All 4 2024 Animated Disney & Pixar Movies Releasing This Year

As Walt Disney Studios looks to rebound from a disappointing 2023, all eyes turn to what the Mouse House has in store for 2024. In addition to re-releasing three popular animated movies in theaters and through the Disney+ platform this calendar year, the studio has officially announced the upcoming release of three new animated movies for fans to look forward to. Meanwhile, a handful of unspecified Disney movies have been given 2024 release dates, leaving many to wonder which will be animated and which will be live-action.

To help moviegoers keep track of Disney’s upcoming movie slate, including the studio’s long-held partnership with Pixar Animation Studios, it’s worth analyzing which animated movies are on pace to open theatrically in 2024. In addition to a pair of popular sequels opening in the summer and fall, Disney has plans to unveil its most ambitious original movie at the end of 2024. With springtime abound, it’s time to lay out Disney’s animated movie schedule for 2024.

Luca (2021)

Re-Releasing on March 22, 2024

Following the theatrical re-releases of Soul in January and Turning Red in February 2024, Disney and Pixar are slated to re-release Luca in theaters on March 22, 2024. Directed by Enrico Casarosa from a script he co-wrote with Jesse Andrews and Simon Stephenson, Luca is an enchanting coming-of-age tale that follows the title character, a shape-shifting sea monster posing as a young boy who spends his summer on the lush Italian Riviera in 1959. Between the profound tale of friendship and the sunny seaside beauty of Italy during the summer, Luca is an irresistibly charming movie with a moving message about finding oneself and embracing one’s true identity.

While perhaps not on par with Pixar’s most emotional movies, such as Toy Story 3, Up, WALL. E, and Inside Out, Luca drew positive reviews for its gorgeous setting, tender story, and underlying message about remaining true to oneself despite the consequences. Although Luca can currently be streamed on Disney+, those who missed the movie on the big screen will have a chance to do so when Disney re-releases the movie in theaters on March 22, 2024.

Inside Out 2 (2024)

Releasing on June 14, 2024

Inside Out 2

Release Date

June 14, 2024

Director

Kelsey Mann

After Luca, the next animated movie released by Disney and Pixar will be the hotly-anticipated Inside Out 2. While the original Inside Out was directed by Pete Docter and Ronnie Del Carmen, Inside Out 2 is directed by Kelsey Mann. The story continues the emotional expressions of Riley Anderson, who must navigate confusing new emotions as she enters her teenage years. This time out, Riley is voiced by Kensington Tallman, who replaces Kaitlyn Dias from the original.

New emotions joining Riley’s mind include Anxiety (Maya Hawke), Envy (Cynthia Erivo), Ennui (Adèle Exarchopoulos), and Embarrassment (Paul Walter Hauser), as feelings of self-doubt creep in during her adolescent phase. Inside Out 2 marks Mann’s feature-length directorial debut after directing the animated short Party Central for Pixar’s short film collection. The script was written by Meg LaFauve, who co-wrote the original with Docter and Del Carmen. The first trailer for Inside Out 2 attracted 157 million internet views in 24 hours, the highest figure for any Disney animated film to date.

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Moana 2 (2024)

Releasing on November 27, 2024

Following Inside Out 2, the next culturally diverse animated movie on Disney‘s release schedule is Moana 2. Poised to open theatrically on November 27, 2024, the Thanksgiving holiday event will continue the spiritual journey of Moana’s (Auli’i Cravalho) self-discovery as she braves the high seas and takes on a dangerous mission in Oceana. Dwayne Johnson will reprise his role as Maui in the animated musical adventure film, with Alan Tudyk joining the cast as a character named Hei Hei.

Although the original Moana is directed by John Musker and Ron Clements from a script by Jared Bush, Moana 2 is written and directed by David G. Derrick Jr. Moana 2 marks Derrick Jr.’s feature-length directorial debut after working as a storyboard artist on several animated films since 2006. As for Lin Manuel Miranda’s unforgettable music featured in the original, the music for Moana 2 was written by Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear. Original composers Marc Mancina and Opetaia Foa’i have also returned for Moana 2.

Mufasa: The Lion King (2024)

Releasing on December 20, 2024

Directed by Oscar-winning filmmaker Barry Jenkins (Moonlight), Mufasa: The Lion King is set to open theatrically on December 20, 2024. Arguably saving its most ambitious project for last as a grand Christmas gift, the upcoming Disney movie combines live-action footage with photorealistic CG animation to create a new visual aesthetic. The story is set before the events of the 2019 live-action remake of The Lion King and will serve as an official prequel.

Mufasa: The Lion King will tell the origin story of Mufasa (Aaron Pierre) from the perspective of grandchildren Rafiki (John Kani) and Kiara after Simba ascends as the new leader of the Pride Lands. Joining Pierre and Kani in the cast are Seth Rogen (Pumbaa), Kelvin Harrison Jr. (Scar), and Billy Eichner (Timon). Although Mufasa was originally scheduled to open in theaters on July 5, 2024, the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike forced the studio to postpone the release until December 20, 2024. While not much else is known about the origin story, fans should rest easy knowing Barry Jenkins at the helm.

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Unspecified Disney Movies With 2024 Release Dates

Beyond the four officially scheduled animated movie sequels and remakes, Disney has given a handful of unspecified movies 2024 release dates. The studio plans to release up to five movies between August 2 and November 16, 2024, partnering with such production companies as 20th Century Studios and Searchlight Pictures. While there is no telling which movies will be animated, if any, it’s worth keeping track of Disney’s designated release schedule after Inside Out2 hits theaters in June.

• August 2, 2024 – Released Under Studio Label 20th Century Studios
• August 30, 2024 – Released Under Studio Label Searchlight Pictures
• September 6, 2024 – Released Under Studio Label Walt Disney Pictures
• October 4, 2024 – Released Under Studio Label 20th Century Studios
• November 16, 2024 – Released Under Studio Searchlight Pictures

Disney’s 2024 Release Schedule

While the unspecified movie release on September 6th is the most likely to be an animated movie for Walt Disney Pictures, only time will tell which upcoming animated features will round out the studio’s 2024 production slate. Meanwhile, Inside Out 2 is Pixar’s only movie scheduled for 2024, with the studio’s next animated feature Elio scheduled for June 2025.