In a world of sequels and reboots, it’s often difficult to find original content. Well, Disney has promised something original in 2026. There’s a new animated movie heading our way, and we’re ready for it!
During Destination D23 at Orlando, Florida over Labor Day Weekend 2025, the chief creative officer, hared Bush, took to the stage to talk all about the new original animated movie. It’s all Hexed, and it looks like it will appeal to the younger male audiences as well as the female ones. This recently has been something Disney has wanted to focus on with original IP.
There’s even a slated release date. We’ll have to wait until 2026, but we know that the promise of quality original content is worth the wait.
What is Hexed about?
The new movie will follow an awkward teenage boy, who learns that everything that has made him unusual may be magical in nature. It turns out that he has magical powers, and suddenly, his life with his Type-A mom will be turned upside down as the secret work of magic and mayhem comes to life.
The Instagram feed for both Disney D23 and Disney Animation gave us a look at the mystical title card, which certainly has a feel of everything Walt Disney. That also told us the release season of “fall 2026.”
Josie Trinidad and Jason Hand will direct the latest feature, with Roy Conli and Juan Pablo Reyes Lancaster-Jones producing. There’s sure to be more to come as the fall date gets close, but I’m already intrigued.
Hexed is likely to be the Thanksgiving release of 2026
Well, there is a slightly more focused timeline for the new release. Hexed is expected to arrive in November 2026, according to The Hollywood Reporter. That suggests that it will be the Thanksgiving release, which can be a popular time of the year for Disney movies.
It’s possible that this has been placed in this time period due to Frozen III being pushed from a 2026 release to a Thanksgiving 2027 release. Disney will want to make sure there is something big for families to go and see over the holiday weekend.
There is already an animated movie to look forward to this Thanksgiving. On Wednesday, Nov. 26, Zootopia 2 will be released in theaters for the world to see. As well as releasing information about Hexed, more about Zooptopia 2 was released during D23, including new additions to the cast.
Hexed is slated for theaters in November 2026.