Disney to Showcase Upcoming Slate at CinemaCon Amid Box Office Dominance and Layoffs
Walt Disney Co. is set to close CinemaCon 2026 in Las Vegas, presenting its future film lineup to theater owners after dominating the 2025 domestic box office with nearly $2.5 billion in sales. Hits like Lilo & Stitch, Zootopia 2, and Avatar: Fire and Ash drove this success, complemented by the recent global performance of Pixar’s Hoppers. The studio’s upcoming slate includes major franchises such as The Mandalorian and Grogu, Toy Story 5, a live-action Moana, and Avengers: Doomsday. Notably, the summer season will kick off with The Devil Wears Prada 2 from 20th Century Studios rather than a Marvel release. Disney may also provide insights into the long-term futures of Marvel, Avatar, and Star Wars beyond the 2027 release of Star Wars: Starfighter. Despite its strong market position, holding a robust 60-day exclusive theatrical window, Disney faces internal challenges, having recently initiated mass layoffs affecting approximately 1,000 employees, including roles within the movie studio and marketing departments. This presentation underscores Disney's critical role in the exhibition industry while navigating corporate restructuring.
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Disney to Showcase Upcoming Slate at CinemaCon Amid Box Office Dominance and Layoffs
Walt Disney Co. is set to close CinemaCon 2026 in Las Vegas, presenting its future film lineup to theater owners after dominating the 2025 domestic box office with nearly $2.5 billion in sales. Hits like Lilo & Stitch, Zootopia 2, and Avatar: Fire and Ash drove this success, complemented by the recent global performance of Pixar’s Hoppers. The studio’s upcoming slate includes major franchises such as The Mandalorian and Grogu, Toy Story 5, a live-action Moana, and Avengers: Doomsday. Notably, the summer season will kick off with The Devil Wears Prada 2 from 20th Century Studios rather than a Marvel release. Disney may also provide insights into the long-term futures of Marvel, Avatar, and Star Wars beyond the 2027 release of Star Wars: Starfighter. Despite its strong market position, holding a robust 60-day exclusive theatrical window, Disney faces internal challenges, having recently initiated mass layoffs affecting approximately 1,000 employees, including roles within the movie studio and marketing departments. This presentation underscores Disney's critical role in the exhibition industry while navigating corporate restructuring.
AP News