Disney has made its movie strategy pretty clear for the next several years, and anyone hoping the company might move away from familiar franchises probably won't find much evidence of that happening.
A new round of announcements has filled Disney's theatrical calendar with returning superheroes, animated favorites, live-action versions of classics, and some of Hollywood's biggest franchises.
There are now 11 major franchise movies on this list with confirmed release plans between 2026 and 2029. Another sequel is already in development, but there's no release date yet.
Disney Isn't Moving Away From Familiar Names
Sequels and live-action projects have become a major part of Disney's movie business.
The strategy isn't complicated. Established characters already have audiences, and successful movies can extend far beyond theaters through streaming, merchandise, and theme parks.
Disney's upcoming calendar shows how committed the company remains to that approach. Disney Animation, Pixar, Marvel, and Lucasfilm all have familiar properties headed to theaters over the next few years.
And one of Disney's biggest animated franchises will get things started.
Frozen and Pixar Have More Stories Coming
Frozen 3 (2027) will hit theaters on November 24, 2027. Anna, Elsa, Kristoff, and Olaf return, while footage shown at D23 teased Anna's wedding and a mysterious new female threat.
Pixar will follow with two returning franchises.
Incredibles 3 (2028) arrives June 16, 2028. Peter Sohn will direct, with the Parr family, Frozone, and Edna Mode returning for another super-powered adventure.
Then comes Coco 2 (2029) in November 2029. Miguel will now be a teenager and return to the Land of the Dead. Ernesto de la Cruz will also play a role in the story again.
But Disney isn't limiting this strategy to animation.
Disney's Live-Action Push Continues
The live-action Tangled (2028) opens on March 31, 2028, with Michael Gracey directing. Teagan Croft will play Rapunzel, Milo Manheim will portray Flynn Rider, and Kathryn Hahn will step into the role of Mother Gothel.
Disney is also turning one of its recent remakes into a continuing franchise.
Lilo & Stitch 2 (2028) opens May 26, 2028, following the success of the live-action Lilo & Stitch (2025). Stitch returns for the sequel, and Angel will join the story.
Those projects represent only part of Disney's reliance on familiar brands. Marvel has an even larger group coming.
Marvel Fills Out Disney's Movie Calendar
Avengers: Doomsday (2026) opens December 18, 2026. Robert Downey Jr. will play Doctor Doom, while Chris Evans returns as Steve Rogers.
One year later, Avengers: Secret Wars (2027) arrives on December 17, 2027. Marvel has kept much of that movie under wraps, but it will continue the massive Avengers storyline.
Marvel will then turn toward several other recognizable properties in 2028.
The untitled X-Men (2028) movie opens May 5. Its cast includes Sadie Sink as Jean Grey, Kit Connor as Cyclops, Christopher Abbott as Professor X, and Adam Driver as Mister Sinister.
Black Panther 3 (2028) is set for December 15, with David Jonsson playing T'Challa's son and continuing Wakanda's story.
Ryan Gosling will also star in Ghost Rider (2028), directed by Shawn Levy. Disney hasn't announced an exact release date.
Star Wars Gets Another Theatrical Movie
Levy also has another major Disney franchise on his schedule.
Star Wars: Starfighter (2027) opens May 28, 2027, with Gosling playing Kade Auberon. Amy Adams, Matt Smith, Mia Goth, and Aaron Pierre also appear.
The movie tells a new story within the Star Wars universe rather than functioning as a direct sequel, but it continues Disney's investment in an established theatrical brand.
Together, these projects bring the list to 11 franchise movies dated between 2026 and 2029.
Zootopia Has Another Sequel Coming, Too
There's actually a 12th major franchise project waiting in the wings.
Disney confirmed Zootopia 3 at D23, with the sequel now in early development following Zootopia 2 (2025).
However, Disney hasn't announced a release date. That keeps Zootopia 3 outside the 11 movies currently confirmed for 2026 through 2029.
It could eventually join that window, but Disney hasn't made that promise yet.
Disney Is Making a Familiar Bet
Disney isn't abandoning original movies, but its upcoming schedule leaves little doubt about how important existing franchises remain.
Between Frozen 3 (2027), Tangled (2028), Marvel, Pixar, and Star Wars, Disney has filled its calendar for years with recognizable properties.
Even Zootopia 3 is already waiting beyond the currently dated group.
Disney clearly believes audiences still want these worlds and characters. The next few years will reveal whether moviegoers agree.
