The world-class creative forces behind many of The Walt Disney Company’s highly anticipated upcoming projects took center stage at the Walt Disney World® Resort in Orlando, Fla. for a showcase full of exclusive announcements, never-before-seen footage, and special guest appearances during day two of the sold-out Destination D23: A Journey Around the Worlds of Disney presented by Lug®. Destination D23 is a one-of-a-kind event taking place from August 29 through 31, 2025 bringing together some of the biggest Disney fans for a multi-day experience featuring exclusive programming, events, shopping and more.

Host Yvette Nicole Brown kicked off the celebratory event held at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort, setting the stage for a lively program full of exclusive announcements and previews. She was joined onstage throughout the Disney Entertainment Showcase by many of Disney’s esteemed creatives and celebrity guests to discuss the studio’s upcoming projects, announce new film titles and release dates, and show the captivated audience a sneak peek at the company’s exhilarating upcoming projects.

Major Moments & Announcements from Today’s Showcase

After revealing earlier this year that a brand-new “Ice Age” big screen adventure was in production, the new title and release date were officially announced as part of the day’s program. “Ice Age: Boiling Point,” due in theatres on February 5, 2027, is a dinosaur-and-lava-filled madcap adventure that takes Manny, Sid, Diego, Ellie, Scrat and the rest of the herd to visit never-before-seen corners of the treacherous Lost World.

PIXAR ANIMATION STUDIOS

In celebration of the 30th anniversary of Disney and Pixar’s beloved classic “Toy Story,” the cornerstone film will be re-released in theatres beginning September 12, 2025, giving audiences the unique chance to experience the groundbreaking animated adventure in its original format.

Fans were thrilled to hear that Buzz Lightyear will once again fly to infinity and beyond during this year’s 99th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade®. The iconic new Buzz balloon features a brand-new design and returns to the skies of Manhattan for the first time since 2013.

In further “Toy Story” news, Pixar unveiled a sneak peek of “Toy Story 5,” coming to theatres June 19, 2026. Fans got a first look at Smarty Pants, the character voiced by comedy legend Conan O’Brien, and, after hearing exclusive story details, Pixar surprised the elated crowd by screening the film’s opening three minutes. In “Toy Story 5,” the toys are back and this time it’s Toy meets Tech. Buzz, Woody, Jessie and the rest of the gang’s jobs are challenged when they’re introduced to what kids are obsessed with today…electronics! “Toy Story 5” is directed by Andrew Stanton, co-directed by Kenna Harris and produced by Jessica Choi.

Pixar also gave a special sneak preview of the upcoming original comedy “Hoppers,” due in theatres March 6, 2026. The heartwarming and hilarious action adventure follows Mabel, a nature loving college student whose mission to bring the animals back to a glade that’s very important to her is at direct odds with the mayor’s plan to build a highway through it. When a new technology allows her to “hop” into the body of a robotic beaver, wild surprises await. Director Daniel Chong and producer Nicole Paradis Grindle were joined onstage by Piper Curda (voice of Mabel) and Bobby Moynihan (voice of King George) to the audience’s delight. Fans roared with laughter throughout a funny presentation that included three exclusive clips from the upcoming feature.

WALT DISNEY PICTURES

The audience burst into cheers when it was announced for the first time that the original music from Disney’s highly anticipated upcoming October 10, 2025 release “TRON: Ares” – the first film score composed as a group by pioneering industrial rock band Nine Inch Nails – will soon be featured in the TRON Lightcycle Run attractions at the Walt Disney World Resort and Shanghai Disney Resort for a limited time. Worlds will collide when the red overlay and music from Nine Inch Nails debut at TRON Lightcycle / Run presented by Enterprise at Walt Disney World on September 15th and at TRON Lightcycle Power Run presented by Chevrolet at Shanghai Disney Resort on September 16th.

