THE APEX TIMES
Disney sets out summer 2026 theatrical slate anchored by Toy Story 5 and a live-action Moana
The Walt Disney Company says its “Disney Blockbuster Summer” campaign will span Pixar, Disney Live Action, Searchlight and 20th Century Studios, with four major releases scheduled between June and August 2026 - alongside a longer fall buildup.
Disney is turning its attention back to theaters this summer, pitching a mix of legacy franchises, brand-new voice casts and franchise expansion as part of a new campaign aimed at turning fandom into in-theater momentum. In a June 4 announcement, The Walt Disney Company outlined what it described as a broad “Disney Blockbuster Summer,” calling it a summer-destination lineup of entertainment and experiences that extends beyond the season.
The studio also tied its summer slate to what it said is already strong theatrical traction in 2026. Disney said Walt Disney Studios became the first studio to surpass $2 billion worldwide “this year,” and pointed to recent performance from multiple releases. Among them: Disney and Pixar’s Hoppers delivered, according to Disney, the biggest domestic debut for an original animated film since Coco (2017), and 20th Century Studios’ The Devil Wears Prada 2 held appeal nearly two decades after the original film.
Disney further linked its theatrical push to its streaming ecosystem. It said Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu marked Star Wars’ return to the big screen and opened as the No. 1 film in the world, building on the strength of The Mandalorian, which it described as Disney+’s most-watched Original, with more than 1.3 billion hours streamed globally. (An “Original” on Disney+ typically refers to content commissioned or produced for the platform.)
For summer 2026 itself, Disney’s lineup begins with Toy Story 5 on June 19, with the studio describing the film as an “all-new adventure” that explores what happens when “Toy meets Tech.” The announcement highlights a premise centered on a new device character - Bonnie’s Lilypad, voiced by Greta Lee - along with a returning ensemble led by Tom Hanks (Woody), Tim Allen (Buzz Lightyear) and Joan Cusack (Jessie).
The company also positioned the sequel as a star-powered voice-cast event, naming Craig Robinson, Mykal-Michelle Harris, Shelby Rabara, Matty Matheson, Conan O’Brien and Bad Bunny (Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio), among others. Disney’s release said the film is directed by Andrew Stanton, includes a new score by Randy Newman, and will feature an original song titled “I Knew It, I Knew You” performed by Taylor Swift.
Next up is Disney’s live-action reimagining of Moana, scheduled for July 10. Disney’s announcement says Catherine Laga‘aia steps into the role of Moana, alongside Dwayne Johnson as Maui, describing the new version as a transformation of the animated story “for a new generation.” It also said the film is directed by Thomas Kail and includes new music from Lin-Manuel Miranda, Opetaia Foa‘i and Mark Mancina.
On the comedy front, Disney said Searchlight Pictures will release Super Troopers 3 on August 7, bringing back the Broken Lizard ensemble more than two decades after the first films. The studio framed the story as a spiral of chaos sparked by Farva’s engagement to Thorny’s sister - setting up a plot that includes an effort to crack a new drug ring while trying to protect the wedding.
Disney’s summer theatrical slate closes on August 28 with 20th Century Studios’ The Dog Stars. The studio described the film as an epic thriller based on Peter Heller’s bestselling novel, placing Jacob Elordi and Josh Brolin at the center of a post-apocalyptic journey after a mysterious radio transmission suggests hope - and the possibility that humanity isn’t alone. The announcement also listed a supporting cast that includes Margaret Qualley, Guy Pearce, Benedict Wong and Allison Janney.
Beyond summer, Disney said the runway extends into fall with additional big-screen events. It pointed to a limited theatrical re-release of Avengers: Endgame on September 25, ahead of Marvel Studios’ Avengers: Doomsday arriving in theaters on December 18. It also outlined a series of October to November releases from 20th Century Studios and Searchlight, plus an animated original titled Hexed planned for November 25.
Still, the company’s announcement leaves key commercial details unspecified. It does not provide expected theater counts, marketing budgets, international rollout plans, or what specific box-office or performance targets it is aiming to hit for each release. It also does not break down the “this year” global $2 billion claim by title or reporting window, so investors and analysts will likely wait for Disney’s subsequent earnings materials to connect the slate to segment-level financial guidance.
Why It Matters
- Disney is using a tightly sequenced summer schedule - animated legacy, live-action reinvention, a cult comedy sequel and a novel-based thriller - to broaden appeal across audience demographics and fan communities.
- The studio’s promotional framing ties theatrical releases to streaming performance and prior box-office claims, reinforcing Disney’s strategy to treat platforms and franchises as interconnected demand engines.
- High-profile talent attachments - especially Taylor Swift and expanded voice casting for Toy Story 5 - announcement Disney’s continued reliance on celebrity-led marketing to drive opening-weekend interest.
Key Facts
- Disney’s “Disney Blockbuster Summer” campaign spotlights four major theatrical releases between June 19 and August 28, 2026.
- Toy Story 5 opens June 19 and features returning main cast plus a new voice cast including Bad Bunny; Disney says it also includes a Taylor Swift original song.
- Disney’s live-action Moana is scheduled for July 10, starring Catherine Laga‘aia and Dwayne Johnson, with new music from Lin-Manuel Miranda and others.
- Searchlight’s Super Troopers 3 is set for August 7, marking a return of the Broken Lizard troupe to theaters.
- 20th Century Studios’ The Dog Stars arrives August 28, with Jacob Elordi and Josh Brolin leading a post-apocalyptic thriller.
- Disney also outlined fall theatrical plans, including an Avengers: Endgame re-release on September 25 and Avengers: Doomsday on December 18.
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