There’s something about the magic of Disney that transcends generations, bringing out the inner child in us all. And let me tell you, that magic was alive and electrifying at this year’s D23 panel. Imagine the scene: the Honda Center in Anaheim, California, packed with around 12,000 Disney fanatics, all buzzing with anticipation, their light-up bracelets glowing in the dark. And then, the man of the hour, Disney CEO Bob Iger, takes the stage.

The reception Iger received was nothing short of rock star status. As the crowd erupted in cheers and applause, you could feel the love in the room. It was a homecoming of sorts for Iger, who missed the last D23 in 2022 during his brief retirement. “Wow. That was more than a warm welcome,” he said with a grin. “Boy did I miss you.” And with that, the magic began.

This year’s biannual convention was not just another event; it was a cinematic carnival, a place where dreams were not just made, but announced in spectacular fashion. Filmmakers and executives like James Cameron, Kevin Feige, Pete Docter, and Jennifer Lee took to the stage to reveal a treasure trove of new projects and sneak peeks into the worlds we’ve come to love. From the vibrant animations of Pixar to the thrilling tales of Marvel and the epic sagas of Lucasfilm, there was something for everyone.

Let’s dive into the highlights of this unforgettable night.

Mufasa: The Lion King
Kicking things off, filmmaker Barry Jenkins introduced Lin-Manuel Miranda to his very first D23. The crowd was treated to a brand-new song from Mufasa: The Lion King, setting the tone for what promises to be an emotional journey. The trailer gave us a glimpse into the life of Mufasa as an orphan, exploring his relationship with his adopted brother, who would later be known as Scar. It was a poignant start, reminding us of the power of storytelling that Disney excels at.

Tron: Ares
Next up, things got futuristic with Tron: Ares. The crowd went wild as cast members Jared Leto, Evan Peters, and Greta Lee took the stage. But the real showstopper? The reveal of Nine Inch Nails composing the score, following in the legendary footsteps of Daft Punk. The footage shown was nothing short of mind-bending, a visual feast that left everyone craving more.

Snow White
The classic tale of Snow White received a fresh twist with the unveiling of its first trailer. Unlike some recent films that shy away from their musical roots, this one proudly embraced its heritage. It was a joyful celebration of Disney’s long-standing tradition of combining music and storytelling, and the crowd’s excitement was palpable.

Freakier Friday
The body-swap comedy Freaky Friday 2 made its presence known with stars Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis. The duo had the crowd in stitches as they revealed the movie’s title, bringing a touch of nostalgia mixed with fresh humor to the night.

David Blaine’s Do Not Attempt
Magician David Blaine turned the evening into something truly magical with a jaw-dropping trick that left 12,000 people in the Honda Center utterly gobsmacked. Each attendee had been given a deck of cards at the start of the show, and Blaine asked them to cut their decks twice and put the new card on top. When he pulled two audience members on stage, one revealed the three of hearts. To everyone’s amazement, the entire audience was holding the same card! It was a moment of pure Disney magic.

Agatha All Along
Marvel took center stage with Kathryn Hahn leading the cast in a musical number before unveiling a new trailer for Agatha All Along, set to premiere in September. It was a lively, spirited performance that perfectly captured the essence of the character and the show, promising fans a wild ride.

Daredevil: Born Again
The Marvel madness continued with Daredevil: Born Again. Marvel Studios boss Kevin Feige announced that season one will debut in March 2025, with season two set to begin filming soon. The panel featured stars Charlie Cox, Vincent D’Onofrio, Deborah Ann Woll, Elden Henson, and Jon Bernthal. Bernthal’s return as The Punisher was met with thunderous applause, and he humbly expressed his gratitude, saying, “It’s a real honor. I couldn’t be up here with better people.”

Ironheart
Ryan Coogler, the mastermind behind Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, took the stage to talk about Ironheart, a Marvel show centering on Riri Williams, a genius MIT student who builds her own Iron Man-style suit. The cast joined Coogler on stage to showcase footage that has been long-awaited since its first reveal at D23 in 2022.

