ANAHEIM, Calif. — Disney’s D23 Expo returns to Anaheim this week with an evening Entertainment Showcase that studio leaders and fans expect will outline the company’s next slate of film, television and theme-park projects.
The event, scheduled to begin at 10 p.m. Eastern / 7 p.m. Pacific, will present upcoming content from Disney Animation, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, 20th Century Studios and Disney+, according to the company’s program and pre-show coverage. For those not attending in person, media outlets are providing live coverage of the panel.
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What to expect
Organizers and reporters say the showcase will include announcements, teases and expanded looks at forthcoming movies and television series as well as potential theme-park developments and merchandise reveals. Industry watchers are particularly focused on how Disney will balance theatrical releases with content for its Disney+ streaming service and what that balance signals for major franchise strategies.
- Marvel Cinematic Universe — speculation centers on upcoming film and television projects and how the studio will integrate new characters and storylines into its broader continuity.
- Star Wars — fans expect updates on both film and streaming projects tied to the franchise.
- Animation and Pixar — Disney Animation and Pixar traditionally use D23 as a platform for first looks at new animated features and release schedules.
- Disney+ original series — the streaming service remains a priority, with potential series announcements or premiere windows likely to be highlighted.
Coverage will be provided live by outlets on the ground; /Film’s Ethan Anderton was noted as covering the panel in a live blog format, delivering real-time reporting from inside the expo hall.
Industry implications
The D23 Showcase serves several functions for Disney and the wider entertainment industry. For Disney, a high-profile presentation can generate early momentum for tentpole releases, set audience expectations for release windows and impact marketing strategies across multiple divisions. For exhibitors and streaming competitors, the announcements provide data points for box-office forecasting, scheduling and competitive programming.
Analysts and trade press typically scrutinize these presentations for signs of strategic shifts: whether more projects will be prioritized for theatrical release or launched on Disney+, how much emphasis will be placed on legacy franchises versus new intellectual property, and what role theme-park tie-ins will play in promoting new content.
Fan response and commercial stakes
For fans, D23 represents an opportunity for exclusive footage, cast appearances and confirmation of long-rumored projects. The showcase also functions as a major merchandising and promotional moment; announcements at D23 can prompt preorders, boost social-media engagement and influence the timing of ancillary product campaigns.
Studios of this scale face heightened scrutiny: missteps in messaging can fuel backlash among core fan communities or dampen enthusiasm ahead of a release. Conversely, surprise reveals or star-studded presentations can create viral moments that extend a title’s reach well beyond the expo itself.
| Start Time | Time Zones |
|---|---|
| Evening presentation | 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT |
As the showcase unfolds, reporters and industry observers will track confirmed release dates, talent attachments and whether Disney reveals new projects beyond the major franchises already associated with the company. The results will likely shape entertainment headlines in the days and weeks following the expo and inform how studios and exhibitors plan their 2026–2027 release calendars.
Media organizations not attending in person will continue to rely on live blogs and official Disney streams to relay news to national and international audiences. For this year’s D23, the Entertainment Showcase remains the marquee moment where Disney traditionally maps out its creative priorities for the near future.
