For anyone who isn’t privy to the ever-changing details of the American entertainment industry, it may come as a surprise to see so many of your favourite titles under the banner of one studio. Disney is something of a puppet master now, pulling the strings in Hollywood as it slings countless box office hits into cinemas.
The company’s rapid growth in recent years can be put down to the acquisition of two rival studios, and subsequently, their film rights. Firstly, Disney bought Lucasfilm in 2012 for US$4.05 billion, making George Lucas the richest celebrity in America and handing them the keys to the Star Wars kingdom. Despite sounding like a hefty sum, it’s worth noting that Disney’s investment was recouped within just six years thanks to the release of four Star Wars films post-purchase.
Secondly, and much to the delight of Rupert Murdoch’s children, Disney acquired 21st Century Fox in March this year for a crisp US$71.3 billion, hence transferring rights to the X-Men franchise and a plethora of standalone titles. While we’re at it, let’s not forget their cheeky purchase of Marvel Studios for US$4.24 billion back in 2009.
Disney’s aggressive market tactics have afforded them quite a stacked roster. Obviously quite chuffed with themselves, they’ve published an official release schedule until 2027. Check out the full list below, along with some speculation where details are scarce.
2019
- 10/05: TOLKIEN
- 24/05: ALADDIN
- 07/06: DARK PHOENIX
- 21/06: TOY STORY 4
- 12/07: STUBER
- 19/07: THE LION KING
- 09/08: THE ART OF RACING IN THE RAIN
- 23/08: READY OR NOT
- 20/09: AD ASTRA
- 04/10: THE WOMAN IN THE WINDOW
- 18/10: MALEFICENT: MISTRESS OF EVIL
- 15/11: FORD v. FERRARI
- 22/11: FROZEN 2
- 20/12: STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER
- 25/12: SPIES IN DISGUISE
2020
- 10/01: UNDERWATER
- 14/02: UNTITLED KINGSMAN PREQUEL
- 21/02: CALL OF THE WILD
- 06/03: ONWARD
- 27/03: MULAN
- 03/04: THE NEW MUTANTS
- 01/05: UNTITLED MARVEL (possibly the Black Widow movie currently in the works)
- 29/05: ARTEMIS FOWL
- 19/06: UNTITLED PIXAR ANIMATION
- 03/07: FREE GUY
- 17/07: BOB’S BURGERS
- 24/07: JUNGLE CRUISE
- 14/08: THE ONE AND ONLY IVAN
- 09/10: DEATH ON THE NILE
- 06/11: UNTITLED MARVEL (rumoured to be ‘The Eternals’)
- 06/11: RON’S GONE WRONG
- 25/11: UNTITLED DISNEY ANIMATION
- 18/12: WEST SIDE STORY
- 23/12: CRUELLA
2021
- 12/02: UNTITLED MARVEL (expected to be a ‘Black Panther’ sequel)
- 05/03: NIMONA
- 12/03: UNTITLED DISNEY LIVE ACTION (a sequel to ‘The Jungle Book’ is in the works)
- 07/05: UNTITLED MARVEL (a sequel to ‘Doctor Strange’ is expected at some point)
- 28/05: UNTITLED DISNEY LIVE ACTION (possibly a ‘The Sword in the Stone’ remake)
- 18/06: UNTITLED PIXAR ANIMATION
- 09/07: UNTITLED INDIANA JONES
- 30/07: UNTITLED DISNEY LIVE ACTION (a Prince Charming film is in pre-production)
- 08/10: UNTITLED DISNEY LIVE ACTION (‘Peter Pan’ is reportedly getting a remake)
- 05/11: UNTITLED MARVEL
- 24/11: UNTITLED DISNEY ANIMATION (potentially from the ‘Zootopia’ co-producer)
- 17/12: AVATAR 2
2022
- 18/02: UNTITLED MARVEL (‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.3’ is a possibility)
- 18/03: UNTITLED PIXAR
- 06/05: UNTITLED MARVEL (a ‘Captain Marvel’ sequel has been greenlit)
- 27/05: UNTITLED DISNEY LIVE ACTION
- 17/06: UNTITLED PIXAR
- 08/07: UNTITLED DISNEY LIVE ACTION
- 29/07: UNTITLED MARVEL (a sequel to ‘Ant Man and The Wasp’ is expected in 2022)
- 07/10: UNTITLED DISNEY LIVE ACTION (a ‘Snow White’ movie is in the works)
- 04/11: UNTITLED DISNEY LIVE ACTION
- 23/11: UNTITLED DISNEY ANIMATION
- 16/12: UNTITLED STAR WARS
2023
- 17/02: UNTITLED DISNEY LIVE ACTION
- 22/12: AVATAR 3
2024
- 20/12: UNTITLED STAR WARS
2025
- 19/12: AVATAR 4
2026
- 18/12: UNTITLED STAR WARS
2027
- 17/12: AVATAR 5
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