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Two major franchise returns are officially on the calendar for Summer 2028, as Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures lines up Lilo & Stitch 2 for May 26 and Pixar's Incredibles 3 for June 16. The announcement came Wednesday from incoming CEO Josh D'Amaro, signaling a continued focus on proven, billion-dollar properties.
The studio had quietly held both dates on industry release schedules, leaving room for the sequels to land prime early-summer slots without direct competition. The move underscores Disney's confidence in the enduring appeal of its animated and hybrid storytelling brands.
The 2025 reimagining of Lilo & Stitch, inspired by Chris Sanders' original 2002 film, exceeded expectations with a record-breaking holiday debut and more than $1 billion worldwide. Directed by Dean Fleischer Camp, the film revisited the story of a young Hawaiian girl and her unlikely bond with a mischievous alien. For the sequel, Sanders is set to write, while Jonathan Eirich returns to produce. A director has not yet been confirmed.
Pixar's superhero family will follow closely behind. The original Incredibles, written and directed by Brad Bird, debuted in 2004 to critical acclaim and strong box office, later spawning a 2018 sequel that surpassed $1.2 billion globally. Together, the first two films earned nearly $1.9 billion, establishing the Parr family as one of Pixar's most successful franchises.
For the third installment, directing duties shift to Peter Sohn, known for Elemental, while Bird remains involved as writer and producer. The story is expected to continue exploring the balance between family life and superhero responsibility that defined the earlier films.
The dual announcement reflects a broader strategy under D'Amaro, who steps into the CEO role following Bob Iger. Emphasizing storytelling, technological innovation and cross-company collaboration, the new leadership aims to build on Disney's global reach and interconnected entertainment ecosystem.
With two high-profile releases arriving just weeks apart, Disney is positioning Summer 2028 as a showcase for its strongest brands, pairing nostalgia with new creative direction to draw audiences back to theaters worldwide.