Fantastic Four and Captain America: Brave New World
Fresh off San Diego Comic-Con, Marvel brought out Brave New World star Anthony Mackie. While the footage wasn’t new for those who attended Comic-Con, it was still a thrill for the audience to see Mackie on stage, especially when he recounted a story about Harrison Ford as Red Hulk.

The panel also touched on Fantastic Four, keeping fans on the edge of their seats with excitement.

Ryan Reynolds Shows Gratitude (and Takes a Jab at Marvel)
In a hilarious pre-recorded video, Deadpool and Wolverine star Ryan Reynolds sent a thank you to the fans and couldn’t resist poking fun at Marvel. “A very special thank you for letting us make a few teensy jokes at Marvel’s expense. It’s my way of showing love. And of course, saving the studio,” Reynolds quipped, bringing laughter and cheers from the crowd.

The Mandalorian & Grogu
For Star Wars fans, director Jon Favreau brought exciting news, revealing that the first Star Wars movie since 2019’s Rise of Skywalker has just started filming. He showed off footage that included Snowtroopers and AT-AT Walkers, sending the crowd into a frenzy.

Andor
The Andor panel teased the return of familiar faces from Rogue One, including Ben Mendelsohn as Krennic and Alan Tudyk as the voice of K-2S0. Creator Tony Gilroy hinted at a bigger rebellion in season two, making the wait for its release all the more unbearable.

Star Wars: Skeleton Crew
A teaser for Star Wars: Skeleton Crew gave fans a peek into a galaxy far, far away, following young characters lost in the vast universe. With Jude Law starring, the show promises to be another exciting addition to the Star Wars saga.

Frozen III
Disney Animation’s Jennifer Lee took the stage to confirm that Frozen III will be hitting theaters in 2027, and teased that a fourth film is also in the works. The Frozen franchise has been a powerhouse for Disney, and the announcement was met with resounding applause.

Zootopia 2
Oscar-winner Ke Huy Quan joined the cast of Zootopia 2 as a creepy new character, a “slithering, highly venomous viper” named Gary. The playful interaction between Quan and star Ginnifer Goodwin had the crowd laughing and eagerly awaiting the sequel.

The Incredibles 3
To close out the Pixar segment, Peter Docter dropped a bombshell: The Incredibles 3 is officially in development, with Brad Bird at the helm. The announcement was met with thunderous applause, a fitting end to the Pixar portion of the night.

Hoppers
Jon Hamm and Bobby Moynihan introduced the quirky body-swap movie Hoppers, where a beaver and a human exchange bodies. It’s exactly the kind of whimsical, offbeat project that Disney does so well, and it left the audience intrigued.

Toy Story 5
Andrew Stanton took the stage to talk about Toy Story 5, teasing a plot where the beloved toys face off against modern technology like iPads and iPhones. The concept of “toy meets tech” had the crowd buzzing, especially with the reveal that 50 malfunctioning Buzz Lightyear figures will cause some serious chaos.

Inside Out TV Spinoff
Pixar’s Docter wasn’t done yet. He took a moment to thank fans for making Inside Out 2 the No. 1 animated movie of all time and shared exciting news: Inside Out will be getting a Disney+ TV series called Dream Productions, set to premiere next year. The joy and excitement in the room were palpable.

Avatar: Fire and Ash
James Cameron, the mastermind behind Avatar, revealed that the third installment in the franchise will be titled Avatar: Fire and Ash. He promised new cultures, settings, creatures, and biomes that will expand the world of Pandora in ways we’ve never seen before. “The new film is not what you expect, but it’s definitely what you want,” Cameron teased, leaving fans eagerly anticipating the film’s release in December 2025.

Monster Jam
Dwayne Johnson introduced a mysterious new project titled Monster Jam, involving monster trucks and a live-action experience told from the perspective of these incredible vehicles and their eccentric owners.

As the lights dimmed and the crowd began to disperse, it was clear that this year’s D23 panel had delivered on all fronts. From thrilling new projects to beloved franchises making a return, Disney had once again captured the magic that keeps fans coming back year after year. The future is bright for Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Lucasfilm, and if tonight was any indication, the best is yet to come.