Jonathan Sim
Disney delivered one of the most wide-ranging and spectacle-driven presentations at CinemaCon, reinforcing its dominance across franchises, animation, and theatrical innovation while packing the panel with major reveals, extended footage, and nostalgic returns. The studio emphasized its continued commitment to theaters, noting its industry-leading 57-day average theatrical window, before diving into a slate that spanned everything from legacy sequels to massive crossover events.
The presentation opened with a video introduction from Anne Hathaway, who teased The Devil Wears Prada 2 with a sneak peek, setting the tone for a lineup built on recognizable titles with fresh angles. From there, Jon Favreau took the stage to introduce The Mandalorian & Grogu, confirming tickets go on sale April 17 and presenting an extended look that included the film’s opening sequence.
The footage picks up in a galaxy still reeling from the fall of the Empire, now fractured into ex-imperial warlords. Din Djarin and Grogu are hunting down imperial fugitives, with action sequences that include Grogu using the Force to destroy a droid. A standout moment features Din infiltrating an Imperial base and eliminating enemies in close quarters, while a returning Zeb Orrelios appears in live-action to assist in an escape. The footage also introduces a new mission involving Sigourney Weaver’s character, who tasks Din with seeking out Rotta the Hutt to help rescue a kidnapped child, giving the story a clear forward drive.
Pixar and Disney Animation brought both nostalgia and new ideas. Toy Story 5 screened exclusive clips that leaned into both emotional continuity and comedic evolution. One sequence introduces a device called Lilypad that helps Bonnie make friends through constant digital connection, while another reveals the return of Woody in a humorous, self-aware twist—now older, slightly out of shape, and balding, as he reunites with the gang. Tom Hanks and Tim Allen appeared onstage, reflecting on their three decades as Woody and Buzz Lightyear.
Meanwhile, Disney Animation previewed Hexed, centered on an unconventional protagonist named Billy (Hailee Steinfeld) navigating a magical realm alongside her mother, voiced by Rashida Jones.
Live-action spectacle continued with Moana, as Dwayne Johnson took the stage alongside Catherine Lagaʻaia to debut the first look at Johnson performing “You’re Welcome” as Maui, a moment that blended fan service with a showcase of the film’s scale. Johnson also shared a personal connection, revealing that the character of Maui was inspired by his grandfather.
Under the 20th Century banner, The Dog Stars was introduced as an intense, survival-driven epic directed by Ridley Scott and starring Jacob Elordi, Margaret Qualley, Josh Brolin, Guy Pearce, and Allison Janney, with a release set for August 28. A separate clip from Whalefall, starring Brolin and Austin Abrams, teased a harrowing story of a young man searching for his missing father at sea.
Searchlight’s offerings included Wild Horse Nine, set for November 6, alongside projects like Behemoth from Tony Gilroy starring Pedro Pascal, Sweetsick starring Cate Blanchett, as well as Super Troopers 3 arriving August 7.
Animation nostalgia continued with Ice Age: Boiling Point, set for February 5, 2027, with Ray Romano, Denis Leary, and Queen Latifah appearing to introduce footage. The clip revealed Scrat now dealing with fatherhood, teaching Baby Scrat how to store acorns, while Manny declares, “It’s good to be back,” leaning into the franchise’s long-awaited return.
On the technology front, Disney introduced Infinity Vision, a new initiative designed to help audiences identify theaters offering the best possible screen and sound experience, while also announcing a special Infinity Vision re-release of Avengers: Endgame this September featuring never-before-seen footage.
Marvel Studios closed the presentation with its biggest swing. Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Kevin Feige, and the Russo Brothers took the stage to debut the first trailer for Avengers: Doomsday, a crossover event years in the making.
The footage teased a storyline that reaches back to the original X-Men era while bringing together multiple corners of the Marvel universe. A new Avengers Tower looms over the action as the Fantastic Four come face-to-face with Bucky Barnes and Captain America, while battles erupt across the board, including Shang-Chi fighting Gambit and Yelena Belova confronting Mystique. Namor returns, and Doctor Doom emerges as a central threat, even blocking an attack from Thor wielding Stormbreaker. The trailer’s emotional peak comes with Steve Rogers returning to deliver a simple “Hey pal” before once again summoning Mjolnir, a moment that drew massive reactions from the crowd. The film is currently set for a December release, positioning it as one of Marvel’s biggest event films in years.
Across its presentation, Disney showcased a strategy built on scale, legacy, and innovation, blending beloved franchises with new storytelling and technological advancements, all aimed at reinforcing the theatrical experience as the centerpiece of its future.
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