It’s been 14 long years since the release of The Incredibles, which still stands as one of the all-time greats from Pixar Animation. For fans of Mr. Incredible, Elastigirl, Jack-Jack, and Edna Mode, the opening of Incredibles 2 on June 15 can’t come soon enough. Not to be outdone, Walt Disney Animation also has a much-longed-for sequel in the works with Ralph Breaks the Internet: Wreck-It Ralph 2 coming to theaters in the fall. But beyond that, there are several other titles to look forward to, both from Pixar and from Walt Disney Animation. Some are sequels to existing favorites, while others are original adventures. Either way, you’re probably going to want to have tissues ready. These films have a knack for drawing a healthy amount of tears along with the laughs. Let’s take a look at what’s on the slate, and stay tuned as we will be updating this page as more projects are confirmed.
(Photo by ©Buena Vista Pictures/courtesy Everett Collection)
It seemed that Toy Story 3 wrapped up the franchise in definitive and satisfying fashion back in 2010 when the grown-up Andy left home for college. But Woody, Buzz Lightyear, and the gang remain among the most adored of all the Pixar characters – and the trilogy has grossed more than $2 billion worldwide – so sure, why not make another one? There’s been trouble in the toy box, though. The fourth installment originally was scheduled to come out in June 2017, but was delayed. Massive script rewrites have been reported, and Pixar and Disney Animation’s chief creative officer John Lasseter, who directed the first and second films, stepped away from co-directing duties after multiple sexual misconduct allegations surfaced last year. Josh Cooley, who originally was set to direct alongside Lasseter, has taken over the responsibility solo. Cooley joined Pixar in 2003 as an intern in the story department on Cars; he has since written and directed a couple of shorts, including the Inside Out spin-off “Riley’s First Date?” As for the plot, Toy Story 4, reportedly is a love story in which Woody goes on a quest to find his beloved Bo Peep. (Lasseter has said the tale was inspired partly by the life of his wife, Nancy.) Much of the original voice cast – including key players Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, and Bonnie Hunt – appears to be returning.
Release date: June 21, 2019
Dan Scanlon (Photo by Photo By: James Atoa/Everett Collection)
Monsters University director and co-writer Dan Scanlon is in production with a new original feature for Pixar Animation. Few details are available about the movie, announced last summer at the D23 Expo, but the story is a personal one for writer-director Scanlon: It’s inspired by the loss of his father when he was very young. The movie, which remains untitled, takes place in a suburban fantasy world with no humans, only elves, trolls, and sprites: “Anything that would be on the side of a van in the ’70s,” Scanlon joked. He continued: “In the film, we’re going to tell the story of two teenage elf brothers whose father died when they were too young to remember him. But thanks to the little magic still left in the world, the boys embark on a quest that will allow them a chance to spend one last magical day with their father.” A release date hasn’t been set yet. But one thing is certain: This will be a tearjerker.
Release date: TBD
Wreck-It Ralph, Vanellope von Schweetz, Fix-It Felix, and the gang are busting out of the arcade and taking a ride on the World Wide Web in this sequel to the 2012 smash hit. John C. Reilly, Sarah Silverman, and Jack McBrayer are back to voice their popular roles, as is director Rich Moore, who’s joined on helming duties by original Ralph co-writer Phil Johnston (Zootopia). When Ralph, Vanellope, and their video game friends discover a newly installed Wi-Fi router in the arcade, it leads them to a world of information and possibilities they never knew existed. That includes a cavalcade of Disney princesses, from Merida and Moana to Ariel and Belle. And just to heighten the film’s dazzling star factor, Taraji P. Henson joins the cast as a character named Yesss, who always knows what’s trending. You can say yes to Ralph Breaks the Internet: Wreck-It Ralph 2 just before Thanksgiving.
Release date: November 21, 2018
(Photo by ©Walt Disney Pictures/courtesy Everett C)
The original Frozen – as you may be aware – became a massive pop-culture sensation when it was released in 2013, eventually earning nearly $1.3 billion worldwide. It won Oscars for best animated feature and best original song (for the insanely catchy “Let It Go”), spawned a Broadway musical, and inspired countless Halloween costumes and figure skating routines. The decision to make a sequel was a no-brainer; actually making the film itself – and making sure it lives up to the standards of the beloved original — takes time. So don’t expect to revisit Elsa, Anna, Olaf, and their frosty friends until November next year. The sequel doesn’t even have an official title yet, but directors Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee are returning, as are voice stars Idina Menzel, Kristen Bell, and Josh Gad. We know from last summer’s D23 Expo that the filmmakers traveled to Norway, Finland, and Iceland on a research mission. So if anyone in Arendelle wants to build a snowman, it’ll certainly look authentic.
Release date: November 27, 2019
