Walt Disney Studios Wows CinemaCon® Attendees at 2026 Gathering in Las Vegas

Walt Disney Studios Wows CinemaCon® Attendees at 2026 Gathering in Las Vegas

The Walt Disney Studios closed out the studio presentations at 2026 CinemaCon^® in Las Vegas Thursday with a thrilling look at some of its upcoming theatrical releases. Stars and filmmakers representing titles from some of the company's famed production studios - including Disney Live Action, Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar, Marvel Studios, Lucasfilm, 20th Century Studios, and Searchlight Pictures - were on hand to screen exclusive footage and make several exciting announcements.

Alan Bergman, Chairman, Disney Entertainment, Studios, took to the stage at The Dolby Colosseum at Caesar's Palace and kicked off the afternoon with a sizzle reel highlighting the studio's upcoming titles before greeting the more than 4,000 CinemaCon members in attendance. He thanked the industry for their continued partnership, and highlighted the fact that the three biggest Hollywood movies of 2025 came from the studio: Zootopia 2, which has grossed nearly $1.9 billion at the global box office, becoming the biggest Hollywood animated film of all time; Avatar: Fire and Ash, which grossed nearly $1.5 billion, pushing the Avatar franchise to more than $6.7 billion globally; and Lilo & Stitch, which was a huge hit with audiences, and also surpassed the $1 billion mark. As a result, the studio has been No. 1 at the global box office for nine of the past 10 years, bringing in close to $6.6 billion globally at the box office in 2025 - over $2 billion more than its nearest competitors.

At all seven of our studios, it's about high-quality storytelling with heart and humor that resonates around the world and stands the test of time - and there's nobody that does it like Disney.

"Disney will continue to deliver must-see theatrical experiences that bring audiences to your cinemas," Bergman told exhibitors. "At all seven of our studios, it's about high-quality storytelling with heart and humor that resonates around the world and stands the test of time - and there's nobody that does it like Disney."

He then turned the microphone over to The Walt Disney Studios' Andrew E. Cripps, Head of Theatrical Distribution, and Matthew J. Kalavsky, SVP and General Manager, Disney Entertainment Studios, who emphasized Disney's ability to tell incredible stories. The two highlighted that Disney's collection of seven world-class studios is behind 37 billion-dollar grossing titles - four times as many as any other studio - and that Disney keeps its films in theaters far longer than other studios, playing an average of 57 days.

"Cinemas matter. It's something you can't get anywhere else," Cripps said, calling out the growing uptake in premium large format theaters before later unveiling Infinity Vision, Disney's new certification initiative for premium large format screens.

Already in 2026, the studio has released two original films: 20th Century Studios' Send Help and Disney and Pixar's Hoppers, which were both hits with critics and fans alike. Hoppers recently crossed $350 million globally after posting the biggest domestic debut for an original animated film since Coco in 2017.

In two weeks, 20th Century Studios' The Devil Wears Prada 2 - the eagerly awaited sequel to the 2006 phenomenon that defined a generation - will hit theaters. Cripps played a special message exclusively for CinemaCon attendees from star and soon-to-be-named Disney Legend Anne Hathaway, before screening a special look at the film, which opens exclusively in theaters May 1. Twenty years after making their iconic turns as Miranda (Meryl Streep), Andy (Hathaway), Emily (Emily Blunt), and Nigel (Stanley Tucci) return to the fashionable streets of New York City and the sleek offices of Runway magazine. The film is directed by David Frankel, written by Aline Brosh McKenna, produced by Wendy Finerman, and executive produced by Michael Bederman, Karen Rosenfelt, and Brosh McKenna.

Cripps then invited director, co-writer, producer, and Disney Legend Jon Favreau to the stage to talk about Lucasfilm's Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu, an all-new Star Wars film opening exclusively in theaters May 22. After discussing the eagerly anticipated film, the first Star Wars film in almost seven years, Favreau announced that advance tickets will go on sale Friday, April 17, before debuting the final trailer, followed by the first 18 minutes of the film and a film montage.

In the film, which stars Pedro Pascal, Sigourney Weaver, and Jeremy Allen White, the evil Empire has fallen, and Imperial warlords remain scattered throughout the galaxy. As the fledgling New Republic works to protect everything the Rebellion fought for, they have enlisted the help of legendary Mandalorian bounty hunter Din Djarin (Pascal) and his young apprentice Grogu. Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu is written by Favreau & Dave Filoni & Noah Kloor; produced by Favreau, Kathleen Kennedy, Filoni, and Ian Bryce; and executive produced by Karen Gilchrist, John Bartnicki, and Carrie Beck. The music is composed by Ludwig Göransson.

