Disney CEO Bob Iger stood before shareholders during the company's Q4 2025 earnings call and delivered what might be the most confident presentation of his career. The message? 2026 is going to be massive. While Iger highlighted five major releases—The Devil Wears Prada 2, The Mandalorian & Grogu, Toy Story 5, Moana, and Avengers: Doomsday—two titles stand head and shoulders above the rest in terms of sheer box office potential.
We're talking about genuine record-breakers.
‘The Mandalorian & Grogu': Star Wars' Theatrical Renaissance
Star Wars hasn't graced movie theaters since December 2019's The Rise of Skywalker. That's nearly seven years of absence from the big screen—an eternity for one of cinema's most valuable franchises. But the wait ends May 22, 2026, when The Mandalorian & Grogu arrives.
Why This Could Be Enormous
The Mandalorian series has been Disney+'s crown jewel since the streaming service launched. Din Djarin and Grogu became instant pop culture icons, transcending typical streaming show success to become genuine phenomena. Grogu merchandise flew off shelves. The show dominated social media. It reminded fans why they fell in love with Star Wars in the first place.
Now imagine that beloved dynamic on the big screen with a theatrical budget, IMAX screenings, and Dolby Atmos sound design. Add Sigourney Weaver and Jeremy Allen White (reportedly as Jabba the Hutt's son) to the mix, and you've got an event film that could draw massive crowds.
The Record-Breaking Question
Could The Mandalorian & Grogu actually break records? Let's consider the landscape. The Mandalorian has broader appeal than the divisive sequel trilogy, stronger fan goodwill, and the benefit of being a fresh adventure that captures the series' magic on the big screen.
The opportunity to see Din Djarin and Grogu in theaters is the kind of event that could drive massive repeat viewings. With the star power and fan devotion behind it, this film has all the ingredients to become a box office phenomenon.
And if it succeeds? Disney has already positioned it as the potential start of a new trilogy, with Starfighter starring Ryan Gosling already dated for May 28, 2027. The stakes couldn't be higher for Lucasfilm, but the ingredients are all there for a triumphant return.
‘Avengers: Doomsday': The Big One
Then there's the elephant in the room. Or rather, the staggering cast of MCU actors in the room.
Avengers: Doomsday arrives December 18, 2026—over seven years after Avengers: Endgame became the second-highest-grossing film of all time. That's a long time for Marvel fans to wait for the next true Avengers event, and anticipation has been building to a fever pitch.
The Ingredients for History
Let's break down what Marvel is cooking:
- The Multiverse Saga's climax: This is the culmination of everything since Endgame
- Robert Downey Jr. returns: As Doctor Doom—a casting decision that broke the internet
- Massive MCU cast: Marvel Studios has reportedly assembled a staggering number of actors for this ambitious project
- Two-part story: Doomsday leads directly into Secret Wars (December 2027), making this an event on par with Infinity War/Endgame
- Multiversal Incursions: The Avengers, X-Men, and Fantastic Four reportedly uniting to face reality-ending stakes
Can It Break Records?
The question everyone's asking: could Avengers: Doomsday actually become a new box office champion?
The case for yes: Over seven years of anticipation, a massive cast, Robert Downey Jr.'s return (which will drive enormous curiosity), and Marvel bringing together its biggest superhero teams for the first time. The anticipation for this film is off the charts.
The case for no: Marvel has had a rocky few years with mixed reception for recent projects, potential superhero fatigue, and the incredibly high bar Endgame set.
But here's the thing—Marvel only needs to stick the landing once. If they deliver an emotionally resonant, crowd-pleasing epic, the box office could go nuclear. Doomsday has all the makings of a cultural event.
Even a “disappointment” would likely gross well over a billion dollars. That's the floor for this movie.
The Perfect Storm of Anticipation
What makes both The Mandalorian & Grogu and Avengers: Doomsday so uniquely positioned for record-breaking success is timing. Both franchises have been away from theaters for years. Both have spent that time building anticipation, goodwill, and cultural relevance.
When you make fans wait that long for a true event film, the pent-up demand can be explosive.
These dates have been on the calendar for months, but now that we're just weeks away from 2026, they feel tangible. Real. Unavoidable.
Disney's Redemption Year?
After a challenging 2025—where Lilo & Stitch soared past $1 billion while Marvel stumbled and Snow White failed to connect—Disney needs 2026 to be special. And based on this slate, it should be.
Toy Story 5 will likely cross $1 billion. Moana has strong potential. The Devil Wears Prada 2 should be a solid performer, even if it doesn't reach blockbuster heights.
But The Mandalorian & Grogu and Avengers: Doomsday? Those are the films that could define not just Disney's year, but the entire theatrical landscape of 2026.
As Iger rattled off these titles to shareholders, the message was clear: Disney is betting big on 2026, and they have every reason to be confident. The studio is coming back swinging with its most valuable IP.
We're just weeks away from the new year. The countdown has begun.
