Disney Doubles Down on 11 Sequels and Live-Action Remakes Through 2029 Despite Backlash
Disney isn’t being shy about what it wants moviegoers to watch over the next few years.
The company has unveiled another packed lineup, and plenty of familiar faces are coming with it. Sequels, superheroes, live-action projects, and massive franchises will dominate a significant portion of Disney’s theatrical schedule through 2029.
For anyone already feeling franchise fatigue, Disney’s answer appears simple: there’s plenty more on the way.
Disney Is Doubling Down on What Already Works
Disney has leaned on established properties for years, whether that means revisiting an animated classic in live action or extending a successful movie with another sequel.
That strategy remains firmly in place.
Across Disney Animation, Pixar, Marvel, and Lucasfilm, 11 movies connected to established franchises now have release plans between 2026 and 2029.
Disney also has another major animated sequel in development that could eventually add to the list.
Frozen Leads Disney’s Animated Sequels
One of Disney’s biggest modern franchises will return first.
Frozen 3 (2027) opens November 24, 2027, with Anna, Elsa, Kristoff, and Olaf coming back. Disney’s D23 footage teased Anna’s wedding and a mysterious new female threat who could cause trouble for Elsa.
Pixar isn’t sitting out the sequel push either.
Incredibles 3 (2028) arrives June 16, 2028. Peter Sohn directs the third movie, which brings the Parr family, Frozone, and Edna Mode back for another adventure.
Then Coco 2 (2029) arrives in November 2029. Miguel will be a teenager this time and return to the Land of the Dead, while Ernesto de la Cruz will once again play a role in the story.
Disney Hasn’t Finished With Live Action
Animation isn’t the only place Disney is revisiting familiar movies.
The live-action Tangled (2028) opens March 31, 2028. Teagan Croft stars as Rapunzel alongside Milo Manheim as Flynn Rider and Kathryn Hahn as Mother Gothel. Michael Gracey directs the new take on Disney’s Tangled (2010).
Another live-action property is already getting a sequel.
Lilo & Stitch 2 (2028) arrives May 26, 2028, following the live-action Lilo & Stitch (2025). Stitch will return, while Angel joins the new movie.
From there, Disney’s franchise strategy gets even bigger.
Marvel Is Loading Up 2026 Through 2028
Marvel has several major movies coming over the next three years.
Avengers: Doomsday (2026) opens December 18, 2026. Robert Downey Jr. plays Doctor Doom, while Chris Evans returns as Steve Rogers.
The story then moves toward Avengers: Secret Wars (2027), scheduled for December 17, 2027. Marvel hasn’t revealed many details, but another massive Avengers event is on the calendar.
The untitled X-Men (2028) movie arrives May 5, 2028. Sadie Sink will play Jean Grey, Kit Connor will portray Cyclops, Christopher Abbott will take on Professor X, and Adam Driver will play Mister Sinister.
Marvel follows that with Black Panther 3 (2028) on December 15. David Jonsson will play T’Challa’s son as Wakanda’s story moves forward.
Ryan Gosling is also taking on another recognizable Marvel character in Ghost Rider (2028). Shawn Levy directs, although Disney hasn’t announced an exact release date.
Star Wars Isn’t Going Anywhere Either
Disney also has another Star Wars movie headed to theaters.
Star Wars: Starfighter (2027) arrives May 28, 2027. Gosling stars as Kade Auberon, with Amy Adams, Matt Smith, Mia Goth, and Aaron Pierre joining him. Levy directs this project as well.
The movie tells a new story within the larger Star Wars universe rather than acting as a direct sequel.
With Starfighter included, Disney currently has 11 major franchise movies on this list, scheduled between 2026 and 2029.
A 12th Franchise Is Already Waiting
That number could eventually grow.
Disney confirmed Zootopia 3 at D23, revealing that another sequel is officially in early development after Zootopia 2 (2025).
There’s one important difference, though: Disney hasn’t announced a release date for Zootopia 3.
That means it doesn’t count among the 11 projects confirmed for the 2026–2029 window. Disney could eventually place it somewhere in that period, but for now, its theatrical timing remains unknown.
Disney Is Sticking With Familiar Worlds
There are still original movies in Disney’s future, but the company’s reliance on recognizable franchises isn’t disappearing.
Frozen 3 (2027), Incredibles 3 (2028), Coco 2 (2029), Tangled (2028), two Avengers movies, and several other established properties are all coming. Disney clearly sees plenty of value in returning to characters and stories that already have massive audiences.
And Zootopia 3 is already waiting without a date.
That gives Disney several years packed with familiar names, from animated favorites to superheroes and Star Wars. The strategy carries some risk, especially as audiences become more selective about which franchise movies they support.
Disney is betting that familiar characters can keep pulling audiences back to theaters. With so many sequels, remakes, and established franchises coming, the company will get plenty of chances to test that strategy. By 2029, we’ll have a much better idea of whether that bet paid off.