The toys are back in Disney and Pixar's Toy Story 5 - and this time, it's Toy meets Tech. The fifth film in the franchise opens in theaters June 19, and an exclusive clip was screened before Cripps invited to the stage Tom Hanks and Disney Legend Tim Allen - the beloved co-stars from the blockbuster animated films, who once again reprise their roles as Woody and Buzz Lightyear. The iconic duo spoke about the new film and screened another exclusive clip.

In Toy Story 5, Woody, Buzz, Jessie, and the rest of the gang's jobs are challenged when they come face-to-face with Lilypad, a brand-new tablet device that arrives with her own disruptive ideas about what is best for their kid, Bonnie. Will playtime ever be the same? Directed by Andrew Stanton, co-directed by Kenna Harris, produced by Lindsey Collins, and written by Stanton and Harris, the film features an original score by Disney Legend Randy Newman, who returns to score his fifth Toy Story feature.

Cripps next brought out Maui himself, soon-to-be-named Disney Legend Dwayne Johnson, to talk about Moana, Disney's live-action reimagining of the beloved Oscar^®-nominated animated adventure, coming exclusively to theaters July 10. Catherine Laga'aia, who makes her big screen debut as the strong-willed heroine, then joined the duo onstage to talk about her experience making the film. The actress will receive CinemaCon's Rising Star of 2026 Award at the 2026 Big Screen Achievement Awards. Johnson then introduced an exclusive look at Moana.

In the film, Moana (Laga'aia) answers the Ocean's call and, for the first time, voyages beyond the reef of her island of Motunui with the infamous demigod Maui (Johnson) on an unforgettable journey to restore prosperity to her people. The film is directed by Emmy^® and Tony Award^® winner Thomas Kail; produced by Johnson, Dany Garcia, Beau Flynn, Hiram Garcia, and soon-to-be-named Disney Legend Lin-Manuel Miranda; and executive produced by Kail, Scott Sheldon, Charles Newirth, and Auli'i Cravalho, who voiced Moana in the animated films Moana and Moana 2. Moana features original songs by Miranda, Opetaia Foa'i, and Mark Mancina, and an original score composed by Mancina.

Brolin also stars in 20th Century Studios' and Imagine Entertainment's Whalefall, which opens in theaters October 16. The film is an epic, emotional, and extraordinary survival thriller about one man's encounter with a terrifying, massive sperm whale. Following the death of his father (Brolin), Jay Gardiner (Austin Abrams) dives off the central Coast of California in search of his remains, where he is swallowed by a massive sperm whale. While trapped inside its belly with only one hour of oxygen left, Jay comes to realize that the hard-earned lessons his father imparted may be the key to his escape.

The film, which is directed by Brian Duffield and features a screenplay by Brian Duffield & Daniel Kraus based on the book by Kraus by the same name, also stars Elizabeth Shue, John Ortiz, Jane Levy, and Emily Rudd. The producers are Brian Grazer, Duffield, Jeb Brody, and Allan Mandelbaum, with Doug Merrifield, Richard Abate, and Will Rowbotham serving as executive producers. Kalavsky screened several minutes of thrilling footage from the film.

Up next, Kalavsky discussed 20th Century Studios' The Dog Stars, a riveting, epic thriller set in a world where survival is instinct, but humanity is a choice, opening exclusively in theaters August 28. After introducing an exclusive video message for CinemaCon attendees from the film's visionary director and producer Ridley Scott, he debuted the film's trailer.

In The Dog Stars, Scott tells the story of Hig (Jacob Elordi), a young pilot who, together with a military survivalist, Bangley (Josh Brolin), has carved out an efficient but isolated homestead in a brutal post-apocalyptic world until a mysterious radio transmission spurs Hig to venture into the unknown in search of the hope and humanity he still believes exists. Based on Peter Heller's captivating bestseller, The Dog Stars features a critically acclaimed ensemble that includes Margaret Qualley, Allison Janney, Benedict Wong, and Guy Pearce. The film is written by Mark L. Smith and produced by Scott, Michael Pruss, Smith, and Cliff Roberts.

Kalavsky next previewed Searchlight Pictures' Wild Horse Nine, coming exclusively to theaters November 6. The dark comedy, which is written and directed by Martin McDonagh, stars John Malkovich, Sam Rockwell, and Steve Buscemi, with Tom Waits and Parker Posey. The segment ended with an exclusive clip from the film.

