As the 2024 D23 Ultimate Disney Fan Event (Expo) gets underway, we anticipate several Pixar films to be announced, along with some fantastic products and more. This post will consolidate the announcements and will be refreshed as the event progresses.
Chat with other Pixar fans in the Pixar Post Forum thread covering the Expo to discuss all the announcements.
FEATURE FILM NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
Below is a summary of Pixar films announced or updated during the D23 Expo. We anticipate hearing updates regarding Elio (directed by Domee Shi), Toy Story 5, and two unannounced films. Keep an ear out for details from Daniel Chong and another director you’ve already previously seen a Pixar film from (possibly the 2027 release).
ELIO – JUNE 13, 2025
Zoë Saldaña joins the cast of Elio and is playing his Aunt in the film. After much speculation as well, it was noted that the original producer Mary Alice Drumm and Director Adrian Molina would be joined by Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi. A trio of directors will be at the helm for Elio.
It was also noted by those in attendance that Pete Docter said that Adrian Molina was actually sent to work on another project. We believe his ability to retain his Directing title while working on another project means two things – 1) enough of his original film and character remain in the film, and 2) they are still utilizing him for some ideas.
UPDATED ELIO VOCAL CAST:
It should also be noted that America Ferrara is no longer listed as being attached to the film (who was originally planned to voice Elio’s Mom, Olga Solis). A subtle side note as well is that Brad Garrett’s character was previously listed as Grigon and is now Lord Grigon.
Zoe Saldaña (Aunt Olga), Yonas Kibreab (Elio), Brad Garrett (Lord Grigon), Jameela Jamil (Ambassador Questa).
After the panel, a new piece of concept artwork was revealed for the film.
ELIO SYNOPSIS
For centuries, people have called out to the universe looking for answers—in Disney and Pixar’s all-new feature film “Elio,” the universe calls back! The cosmic misadventure introduces Elio, a space fanatic with an active imagination and a huge alien obsession. So, when he’s beamed up to the Communiverse, an interplanetary organization with representatives from galaxies far and wide, Elio’s all in for the epic undertaking. Mistakenly identified as Earth’s leader, Elio must form new bonds with eccentric alien lifeforms, navigate a crisis of intergalactic proportions, and somehow discover who and where he is truly meant to be.
Elio Around the Expo
Twitter user ecartelera shared this great photo of the new Elio theater standee.
HOPPERS – MARCH 6, 2026
It was announced that the Spring 2026 film will be called Hoppers and is about a girl who transfers her mind into a robot beaver to infiltrate their animal world. She infiltrates the group and befriends a regal beaver named King George.
Piper Curda, Jon Hamm, and Bobby Moynihan will voice characters in the film and will be Directed by Daniel Chong and Produced by Nicole Paradis Grindle.
HOPPERS CONCEPT ART AND LOGO
HOPPERS SYNOPSIS
What if you could talk to animals and understand what they’re saying? In Disney and Pixar’s all-new feature film “Hoppers,” scientists have discovered how to “hop” human consciousness into lifelike robotic animals, allowing people to communicate with animals as animals! The adventure introduces Mabel, an animal lover who seizes an opportunity to use the technology, uncovering mysteries within the animal world that are beyond anything she could have imagined. Directed by Daniel Chong and produced by Nicole Paradis Grindle, “Hoppers” features the voices of Piper Curda, Bobby Moynihan, and Jon Hamm. The film opens exclusively in theaters in 2026.
TOY STORY 5 – JUNE 19, 2026
D23 Expo – Andrew Stanton revealed that Toy Story 5 will be the battle for a child’s attention between toys and technology. Along the way, 50 malfunctioning commemorative Buzz Lightyear figures cause serious problems.
First announced in February 2023, Toy Story 5 will be directed by Andrew Stanton and McKenna Harris. It was also revealed that Jessica Choi will be producing the film.
TOY STORY 5 POSTER AND CONCEPT ART
After the panel, the official logo poster, as well as a piece of concept art, was released.
