the movie »The Mandalorian & Grogu«. Both trailers were leaked on YouTube. But hopefully it won't be too long before Disney makes the trailers available to the general public in pristine quality.
Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni announced the return to the big screen with »The Mandalorian & Grogu«. The exclusive trailer looked damn good. Surprisingly, Razor Crest with Zeb at the controls could be seen. The mission takes Din Djarin & Grogu to an ice planet, confronts them with Snowtroopers, shows an escape on an AT-RT and encounters with AT-ATs, which of course evokes powerful original trilogy vibes. »The Mandalorian & Grogu« is due to be released in May 2026.
So for Star Wars fans, there are really good prospects again after the last, more "content-oriented" productions from Disney.
What was your personal highlight of this year's D23?