Disney did its best to adapt to all of the curveballs 2020 threw when it came to its new movie releases [1]. Starting with Onward [2] in March, several new films debuted on Disney+ (hello, Hamilton [3] and Mulan [4]!), and despite a number of changes to the schedule, we definitely have something to look forward to with its 2021 film lineup [5]. Although some of the movies below were originally supposed to hit theaters in 2020 [6], Disney has shuffled its schedule around so that, hopefully, we'll all get to see some of these new movies in theaters, as intended (though many will also debut on Disney+ as well!).
Keep scrolling to see which movies are on the docket for 2021 [7] (and check out the Disney movies already know to be coming out in 2022 [8]!).
New Disney Movies Coming Out in 2021
- Luca — June 18: This Pixar animation directed by Enrico Casarosa is a coming-of-age story set in Italy about a boy named Luca [10] who has a massive secret: he's actually a sea monster. Luca will debut exclusively on Disney+ with Premier Access.
- Jungle Cruise — July 30: Based on the classic Disney World attraction, the film will star Dwayne Johnson [11] (who is also producing the movie), Emily Blunt [12], and Jesse Plemons. Watch the trailer here [13] before it comes out in theaters and on Disney+ with Premier Access.
- Encanto — Nov. 24: This animated film is about a young Brazilian girl who is the only one in her family who doesn't have magical powers.
- Night at the Museum: Kahmunrah Rises Again — TBD: An animated version of the series is coming to Disney+ on an undetermined date in 2021.
- Diary of a Wimpy Kid — TBD: An animated version of the series is coming to Disney+ on an undetermined date in 2021.
- The Little Mermaid — TBD: A live-action version of the beloved film is releasing on an undetermined date in 2021. The cast includes Halle Bailey as Ariel, Jonah Hauer-King as Prince Eric, Melissa McCarthy as Ursula, Daveed Diggs as the voice of Sebastian, Javier Bardem [14] as King Triton, Jacob Tremblay as the voice of Flounder, and Awkwafina as the voice of Scuttle.
- Pinocchio — TBD: A live-action version of the beloved film is releasing on Disney+ on an undetermined date in 2021. The film is directed by Robert Zemeckis and starring Tom Hanks [15] as Geppetto.