If there was ever a reminder that Disney dominates the theatrical landscape, this was it!
At CinemaCon 2026 in Las Vegas, Disney closed out the studio presentations with a massive showcase featuring exclusive footage, cast appearances, and major announcements across Marvel Studios, Pixar, Lucasfilm, Disney Animation, and more.
And yes — it was as big as it sounds!
Disney Entertainment Chairman Alan Bergman opened the presentation by highlighting Disney’s continued box office success, pointing to the company’s dominance in 2025 with films like Zootopia 2, Avatar: Fire and Ash, and Lilo & Stitch, which together helped Disney remain the top global studio for another year.
From there, the presentation shifted into what fans really came for: upcoming films and exclusive footage.
Marvel Studios Drops FIRST Look at Avengers: Doomsday
One of the biggest moments of the entire presentation came from Marvel Studios, where Disney debuted footage from Avengers: Doomsday.
The footage revealed a massive crossover event that brings together heroes from across the Marvel universe (including the Avengers, X-Men, and Fantastic Four) in what is being described as one of the most ambitious Marvel films ever made.
Kevin Feige confirmed that the film continues directly after the events of Avengers: Endgame, with the story building toward a multiverse-level conflict.
A major shock came with the reveal that Robert Downey Jr. returns to the MCU — not as Iron Man, but as Doctor Doom, the film’s central villain.
Chris Evans also appears in the film as Captain America, returning for a key role in the story’s multiverse conflict.
The film is currently set to release on December 18, 2026.
Star Wars Returns to Theaters With ‘The Mandalorian and Grogu’
Lucasfilm also made waves by showing footage from The Mandalorian and Grogu, the first Star Wars theatrical film in years.
Jon Favreau introduced the project, which follows Din Djarin and Grogu as they take on new missions in the aftermath of the Empire’s fall.
Disney confirmed that advance tickets will go on sale soon, and attendees were shown both a trailer and an extended opening sequence, marking one of the most detailed Star Wars previews in recent CinemaCon history.
The film is scheduled to hit theaters on May 22, 2026.
Pixar Brings Back Woody and Buzz in Toy Story 5
Pixar also delivered a major emotional moment with Toy Story 5, where Tom Hanks and Tim Allen appeared on stage to discuss the return of Woody and Buzz.
The new film introduces a modern twist to the franchise, as the toys face a new challenge when a tablet device named Lilypad disrupts Bonnie’s playtime.
The story explores how toys adapt to a world increasingly shaped by technology, with Woody, Buzz, Jessie, and the gang struggling to remain relevant.
The film is set for release on June 19, 2026.
First Look at Live-Action Moana
Disney also showcased its live-action adaptation of Moana, introduced by Dwayne Johnson, who reprises his role as Maui.
The story follows Moana as she answers the ocean’s call and ventures beyond the reef of Motunui for the first time, embarking on a journey to restore balance to her people.
Catherine Laga’aia, making her big-screen debut as Moana, joined Johnson on stage as Disney debuted an exclusive look at the film.
The live-action remake is set to release on July 10, 2026.
Searchlight and 20th Century Bring Original Stories
Beyond its franchises, Disney also highlighted upcoming original and studio projects.
Searchlight Pictures previewed Wild Horse Nine, a dark comedy from director Martin McDonagh starring John Malkovich, Sam Rockwell, Steve Buscemi, Tom Waits, and Parker Posey. The film is set in 1973 Chile and follows CIA agents navigating political tension during the Cold War era.
20th Century Studios also showcased several upcoming titles, including The Dog Stars, a post-apocalyptic survival thriller directed by Ridley Scott, and Whalefall, a survival drama about a diver swallowed by a sperm whale.
Disney Animation Teases Hexed
Walt Disney Animation Studios also revealed Hexed, a magical coming-of-age story centered on a teenage girl named Billie who discovers hidden magical abilities.
The story follows Billie and her mother as they uncover secrets tied to a magical realm called Hexe, with casting announcements confirming Hailee Steinfeld and Rashida Jones as lead voices.
The film is set to release on November 25, 2026.
Disney’s Theatrical Strategy Takes Center Stage
Throughout the presentation, Disney emphasized its continued commitment to theatrical releases, highlighting its dominance across global box office performance and its expansive upcoming slate.
Executives reinforced that Disney’s goal is to continue delivering “must-see cinematic experiences” designed specifically for the big screen.
From Avengers: Doomsday and The Mandalorian and Grogu to Toy Story 5, Moana, and brand-new originals like Wild Horse Nine, Disney is heading into the next few years with one of its most ambitious lineups yet.
Be sure to check back soon for more breaking entertainment news, deep dives, and full breakdowns — you won’t want to miss what’s next!
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