Woody, Elsa, Grogu, and Doom: Why 2026 is Officially the Year of the Disney Blockbuster
As the curtain closes on a record-breaking 2025, The Walt Disney Studios is standing on the precipice of cinematic history. On the heels of a massive global haul, Disney has officially reclaimed its throne as the highest-grossing studio in Hollywood. But the most impressive stat isn’t just the total revenue—it’s the consistency.
In 2024, Disney dominated with a trio of billion-dollar hits: Inside Out 2, Deadpool & Wolverine, and Moana 2. By the end of 2025, they repeated the feat. Now, looking ahead to 2026, the studio is positioned for an unprecedented “three-peat”—securing at least three billion-dollar blockbusters for the third consecutive year.
2025 Retrospective: The Year of Zootopia and the Na’vi
To understand the momentum behind the 2026 slate, one must look at the staggering numbers from 2025. Disney ended the year with an estimated $6.58 billion global box office total, far outstripping competitors like Warner Bros. and Universal.
The studio’s “Three Billion-Dollar Club” for 2025 included:
- Zootopia 2: The crown jewel of the year, grossing a massive $1.588 billion. It officially surpassed Frozen 2 to become the highest-grossing Walt Disney Animation Studios film of all time.
- Avatar: Fire and Ash: Despite a more competitive market, James Cameron’s third installment crossed the $1 billion mark in just over two weeks, currently sitting at $1.083 billion as of January 4, 2026.
- Lilo & Stitch (Live-Action): A surprise juggernaut, this reimagining captured global audiences to the tune of $1.038 billion, proving that Disney’s live-action “vault” still holds immense power.
The 2026 “Sure-Fire” Billion-Dollar Contenders
Assuming the “three-peat” strategy stays on track, Disney is banking on three legendary franchises to lead the charge in 2026.
Avengers: Doomsday (December 18, 2026)
Marvel Studios is set to deliver what may be the biggest movie of the decade. With Robert Downey Jr. returning as Victor von Doom and the Russo Brothers back at the helm, Avengers: Doomsday is the ultimate “event film.” Given that every Avengers film has cleared the billion-dollar hurdle (with the last two clearing two billion), this is the year’s most certain bet.
Toy Story 5 (June 19, 2026)
Pixar is heading back to the toy box. Directed by Andrew Stanton, Toy Story 5 will see Woody, Buzz, and the gang facing a new threat: the digital age. Both Toy Story 3 and Toy Story 4 are members of the billion-dollar club, and with Pixar’s recent resurgence via Inside Out 2, expectations for this installment are sky-high.
Frozen III (November 25, 2026)
The Thanksgiving slot is reserved for Arendelle. Frozen II remains one of the highest-grossing animated films of all time, with a total of $1.45 billion. Elsa and Anna have become permanent fixtures in global pop culture, and a six-year wait for a sequel has created a level of pent-up demand that practically guarantees a ten-figure box office run.
The Star Wars Wildcard: The Mandalorian and Grogu
Adding a new layer to Disney’s 2026 dominance is The Mandalorian and Grogu (May 22, 2026). This marks the return of Star Wars to the big screen for the first time since 2019’s The Rise of Skywalker.
While some analysts have debated the “TV-to-film” transition, “Mando” and “Baby Yoda” are the most culturally significant Star Wars characters of the last decade. If the film can successfully bridge the gap for casual fans who didn’t follow the Disney+ series, it has a legitimate path to $1 billion. Its prime Memorial Day weekend release slot suggests Disney has massive confidence in the bounty hunter’s theatrical power.
Pushing Boundaries: New Animation from Pixar
While sequels are the financial backbone, Pixar is also launching a bold new original IP in 2026.
Hoppers (March 6, 2026) This sci-fi comedy follows Mabel, a girl who “hops” her consciousness into a robotic beaver to talk to animals. While original films have a more challenging climb to the billion-dollar mark, Hoppers is being positioned as a “high-concept” hit that could replicate the success of films like Coco or Zootopia if word of mouth takes off.
2026: A Release Schedule Built for Dominance
- Hoppers (Pixar): March 6, 2026
- Avengers: Doomsday (Marvel): May 1, 2026
- The Mandalorian & Grogu (Lucasfilm): May 22, 2026
- Toy Story 5 (Pixar): June 19, 2026
- Moana (Live-Action): July 10, 2026
- Frozen III (Disney Animation): November 25, 2026
If the current momentum continues, Disney will not only celebrate its third straight year with at least three billion-dollar hits but could potentially see five films cross that mark in a single calendar year—a feat that would redefine the modern box office.
Which film do you think will be 2026’s highest grosser? Can The Mandalorian and Grogu beat the Avengers? Share your predictions in the comments!