Fans were ecstatic to also learn that for the first time Disney has fully remastered the original 1982 cult classic “TRON” and the 2010 sequel “TRON: Legacy” in 4K Ultra HD. Both ground-breaking features will be available everywhere on digital and Blu-ray™ SteelBook™ beginning Tuesday, September 16, 2025.

“TRON: Ares” follows a highly sophisticated Program, Ares, who is sent from the digital world into the real world on a dangerous mission, marking humankind’s first encounter with A.I. beings. The film is directed by Joachim Rønning and stars Jared Leto, Greta Lee, Evan Peters, Jodie Turner-Smith, Hasan Minhaj, Arturo Castro, Cameron Monaghan, with Gillian Anderson and Jeff Bridges. Sean Bailey, Jared Leto, p.g.a., Emma Ludbrook, p.g.a., Jeffrey Silver, Justin Springer, p.g.a., and Steven Lisberger are the producers, with Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross, Russell Allen, and Joseph Kosinski serving as executive producers. The screenplay is written by Jesse Wigutow and the story is by David DiGilio and Wigutow. The film is based on characters created by Steven Lisberger and Bonnie MacBird.

WALT DISNEY ANIMATION STUDIOS

Jared Bush, chief creative officer of Walt Disney Animation Studios, was given a warm welcome when he took the stage and exclusively revealed the title, project details and a brand-new animated logo for the studio’s November 2026 original feature Disney’s “Hexed” to the fired-up crowd’s delight. In Walt Disney Animation Studios’ all-new animated film, “Hexed,” an awkward teenage boy and his Type – A mom discover that what makes him unusual, might just be magical powers that will turn their lives and a secret world of magic, upside down. Disney’s “Hexed” opens in theatres November 2026. The feature is directed by Josie Trinidad and Jason Hand, with Roy Conli and Juan Pablo Reyes Lancaster-Jones producing.

Bush also presented several exciting updates on behalf of “Zootopia 2,” for which Bush is director (with Byron Howard) and writer, announcing that Yvette Nicole Brown will join the cast of the highly anticipated November 26, 2025 animated release in two cameos as The Bearoness and EMT Otter. Fans were overjoyed when Patrick Warburton stepped onstage and revealed for the first time that he will provide the voice of Mayor Winddancer, a charismatic but clueless stallion who dreams of being as heroic in real life as the characters he once played on television. Bush introduced multiple exclusive clips from the upcoming feature to wild applause and was joined in-person onstage by characters Judy Hopps, Nick Wilde and Clawhauser.

In “Zootopia 2,” rookie cops Judy Hopps (voiced by Ginnifer Goodwin) and Nick Wilde (voiced by Jason Bateman) find themselves on the twisting trail of a great mystery when Gary De’Snake (voice of Ke Huy Quan) arrives in Zootopia and turns the animal metropolis upside down. To crack the case, Judy and Nick must go undercover to unexpected new parts of town, where their growing partnership is tested like never before. The film also features the voices of Fortune Feimster, Quinta Brunson, and Shakira, who returns as Gazelle. The Oscar®-winning team of Jared Bush and Byron Howard direct and Yvett Merino produces.

DISNEY+

Disney fans in attendance were excited to learn that an all-new animated feature from the world of “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” is coming exclusively to Disney+ on December 5, 2025. Series creator Jeff Kinney sent a special recorded message for fans and introduced a never-before-seen clip from the new film, officially titled “Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw.”

Adapted from the third installment of Kinney’s worldwide bestselling book series, Greg Heffley returns for his next family misadventure. When laidback Greg finds himself at odds with his dad’s outsized expectations, pressure builds to turn his act around. After a series of hilarious near disasters, Greg’s dad presents him with an ultimatum that just might challenge Greg’s wimpy ways for good. Directed by Matt Danner (“Legend of the Three Caballeros”) and written and produced by Jeff Kinney, “Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw” features the voices of Aaron D. Harris (“Matlock”) as Greg Heffley and Chris Diamantopoulos (“Silicon Valley”) as Frank Heffley.

To keep up with all the latest announcements and exciting moments from throughout Destination D23 weekend, follow DisneyD23 on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, X, and YouTube.

