Undoubtedly the unstoppable giant of entertainment, the Walt Disney Company has a powerful stranglehold on the keys to our childhood, and they’re using them liberally. With countless critical and commercial successes at their heels, a lifetime supply of nostalgia, and the backing of not only their classic material, but also the all-powerful Marvel and Star Wars brands in their stables, Disney is set to take over the world one heart a time.
Their march toward total victory has been going on for years and it will continue throughout 2018 until the next phase of their takeover plot, starting in 2019 and going much further beyond.
In our list, we’ll be chronicling what’s next for the House of Mouse in their quest for dominance. While the details for some of these projects are terribly scarce, the majority have more than enough information to satiate rabid fans. Though it’s true that many of Disney’s upcoming projects are sequels and remakes, there’s also a very healthy amount of Marvel projects and untitled (presumably) original works of animation from Pixar and Disney’s in-house studio, but we’ll only be focusing on the projects that at least have titles.
Whether or not a good chunk of these will justify their existence beyond the nadir of mere crash-grabs banking on nostalgia is yet to be seen, but we can’t help but feel at least a little bit hopeful and excited that some of these will transcend the goals of corporate greed and become modern classics that stand on their own two legs.
With that said, here are the 11 Disney Movies Coming Out In 2019 (And 14 We Still Have To Wait For).
Coming in 2019: Avengers 4
After Infinity War, Marvel and movie fans all over the planet are wondering how the heroes can possibly put all the pieces back together, and, luckily, they won’t have to wonder much longer, as the as-of-yet untitled Avengers 4 is slated for a May 3rd, 2019 release.
The Russo brothers are returning to direct, but most other details, particularly those involving the plot, are scarce-to-non-existent. However, we can at least speculate until the movie’s release. Here’s to hoping that the film doesn’t take the easy route out by undoing most (if not all) of the dramatic consequences from Infinity War, but we’ll just have to wait and see like the rest.
Still have to wait for: Jungle Cruise
Always seeking inspiration, Disney looked to their own theme parks and brought out movies based on Pirates of the Caribbean and the Haunted Mansion to the big screen. While The Haunted Mansion fumbled due to poor execution, Pirates became a gargantuan hit (even though its last two entries were far from well-received.)
Disney appears to be mining their parks again, as the classic Jungle Cruise ride is being given the big screen treatment, with Dwayne Johnson taking the helm of the leading man. To be released on July 24th, 2020,Jungle Cruise appears to be using the ride’s story about a river boat taking travellers on adventures while also adding a supernatural element.
Coming in 2019: Dumbo
A live-action remake of the beloved animated classic, Dumbo tells the tale of a young elephant who learns to fly using his oversized ears.
Directed by Tim Burton, it only makes sense that this version will have a newer, darker, and weirder edge to be to it, and judging by the trailers, it appears to be working out. Dumbo seems like it will have all the heart-warming (and heart breaking) elements of the original, and we already feel the tears in our eyes. Dumbo is poised to take flight on March 29th of 2019, so we don’t have too much longer to find every box of tissues available.
Still have to wait for: Mulan
Scheduled to release on March 27th, 2020, Disney’s live-action remake of Mulan has already hit some controversial snags, with rumors of white-washing making the rounds across the internet. Luckily, it seems that those complaints were nothing more than rumors, and Mulan’s production is back on track.
The movie tells the tale of how a young woman from China disguises herself as a man to join the army in order to save her father from certain doom. While generally little is known, we have our fingers crossed that the story remains faithful to the original and that at least some of the classic songs make it into the movie in one form or another.
Coming in 2019: Kim Possible
While the upcoming live-action Kim Possible movie isn’t going to make it to the big screen, the incredibly popular teen-by-day, spy-by-night is set to make a splash in home theaters across the country at some point during March 2019.
The original series was one of the Disney Channel’s best received and most loved products of the early 2000s, and fans the world over are likely chomping at the bit to see how this particular adaptation holds up. While there isn’t a solidly specific release date just yet, March 2019 isn’t that far away, so we think they’ll be making a final announcement sooner rather than later.
