A look at all of the 2022 Disney movies coming out this year:
The past two years have been a bit unusual for movies, with many being delayed or sent straight to streaming. While 2022 still isn’t quite back to normal, we at least have a lot of movies to look forward to from the many umbrellas that Disney now owns. Some of these are being released in theaters while others will go directly to Disney+.
When I make these posts I personally only look at Disney Pictures, Disney Animation (+Pixar), Marvel, and LucasFilm. I’m not counting 20th Century Studios or Searchlight films in my list because at least to me, they don’t really have a Disney feel to them and they aren’t ones that I personally am going to seek out. I like to feature things that come more from the Disney Studios themselves and their major branches like Marvel and LucasFilm.
2022 Disney movies coming to theaters:
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
Release date: May 6, 2022
Marvel Studios
I think after the success of Spider-Man: No Way Home, this movie will be quite successful (and Disney is counting on that). With Dr. Strange playing a major role in that movie people will know him and be interested in hearing more about this story.
Lightyear
Release date: June 17, 2022
Pixar
We are still hanging on to the Toy Story franchise, but I’m kind of excited to see a new take on something rather than just “Toy Story 5.” I think it will have a very different feel to it because Lightyear isn’t about the toy Buzz Lightyear – it’s about the actual astronaut the toy was based on. And we’ve got Chris Evans voicing the title character which could be good.
Thor: Love and Thunder
Release date: July 8, 2022
Marvel Studios
Thor has definitely gained more popularity given the well done and popular third Thor film and then the success of the Loki television show on Disney+. Natalie Portman will be back for this one in her role of Thor’s love interest, which could be good or bad depending on what you think of her character (I’m not really a fan). Ragnarok was great and I love what they’ve done with Thor’s character since then in the other films so I’m looking forward to it.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Release date: November 11, 2022
Marvel Studios
Obviously Disney is putting most of its eggs in the Marvel basket this year. The first Black Panther film was fantastic so the promise of a sequel could be good, but the loss of Chadwick Boseman is devastating. I am VERY glad they aren’t recasting the part and will instead explore other characters within the Black Panther world.
Strange World
Release date: November 23, 2022
Walt Disney Animation Studios
The only animated Disney film of the year that isn’t Pixar or something going straight to Disney+. We don’t know too much about this one yet, other than it sounds like it’s kind of a fantasy/sci-fi cross and it’s about a “family of explorers.”
Disney movies in 2022 coming to Disney+
Turning Red
Release date: March 11, 2022
Pixar
This one was originally supposed to head to theaters, but now it’s being sent to Disney+ and will be free for subscribers. It does seem like Disney is being a bit harsh on Pixar lately in terms of theatrical releases but that may be another conversation. I’m not sure what I think about Turning Red so far. Pixar does mostly great stuff but the concept seems a bit out there. Then again, they’ve handled that well before so I won’t judge until I see it!
Aladdin: Live from the West End
Release date: estimated Spring 2022
Disney Theatrical Productions
A few years ago Disney made a stage musical out of another one of their films – this time, Aladdin. Now we’ll get a live recording of the musical from the West End, so it will be the stage show filmed rather than a live action musical. They did this with Hamilton as well. As someone who has done theater I appreciate being able to see shows in this way rather than converted to films. I got to see Aladdin on Broadway several years ago and I really enjoyed it, so I’ll be looking forward to watching it again here.
Better Nate Than Ever
Release date: Spring 2022
Walt Disney Pictures
This is a movie that will probably feel like it’s mostly for kids, but I personally am excited about it. It’s based on a middle grade book and as a children’s librarian I’ve read it and it’s one of my favorites ever. So I’m hoping the film version can live up to that. The book is written by Tim Federle who has also written/created High School Musical: The Musical: The Series (and will be directing/producing this film). If you’re a fan of that, I’d recommend checking this one out as well. You’ve also got Norbert Leo Butz, Lisa Kudrow, and Joshua Bassett in the cast!
Chip n Dale: Rescue Rangers
Release date: April 8, 2022
Walt Disney Pictures
Well, I’m not sure I ever imagined we’d get a live action version of Chip n Dale: Rescue Rangers, yet here we are. From what I’ve heard there will be a blend of live action and animation. Normally it probably wouldn’t make my list, but with Andy Samberg in the cast I may give it a shot.