ABOUT DESTINATION D23: A JOURNEY AROUND THE WORLDS OF DISNEY

Taking place at Walt Disney World® Resort in Orlando, Florida, Destination D23 is a one-of-a-kind event that brings together the biggest Disney fans for a multi-day experience featuring exclusive programming, shopping, events, and more. Destination D23 gives fans a front row seat to celebrate and enjoy what they love most from across the worlds of Disney. The event is hosted at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort, providing a larger venue with increased capacity, allowing for a more immersive and expanded experience for guests. The combined portfolio of Disney’s incredible brands and franchises, powerful creative studios, and a 100-year creative legacy, paired with the indelible bond forged with generations of fans, is what allows us to bring this event to life in a distinctly Disney way.

ABOUT D23

The name “D23” pays homage to the exciting journey that began in 1923 when Walt Disney opened his first studio in Hollywood. D23 is the first official club for fans in Disney’s over 100-year history. Made by fans, for fans, D23 provides more of what you love, whether that be timeless Disney classics, heartwarming Pixar stories, heroic Marvel blockbusters, the epic world of Star Wars, or all of the above. If you’re passionate about the parks, captivated by the characters, or the ultimate collector, D23 is your community for everything Disney. D23 is THE place to share your love of Disney – it’s where Disney fans belong.

Thousands of fans brought enthusiasm and support to Arena D23 by Bradesco/Visa at D23 Brazil – A Disney Experience as Disney live action, Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios revealed new details, shared exclusive footage and new trailers, and surprised the crowd with special appearances from global talent and local voices. The extraordinary D23 fan event, taking place through Nov. 10 at The Transamerica Expo Center in São Paulo, Brazil, features extensive programming with diverse panels and presentations, offerings on the show floor and the D23 Brazil Store Mercado Libre.

Hosted by Otaviano Costa and Carol Moreira, the event welcomed studio leaders, including Jared Bush, Walt Disney Animation Studios’ chief creative officer, and Jonas Rivera, executive vice president of film production at Pixar, plus “Mufasa: The Lion King” director Barry Jenkins. But it was the enthusiastic São Paulo crowd that really turned up the volume of the celebration of The Walt Disney Studios’ upcoming theatrical releases and streaming titles.

D23 Brazil fans were delighted with the announcement that “Ice Age 6” is officially in production. Manny, Diego, Ellie, Sid, Scrat and Baby Scrat are heading back to the big screen in an epic animated adventure. A short video to celebrate the announcement was also released featuring returning cast members Ray Romano, Queen Latifah and John Leguizamo, who will also be joined by Denis Leary and Simon Pegg in the new film. More details and cast announcements will be revealed at a future date.

DISNEY LIVE ACTION celebrated Brazilian performer Carlos Junior aka Ca Ju, who joined singers on stage for “The Circle of Life” from “The Lion King.”

-Disney’s “Mufasa: The Lion King”director Barry Jenkins greeted excited fans, offering details about the all-new story that explores the unlikely rise of the beloved king of the Pride Lands. Fans were the first to see a new trailer for the film that opens nationwide in teatres on Dec. 20. Trailer and film stills are available to download and share.

-Rachel Zegler, star of “Disney’s Snow White,” a live-action reimagining of the classic tale, gave a magical shout-out via video to the D23 Brazil attendees, who were treated to an exclusive new trailer. Bashful, Doc, Dopey, Grumpy, Happy, Sleepy and Sneezy will join the fairest of them all in theatres on March 21, 2025.

-The crowd caught a glimpse of the fan-favorite fugitive alien from Disney’s much-anticipated feature “Lilo & Stitch.” The live-action reimagining of the animated classic about the lonely Hawaiian girl and her new, out-of-this-world alien friend who helps mend her broken family opens in theatres on May 23, 2025. A new film still is now available.