Still have to wait for: Maleficent 2
In a sort-of unexpected move, Disney is planning on releasing a sequel to a pseudo-remake. The original Maleficent was somewhat of a retelling of the classic Sleeping Beauty, but instead of a straight remake, it focused on the iconic villain.
So far, a sequel is scheduled for a May 29th, 2020 release, though we’re honestly surprised that Disney is opting to create a sequel to a movie from 2014 that hardly seems present in the collective cultural consciousness. We guess we’ll find out if their gamble was worth it come 2020, but in the meantime, we’ll be remaining thoroughly skeptical.
Coming in 2019: Penguins
Disneynature’s series of entertaining and adorable nature documentaries have successfully struck a chord with audiences all over, and from the looks of their latest endeavor, Penguins, they’ll be striking it again. Set to release on April 19th, 2019, Penguins will focus on an Adelie penguin named Steve, as he seeks out love, family, and friendship in the frigid Antaractic landscape.
Penguins is prepped to be yet another excellent and endearing entry among Disneynature’s gamut of other animal-based movies, such as Bears, African Cats, Chimpanzee, Born in China, and many others.
Still have to wait for: Guardian Of The Galaxy, Vol. 3
Both of the Guardians of the Galaxy movies have been widely embraced by fans, critics, and the all-powerful dollar. Disney was quick to take advantage of this momentum by incorporating the characters into their theme parks, with the controversial change to the Tower of Terror in California, and with an upcoming attraction in Disney World’s EPCOT starring the team.
Obviously a third film was more or less a given in order to keep the brand alive, but after the turmoil involving long-lost tweets by the director of the previous movies, Guardians 3 was something akin to limbo. Slated for 2020, we guess we’ll have to see what exactly happens with the cast and creative team.
Still Have To Wait For: The One And Only Ivan
One of the few non-classic Disney or Marvel releases, The One and Only Ivan is still a ways off, with a projected release date of February 14th, 2020.
Although not an aforementioned remake or sequel, the movie is based on the book by Katherine Applegate, and tells the tale of a gorilla named Ivan who plans an elaborate escape from captivity with the help of an elephant named Stella. Starring Angelina Jolie, Sam Rockwell, Danny Devito, Bryan Cranston, Helen Mirren and others, we’ll have to wait until 2020 to see if their plan will pay off.
Coming in 2019: Star Wars Episode IX
With a release date of December 20th, 2019, there’s still a little bit of time for Disney, J.J. Abrams, and all of other parties to figure out what the plot of the new trilogy is (although that’s probably something they should have done when they decided to make it in the first place.)
At the end of V, viewers couldn’t wait to see how the plot would be resolved in the next entry: Could Vader be turned? Who is “the other?” Can the Emperor be overthrown? Will Han be saved? After VIII, though, no comparable questions exist. Here’s to hoping that the team can figure out something to cap off this trilogy in a satisfying way.
Still have to wait for: Black Widow
Still in pre-production, the long-awaited Black Widow solo-outing is currently set for a May 1st, 2020 release, with Cate Shortland directing and Scarlett Johansson still attached to the now-iconic role.
Any semblance of story, character, or plot is entirely unknown at the moment, but we’re still excited to see what the movie will cover. Could it be a prequel detailing Black Widow’s past, or will it be a post-Infinity War adventure? All we can say is that it’s about time. We’re still waiting on Hawkeye, though (but not holding our collective breath.)
Coming in 2019: Aladdin
Disney’s iconic 1992 retelling of the Arabic folktale was a huge hit and has remained a beloved classic for fans of all ages. As Disney is prone to do, this goldmine of nostalgia seemed to be in desperate need for mining, so the company set out to remake the animated masterpiece in live-action.
Slated for release on May 24th, 2019,Aladdin features the likes of the former-pink Power Ranger Naomi Scott as Jasmine and alien-crushing, robot-hating, West-Philadelphia-born-and-raised Will Smith as the Genie. We’ll have to see if this adaptation will live up to expectations, but with a strong cast and director Guy Ritchie’s penchant for visual splendor, we have a good feeling about it.
Still have to wait for: Black Panther 2
With the overwhelmingly positive critical, commercial, and cultural response to the first Black Panther movie, to say a sequel was a one-hundred percent inevitability doesn’t even do justice to it.
