Walt Disney Animation Studios has signaled the beginning of a creative shift, hinting at a return to original storytelling after years dominated by sequels, spinoffs, and live-action remakes of existing movies. The change comes during what many fans and critics have labeled Disney’s “sequel era,” a period defined by follow-up films and reimaginings that have dominated the studio’s release slate.
The Dominance of Sequels and Remakes
The studio’s recent output offers a clear explanation for why sequels have been so heavily prioritized. Live-action and animated follow-ups, including Lilo & Stitch (2025), Moana 2 (2024), Inside Out 2 (2024), and Frozen 2 (2019), all delivered substantial box office numbers and continued to perform well on Disney+. Even as original films like Encanto (2021) achieved cultural staying power, others such as Strange World (2022) and Wish (2023) struggled to find an audience.
Not every franchise continuation met expectations. Lightyear (2022) and Snow White (2025) are among the studio’s more disappointing, unoriginal offerings. Still, Disney remains committed to its most reliable properties. Upcoming releases include the live-action Moana (2026), Toy Story 5 (2026), and Frozen 3 (2027). The cast of the original Frozen (2013) has already agreed to return for a fourth installment, though no release window has been announced.
A New Direction After Creative Reassessment
In recent years, The Walt Disney Company pledged to scale back the aggressive “quantity-over-quality” strategy introduced under former CEO Bob Chapek. That shift resulted in several cancellations of planned Disney+ exclusives, including the scrapped animated series based on The Princess and the Frog (2009).
Now, the studio is moving toward a more curated release slate. In an interview with The New York Times, Zootopia 2 (2025) director Jared Bush confirmed that Walt Disney Animation Studios is developing an original animated film slated for theatrical release in 2028.
“It’s not a human world,” Bush said. “It’s a very different style than we usually do.”
Jared Bush confirms that Walt Disney Animation Studios will release an original film in 2028.
“It’s not a human world. It’s a very different style than we usually do.”
(Source: @nytimes)
Jared Bush confirms that Walt Disney Animation Studios will release an original film in 2028.
“It’s not a human world. It’s a very different style than we usually do.”
(Source: @nytimes) pic.twitter.com/XhHA4scsmG
— Boardwalk Times (@BoardwalkTimes) November 26, 2025
Although he declined to share plot details, Bush acknowledged that he has spent “a lot – a lot” of time thinking about artistic evolution and the potential for new storytelling approaches, especially following the success of Netflix’s anime-inspired KPop Demon Hunters (2025).
A Step Toward Reclaiming Disney Animation’s Legacy
The New York Times article suggests that Walt Disney Animation may be working toward a new creative chapter, one that mirrors earlier eras defined by original hits like The Little Mermaid (1989), Beauty and the Beast (1991), and The Lion King (1994):
“Original animated hits are crucial for Disney because they keep the company relevant with families and strengthen the company’s famed ‘flywheel.’ That term refers to the ways in which Disney monetizes its characters on an endless loop — from movies to consumer products to streaming services to theme parks.”
For now, fans eager for Walt Disney Animation’s next great wave will have to wait until 2028 to see whether this untitled original project signals the true beginning of a new era.
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