–“TRON: Ares,” which opens in theatres Oct. 10, 2025, didn’t disappoint when star Jared Leto appeared on the big screen via video. Fans were also treated to a special look at the film, which follows a highly sophisticated Program, Ares, who is sent from the digital world into the real world on a dangerous mission, marking humankind’s first encounter with A.I. beings.

PIXAR ANIMATION STUDIOS’ Jonas Riverathanked fans for their support of “Inside Out 2”—the highest grossing animated film of all time that currently tops the list of highest grossing films released in 2024 (worldwide).

–“Dream Productions,” a new limited series from the world of “Inside Out,” returns to the Riley’s mind where a team of directors hope to find the next hit dream. Fans were treated to a special look at the series, plus the very first episode in its entirety. All four episodes begin streaming on Disney+ on Dec. 11, 2024.

–“Win or Lose,” an all-new original series launching on Disney+ Feb. 19, 2025, features the intertwined stories of different characters as they each prepare for their championship softball game. The audience was given a sneak peek of the winning series.

-The D23 Brazil audience was the first to see an exclusive new trailer in the works for Pixar’s upcoming feature film “Elio,” which opens in theatres June 13, 2025. Fans learned more about Elio, a space fanatic with an active imagination who gets beamed up to the Communiverse, an interplanetary organization that mistakes him for Earth’s leader.

–“Hoppers” introduces Mabel, an animal lover who seizes an opportunity to use new technology to ‘hop’ her consciousness into a life-like robotic beaver. The audience saw a special piece about the film, which opens in theatres in 2026.

-Audiences first met Buzz, Woody and a toybox full of toys nearly 30 years ago—D23 Brazil fans were invited to reminisce. And on June 19, 2026, fans will see their next chapter when Disney and Pixar’s “Toy Story 5” hits theatres. This time around it’s Toy meets Tech. Buzz, Woody, Jessie and the rest of the gang’s jobs get exponentially harder when they go head to head with this all-new threat to playtime.

-The Parr family is back on the big screen in “Incredibles 3.” Fans were delighted to see first-hand that their favorite Super-family have another adventure in the works.

WALT DISNEY ANIMATION STUDIOS’ Jared Bush shared his excitement about two upcoming features heading to theatres. As co-writer and executive producer of “Moana 2” and writer/director of “Zootopia 2,” Bush had the inside scoop.

–“Moana 2” voyages into theatres this month, on Nov. 27, and fans at D23 Brazil were treated to a sneak peek of the film. Stars Auli‘i Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson gave fans a chee hoo via video to build excitement for the film, which picks up three years later when Moana sets out to save her people’s future. Brazilian superstar Any Gabrielly, who voices Moana in the Brazilian dub, performed the end-credits version of new song from the film, “Beyond.”

-For “Zootopia 2,” Bush introduced a very special video greeting from Shakira, who shared for the first time that she’d be returning to play Zootopia’s pop sensation, Gazelle, in the new movie. The sequel to the global phenomenon sees detectives Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde on the twisting trail of a mysterious reptile who turns the mammal metropolis upside down. Fans got a special look at the film, which hits theatres in November 2025

About D23

The name “D23” pays homage to the exciting journey that began in 1923 when Walt Disney opened his first studio in Hollywood. D23 is the first official club for fans in Disney’s over 100-year history. It gives its members a greater connection to the entire world of Disney by placing them in the middle of the magic year-round through special experiences; member-exclusive offers and discounts; its quarterly publication, Disney twenty-three; and the latest news and stories on D23.com.

Tis the season to stream holiday classics and new Originals on Disney+, and now Walt Disney Studios Canada wants to spread some more joy this holiday season for shoppers in downtown Toronto and Vancouver.  Shoppers at CF Toronto Eaton Centre and CF Richmond Centre can visit the complimentary wrapping stations to get their presents wrapped with Disney+ branded gift wrapping.

This holiday season, Disney+ is the streaming home for holiday favourites, new Originals, and the biggest premieres of the year! The Happy Holidays collection is back and more joyful than ever with exclusive new Originals and features your family’s annual holiday classics to stream over and over again.

