The Walt Disney Company has confirmed release dates for two of its biggest upcoming sequels, with Lilo & Stitch 2 and The Incredibles 3 both set to arrive in cinemas just weeks apart in summer 2028 — highlighting the company’s continued reliance on blockbuster franchises.
While the films are being released under the same corporate umbrella, they are coming from two distinct creative arms of the company. Lilo & Stitch 2 is a Disney live-action production, while Incredibles 3 is being developed by Pixar, the award-winning studio behind some of the most successful animated films of all time.
The Lilo & Stitch sequel will land first, arriving in cinemas on May 26, 2028, over the lucrative US Memorial Day weekend — a slot traditionally reserved for major family releases.
The decision follows the enormous success of the 2025 live-action remake of Lilo & Stitch, which became a global phenomenon, grossing more than $1.3 billion worldwide. The film tapped into a powerful wave of nostalgia among millennials who grew up with the original, while also finding a new audience among younger viewers.
Originally released in 2002, Lilo & Stitch told the story of a lonely Hawaiian girl who forms an unlikely bond with a destructive alien experiment, known as Stitch.
The film stood out at the time for its emotional depth, distinctive animation style and its central theme of ohana — the idea that family means no one gets left behind. Over the years, it has developed a loyal fanbase, spawning sequels, spin-offs and a long-running cultural legacy.
For the upcoming sequel, Chris Sanders — who co-created the original film — will return to write the script and once again voice Stitch, a role he has played for over two decades. His involvement is likely to reassure longtime fans, particularly as Disney continues to expand its slate of live-action adaptations of classic animated properties.
Just three weeks later, attention will shift to Pixar, with Incredibles 3 arriving on June 16, 2028. The film marks the long-awaited return of one of the studio’s most beloved franchises, nearly a decade after Incredibles 2 became a box office juggernaut, earning $1.24 billion globally.
The original The Incredibles, directed by Brad Bird, was a landmark release for Pixar, blending superhero action with family dynamics in a way that appealed to both children and adults. It won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature and remains one of the studio’s most critically acclaimed films.
Its sequel, released 14 years later, proved that demand for the Parr family had not faded, delivering even bigger commercial success and reaffirming the franchise’s place among Pixar’s elite properties. The films follow a family of undercover superheroes attempting to live normal lives, a concept that has consistently resonated with audiences thanks to its mix of humour, action and relatable themes.
For Incredibles 3, Bird will return as writer, but directing duties will be handed over to Peter Sohn, best known for Elemental. The change marks a new creative chapter for the series, while still maintaining continuity with the original vision.
The announcement of both release dates came as Disney’s new CEO Josh D’Amaro addressed shareholders for the first time since succeeding Bob Iger.
In outlining the company’s future strategy, D’Amaro emphasised the importance of balancing original storytelling with established franchises — though the prominence of these sequels highlights just how central familiar titles remain to Disney’s box office dominance.
The studio has increasingly leaned into nostalgia-driven projects in recent years, from live-action remakes to long-awaited sequels, capitalising on audiences’ emotional connections to characters they grew up with. At the same time, Pixar continues to operate with its own creative identity, often blending original concepts with carefully selected franchise extensions.
With both Lilo & Stitch 2 and Incredibles 3 following billion-dollar predecessors, expectations will be exceptionally high. Their proximity on the release calendar also suggests Disney is confident that demand for family-focused blockbusters remains strong enough to support two major titles in quick succession.
For audiences, it sets up a packed summer in 2028, with two of Disney’s most beloved worlds returning to the big screen — one rooted in heartfelt nostalgia, the other in superhero spectacle — as the company looks to once again dominate the global box office.