Crater
Release date: Estimated sometime in 2022
Walt Disney Pictures
Here we actually have an original live action film coming to Disney+. It will be a science fiction film with the plot given as: “after the death of his father, a boy growing up on a lunar mining colony takes a trip to explore a mysterious crater, along with his four best friends, prior to being permanently relocated to another planet.”
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules
Release date: estimated in sometime in 2022
Walt Disney Pictures / 20th Century Animation
There are a lot of Diary of a Wimpy Kid books, so after they made a movie out of the first one it was probably inevitable that they’d do the second one as well. I personally don’t have any interest in this but it’s still one of the most popular book series in my library so I’m sure kids will love it. Note that this is an animated film, not to be confused with the live action film by the same name released in 2011 (currently available on Disney+).
Disenchanted
Release date: estimated sometime in 2022
Walt Disney Pictures
Enchanted is a fantastic movie, and the fact that they’ve got Amy Adams back to do a long-awaited sequel has me pretty excited for this one! Also returning will be Patrick Dempsey and Idina Menzel, with new to the franchise Maya Rudolph, Yvette Nicole Brown, and Jayma Mays. It will be set 10 years after the first film, and composer Stephen Schwartz stated that “There are seven songs plus reprises, which is more songs than the original.” All of this definitely makes Disenchanted one of my most anticipated films of the year!
Hollywood Stargirl
Release date: estimated sometime in 2022
Walt Disney Studios
Stargirl, which was released on Disney+ in 2020, apparently did well enough to warrant a sequel. It will pick up right where the first movie left off.
Peter Pan & Wendy
Release date: estimated sometime in 2022
Walt Disney Pictures
There have been a lot of Peter Pan movies made, and we have another live action version with Peter Pan and Wendy. It seems like it will mostly be a live version of Disney’s animated film, though I have to imagine there will be a number of updates. The casting sounds promising both in terms of talent and representation – Alyssa Wapanatâhk is an indigenous actress playing Tiger Lily. You also have Yara Shahidi as Tinkerbell, Jude Law as Captain Hook, and Jim Gaffigan as Mr. Smee. I’m going to be cautiously optimistic that this might be the version of Peter Pan we need in today’s era.
Pinocchio
Release date: estimated between July-September 2022
Walt Disney Pictures
We are again continuing this trend of creating live action versions of animated classics. I am really hoping Disney will do something inventive with a story like Pinocchio and not just rely on big names and talent (which they definitely have for this one with Tom Hanks as Geppetto and Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Jiminy Cricket). It will be a live action/animation blend. Pinocchio is one of my least favorite Disney films so we’ll see if this film can improve it for me at all.
Hocus Pocus 2
Release date: estimated September 2022
Walt Disney Pictures
With how popular Hocus Pocus became, I’m not surprised there’s a sequel. I am at least pleased they are getting the 3 main actors back in the roles. I’ve actually never been a huge fan of the original but there are so many people who love it pretty intensely that I’m wondering if they’ll do the second one justice.
Rise
Release date: estimated sometime in 2022
Walt Disney Pictures
Another actually new original film, this one sounds like your typical “inspirational sports film.” It’s based on a true story and follows “one family’s vision, determination and faith lifted them out of obscurity to launch the career of three NBA champions—two-time MVP Giannis and his brothers, Thanasis and Kostas.”
Three Men and a Baby
Release date: estimated late 2022
Walt Disney Pictures
You might recall this movie from the 80’s. Well, I guess it’s time for a remake. This time with Zac Efron. Why not?
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Which of these 2022 Disney movies coming out are you most excited to see?
I’m super excited to see Lightyear! I’m a huge fan of the Toy Story series and it’s refreshing to have a storyline based on the second best character (Woody will always be #1!)
I expect lots of laughs and I’m sure I’ll end up crying more than once. Those are my two keys for a great movie!
The more I hear about Lightyear the more excited I am to see it! I think the concept is really cool and unique. And if it’s Toy Story, the odds are pretty good that I’ll cry lol.