WHEN & WHERE:

TORONTO

Friday, December 8 – Sunday, December 24

Operating from 12pm to mall closing

CF Eaton Centre (Level 3, Trinity Way)

VANCOUVER

Friday, December 8 – Sunday, December 24

Operating from 12pm to mall closing

CF Richmond Centre (Old Navy Court)

ABOUT DISNEY+

Disney+ is the dedicated streaming home for movies and shows from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic, along with The Simpsons and much more. In Canada, it also includes the general entertainment content brand, Star. The flagship direct-to-consumer streaming service from Disney, Disney+ offers an ever-growing collection of exclusive originals, including feature-length films, documentaries, live-action and animated series, and short-form content. With unprecedented access to Disney’s long history of incredible film and television entertainment, Disney+ is also the exclusive streaming home for the newest releases from The Walt Disney Studios. For more, visit DisneyPlus.com, or find the Disney+ app on most mobile and connected TV devices.

Facebook: @WaltDisneyStudiosCanada

Instagram: @disneystudioscanada

Hashtag: #DisneyPlus, #SeasonsStreamings

By George Kozera

Recently, we had the great honour to be invited by Disney to view select scenes from their upcoming cinematic extravaganza WISH, followed by a Q&A from the Movie’s Producer Peter Del Vecho and first-time feature Director Fawn Veerasunthorn (who had worked on Moana, Raya and the Last Dragon, Zootopia and Frozen in various capacities).

WISH is about a young girl who will meet the King, hoping he will grant her most fervent wish only to discover that all is not what it seems to be.

Oscar winner, Ariana DeBose is the voice of Asha, the young girl with the wish and Chris Pine is the voice of King Magnifico, who may be Disney‘s most fascinating villain to date.

The two songs we had the opportunity to hear and see on the big screen are astonishing (DeBose has pipes!) but it’s the animation that takes your breath away.

Just when you think that Disney movies cannot look better, we are once again floored by what is presented. Veerasunthorn has amalgamated all she had done in previous features and this Movie has Oscar written all over it!

Disney‘s WISH is in theatres November 22, 2023.

The Walt Disney Studios thrilled 2023 CinemaCon Convention attendees with an exclusive look at its upcoming theatrical slate earlier today. The company is celebrating 100 Years of Wonder as it enters its second century.

Alan Bergman, co-chairman Disney Entertainment and Tony Chambers, executive vice president and head of theatrical distribution, took to the Colosseum stage at Caesar’s Palace to share a look at the Studio’s upcoming exclusive theatrical releases, including casting news and content sneak peeks. This year, the Studio will be releasing films from all its famed production studios (Disney Live Action, Lucasfilm, Marvel Studios, Pixar Animation Studios, Walt Disney Animation Studios, 20th Century Studios, and Searchlight Pictures) for the first time since 2019.

Bergman thanked exhibitors for their ongoing partnership and for helping make “Avatar: The Way of Water” a $2.3 billion global success. He then acknowledged Disney’s 100th anniversary and its legacy of iconic storytelling before turning the stage over to Chambers, who emphasized the singular experience of enjoying a great story in the cinema and guided the audience through a jam-packed presentation of must-see movies that will land in theatres over the next several months.

Up first, the audience was treated to an exclusive clip from Marvel Studios’ “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3,” which opens in the U.S. and Canada on May 5. The new installment is directed once again by James Gunn and features the all-star cast led by Chris Pratt. The brand-new trailer for “The Marvels,” opening November 10, was screened as well. The sequel to “Captain Marvel” stars Brie Larson as Carol Danvers, Teyonah Parris as Monica Rambeau, Iman Vellani as Kamala Khan, and Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury.

Looking ahead to one of the most anticipated releases this fall, Chambers announced that Chris Pine (“Into the Woods,” “Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves”) has joined the voice cast of Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Wish,” as King Magnifico opposite Academy Award® winner Ariana DeBose (“West Side Story”) as Asha. Blending beautiful watercolor style with groundbreaking CG animation, “Wish” is an original, animated musical adventure that draws inspiration from the classics to tell a story for the ages. An exclusive scene featuring “This Wish,” one of the film’s original songs performed by DeBose, was unveiled. “Wish” opens in theatres nationwide November 22.

