Disney Unveils Major Animated Slate at CinemaCon Featuring Toy Story 5, Hexed, and Ice Age: Boiling Point

In a pivotal presentation at CinemaCon in Las Vegas, Disney showcased its robust commitment to animated feature films, highlighting three highly anticipated theatrical releases from its powerhouse animation studios: Pixar’s Toy Story 5, Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Hexed, and 20th Century Animation’s Ice Age: Boiling Point. The event, held on Thursday, April 17, 2026, served as a crucial platform for the studio to reinforce its theatrical strategy and generate industry excitement, drawing a clear line between its direct-to-consumer content and its tentpole cinematic offerings. This strategic unveiling underscores Disney’s multifaceted approach to its animation empire, balancing beloved, established franchises with the introduction of compelling new intellectual property.

CinemaCon as a Strategic Launchpad for Disney Animation

CinemaCon, the official convention of the National Association of Theatre Owners (NATO), provides an unparalleled forum for Hollywood studios to present their upcoming film slates to cinema owners and exhibitors from around the world. For Disney, a titan in the animation industry, this annual gathering is an opportunity to not only debut new footage and details but also to reaffirm the enduring value of the theatrical experience, particularly for family audiences. In an era marked by the accelerated growth of streaming services and evolving consumption habits, Disney’s comprehensive presentation of its animated films—complete with celebrity appearances and exclusive sneak peeks—sends a strong message about the studio’s dedication to the big screen. The event’s significance is further amplified by the competitive landscape, where studios vie for prime release dates and the attention of exhibitors crucial to a film’s success. Disney’s strategy often involves leveraging its iconic brands while simultaneously investing in original stories that can become future franchises, a balance clearly demonstrated in this year’s animation showcase.

The Return of a Classic: Toy Story 5 and the "Toy meets Tech" Narrative

The most significant animation push at CinemaCon was reserved for Pixar’s Toy Story 5, slated for release on June 19, 2026. The sequel marks a highly anticipated return to the beloved world of Woody, Buzz Lightyear, and Bonnie’s eclectic collection of toys, a franchise that has consistently delivered both critical acclaim and staggering box office success since its inception in 1995. To amplify the excitement, Disney brought legendary voice actors Tom Hanks (Woody) and Tim Allen (Buzz Lightyear) onstage, an appearance that resonated deeply with attendees and underlined the continued importance of their iconic performances to the franchise’s enduring appeal.

Footage screened at the event provided the first substantial glimpse into the film’s narrative, which is officially framed by Disney as "Toy meets Tech." The plot introduces a novel threat to the toys’ traditional sense of purpose: a new tablet device named Lilypad, acquired by Bonnie. This digital antagonist is depicted as disrupting the established order of playtime, challenging the analog toys’ relevance and place in a rapidly digitizing world. The official description suggests a thematic exploration of obsolescence versus enduring value, a poignant continuation of the series’ philosophical underpinnings regarding the nature of toys and their relationships with children.

The film sees the return of Andrew Stanton in the director’s chair, a pivotal figure in Pixar’s history, known for his work on Finding Nemo and WALL-E, and co-writing previous Toy Story installments. He is joined by co-director Kenna Harris, with Lindsey Collins producing. The musical genius of Randy Newman, whose iconic scores have been synonymous with the Toy Story saga, will once again define the film’s emotional landscape, marking his fifth contribution to the franchise. The continuity in creative leadership speaks to Disney and Pixar’s commitment to maintaining the narrative and emotional integrity that fans have come to expect.

The footage shown reportedly reintroduces Woody alongside Bo Peep, suggesting a continuation of their rekindled romance from Toy Story 4, before he reconnects with Buzz and the rest of Bonnie’s toy crew. The central conflict appears to hinge on Lilypad’s tech-driven influence, with the device reportedly dismissing Woody as "outdated," setting up a classic Toy Story dilemma that blends humor, heart, and a contemporary commentary on technology’s role in childhood. Previous Toy Story films have consistently pushed boundaries in animation and storytelling, with Toy Story 3 (2010) earning over $1 billion globally and an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, and Toy Story 4 (2019) also surpassing the $1 billion mark worldwide, demonstrating the franchise’s profound global appeal and critical success. The expectation for Toy Story 5 is similarly high, not just in terms of box office performance but also in its capacity to deliver a meaningful story that resonates across generations.

Unveiling the Original Fantasy: Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Hexed

Shifting gears from established franchises, Disney used its CinemaCon platform to offer the first substantial look at Hexed, an original fantasy offering from Walt Disney Animation Studios (WDAS) set for a lucrative holiday corridor release on November 25, 2026. This unveiling was particularly significant given the project’s previously enigmatic status, underscoring Disney’s continued investment in developing new intellectual property alongside its beloved sequels. The announcement also included the addition of acclaimed voice talent, with Hailee Steinfeld and Rashida Jones joining the cast, lending star power and credibility to the new venture.

