Disney knows exactly what keeps the lights on, and the 2026 announcements were dominated by the franchises that already own your kid’s toy box.

Set to release in late 2027, the first teaser shown at D23 confirms this isn't just a one-off adventure. It’s being framed as the first half of a two-part story (with Frozen 4 already in the works). Expect the usual: high-stakes sister dynamics, at least one song that will be played on a loop for six months, and a slightly more mature tone as the original audience hits their teens.

While Toy Story 4 felt like a definitive ending, Pixar is bringing the gang back to tackle a very 2026 problem: the struggle between traditional toys and tech. The plot is expected to follow the toys as they compete for a kid’s attention against tablets and video games. It’s meta, it’s a bit on the nose, but Pixar usually finds the heart in those "man vs. machine" setups.

For a huge portion of Screenwise families, the Bluey movie news was the only thing that mattered. Following the success of "The Sign," Ludo Studio is finally moving to a full-scale theatrical release.

From the brief footage shown, the movie will release in 2027 and seems to be leaning into a larger-scale adventure outside of Brisbane. The big question for parents: can a show built on seven-minute bursts of domestic magic sustain a 90-minute runtime? Given how well they handled the 28-minute special, the odds are good. It’s the rare "preschool" property that parents are actually excited to sit through in a theater.

The Disney+ era of Star Wars and Marvel is shifting gears. The "throw everything at the wall" approach is being replaced by a few high-profile sequels that actually have some weight to them.

The teaser trailer dropped at D23, and it looks like it’s going full "heir to the empire." For families who grew up on The Clone Wars, this is the payoff. It’s set to be more intense than the first season, focusing on the power vacuum left in the galaxy. If your kid is just getting into the franchise, our Spider-Man guide is a great example of how we track these multi-generational stories, but Ahsoka is the current gold standard for Star Wars TV.

Marvel’s big TV reveal was Vision Quest, which is expected to follow the "White Vision" we saw at the end of WandaVision. It looks like a quieter, more philosophical show—think more "what does it mean to be human" and less "punching aliens into buildings." It’s one to keep an eye on for older kids who liked the weirder parts of the MCU.

The biggest gaming news out of D23 2026 was the deep dive into Kingdom Hearts IV. If you aren't familiar, this is the series that mashes up Disney characters with Final Fantasy-style RPG gameplay.

The new trailer showed off a world based on Star Wars (specifically Endor), which is a massive deal for the franchise. These games are famously complicated in terms of plot, but they are masterclasses in "co-play." You handle the boss fights; your kid handles the exploration and recognizes the characters. It’s expected to drop in 2027, likely on whatever the next-gen Nintendo hardware looks like by then. If you’re looking for something to play now, check out our best games for kids list.

When these big trailers drop, the instinct is to just let the hype wash over the house. But these are great moments to build a little media literacy.

Ask: "Why this, why now?" Talk about why Disney is making Toy Story 5 or Frozen 3. Do they think there’s a new story to tell, or is it just because people like the characters? It’s a simple way to help kids see the "business" side of the media they love without being a buzzkill.

The "Wait and See" Strategy D23 is designed to make everything look like a 10/10 masterpiece. Remind your kids (and yourself) that a great trailer doesn't always mean a great movie. It’s a good lesson in managing expectations—especially when the release date is still eighteen months away.

Q: When is the Bluey movie coming out? The D23 announcement pointed toward a 2027 release window. There’s no exact date yet, but Disney and Ludo are clearly taking their time to get the theatrical debut right.

Q: Is Kingdom Hearts IV okay for younger kids? Kingdom Hearts is generally rated E10+. It’s heavy on "cartoon violence" (hitting shadows with a giant key), but the real barrier is the complexity of the menus and the story. It’s a perfect "teamwork" game where a parent helps with the hard parts.

Q: Should I let my kid watch the Ahsoka Season 2 trailer? It’s a standard Star Wars teaser—lots of lightsabers and dramatic music. If they’ve seen the first season or The Clone Wars, there’s nothing here that will shock them. It’s mostly just fuel for the hype machine.

D23 2026 proved that Disney is playing it safe, but "safe" in this case means high-budget sequels to things your family probably already loves. There’s a lot to look forward to, but the real win is the move back toward theatrical experiences for the big franchises.