Two-time Oscar® nominee Melissa McCarthy (“Bridesmaids,” “Can You Ever Forgive Me?”), who plays Ursula in Disney Live Action’s reimagining of “The Little Mermaid,” joined Chambers onstage to introduce an exclusive first look at her performance of “Poor Unfortunate Souls” from the film. The actress is set to be honored with CinemaCon’s Cinema Véritê Award. “The Little Mermaid” is directed by Academy Award® nominee Rob Marshall (“Chicago”) and features music by eight-time Oscar-winning composer Alan Menken (“Beauty and the Beast,’ “Aladdin”) and three-time Tony Award® winner Lin-Manuel Miranda (“Hamilton,” “In the Heights”). In addition to McCarthy, the film also stars Halle Bailey, Awkwafina, Tony winner Daveed Diggs (“Hamilton”), and Oscar winner Javier Bardem (“No Country for Old Men”). Tickets for the film went on sale today ahead of its May 26 debut in theatres.

CinemaCon attendees were then treated to a special look at Disney Live Action’s “Haunted Mansion,” which highlighted the mythology and scope of the film. The beloved theme park attraction comes to life in a comically creepy adventure directed by Justin Simien that stars an ensemble cast featuring Lakeith Stanfield, Tiffany Haddish, Owen Wilson, Danny DeVito, Rosario Dawson, Chase W. Dillon, Dan Levy, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Jared Leto as the Hatbox Ghost. “Haunted Mansion” is set to thrill audiences when it hits theatres July 28.

Up next, 20 minutes of exclusive footage from Disney and Pixar’s “Elemental” was screened in 3D for the audience. A story about finding connection, celebrating differences, and discovering your place in the world, “Elemental” features stunning visuals from the artists at Pixar, who continue to push the limits of both animation and technology. The film will premiere in its entirety at the upcoming Cannes International Film Festival before opening in theatres nationwide June 16.

An exclusive reveal of the brand-new trailer from Searchlight Pictures’ “Next Goal Wins” was next. Directed by Academy Award® winner Taika Waititi (“Jojo Rabbit,” “Thor: Ragnarok”), the film follows the American Samoa soccer team, infamous for their brutal 31-0 FIFA loss in 2001. With the World Cup Qualifiers approaching, the team hires down-on-his-luck, maverick coach Thomas Rongen (Michael Fassbender) hoping he will turn the world’s worst soccer team around in this heartfelt underdog comedy. In theatres November 17, 2023.

“A Haunting in Venice,” 20th Century Studios’ latest Agatha Christie adaptation from Oscar®-winning filmmaker Kenneth Branagh (“Belfast”), doesn’t hit theatres until September 15, but CinemaCon attendees were treated to the teaser trailer for the supernatural horror-thriller which features an all-star cast including Branagh, Tina Fey and recent Academy Award® winner Michelle Yeoh (“Everything Everywhere All at Once”).

The first footage from 20th Century Studios and New Regency’s “The Creator” was also screened exclusively in the room, showcasing the ambitious scope and cinematic visuals of the film. The epic sci-fi action thriller directed by Gareth Edwards (“Rogue One,” “Godzilla”) starring John David Washington (“Tenet”) and Gemma Chan (“Eternals”) opens in theatres September 29.

Chambers then shared a special greeting from the star of Lucasfilm’s eagerly awaited “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny,” Harrison Ford, who introduced an action-packed clip just for CinemaCon. The film, which also stars Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Mads Mikkelsen and is directed by James Mangold (“Ford v Ferrari”) will premiere at the Cannes International Film Festival before hitting theatres June 30.

