Disney and Pixar used Friday night’s D23 Entertainment Showcase to announce two new original features, unveil early footage and artwork from several sequels, and provide fresh looks at the studios’ upcoming releases.

The presentation covered films scheduled through 2029. Below, we’ve rounded up the major feature animation announcements, excluding The Bluey Movie, which we covered separately.

Clay

(Pictured above) Walt Disney Animation Studios announced Clay, an original feature directed by Fawn Veerasunthorn, who directed Wish and Hexed (more on that later). The film is scheduled for November 2028.

The story centers on Flip, a reluctant mentor voiced by Kieran Culkin, who is selected during an annual ritual to guide a young ball of clay named Mushy. Disney animation chief creative officer Jared Bush described the premise as a reversal of the studio’s long tradition of wise mentor characters: Flip is apparently terrible at the job. The mismatched pair is subsequently pulled into what Disney describes as a chaotic and life-changing adventure. First-look concept art introduced the two central characters.


Zootopia 3

Disney also confirmed that Zootopia 3 is officially in development. This is about as unsurprising as news gets, given that the franchise’s second film is the highest-grossing Western animated feature in history. No story details, filmmakers, footage, or release date were announced, although Ginnifer Goodwin and Ke Huy Quan are set to return as Judy Hopps and Gary De’Snake, respectively.


Ghost Market

Pixar gave its most detailed peek yet of Ghost Market, an original supernatural feature arriving in spring 2028. The project had previously been reported under the title Ono Ghost Market.

The story follows a young Chicago content creator named Kyle whose vacation in Hawaii takes a supernatural turn when a late-night search for food leads him to a hidden market at the crossroads of the living and the dead. The project draws inspiration from Asian folklore surrounding ghost markets and festivals for hungry spirits. A brief teaser leaned into the protagonist’s online-video perspective. The film is directed by Weekends filmmaker Trevor Jimenez and Jesse Andrews (Hoppers), with Becky Neiman-Cobb producing.


Frozen 3Frozen 3

Disney showed the first footage from Frozen 3, which will return to Arendelle on November 24, 2027. The preview confirmed that Anna and Kristoff will marry in the film, with Elsa third-wheeling the festivities.

Footage shown to attendees featured the couple on their wedding night, when they encounter Elsa studying a mysterious stone on a dock. The object apparently opens a portal to another dimension and is connected to a new female adversary from a land described as wilder and more dangerous than anything the characters have encountered before. Jennifer Lee is directing with Trent Correy.


Coco 2Coco 2

Pixar’s first image from Coco 2 revealed that Miguel is now a teenager, still carrying his guitar and pursuing his ambition of becoming a musician. The sequel is scheduled for November 2029.

Miguel will again travel to the Land of the Dead as Ernesto de la Cruz returns seeking revenge. Original director Lee Unkrich and co-director Adrian Molina are returning for the sequel, with Mark Nielsen producing. Benjamin Bratt will reprise his role as Ernesto, while the first-look image also featured Dante alongside the older Miguel.


Incredibles 3Incredibles 3

The Parr children will take center stage in Incredibles 3. Concept art shown at D23 featured Violet, Dash, and Jack-Jack, who will reportedly sneak out at night to protect the city while hiding their activities from their parents. Despite the long gap between movies, the third installment will not include a significant time jump, and the children remain roughly the same ages.

Bob Parr, meanwhile, is struggling to find his place now that superheroes are legal again. The film will also introduce a powerful new villain and explore the idea that not every superhero is necessarily heroic. Peter Sohn (Elemental, The Good Dinosaur) is directing, taking over from franchise creator Brad Bird. The film is scheduled for June 16, 2028.


Gatto

Gatto

D23 attendees saw an extended clip and a new trailer for Pixar’s Gatto, which opens March 5, 2027. The rest of us have to settle for a new still. Directed by Enrico Casarosa, the film follows Nero, a black cat living in Venice who is indebted to a feline mob boss.

The footage showed Nero attempting to steal a street performer’s valuable violin with assistance from a flock of birds. Mark Ruffalo voices Nero, with Laurence Fishburne playing mob boss Rocco.


Hexed

Disney Animation offered another look at Hexed, its next theatrical feature, ahead of its November 25 release. Directed by Jason Hand, with the aforementioned Veerasunthorn and Josie Trinidad co-directing, the fantasy comedy follows Billie Doe, a teenager who discovers her seemingly ordinary family has deep connections to a magical world called Hexe.

The D23 presentation introduced several of the film’s magical characters and objects, including a talking journal, an enchanted quill, the villainous Queen Celeste, and a three-eyed green cat named Beef Roger Crummchuck. Hailee Steinfeld voices Billie, with Jodie Foster as Queen Celeste and Walton Goggins as Beef Roger.

Latest News from Cartoon Brew