Disney Announces “Zootopia 3,” “Frozen 3,” and New Originals at D23 Showcase
Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pixar delivered massive crowd-pleasing updates during their presentation at the D23 event on August 15, 2026. The announcements ranged from confirmed sequels for multi-billion-dollar franchises like Zootopia and Frozen to brand-new original theatrical features arriving through 2029.
The Bottom Line
- Major Sequels: Zootopia 3 is officially in development following the historic global success of its predecessor, while Frozen 3 locked in a November 24, 2027 theatrical release.
- New Original Features: Disney announced Clay for November 2028, directed by Fawn Veerasunthorn and starring Kieran Culkin, alongside Pixar’s supernatural film Ghost Market.
- Live-Action Expansions: First-look footage was revealed for the live-action Lilo & Stitch sequel arriving in May 2028, alongside early details for the live-action Tangled adaptation filming in Spain.
Expanding Billion-Dollar Universes: Zootopia 3 and Frozen 3
Following the massive box office triumph of last year’s installment—which claimed the title of the company’s highest-grossing animated movie ever with $1.8 billion worldwide—Disney officially confirmed that Zootopia 3 is in development. Ginnifer Goodwin and Ke Huy Quan took the stage to verify their return as Judy Hopps and Gary De’Snake, respectively.
Here is the kicker, though: the studio’s other crown jewel, Frozen 3, is making major narrative leaps. Opening in theaters on November 24, 2027, under the direction of Jennifer Lee and Trent Correy, the film will feature Anna and Kristoff tying the knot. Attendees at the D23 presentation were shown early footage of the couple on their wedding night encountering Elsa on a dock as she studies a mysterious stone capable of opening an interdimensional portal.
Pixar’s Supernatural Shift and Live-Action Adaptations
Pixar is charting new territory by diving headfirst into the supernatural with Ghost Market, arriving in Spring 2028. According to reports from Cartoon Brew, the film follows a young Chicago content creator named Kyle whose Hawaiian vacation turns paranormal when he stumbles upon a hidden market bridging the living and the dead. The project draws narrative inspiration from Asian folklore surrounding ghost markets and is directed by Trevor Jimenez and Jesse Andrews.
Meanwhile, Disney’s live-action slate is expanding rapidly. Maia Kealoha appeared at the event to preview Lilo & Stitch II, which arrives in cinemas on May 26, 2028, showcasing Stitch’s pink love interest, Angel (Experiment 624). Production is also actively underway in Spain for the live-action adaptation of Tangled, starring Teagan Croft as Rapunzel and Milo Manheim as Flynn Rider, with Kathryn Hahn portraying Mother Gothel alongside Diego Luna.
Original Visions: Clay and Hexed Join the Theatrical Slate
Original storytelling remains a core pillar for the studio. Walt Disney Animation Studios announced Clay, scheduled for a November 2028 release. Directed by Fawn Veerasunthorn, the original feature focuses on a reluctant mentor named Flip—voiced by Kieran Culkin—who is tasked with guiding a young ball of clay named Mushy during an annual ritual. Jared Bush, Disney animation’s chief creative officer, described the premise as a direct inversion of the studio’s traditional wise mentor tropes.
Before that, Disney’s upcoming animated movie Hexed hits theaters on November 25 this year. The voice cast includes Hailee Steinfeld and Rashida Jones alongside newly announced additions Jodie Foster as a devious witch queen and Walton Goggins as a three-eyed cat named Beef Roger Crummchuk.
| Film Title | Studio / Type | Release Window | Key Talent / Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hexed | Disney Animation | November 2025 | Jodie Foster, Walton Goggins, Hailee Steinfeld, Rashida Jones |
| Frozen 3 | Disney Animation | November 24, 2027 | Directed by Jennifer Lee and Trent Correy; Anna & Kristoff marry |
| Ghost Market | Pixar Animation | Spring 2028 | Directed by Trevor Jimenez and Jesse Andrews; supernatural premise |
| Lilo & Stitch II | Disney Live-Action | May 26, 2028 | Starring Maia Kealoha; introduces Angel/Experiment 624 |
| Clay | Disney Animation | November 2028 | Directed by Fawn Veerasunthorn; starring Kieran Culkin as Flip |
| Coco 2 | Pixar Animation | November 2029 | Directed by Lee Unkrich and Adrian Molina; featuring a teenage Miguel |
Looking Ahead at the Box Office Landscape
The sheer volume of intellectual property and original concepts unveiled at D23 highlights Disney’s dual strategy of leaning on proven billion-dollar ecosystems while aggressively funding fresh concepts like Clay and Pixar’s Ghost Market. With sequels like Coco 2 and Incredibles 3 also mapped out through the end of the decade, the studio continues to anchor its theatrical pipeline firmly around long-term franchise management.
What are your thoughts on Disney’s heavy focus on expanding established universes versus taking creative risks with original features like Clay? Jump into the comments below and share which upcoming project you are most excited to see on the big screen.