The minimalist plot update provided a captivating premise: the film centers on Billie, an impulsive teenage girl who discovers dormant magical abilities. This discovery precipitates her unexpected transport from the mundane setting of suburbia into a mystical witch realm known as Hexe. Critically, Billie is forced to collaborate with her cautious mother, Alice, a dynamic that promises to explore generational differences and the complexities of familial bonds. Together, they embark on a journey that uncovers long-held family secrets, revelations that possess the potential to fundamentally reshape the entire world of witches. This narrative structure suggests a coming-of-age story intertwined with a broader fantasy epic, a hallmark of successful Disney animated features.

Hexed is directed by the duo of Fawn Veerasunthorn and Jason Hand, with Josie Trinidad serving as co-director and Roy Conli producing. Veerasunthorn’s previous work includes story artist credits on films like Raya and the Last Dragon and Zootopia, while Hand has contributed to story development on various WDAS projects. Conli, an Academy Award-winning producer for Big Hero 6, brings a wealth of experience in crafting visually stunning and emotionally resonant animated films. The combination of seasoned talent and fresh voices at the helm signals WDAS’s ongoing commitment to innovation and diverse storytelling perspectives.

CinemaCon attendees were treated to a "first look" at the film, which included a new logo. While specific details beyond this were scarce, the studio emphasized positioning Hexed as a coming-of-age fantasy centered on a compelling mother-daughter dynamic. This thematic focus is strategically aligned with Disney’s history of creating stories that resonate with diverse audiences, often exploring themes of self-discovery, family, and empowerment. The holiday release window, typically a period of high theatrical attendance for family films, suggests significant confidence in Hexed‘s commercial and critical potential, aiming to establish it as a new animated classic. The success of recent original WDAS films like Encanto (2021), which became a cultural phenomenon, provides a strong precedent for Hexed to capture the public’s imagination and potentially launch a new franchise.

The Enduring Appeal of Ice Age: Boiling Point

The third animated title to command significant stage time was 20th Century Animation’s Ice Age: Boiling Point, scheduled for release on February 5, 2027. The Ice Age franchise, known for its blend of prehistoric adventure and slapstick humor, has been a consistent performer at the global box office since its debut in 2002. Its longevity is a testament to its broad appeal, particularly in international markets. The CinemaCon presentation underscored this enduring popularity by featuring franchise veterans Ray Romano (Manny), Queen Latifah (Ellie), and Denis Leary (Diego) in person, whose presence was met with enthusiastic reception from exhibitors. Their collective return ensures a familiar and beloved vocal ensemble for the next chapter.

Disney’s description positions Ice Age: Boiling Point as a "dinosaur-and-lava-filled adventure," promising an escalation of the high-stakes comedic escapades the franchise is famous for. The narrative will reportedly send Manny, Sid, Diego, Ellie, Scrat, and the rest of the herd into previously unseen parts of the Lost World. The Lost World, a recurring element in the Ice Age series, typically involves hidden prehistoric ecosystems teeming with dinosaurs, offering a fertile ground for new dangers and comedic opportunities. This expansion of the franchise’s world allows for fresh storytelling possibilities while retaining the core elements that have endeared it to millions.

The film is directed by Lori Forte and Patrick Worlock. Forte has been a consistent creative force behind the Ice Age series since its inception, serving as a producer on all previous installments, ensuring continuity in the franchise’s creative vision. Worlock, with his background in animation and story development, is well-positioned to bring a fresh perspective while respecting the series’ established tone. Attendees at CinemaCon were treated to the film’s opening sequence, which was reportedly designed to lean heavily into the series’ familiar comedic beats, reassuring exhibitors and fans that the essence of Ice Age remains intact. The Ice Age franchise has historically been a global box office juggernaut, with several installments grossing over $600 million worldwide, demonstrating its robust commercial viability. The consistent performance highlights its importance in Disney’s diverse animated portfolio, particularly in appealing to a broad international audience.

Broader Implications and Disney’s Animated Future

While the CinemaCon presentation briefly acknowledged Pixar’s upcoming 2027 feature Gatto, the strategic focus was unequivocally on reinforcing established franchises and positioning Hexed as Disney’s major near-term original animated release. This approach reflects a balanced strategy in the competitive animation landscape: capitalize on proven successes to draw in audiences, while simultaneously cultivating new intellectual property to ensure future growth and creative vitality.

The emphasis on theatrical releases for these animated features also signals Disney’s unwavering belief in the cinema experience as a primary driver for its premium content, despite the significant investment in its streaming platforms like Disney+. The presence of top-tier talent, exclusive footage, and detailed production insights at CinemaCon serves to energize exhibitors, who are crucial partners in the successful distribution and exhibition of these films.

The animation industry continues to evolve rapidly, with technological advancements, shifting audience demographics, and intense competition from other studios and digital platforms. Disney, with its unparalleled legacy in animation, remains at the forefront, consistently innovating in storytelling and visual artistry. The slate presented at CinemaCon—from the meta-commentary of Toy Story 5 on technology, to the magical realism of Hexed, and the enduring slapstick adventure of Ice Age: Boiling Point—demonstrates a comprehensive vision for the future of animated entertainment. These films are not merely individual projects but represent integral components of Disney’s broader strategy to captivate audiences worldwide, uphold its creative legacy, and ensure its continued dominance in the realm of animated storytelling for years to come.