Disney Doubles Down on Sequels and Classic Characters at D23 2026

 

Disney is leaning heavily into familiar franchises while also reviving one of its earliest animated creations as the company takes center stage at this year’s D23 event.

Josh D’Amaro, who assumed the Disney chief executive role in March, opened the gathering, which has evolved into one of the entertainment industry’s major showcases for upcoming films, series and streaming projects. The event brings together performers, filmmakers and creative teams to give audiences an early look at what Disney has in development.

Among the biggest announcements was a substantial slate of sequels. Pixar presented early previews of Gatto and Ghost Market, while also highlighting The Incredibles 3 and Coco 2.

Disney’s broader lineup followed the same franchise-driven strategy. Lilo & Stitch 2, Ice Age: Boiling Point and Frozen 3 were among the projects promoted during the event, with Kristen Bell, Idina Menzel and Josh Gad appearing to spotlight the next chapter of the Frozen saga.

The concentration of follow-ups was hard to miss. For longtime Disney audiences, the approach reflects the studio’s growing reliance on established properties with built-in global recognition. Sequels can provide studios with a familiar foundation while allowing filmmakers to expand stories that already have large fan bases.

D23 also offered a notable connection to Disney’s earliest animation history.

Filmmaker Jon Favreau introduced Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, a new miniseries scheduled to arrive on Disney+ next year. The character occupies a significant place in animation history because Oswald predates Mickey Mouse. Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks created the rabbit in 1927 for Universal Pictures.

Disney eventually regained control of Oswald decades later after acquiring the character’s rights in 2006, bringing one of the company’s foundational animated figures back into its own portfolio.

The combination of major sequels and a long-dormant classic illustrates Disney’s current strategy from two angles: extending proven franchises while mining its extensive archive for properties that can be reintroduced to modern audiences.

D23 is scheduled to conclude Sunday, with additional announcements expected before the event closes.