Today, at Annecy’s International Animation Film Festival, Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pixar Animation Studios offered a series of surprises that thrilled festival goers.

In the morning, Jared Bush, Walt Disney Animation Studios’ chief creative officer and director/writer of the upcoming “Zootopia 2,” made his first appearance in Annecy to debut new footage and images (including the one above) from the anticipated sequel of the beloved Oscar®-winning global hit film, which will be theatrically released this November. Thunderous applause and bursts of laughter punctuated his presentation as footage screened featured returning characters Judy Hopps (voice of Ginnifer Goodwin), Nick Wilde (voice of Jason Bateman), and Mr. Big (voice of Maurice LaMarche), and new characters Gary De’Snake (voice of Ke Huy Quan), Nibbles (Fortune Feimster) and Dr. Fuzzby (voice of Quinta Brunson). The audience was particularly delighted when learning that French actor Jean Reno will lend his voice to a cameo role as an officer of the Zootopia Police Department. To celebrate the original film, “Zootopia” will be screened tonight under the stars on Le Pâquier.

Also within the presentation, Disney legendary director Ron Clements (“The Little Mermaid,” “Aladdin,” “The Princess and the Frog,” “Moana”) was honoured on stage with an induction into Annecy’s Walk of Fame. The celebration continued with a surprise announcement from Jared Bush revealing that Clements will return to Walt Disney Studios Animation in an advisory role.

In the afternoon, Pixar kicked off their panel with the arrival of Pete Docter, Pixar Animation Studios’ chief creative officer, alongside “Elio” directors Madeline Sharafian and Domee Shi, and producer Mary Alice Drumm. The “Elio” filmmakers offered a brief preview of their summer movie full of heart, laughs and fantasy. The screening of 27 minutes of the movie enchanted festival goers, leaving them eager to discover the full scope of this brand-new adventure which will hit theatres next week.

The audience was then treated to an exclusive look at Pixar’s upcoming slate by Docter, who was honoured today with an induction into Annecy’s Walk of Fame. Highlights of the presentation included never-before-seen footage from Pixar’s March, 2026 release, “Hoppers,” screened exclusively for the Annecy audience along with a sneak peek at the first two minutes of the studio’s summer 2026 release, “Toy Story 5.” Docter confirmed the return of Joan Cusack as Jessie in this next “Toy Story” chapter and announced exciting new characters as well. As the supervising animator on the original “Toy Story,” Docter then showcased rarely seen legacy footage from “Toy Story,” the first feature length computer animated film ever released, in celebration of its 30th anniversary.

Additionally, Docter announced a brand-new original project called “Gatto,” slated for summer 2027. From the filmmaking team behind “Luca,” director Enrico Casarosa and producer Andrea Warren, the new film returns to Italy, this time to Venice, where after years of maneuvering the canal-ridden, superstitious city, a black cat named Nero begins to question whether he’s lived the right lives. Indebted to a local feline mob boss, Nero finds himself in a quandary and is forced to forge a truly unexpected friendship that may finally lead him to his purpose—unless Venice gets the better of him first.

With these Disney and Pixar presentations, the studios reaffirmed their commitment to the Annecy International Animation Festival as a venue to deliver exclusive news and screenings to a global audience of animation fans.

Walt Disney Animation Studios revealed a brand-new teaser trailer this morning for “Zootopia 2,” the highly anticipated sequel to 2016’s Academy Award®-winning “Zootopia.” Featuring glimpses at new and returning characters, the trailer reunites rookie cops Judy Hopps (voice of Ginnifer Goodwin) and Nick Wilde (voice of Jason Bateman) and teases a new team-up with a mysterious pit viper, Gary De’Snake (voice of Ke Huy Quan).

In the film, which opens only in theatres Nov. 26, Judy and Nick find themselves on the twisting trail of a great mystery when Gary De’Snake arrives in Zootopia and turns the animal metropolis upside down. To crack the case, they must go undercover to unexpected new parts of town, where their growing partnership is tested like never before. According to Disney Animation chief creative officer and director Jared Bush, who also wrote the script, a larger world is in store for fans. “We are beyond excited to welcome everyone back to the outrageous, expansive animal metropolis of Zootopia, and take audiences on a hilarious, wild ride into parts of the city we’ve never visited before,” said Bush. “Whether it’s the marshes of semi-aquatic mammals, the vast desert dunes or even greater mysteries beyond, our heroes, Judy and Nick, will meet a lot of new friends, and discover even more about the world, themselves and a brand-new snake in town.”

