This past weekend in Anaheim, the biannual Disney fan event D23 made its first in-person appearance since 2019. The live audience of 7,500 people saw new trailers, music, casting and directing announcements, concept art, and other sneak peeks.
Following is a list of the theatrically exclusive movies they teased, listed by date of release:
Strange World
A new trailer for Walt Disney Animation Studios’ original fantasy was introduced by director Don Hall, co-director and screenwriter Qui Nguyen, and a voice cast including Jake Gyllenhaal, Dennis Quaid, Lucy Liu, and Jaboukie Young-White.
(The trailer embedded below was released several months ago. The D23 trailer has not yet officially been released online.)
Avatar: The Way of Water
A presentation for 20th Century Studios’ upcoming sequel was introduced by writer-director James Cameron, appearing by video from New Zealand. in-person appearances by cast members included Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña, Sigourney Weaver, and Stephen Lang.
The film debuts exclusively in cinemas on Friday, December 16.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Director Ryan Coogler premiered an exclusive scene from the sequel to 2018’s blockbuster Black Panther, joined on stage by stars Angela Bassett, Letitia Wright, Winston Duke, and Tenoch Huerta.
The film debuts exclusively in cinemas on Friday, November 11.
Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania
Stars Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, and Jonathan Majors shared a sneak peak of the third Ant-Man installment.
The film debuts exclusively in cinemas on Friday, February 17, 2023.
Haunted Mansion
Star Jamie Lee Curtis debuted a sneak peak of the film, based on the Disney World ride. It’s the second film version of the ride, after the 2003 version starring Eddie Murphy.
This film debuts exclusively in cinemas on Friday, March 10, 2023.
The Little Mermaid
Director Rob Marshall (musicals Chicago, Into the Woods, Nine, Mary Poppins Returns) and star Halle Bailey debuted a teaser trailer, including an excerpt from the song Part of Your World.
The film debuts exclusively in cinemas on Friday, May 6, 2023.
Elemental
Director Peter Sohn (The Good Dinosaur) introduced the next Pixar film along with voice stars Mamoudou Athie and Leah Lewis, who respectively voice Ember and Wade, two characters who are made of fire and water.
The film debuts exclusively in cinemas on Friday, June 16, 2023.
Elio and Inside Out 2
While Elemental had previously been announced, Pixar also announced their subsequent two films as well.
Elio stars follows an 11-year-old boy (voiced by Yonas Kibreab) who’s accidentally beamed up to space and mistaken by aliens for Earth’s ambassador. The film is scheduled for release in spring 2024.
Inside Out 2 will continue the adventures of a now-teenaged Riley and the emotions living inside her, led by Amy Poehler, who made an in-person appearance to announce her return as the character Joy. The film is scheduled for release in summer 2024.
No release platform was announced for either film, so it remains to be seen whether they will be theatrically exclusive or Disney+ originals.
