Usually, when we hear of a slew of Pixar feature film updates, it’s during a Disney Earnings Event or the D23 Expo. This time, the news came from a Wall Street Journal article posted this evening (March 6, 2026, at 7:30 PM ET). (The article will also appear in the March 7 print edition of WSJ.)
So, what did we learn? Well, let’s break this up into new film announcements, project updates, and then some other interesting callouts from the article. Read the entire article on the WSJ website.
NEW PIXAR PROJECTS
Keep in mind that the new announcements aren’t overly detailed, with no release dates or story details. They are brief notes to let readers know what is being worked on at Pixar Animation Studios. But the great news is that after a period without any new film announcements, we are learning about 3 new films in various stages of development based on their conversation with Pete Docter.
MONSTERS, INC. 2 (SEQUEL)
Although this isn’t officially announced and titled Monsters, Inc. 2, we’ll call it that for now. This rumor has been floating around for a while – whether it would be a Disney+ series or a new feature film.
The reveal of this film is perfect since the Monstropolis land renovation is underway at Disney World. (Announced at the 2024 D23 Expo with additional concept art revealed in November 2024.)
ONO GHOST MARKET
Ono Ghost Market is a project inspired by Asian myths regarding supernatural bazaars (markets) where the living and dead interact. No additional details about this project were revealed, aside from the fact that it was originally intended to be a streaming series.
Of course, the connections between the living and the dead draw connections to Coco, but in Coco, the living characters (outside of Miguel) don’t interact with the dead.
What does everyone think of this project? Chat about it in the Pixar Post Forum or leave a comment below. And, will this be the final name for the project?
PIXAR MUSICAL
In a surprising twist, it was announced that Domee Shi was working on a version of Pixar’s first musical.
Lindsey Collins discussed that the original group of Pixar employees wanted to rebel against the traditional Disney musical, and the current group is figuring out its own version of rebellion.
Chat about the new musical in the Pixar Post Forum.
PIXAR CANCELED FILMS
In the wake of Pixar focusing on universal storytelling that connects with broad audiences (rather than smaller, personal stories), one film in particular was canceled.
BE FRI
In late 2023, after being in the works for 3 years (and involving 50 employees), Pixar’s leadership screened the film called BeFri (about Best Friends) to Iger and other Disney executives. Soon after, Docter canceled the project, which was based on its director’s adolescent experience with a platonic breakup.
The topic of BeFri first popped up in the Pixar Post Forum (April 2024) after a user spotted a story artist’s LinkedIn page containted the project name and wondered if it was a canceled film. (Another project titled Blade was also on that list – does anyone know any more info about that project?)
PIXAR FILMS – PROJECT UPDATES
INCREDIBLES 3
Announced at the 2024 D23 Expo, not much is known about Incredibles 3 beyond the fact that Peter Sohn is directing the film and Brad Bird is working on its treatment.
The article confirms that the film will be released in 2028, which was first revealed at Destination D23 in August 2025.
GATTO
No new updates were shared in the article, but it did continue to confirm the painterly look to the film that we are eagerly awaiting to see.
“Gatto, about a feline thief in Venice, features animal fur and human hair that look like they were painted by hand, rather than a computer trying to simulate the real thing.
ELIO
The article confirms that Elio did not perform at the box office as the studio had hoped and includes additional details about the scaling back of Elio’s orientation in the film.
“Earlier versions included a pink bicycle and a scene in which he imagined raising a child with his male crush, according to people who worked on the movie.”
THE FUTURE OF PIXAR FILMS
Again, please read the entire article on the Wall Street Journal’s site. Another note worth sharing (because it will shed light on how future films will be developed) is…
“Pixar in the past picked original movies based only on the quality of the idea. Now, part of the approval process is gauging sequel potential. When the films are complete, directors are asked to come up with stories for possible follow-ups.”
Of course, that could always change as the studio has shared their goals for blending original films and sequels – but this is the current stance.
Honestly, I could have cried from joy when I heard we were getting something new that’s Monsters Inc. related! Those two movies make me SO ridiculously happy, and I’d be over the moon if we got another! If nothing can bring me out of a funk, Monsters Inc. can – and then I usually put on Monsters. Uni just as an added bonus because I’m then so happy I want to watch something just as good afterwards! I also love The Incredibles and am super excited for the 3rd instalment of that movie series, too. I certainly don’t have a preference of originals vs. sequels – but when it’s movies that I LOVE, I’m always up for more!