The Studio closed out the presentation with an exclusive screening of 20th Century Studios’ “The Boogeyman” in DolbyVision and Dolby Atmos. The horror-thriller from the mind of Stephen King, which is directed by Rob Savage, opens in theatres June 2.

Our George Kozera had the pleasure of attending Walt Disney Studios Canada’s 2022 Holiday Preview, highlighting some of the Studio’s exciting upcoming theatrical and theatrical releases. Here’s a little sneak peek what we can expect after some first looks were offered at the event.

Highlights:

After a two-year absence due to COVID restrictions, it was pure joy to attend the Walt Disney Studios Canada press event for a light breakfast, previews of 2023 releases and a screening of STRANGE WORLD. Disney will be celebrating its 100^th Anniversary in 2023 and from what we saw, it will be a banner year for the studio and its audience, either theatrically or streaming on Disney+. Some of the preview highlights had us salivating in anticipation.

The Cinematography in the upcoming live action version of THE LITTLE MERMAID is astonishing and it will be spectacular viewing on the big screen. The same can be said for the Animated Feature ELEMENTAL, its vibrancy and colour palette is hypnotic. ANT MAN & THE WASP: QUANTUMANIA appears darker in tone and execution from the previous two movies, but any film with Paul Rudd, Michael Douglas, Michelle Pfeiffer, Jonathan Majors, Evangeline Lilly and Bill Murray will have me first in line! Snippets of season three of THE MANDALORIAN has inspired me to binge-watch the first two seasons and WILLOW looks very interesting. But what really yanked my crank was SECRET INVASION, the Marvel mini-series starring Samuel L. Jackson, Ben Mendelsohn and award-winning magnet, Olivia Colman.

STRANGE WORLD is Disney’s first foray into the Animated Science-Fiction genre and it is a rollicking success. Jaeger Clade and his young son Searcher go on an expedition to cross the mountains to see what’s on the other side. Searcher comes across a mysterious plant, stays behind to extradite and harvest it back home and Jaeger continues on the journey solo. Fast-forward 25 years…Searcher is now the town’s most successful farmer as this plant has miraculous components and alongside his wife Meridian, his 16-year-old son Ethan and their three-legged dog, their life is blissful. Until they are told by Callisto that the roots source of this plant is being ambushed and they all need to explore the treacherous landscapes of Avalonia inhabited by surreal lifeforms to save it.

There is a myriad of reasons why I fell in love with STRANGE WORLD. The voice work from Jake Gyllenhaal, Dennis Quaid, Gabrielle Union, Lucy Liu and, especially, Jaboukie Young-White as Ethan is exceptional. The animated world of Avalonia is visually intoxicating and I genuinely appreciated that innumerable creatures there were not given annoyingly cute human characteristics. They don’t periodically break into song; they enhance the story and illicit smiles or dreaded anticipation. However, first and foremost, with a standing ovation and bouquets of flowers thrown onto the stage, Disney tackles diversity with gusto, class and bravado. From a “blink and you might miss it” scene of a background character in a wheelchair, to the fact that Searcher and Meridian are a biracial married couple, impressed me to the hilt. Most importantly, taking into account the controversy Disney experienced when it was alleged that one of the characters in its monster hit FROZEN may have been gay, Ethan has a schoolboy crush and it is a another boy. Kudos to Disney for not sensationalizing this and giving space to tell a story that can only be a learning opportunity to some young audience members struggling internally.

Excluding Animated Features from Pixar, STRANGE WORLD is my favourite Disney movie since BEAUTY AND THE BEAST. Whereas I tend to abhor cinematic sequels, I would relish another opportunity to spend more time with the Clade family.

Walt Disney Studios Canada release STRANGE WORLD November 23, 2022.

True to form, Disney unleash their heavyweights during the Big Game and premiering tonight were some sneak peeks at some anticipated new releases which we can enjoy from home with Disney+!

Check them out!

RAYA AND THE LAST DRAGON

 In Select Theatres and on Disney+ with Premier Access on March 5, 2021.

THE FALCON AND THE WINTER SOLIDER

On Disney+ March 19, 2021.

