As 2024 unfolds, Disney is gearing up with a lineup of films it hopes will spark a box office renaissance. 2023’s failures cast a long shadow over the studio, with Disney experiencing a rare stumble as Universal seized the box office crown in 2023 — a wake-up call for the entertainment behemoth. Faced with critical and financial challenges, Disney is charting a new course with a smaller, but hopefully stronger, slate of films. The strategy includes seven major releases blending cherished franchises with fresh narratives, alongside three Pixar titles making a leap from streaming to the silver screen. As Disney aims to recover from its box office slump, all eyes are on the slate of films for 2024. Will this be a better year for Disney? Let’s take a closer look…
Big Screen Energy
Pixar‘s “Soul,” “Turning Red,” and “Luca” are finally landing in theaters nationwide after being grounded to streaming-only releases on Disney+.
After theatres shuttered in 2020, “Soul” had no choice but to go on Disney+ during the holiday season. However, all was not lost. The film performed strongly in territories that didn’t have Disney+. China, Russia, and Korea proved to be strong international territories, and the film grossed a little north of $100 million overseas. “Soul” also won an Annie Award and an Oscar for Best Animated Feature.
In the Summer of 2021, as theaters reopened, Disney CEO Bob Chapek made the decision to release “Luca” on Disney+ instead of sticking to its scheduled theatrical release. The following year, Chapek continued this strategy by pulling “Turning Red” from its theatrical window and placing it on Disney+ to bolster the streaming service.
Many believed that the Disney+ rollouts conditioned audiences to exclusively watch Pixar’s animated movies on the streaming channel, tarnishing the brand. “Elemental,” released theatrically in June, had Pixar’s lowest-grossing opening weekend at $29.5 million domestically. Nevertheless, the film stayed in theaters and ultimately generated around $500 million worldwide. So, there IS still some hope for the celebrated animation house.
Pixar and Theatres – Together At Last
Tickets for all three films went on sale on January 2. According to Disney, scheduling the films in theatres will allow families to experience the Pixar films the way they were meant to be seen ahead of the studio’s upcoming release of “Inside Out 2.” “Soul” will begin its theatrical run on January 12. “Turning Red” will jump to the screen on February 9, and “Luca” on March 22. The films will remain on Disney+ during their new theatrical windows.
To add more content to the screenings, “Soul” will be accompanied by the SparkShort “Burrow,” and “Turning Red” will be preceded by the SparkShort “Kitbull.” “Luca” will include the classic Pixar short “For the Birds,” which won the Oscar for Best Animated Short Subject at the 74th Academy Awards.
Are you glad to see these films FINALLY get their day on the big screen? But will you buy tickets when you can already see them on Disney+? Let us know your prediction on what will happen.
A Reshuffle Of Titles And A Cautious Theatrical Schedule
Notably, Disney’s theatrical release schedule is considerably lighter than initially planned for 2024. Pixar’s “Elio” faces a delay of more than a year, now rescheduled for 2025. Furthermore, last year’s WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes have added to the disruptions. This led to the postponement of Marvel’s “Captain America: Brave New World” and “Thunderbolts.”
In the past year, a total of 32 movies were released, including films from Disney’s Fox, Pixar, and Marvel Studios. While this high output aligns with Disney’s standard practice, last year’s box office performance failed to meet expectations, with seven out of eight major films underperforming. The conservative roster of films for 2024 could signify Disney’s regrouping on its theatrical strategy.
As the new year is now officially underway, Disney has confirmed only seven major movie releases for 2024. Let’s take a look at what new titles will be landing in your local movie theatres.
The First Omen (20th Century Studios) – April 5
In a prequel to 1976’s supernatural horror film “The Omen,” a woman starts to question her own faith when she uncovers a terrifying conspiracy to bring about the birth of an Antichrist in Rome.
Arkasha Stevenson directs a screenplay she penned with Tim Smith and Keith Thomas based on characters created by David Seltzer, with a story by Ben Jacoby. David S. Goyer and Keith Levine produce, while executive producers include Tim Smith, Whitney Brown, and Gracie Wheelan. The cast of actors includes Nell Tiger Free, Tawfeek Barhom, and Billy Nighy.
After reshuffling theatrical release dates, Disney moved “The First Omen” from its initially planned 2023 release to 2024.
Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes (20th Century Studios) – May 24
Many years after the reign of Caesar, apes dominate Earth and live in harmony, relegating humans to the shadows. A young ape embarks on a challenging journey as a new tyrannical leader rises and begins to enslave other groups to find human technology. As he embarks on this quest, it prompts him to question his understanding of the past and make choices that will shape the future for both apes and humans.
“Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” stars Owen Teague, Freya Allan, Kevin Durand, Peter Macon, and William H. Macy. The screenplay is by Josh Friedman and Rick Jaffa & Amanda Silver and Patrick Aison, based on characters created by Jaffa & Silver. Ball, Joe Hartwick, Jr., Jaffa, Silver, and Jason Reed are the producers, with Peter Chernin and Jenno Topping serving as executive producers.
Inside Out 2 (Pixar) – June 14
In the sequel to 2015’s “Inside Out,” Riley enters adolescence. A couple of new emotions, particularly anxiety, move in and make their presence felt, forcing her subconscious to adjust.
“Inside Out 2” is being directed by Kelsey Mann, produced by Mark Nielsen, and written by Meg LeFauve. The film stars the voices of Amy Poehler, Phyllis Smith, and Lewis Black reprising their roles, with Tony Hale, Liza Lapira, and Maya Hawke joining the cast.
Deadpool 3 (Marvel) – July 26
Ryan Reynolds’ iconic antihero will make his way into the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) in the untitled Deadpool film directed by Shawn Levy, commonly referred to as “Deadpool 3.” Joining Reynolds is Hugh Jackman as Wolverine in this raunchy action-comedy that will play a significant role in the Multiverse Saga.
The film will be the 34th installment in the MCU and a sequel to 2016’s “Deadpool” and 2018’s “Deadpool 2.” The writing team, consisting of Rhett Reese, Paul Wernick, Zeb Wells, Ryan Reynolds, and Levy, is working on the script. The cast will feature Morena Baccarin, Brianna Hildebrand, and Jennifer Garner.
The film will maintain the R-rating of its predecessors. It will also be the sole MCU movie to be released this year. “Deadpool 3” marks the first project featuring a character whose movie rights belonged to Fox after Disney acquired the studio.
Alien: Romulus (20th Century Studios) – August 16
Fede Álvarez, who co-writes with Rodo Sayagues, directs the upcoming science fiction horror film “Alien: Romulus.” The standalone installment in the Alien franchise unfolds between the events of 1979’s “Alien” and its 1986 sequel, “Aliens.” The cast includes Cailee Spaeny, Isabela Merced, David Jonsson, Archie Renaux, Spike Fearn, and Aileen Wu.
“Alien: Romulus” is the ninth movie in the Alien universe.
The Amateur (20th Century Studios) – November 8
James Hawes directs “The Amateur,” an espionage thriller film written by Gary Spinelli. The plot centers around a CIA cryptographer who experiences the loss of his wife in a London terrorist attack. When his superiors refuse assistance, he resorts to blackmailing the agency into allowing him to train as an agent to pursue the killers on his own.
The film stars Rami Malek, Rachel Brosnahan, Caitríona Balfe, Laurence Fishburne, Adrian Martinez, Holt McCallany, and Julianne Nicholson.
Mufasa: The Lion King (Disney) – December 20
A prequel to the 2019 film “The Lion King,” “Mufasa: The Lion King” chronicles Mufasa’s childhood alongside his brother Scar. Director Barry Jenkins will helm the prequel. The film will feature the voices of Seth Rogen, Billy Eichner, John Kani, and Aaron Pierre.
Rafiki narrates the story to Kiara, Simba, and Nala’s daughter in the film, offering a fresh perspective on the classic Disney tale. The narrative recounts how her grandfather Mufasa rose to power in the Pride Lands, with Timon and Pumbaa adding their commentary.
🔥 Discount Disney Tickets & Travel 🔥
Snag the latest Disney travel deals from our partners at Get Away Today!
Check out the latest offers for Disneyland, Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, Knott’s Berry Farm, and Disney Cruise Line, including new low hotel rates, extra days and nights for free, special perks, and limited-time opportunities… including the special $50 Disneyland Kids ticket & SoCal Disneyland 3-Day ticket!
(MiceChat works with Get Away Today to provide you with the best theme park travel deals. When you purchase from our travel partner, you not only get great rates and service, you also help support MiceChat. We sincerely thank you for your support!)
Let’s Hear From You!
In an age where a billion-dollar box office is expected of a big-budget Disney film, 2023 was a major disappointment. 2024 shows some promise, but it’s all going to come down to YOU… Will you be watching your Disney content from your couch or at the theater? What did you see in the list above that will get you and your family into the multiplex? Share the films you are most looking forward to and your prediction for which will be hits and which will be bombs!
Related Reading:
Full Steam(Boat) Ahead: Mickey Mouse Enters The Public Domain & What That Means!