In Wild Horse Nine, set shortly before the 1973 Chilean coup, CIA agents Chris (Malkovich) and Lee (Rockwell) are dispatched from Santiago to Easter Island by their bureau chief, MJ (Buscemi). Amongst the Island's iconic statues, and as the longtime partners wrestle with their dark pasts and present conspiracies, Chris's newfound bond with a pair of rebellious students (Mariana di Girolamo and Ailín Salas) threatens to send everyone's trip to this remote paradise sideways.

Other upcoming releases from Searchlight Pictures include the third installment of the cult comedy classic Super Troopers from Broken Lizard, debuting August 7, as well as Tony Gilroy's Behemoth! starring Pascal, and Sweetsick, starring Cate Blanchett, both in post-production.

Cripps then returned to the stage with some exciting casting news for Walt Disney Animation Studios' Hexed: Hailee Steinfeld and Rashida Jones have joined the voice cast of the all-new magical coming-of-age saga. Cripps unveiled a new logo for the film and walked CinemaCon attendees through a brief overview of the story before screening a first look for the audience.

In Hexed, an impulsive and unconventional teenage girl named Billie (voiced by Steinfeld) discovers secret magical abilities which, once unleashed, hurtle her into a spectacle-filled journey out of suburbia and into a vast witch realm called Hexe. Forced to team up with her cautious mother, Alice (voiced by Jones), they uncover family mysteries that could change the world of witches forever. Directed by Fawn Veerasunthorn and Jason Hand, co-directed by Josie Trinidad, and produced by Roy Conli, Disney's Hexed opens exclusively in theaters November 25.

Ice Age: Boiling Point is coming to theaters on February 5, 2027, and the cast of the behemoth animated franchise - Ray Romano, Queen Latifah (who will receive CinemaCon's Cultural Impact in Film Award at the 2026 Big Screen Achievement Awards), and Denis Leary - joined Cripps onstage to talk about what fans can expect in the next chapter of the prehistoric saga. Ice Age: Boiling Point 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. CinemaCon attendees were then treated to a sneak peek at the film's opening sequence.

The Studio closed out the presentation with one of the most anticipated releases of the year. The Marvel Cinematic Universe is the most successful film franchise of all time, with a total of 37 films to date, and now the clock is ticking down to December 18, when Avengers: Doomsday hits theaters. To help ensure fans experience it as intended on the biggest and best screens, the studio is assembling the best auditoriums around the world and introducing Infinity Vision: a new certification criteria of key specs for PLF theaters. This collaboration with exhibitors will help audiences identify the biggest screens, the sharpest, and most vivid projection, and the most thrilling and immersive sound to bring these films to life. And Avengers: Doomsday is a movie that is meant to be seen in PLF.

To talk more about Infinity Vision, Cripps brought Kevin Feige, producer and President of Marvel Studios, to the stage, who announced that Avengers: Endgame will be returning to theaters this September as an Infinity Vision release. Feige then welcomed the directors of Avengers: Doomsday, the Russo brothers (Anthony and Joe) to join him onstage, who talked more about Victor Von Doom, the iconic and formidable villain from Marvel's comics.

Then, Disney Legend Robert Downey, Jr. - in Doctor Doom's signature green - made a dramatic entrance from the back of the Dolby Colosseum, much to the delight of the CinemaCon attendees, and progressed to the venue's stage and screened an exclusive first look at footage from the film, before bringing Steve Rogers himself, Chris Evans, to the stage.

In Avengers: Doomsday, beloved heroes from three distinct universes will be set on a deadly collision course and face an existential threat unlike anything they've ever encountered. Directed by Anthony and Joe Russo and written by Stephen McFeely, Avengers: Doomsday stars Downey, Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Pascal, Paul Rudd, Anthony Mackie, Florence Pugh, Vanessa Kirby, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Wyatt Russell, Channing Tatum, Simu Liu, Ian McKellen, Tom Hiddleston, James Marsden, Patrick Stewart, Joseph Quinn, Sebastian Stan, David Harbour, Letitia Wright, Lewis Pullman, Kelsey Grammer, Danny Ramirez, Winston Duke, Alan Cumming, Wesley Holloway, Hannah John-Kamen, Rebecca Romijn, Alex Livinalli, and Mabel Cadena, with Tenoch Huerta Mejía. The film is produced by Feige, Louis D'Esposito, and Jonathan Schwartz, with Callum McDougall serving as executive producer.

The presentation ended with a Doomsday countdown clock on the screen, counting down the days to the film's December release.