Added director Byron Howard, “The trailer features the original song ‘ZUTU’ by Zootopia’s finest lemming techno group, LEMEEENS. Fresh from touring with superstar Gazelle as her opening act, members Hans-Peter, Gūnther, Spielt and their DJ, Spaß, created the song to mark the occasion and welcome the world back to the City of Zootopia!”

From the Oscar®-winning team of Jared Bush and Byron Howard (directors) and Yvett Merino (producer), “Zootopia 2” also features the voices of Fortune Feimster, Quinta Brunson and Shakira, who returns as Gazelle.

Disney made several announcements today at the Annecy International Animated Film Festival about upcoming releases, STRANGE WORLD, BAYMAX! and ZOOTOPIA+!

STRANGE WORLD

The studio revealed key members of the voice cast joining previously announced actor Jake Gyllenhaal. Gyllenhaal lends his voice to Searcher Clade, a farmer who finds himself thrust into an adventure in a strange world. He is joined by an all-star cast, including: 

• Dennis Quaid as Jaeger Clade, Searcher’s larger-than-life explorer father 
• Jaboukie Young-White as Ethan Clade, Searcher’s 16 year-old son who longs for adventure beyond his father’s farm while also navigating a school crush
• Gabrielle Union as Meridian Clade, a pilot and natural leader, mom to Ethan, and wife of Searcher 
• Lucy Liu as Callisto Mal, the head of the land of Avalonia and the leader of the exploration into the strange world 

Within the Disney Animation presentation, Oscar-winning filmmaker and Chief Creative Officer Jennifer Lee received the Festival’s Honorary Cristal Award, from Annecy Festival Artistic Director Marcel Jean. In her remarks to the audience, Lee thanked the festival and all of those at Disney Animation. “We look ahead, together,” she said. “The ‘we’ is more important than ever as our studio can only truly shine when everyone feels welcome, feels the pride and responsibility of our legacy, and feels inspired to create, together.” 

Lastly, two-time Academy Award® winner and President of Disney Animation, Clark Spencer, surprised the audience with world premieres of episodes from Disney Animation’s first-ever series, “Baymax!” which releases June 29 on Disney+, and “Zootopia+,” which Spencer announced would debut on Disney+ November 9, 2022. 

“Baymax!” returns to the fantastical city of San Fransokyo where the affable, inflatable, inimitable healthcare companion, Baymax (voice of Scott Adsit), sets out to do what he was programmed to do: help others. Zootopia+ heads back to the fast-paced mammal metropolis of Zootopia in a short-form series that dives deeper into the lives of some of the feature film’s most intriguing characters, including Fru Fru, the newly married arctic shrew; Gazelle’s talented tiger dancers; and the sloth full of surprises, Flash. 

(Photo credit: Disney)

It’s Memorial Day in the U.S., which means tons of Box Office activity as some blockbuster new releases hit theatres this weekend. X-MEN: APOCALYPSE prevails over the North American Box Office with $66 million in its debut from 4,150 theatres for 20th Century Fox. Critics gave this installment mixed reviews with a 49% on the Tomatometer, while Audiences thought much better of it with an A CinemaScore.

Disney‘s ALICE THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS debuts in second with $29 million from 3,763 theatres. Critics gave it a 29% on the Tomatometer, while Audiences loved it with an A- CinemaScore.

Last week’s champ THE ANGRY BIRDS MOVIE slips to third with $20 million still for Sony Pictures, from 3,932 theatres.  Thus far it has made $74 million in North America.

CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR is in fourth with $16.5 million for Disney, from 3,395 theatres. It has made $378 million thus far in its domestic run.

NEIGHBORS 2: SORORITY RISING earns $9.4 million in it second week out for Universal Pictures, bringing its run so far to $40 million.