TOY STORY 5 SYNOPSIS
The toys are back in Disney and Pixar’s “Toy Story 5,” and this time around it’s Toy meets Tech. Buzz, Woody, Jessie and the rest of the gang’s jobs get exponentially harder when they go head to head with this all-new threat to playtime. Directed by Andrew Stanton, co-directed by McKenna Harris and produced by Jessica Choi, “Toy Story 5” opens only in theaters on June 19, 2026.
INCREDIBLES 3 – JUNE 18, 2027 (POSSIBLE DATE) OR 2018
Pete Docter shocked everyone when he was on stage to announce that Brad Bird would be returning to develop Incredibles 3. We did not see that coming at all!
SERIES NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
WIN OR LOSE – DECEMBER 6, 2024
7:47 PM – Pete Docter reveals Win or Lose will premiere December 6 on Disney+.
Pixar also officially released a 42-second teaser for the show on YouTube.
After the Pixar-panel wrapped, the official poster and some additional still frames from the show were released.
Win or Lose Around the Expo
The first two episodes will be screened in their entirety during the event (Aug 10 from 6:15-7:15 at the Backlot Stage), and Frank Pallotta (via Twitter) shared a Win or Lose “Dynamite’s Lil Bites” mock concession stand within the Pixar booth.
The Hollywood Handle shared a great video of the Win or Lose advertising wall.
DREAM PRODUCTIONS – SPRING 2025
7:45 PM PT – Pete Docter is on stage to announce the Dream Productions show.
DREAM PRODUCTIONS LOGO AND CONCEPT ART
DREAM PRODUCTIONS SYNOPSIS
Dream Productions is about the studio inside Riley’s mind where acclaimed director Paula Persimmon (voice of Paula Pell) teams up with daydream director Xeni (voice of Richard Ayoade) to create the next big tween-dream hit. Written and directed by Mike Jones and produced by Jaclyn Simon, Pixar Animation Studios’ hilarious, mockumentary-style series debuts on Disney+ in 2025.
Thanks to forum user A113, they spotted details on the D23 Expo site showing that Mike Jones will write and direct the Dream Productions series. Jaclyn Simon is noted to be Producing.
The Pixar panel is over – here is Pete’s wrap-up video!
PIXAR x LEGO MINI-SERIES – DATE TBA
Forum user A113 once again found a great presentation hosted by Jay Ward (Cars Creative Director) titled, “The Making of New Pixar and LEGO® Shorts with Jay Ward.”
What could be better than LEGO and Pixar? How about being the first audience anywhere to hear details of the exciting short film collaborations between these two creative powerhouses?! Pixar’s Jay Ward will walk audiences through how these LEGO shorts, extending Pixar stories, came to be built.
Since Jay oversees the Cars franchise, one could assume these shorts are about McQueen and the gang. We assume that is accurate, but, we’ll have to confirm after the event (August 11 from 5:00-6:00 PM).
PIXAR 2024 D23 EXPO PRODUCTS
A collection of new Pixar merchandise is released at every D23 Expo. Below is a sample of the Pixar-themed items.
An exclusive D23 Expo metallic Luca 2-pack Funko POP! set will be available (via Funko POP News!).
Pete Docter and Don Peri’s new book, Directing at Disney: The Original Directors of Walt’s Animated Films will be available first at the D23 Expo and will be released broadly on September 17, 2024.
For anyone who plays the Disney Lorcana card game, it was announced (via VidaoPantalla) that Pixar would be coming to the popular card game in 2026.
MISC PIXAR EXPO ITEMS
Although we’re not certain what will be included in this space, we wanted to include random updates here.
Pete Docter caught up with Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross who were two of the composers on the Soul soundtrack.
Inside Out 3 nod – Earlier today, Bob Iger was on Good Morning America and he said that he’d “love to see Inside Out 3.” No other comments were shared, but, we can’t blame him for wanting to see a third film since the first two did so well at the box office. There won’t be an Inside Out 3 announcement at today’s event, but keep it in the back of your mind for a potential future Pixar project.