This Week in Disney: Movie Releases, New to Streaming, Park News

Sponsored by

Hello and welcome to This Week in Disney brought to you by DisforDisney.com.

Here are stories we are watching from the Disney fandom universe...

But first, a word from this week’s sponsor (keeping this newsletter free)…

The Key to Better aging: More NAD+

Most skincare works on the surface. Aramore goes where real aging begins: the basal layer of the skin, where new cells form. Backed by decades of research from Harvard and MIT scientists, Aramore is the first topical system designed to support skin’s NAD+ — the molecule your cells rely on for repair, energy, and resilience.

As NAD+ naturally declines with age, visible changes follow: dullness, uneven tone, fine lines, and loss of firmness. Aramore’s unique complex of NAD+ precursors, ketones, and fatty acids helps replenish cells at the source for skin that acts healthier and younger.

Clinically shown to improve tone, radiance, smoothness, and firmness as soon as 28 days.

Get 20% off your first order with code NEWSLETTER20.

Shop Now & Save

Ok, let’s start with the upcoming Disney releases…

🎬 Disney Movie Release Tracker

Here's what's on our radar for upcoming Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Lucasfilm releases:

1. The Devil Wears Prada 2 — May 1, 2026 | Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt, and Stanley Tucci return to the halls of Runway magazine twenty years later. Read the CinemaCon recap.

2. The Mandalorian & Grogu — May 22, 2026 | Pedro Pascal, Sigourney Weaver, and Jeremy Allen White star in the first Star Wars theatrical release in nearly seven years. Watch the final trailer.

3. Toy Story 5 — June 19, 2026 | Tom Hanks and Tim Allen are back as Woody and Buzz, squaring off against Lilypad — a new AI tablet with her own ideas about playtime. Watch the trailer.

4. Moana (Live Action) — July 10, 2026 | Catherine Laga'aia makes her big-screen debut as Moana, with Dwayne Johnson returning as the demigod Maui in this stunning live-action reimagining.

5. Spider-Man: Brand New Day — July 31, 2026 | Jon Bernthal, Sadie Sink, and Mark Ruffalo star as Peter Parker is pulled back into the suit to face a new threat. (Marvel Studios / Sony co-production)

6. Hexed — November 25, 2026 | Hailee Steinfeld voices Billie, a teen who discovers secret magical powers and tumbles into a vast witch realm called Hexe, in this Walt Disney Animation original.

7. Avengers: Doomsday — December 18, 2026 | Robert Downey Jr. returns as Victor Von Doom, with the Russo Brothers directing Marvel's biggest event film in years. CinemaCon footage report.

📰 This Week's Disney Headlines

Disney Steals the Show at CinemaCon 2026
Walt Disney Studios closed out CinemaCon in Las Vegas on April 16 with a jaw-dropping presentation. Robert Downey Jr. made a dramatic entrance in Doctor Doom's green armor to debut exclusive Avengers: Doomsday footage, Tom Hanks and Tim Allen surprised the crowd to introduce Toy Story 5 clips, and Jon Favreau screened the first 18 minutes of The Mandalorian & Grogu — with advance tickets now officially on sale. (The Walt Disney Company)

Pixar's Hoppers Crosses $350 Million Worldwide
Released earlier this year, Pixar's original film Hoppers has officially crossed $350 million globally — the biggest domestic opening for an original animated film since Coco in 2017. It's a huge win for Pixar and a great sign heading into a stacked summer slate. (The Walt Disney Company via CinemaCon)

Josh D'Amaro Is Disney's New CEO
A major leadership shift has taken hold at The Walt Disney Company: Josh D'Amaro, formerly head of Disney Parks, has been named CEO following Bob Iger's departure at the end of 2025. Thomas Mazloum, previously President of Disneyland, steps in as the new Chairman of Disney Experiences. (Disney in Your Day)

Disney's Next Cruise Ship Will Be Called the Believe
Disney has officially named its next cruise ship the Disney Believe — a sister vessel to the Wish, Treasure, and Destiny — with a debut expected in late 2027. Tickets for the D23 fan event (August 14–16 in Anaheim) also went on sale this month. (Disney in Your Day)

🏰 Parks & Experiences

Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets Opens May 26!
The biggest parks news this week: Disney World has officially confirmed that Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets opens May 26, 2026 at Hollywood Studios. Guests will board the L.I.M.O. (Lengthy Immediate Motion Object) and race across town to get The Electric Mayhem to their concert on time. The brand-new soundtrack features five covers including "Love Rollercoaster" with Jennifer Hudson & Questlove, "Walking on Sunshine" with Kelly Clarkson, and "Rock! Rock! (Till You Drop)" with Def Leppard. Previews for Annual Passholders and DVC members are coming — stay tuned for dates.

May 26 Is One Massive Day at Disney World
The Muppets coaster isn't the only thing opening on Memorial Day weekend! Bluey's Wild World debuts at Animal Kingdom (with Bluey & Bingo meet-and-greets plus an Australian animal petting zoo), a refreshed Soarin' Across America honoring the nation's 250th birthday opens at EPCOT, and a reimagined Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run with a Grogu storyline launches at Hollywood Studios. It might be the most packed single opening day in Walt Disney World history.

📺 Disney+ & Streaming

Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord (Now Streaming)
Two new episodes drop every Wednesday. Set after The Clone Wars, the animated series follows Darth Maul as he builds a galactic criminal syndicate and takes on a young apprentice. See the full episode release schedule.

Daredevil: Born Again — Season 2 (Now Streaming)
New episodes drop every Tuesday. Mayor Wilson Fisk has New York City in an iron grip, and Matt Murdock is assembling everything he has to fight back. Episodes 4–7 roll out throughout April — it's heating up fast.

Disneynature's Orangutan — Premieres Earth Day, April 22
Narrated by Josh Gad, this stunning new documentary follows Indah, a young orangutan taking her first steps toward independence deep in the rainforests of Southeast Asia. Streaming exclusively on Disney+ this Wednesday — perfect Earth Day viewing for the whole family.

Daily news for curious minds.

Be the smartest person in the room. 1440 navigates 100+ sources to deliver a comprehensive, unbiased news roundup — politics, business, culture, and more — in a quick, 5-minute read. Completely free, completely factual.

Sign up now!

🧠 Did You Know?

Mickey Mouse almost had a very different name! Walt Disney originally called his beloved mouse Mortimer — but his wife Lillian pushed back, saying the name sounded too pompous. Walt agreed, and "Mickey" was born. Imagine cheering for Mortimer Mouse at the Magic Kingdom… somehow it just doesn't have the same ring to it. 🐭

Until next week — keep the magic alive! ✨