THE NICE GUYS in its second week out makes $6.8 million for Warner Bros., a cumulative $24 million thus far made.

Rounding-out the Top Ten is ZOOTOPIA earning $866k in its thirteenth week out for Disney!

THE JUNGLE BOOK continues its domination at the Box Office a third straight week at number one!  The Disney Live Action adaptation of Rudyard Kipling‘s story, earns $38 million from 4,041 theatres, making for $248 million thus far domestically. Expect huge numbers also for Disney/Marvel next week as CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR opens.

KEANU debuts in second for Warner Bros. with $9 million, from 2,658 theatres. It gets an B CinemaScore and a 77% on the Tomatometer. We foresee the kitten comedy becoming a bit of a sleeper hit in coming weeks as it gains a cult status.

THE HUNTSMAN: WINTER’S WAR is in third this weekend with $8.8 million from 3,802 theatres. In two weeks it has grossed $33 million for Universal Pictures.

Star-studded MOTHER’S DAY debuts in fourth with $7.8 million for Elevation Pictures/Open Road Films, from 3,035 theatres. It gets a B+ CinemaScore and 9% on the Tomatometer.

RATCHET & CLANK debuts in fifth with $5.8 million for Universal Pictures/Focus Features, from 2,891 theatres. The Animated Feature gets 20% on the Tomatometer and a B CinemaScore.

ZOOTOPIA is in seventh for Disney with $4.5 million in its ninth week out with $324 million earned in its North American run.

CRIMINAL rounds-out the Top Ten with $1.2 million for VVS Films/Lionsgate Films, earning $13.3 million domestically over three weeks.

For a second straight week THE JUNGLE BOOK reads the minds of Moviegoers at the top of the Box Office with a whopping $60 million from 4,028 theatres. It has made $195 million already for Disney.

Debuting in second is THE HUNTSMAN: WINTER’S WAR with $20 million from 3,791 theatres for Universal Pictures. Its 2012 predecessor by comparison made $56 million when it opened. It gets 17% on the Tomatometer and a B+ Cinemascore.

In third with $10 million this weekend is BARBERSHOP: THE NEXT CUT. In two weeks it has made $35 million for Warner Bros.

ZOOTOPIA is in fourth with $6.7 million, now in its eighth week out for Disney.

THE BOSS earns $6.1 million in its third week out for Universal Pictures, closing-in on $50 million thus far.

COMPADRES doesn’t have a Canadian release but is in ninth with $1.4 million for Pantelion Films.

Rounding out the Top Ten is A HOLOGRAM FOR THE KING with $1.2 million in its debut from 401 theatres for eOne Films/Roadside Attractions. It gets 62% on the Tomatometer.

THE JUNGLE BOOK charms its way to the hearts of Moviegoers with $88 million from 4,028 theatres for Disney in its debut. This makes the Live Action Adaptation of Rudyard Kipling‘s beloved story the highest debut ever in April for a Film. Critics and Audiences both agree the Film is outstanding with an A CinemaScore and a 95% on the Tomatometer.

BARBERSHOP: THE NEXT CUT, the third Film in the Franchise, debuts in second with a solid $22 million for Warner Bros., from 2,661 theatres.  It earns a B- CinemaScore and a superb 91% on the Tomatometer, gaining Fans with its statement about gun control.

THE BOSS continues to perform healthily at the Box Office with $10 million in its second week out for Universal Pictures. Thus far domestically it has made $40 million.

BATMAN V SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE sits in fourth this weekend for Warner Bros. with $8.5 million. Thus far it has grossed $310 million over four weeks.

ZOOTOPIA in its seventh week out earns $7.7 million for Disney, surpassing $306 million.

CRIMINAL debuts in sixth with $6.3 million in 2,683 theatres for VVS Films/Lionsgate Films. The Thriller starring Kevin Costner and Ryan Reynolds gets a 25% on the Tomatometer and much more favourable B- CinemaScore from Audiences.

MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING 2 isn’t doing too shabby at all in seventh with $3.3 million for Universal Pictures, just passing $52 million in its fourth week out.