Much like Avengers 4 and Black Widow, the plot of Black Panther 2 is currently unknown, but with a release date of February 12th, 2021, there’s still plenty of time for all the parties involved to craft a story that’s a worthy follow-up to the incredibly successful predecessor. Ryan Coogler, the first film’s director, is currently attached to the project, which is, at the very least, a positive sign.
Coming in 2019: Toy Story 4
Of all of the remakes and sequels we’re discussing on this list, Toy Story 4 makes us the most nervous. The original trio of Toy Story movies are of absolutely stellar quality, and the trilogy is likely the most consistently excellent one in existence. Then there’s Toy Story 3’s ending, which was not only tear-inducing but also poetically perfect.
While we’re jittery about that perfect ending being tampered with, we can’t stop the wheels of production from moving, and Toy Story 4 is slated for release on June 21st, 2019. Here’s to hoping that the ball won’t be dropped so that we needn’t pretend the movie doesn’t exist (like Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.)
Still have to wait for: Indiana Jones
Slated for 2021, this Steven Spielber-helmed entry in the Indiana Jones franchise is a head-scratcher to say the very least. Look, it’s 2018 and Harrison Ford (who is apparently attached to this project) is 76 years old. If you’re going to make this thing, you better do it now, rather than when he’s 80.
Then again, no one really knows anything about the project. Perhaps they’re going to pull a Rogue One Grand Moff Tarkin, filming a body double and then digitally altering them to be a younger Harrison Ford, with Harrison doing the voice work. We have no idea what’s going on with this project, but it exists and we’re pretty nervous.
Coming in 2019: The Lion King
In yet another (unsurprising) remake of an immensely beloved Disney Renaissance animated masterpiece, July 19th 2019 will see the return of The Lion King. Even based on what little we have seen so far, the remake is visually stunning with an incredible blend of computer-generated imagery and live-action, and the trailer was able to hit all of the right feelings with perfect use of the original score and James Earl Jones’ booming voice.
Whether or not the actual movie will live up to expectations and justify its existence is another story all together, but we really hope that this doesn’t end up feeling like a thoroughly hollow cash-grab.
Still have to wait for: Lady And The Tramp
Currently going through post-production,Lady and the Tramp is a blended CGI and live-action “re-imagining” of the 1955 animated original. Perhaps the most peculiar element of this project is that it has been designed solely as an exclusive for Disney’s streaming service.
While the verdict is still up in the air regarding the quality of what Disney will be offering to those who decide to support the streaming service, we’re still cautiously excited about a modern take on such a beloved classic. This goes without saying, but if they mess up the spaghetti sequence, we’re never going to forgive them.
Still have to wait for: Cruella
In a somewhat baffling decision by Disney, the ruthless and horrifying villain from 101 Dalmations is apparently going to be getting the live-action pseudo-remake/ prequel treatment akin to Maleficent.
We’re beyond confused about this decision, because part of the fun of Cruella de Vil is that she’s just a preposterously selfish and evil individual. Finding out why she is this way ruins the mystique and fun of the character. The movie is in pre-production with no release date attached, however, so maybe things will turn out right after some further development.
Coming in 2019: Artemis Fowl
Another original project, Artemis Fowl is an adaptation of the novel of the same name. The story is about a child genius who uses his gifts for criminal activities. After intense research, he’s able to prove the existence of a parallel world comprised of fairies, and becomes entangled in it by kidnapping one of the mythical creatures.
Described as “Die Hard with fairies” by the author, Artemis Fowl is an exciting read that should translate beautifully to the screen, with its thrilling action sequences and smart, snappy dialogue. With a release date of August 9th, 2019, we’re looking forward to seeing if the cutthroat world of criminals and fairies will be done cinematic justice.
Still have to wait for: The Little Mermaid
“If it’s beloved, it will be remade” seems to be the new Disney motto. Credited with kick-starting the Disney Renaissance, the original Little Mermaid animated classic is still a favorite among legions of fans the world over.
Merely announced, this project has yet to have any solid details or a release date, but is intended to be another CGI/live-action hybrid like The Jungle Book or The Lion King. While Disney is on this live-action remaking kick, can we please get a Hunchback of Notre Dame movie, but with all the goofy bits cut out?