(Photo/video credit: Disney)

2021 couldn’t come soon enough and Walt Disney Studios Canada has announced their upcoming slate of releases! While dates are subject to change this is what the year ahead is looking like, with a mix of theatrical and Disney+ releases.

WANDAVISION – Debuts on Disney+ on 1/15/2021

POPCORN – Debuts on Disney+ on 1/22/2021

FLORA & ULYSSES – Debuts on Disney+ on 2/19/2021

RAYA AND THE LAST DRAGON – March 5, 2021 Theatrical & Disney+ with Premier Access

THE KING’S MAN – U.S. Release Date: 3/12/2021

THE FALCON AND THE WINTER SOLDIER – Debuts on Disney+ on 3/19/2021

THE BOB’S BURGERS MOVIE – U.S. Release Date: 4/09/2021

RON’S GONE WRONG – U.S. Release Date: 4/23/2021

BLACK WIDOW – U.S. Release Date: 5/7/2021

FREE GUY – U.S. Release Date: 5/21/2021

CRUELLA – U.S. Release Date: 5/28/2021

LUCA – U.S. Release Date: 6/18/2021

SHANG CHI AND THE LEGEND OF THE TEN RINGS – U.S. Release Date: 7/9/2021

JUNGLE CRUISE – U.S. Release Date: 7/30/2021

THE BEATLES: GET BACK – U.S. Release Date: 8/27/2021

DEATH ON THE NILE – U.S. Release Date: 9/17/2021

THE LAST DUEL – U.S. Release Date: 10/15/2021

ETERNALS – U.S. Release Date: 11/5/2021

ENCANTO – U.S. Release Date: 11/24/2021

WEST SIDE STORY – U.S. Release Date: 12/10/2021

MORE TO COME ON THESE:

EVERYBODY’S TALKING ABOUT JAMIE – U.S. Release Date: 2021

HAWKEYE – Debuts on Disney+ Late 2021

LOKI – Debuts on Disney+ May 2021

MS MARVEL – Debuts on Disney+ Late 2021

STAR WARS – THE BAD BATCH – Debuts on Disney+ 2021

STAR WARS – THE BOOK OF BOBA FETT – Debuts on Disney+ 12/2021

WHAT IF…? – Debuts on Disney+ Summer 2021

(Photo credit: Walt Disney Studios Canada)

Disney+ present their brand-new Docu-Series INSIDE PIXAR, a must-watch for Disney Pixar fans, as it traces the process how the magic is made by the animation giant!

Synopsis:

The series consists of four collections with five short stories in each collection, centered around a central theme. The first collection releasing on Friday is “Inspired,” exploring what sparks inspiration and the journey from idea to execution.

Produced by Pixar Animation Studios, “Inside Pixar” is directed by Erica Milsom and Tony Kaplan, the series offers insights into the personal and cinematic stories that provide an inside look into the people, artistry, and culture of Pixar Animation Studios.

See the Trailer:

INSIDE PIXAR arrives on Disney+ Friday, November 13, 2020.

(Photo/video credit: Disney)

This is your first look at THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF MICKEY MOUSE, a Series of seven-minute shorts coming soon to Disney+! Did you know Mickey‘s birthday is November 18th?

Synopsis:

In “The Wonderful World of Mickey Mouse,” it’s nothing but fun and excitement for Mickey and his best pals – Minnie, Donald, Daisy, Goofy and Pluto – as they embark on their greatest adventures yet, navigating the curveballs of a wild and zany world where the magic of Disney makes the impossible possible. Each seven-minute short is filled with laugh-out-loud comedy, modern settings, timeless stories, new music and the unmistakable classic art style of the “Mickey Mouse” shorts. The series will include stories inspired by various lands at Disney parks and cameos by classic Disney heritage characters.

See the Trailer:

WONDERFUL WORLD OF MICKEY MOUSE arrives on Disney+ Wednesday, November 18, 2020.

(Photo/video credit: Disney)