EYE IN THE SKY rounds-out the Top Ten with $1.5 million for eOne Films/Bleecker Street now in its sixth week out.

THE BOSS starring Melissa McCa0rthy debuts on-top with a close $24.4 million from 3,480 theatres for Universal Pictures. It gets an 18% on the Tomatometer and a C+ CinemaScore. Let’s be clear, McCarthy is the Box Office Queen despite what some might say and this year is only going to get better for her as blockbuster Ghostbusters hits theatres this summer!

After a two-week reign, BATMAN V SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE slips to second this weekend earning $23.3 million for Warner Bros. To date it is just shy of the $300 million mark over three weeks.

In its sixth week, Disney‘s ZOOTOPIA is in third this weekend with $14.2 million. It also nears that $300 million mark.

MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING 2 earns $6.8 million in its third week out, inching closer to $50 million for Universal Pictures.

HARDCORE HENRY debuts in fifth with $5.1 million from 3, 015 theatres for VVS Films and STX, getting a TIFF ’15 Midnight Madness Award this past September. It gets 51% on the Tomatometer and a C+ CinemaScore.

EYE IN THE SKY rounds out the Top Ten as it expands to 1,089 theatres with $2.6 million, in its fifth week out earning $10 million for eOne Films and Bleecker Street Films.

Despite a significant dip in its second week out BATMAN V SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE, still dominates at the Box Office with $50 million from 4,256 theatres for Warner Bros. In two weeks it has grossed a hefty $259 million domestically.

ZOOTOPIA in its second week out, earns $20.7 million for Disney, a total of $276 million over five weeks.

Toronto-filmed MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING 2 remains still at number three with $11.2 million from 3,179 theatres for Universal Pictures.

Faith-based Drama GOD’S NOT DEAD 2 debuts at fourth spot with $8.2 million from 2,320 theatres for Pure Flix, yet to be released in Canada. It gets a 14% on the Tomatometer.

In fifth is MIRACLES FROM HEAVEN with $7.3 million for Sony Pictures, a surprisingly solid $46 million tally over three weeks.

THE DIVERGENT SERIES: ALLEGIANT is showing visible signs of fatigue for the Young Adult adaptation genre, in sixth with $5.7 million in its third week out for Lionsgate Films/eOne Films.

MEET THE BLACKS debuts in $4 million from 1,014 theatres for Freestyle. It is a Parody of Horror The Purge. No registered reviews for this one yet on Rotten Tomatoes.

DEADPOOL rounds out the Top Ten with $3.7 million for 20th Century Fox. In seven weeks it has become the highest R-rated Film of all time with $355 million earned.

Never mind those negative reviews and word of mouth, Warner Bros. reigns the Box Office this weekend achieving a record for best pre-summer opening with BATMAN V SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE. The clash of the two superheroes plus Wonder Woman earns a smashing $170 million from 4,242 theatres! According to Deadline, this also is a record opening for the studio which had a prior best of $165 million with HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS PART 2. Critics gave it a 30% at Rotten Tomatoes, Audiences gave it a B CinemaScore.

A humbled second with $23.5 million is three-week champ ZOOTOPIA. In four weeks it has made $240 million for Disney.

MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING 2 opens in third with $17.8 million from 3,113 theatres for Universal Pictures. It gets 25% from Critics at Rotten Tomatoes and a much better A- from Audiences at CinemaScore. Its predecessor opened with $597k back in 2002, via limited release.

THE DIVERGENT SERIES: ALLEGIANT lands in fourth in its second week out with a baffling $9.2 million in its second week out for Lionsgate Films/eOne Films. In two weeks it has grossed $46 million.

MIRACLES FROM HEAVEN is in fifth with $9.1 million for Sony Pictures benefiting from a market for moviegoers looking for faith-based Films this Good Friday/Easter.

DEADPOOL is in seventh with $4.7 million in its sixth week out, surpassing $350 million in North America for 20th Century Fox.

Rounding out the Top Ten is TIFF ’15 title EYE IN THE SKY with $958k, expanding to 123 theatres for eOne Films/Bleecker Street Films.