The magic in movies

Dana Garcia

Sophomore Tolu Oyesanya watches Disney+ during her free time and loves watching all the movies that inspire her life.“There was something about that feeling of anticipation as the Disney movie intro started playing; displaying its majestic castle and lots of sparkles,” Oyesanya said. Many of the classic movies have their own greater lessons to learn from as one gets older.

Be ready to binge-watch all of the new upcoming magical movies with popcorn and soda. The next set of Disney, Pixar and Marvel movies and television shows was announced recently at the D23 2022 Expo in early September. 

D23 is a fan event celebrating the Walt Disney Company and its remarkable stories and worlds. On Sept. 9 in Anaheim, California, attendees explored the Disney Parks and other newer attractions. For a total of three days, fans could also get an inside look at future movies and behind-the-scenes experiences. 

A couple of weeks after the Expo, fans that could not go to the event were presented with news articles and trailers about the new D23 movies. 

The list below shows the Disney movies and shows coming out this year. 

Hocus Pocus 2: This sequel will present a teenager who discovers she might be a witch on her 16th birthday. She lights a candle that brings the Sanderson Sisters back to Salem. This movie will be released on Sept. 30 on Disney+. 

Strange World: On Nov. 23, Disney+ will present another movie that shows a family of explorers, the Clades, that are famous around the globe. After finding a new strange world full of danger and adventure, the family must learn how to survive in mysterious unfortunate events. It is described on Disney’s Instagram page as a “journey deep into an uncharted and treacherous land where fantastical creatures await.” The cast will include Jake Gyllenhaal, Jaboukie Young-White, Dennis Quaid, and Lucy Liu. 

Disenchanted: Following the movie Enchanted, Disenchanted, available Nov. 24, will have actors Amy Adams and Patrick Dempsy once again following the adventures of motherhood and living a “normal” life. However, will a new villain with magic–Maya Rudolph–ruin this experience? 

Zootopia+: First started as a film, now turning into a series. On Nov. 9, Disney+ will release Zootopia+ with the same characters and settings as the original 2016 film, just different plots. 

For junior Nyla Scretchen, these movies played an important role in her childhood as she used Disney as inspiration to build a better character for herself. “Throughout every Disney movie, there is a deeper meaning to the story,” Scretchen said. “For instance, ‘Frozen’ taught me that if I keep secrets from the people who love me, it will hurt them more than telling the truth.” 

The list below shows the movies and shows coming out in 2023 and 2024. 

The Little Mermaid: On May 26, 2023, an original Disney movie will be turned into a live-action movie. The remake stars singer Halle Bailey playing Ariel, and the creator of Game of Thrones, Jane Goldman, will be writing the script. 

More actors such as Awkwafina and Jacob Tremblay, portraying Scuttle and Flounder, will appear alongside Jonah Hauer-King as Prince Eric, Melissa McCarthy as Ursula, Daveed Diggs as Sebastian and Javier Bardem as King Triton.

Peter Pan and Wendy: There has not been a decided release date for Disney’s live-action version of the 1953 animated film. In an interview with producer Jim Whitaker for Comicbook.com, he stated that the movie will be “a big, rollicking adventure.” During D23, audiences watched a teaser trailer, and the cast was announced. 

The cast will feature Ever Anderson as Wendy, while Alexander Molony will portray Peter Pan. Tinker Bell is played by Yara Shahidi, and Jude Law plays Captain Hook. 

Snow White: Another live-action remake coming on Disney+ on Mar. 22, 2024. Snow White is portrayed by Rachel Zegler, while Gal Gadot portrays the wicked magic queen. Most of the plot will be the same as the animated version, but more magic will be guaranteed to viewers. 

Inside Out 2: Pixar’s standalone Inside Out movie will be turned into a sequel on Jun. 14, 2024. Some details about the plot at D23 Expo have been revealed, including the introduction of new emotions. 

Unfortunately, Mindy Kaling, who played Disgust, and Bill Hader, who played Fear, will not return for this movie. Lewis Black will play Anger, Amy Poehler will take on Joy again, and Phyllis Smith will return as Sadness. 

Mufasa-The Lion King: Located in the heart of the jungle, Disney’s Lion King prequel will premiere on Jul. 5, 2024, on Disney+. At the moment, the known plot will be Mufasa starting as an orphan and telling his life story. It will show his history with Scar and how he became the king of the Pride Lands. 

There are currently five actors in the cast: Aaron Pierre as Mufasa, Seth Rogan as Pumbaa, Billy Eichner as Timon, John Kani as Rafiki, and Kelvin Harrison Jr. as Scar. 

Disney’s Upcoming 2022-2025 Marvel Movies

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever: The long-awaited Black Panther sequel will premiere as part of Phase Four of the MCU on Nov. 11, along with Marvel Studios’ 2022 theatrical slate. The film will feature the same cast and crew to experience how to learn from the passing of T’Challa’s Chadwick Boseman’s passing. A special teaser from the trailer was presented at the San Diego Comic-Con in July, but an exclusive clip was also shown at the D23 Expo. 

The Guardians Of The Galaxy Holiday Special: It will be five years after the last standalone Guardians of the Galaxy film that a short series movie will be released as a holiday special for fans in December 2022. The name Holiday Special was brought by pop culture fans from the infamous Star Wars Holiday Special in 1978. The cast of this spin-off will contain just a bit of the actors from the original Guardians Of The Galaxy movies. 

According to Radio Times, writer and director James Gunn announced his excitement for this show to come out. “It is unlike anything that anyone’s ever seen before. I can’t wait for people to see it,” Gunn said. 

The Marvels: A new film named The Marvels is scheduled to release on Jun. 28, 2023, based on Marvel Comics’ superheroes Captain Marvel, Monica Rambeau, and Ms. Marvel. The film will be a sequel to Captain Marvel, Avengers: Endgame, WandaVision, Mrs. Marvel and Secret Invasion. It is the sixth installment of Phase Five and the thirty-third film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. 

Brie Larson will return to the role of Captain Marvel/Carol Danvers. She will also be joined by Teyonah Parris, who first appeared as Monica Rambeau in Marvel Studios’ WandaVision. As well as Iman Vellani, who will play Ms. Marvel in the upcoming Disney+ series. 

Fantastic Four: The movie is set for release on Nov. 8, 2024, and focuses on Reed Richards (John Krasinski), Susan Storm (Emily Blunt), Johnny Storm (Zac Efron) and Ben Grimm (Jai Courtney) as they embark on a scientific discovery adventure. 

Avengers: Secret Wars: Another upcoming superhero movie set to feature on Nov. 7, 2025, is based on the Marvel Comics superhero team. It will be the final installment of Phase Six and The Multiverse Saga. 

Math teacher Derrick Collins shares his relationship with Disney and Marvel movies and how they impacted his life: “It was a good escape from reality, and sends out good positive messages,” Collins said, “All of those movies have their own story and message.”