The Walt Disney Studios took center stage last night at the 2025 CinemaCon® Convention in Las Vegas, unveiling a powerhouse slate of upcoming theatrical releases. Held at the iconic Colosseum at Caesar’s Palace, the studio’s star-studded presentation offered exclusive sneak peeks and first-look footage from its stellar roster of franchises and original films across its major production banners—Disney Live Action, Marvel Studios, Pixar, Walt Disney Animation, 20th Century Studios, and Searchlight Pictures.
Alan Bergman, co-chairman of Disney Entertainment, opened the presentation with gratitude and anticipation, welcoming theater owners and exhibitors before passing the mic to Andrew Cripps, head of theatrical distribution. Cripps emphasized Disney’s ongoing commitment to the cinematic experience and honored the collaborative effort that brings stories to the big screen.
The showcase kicked off with a nostalgic and heartfelt punch: new footage from Lilo & Stitch, the live-action reimagining of Disney’s beloved 2002 animated classic. Directed by Dean Fleischer Camp (Marcel the Shell with Shoes On), the film features Maia Kealoha as Lilo and Zach Galifianakis, Sydney Elizebeth Agudong, and Tia Carrere among the ensemble cast. The film lands in theaters May 23.
Next, Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis brought palpable energy to the stage as they introduced Freakier Friday, the sequel to their iconic body-swap comedy. Directed by Nisha Ganatra and debuting August 8, the sequel brings Tess and Anna back—this time navigating parenthood and blended families—with lightning once again threatening to strike.
In a high-tech spectacle, Jared Leto and Jeff Bridges unveiled TRON: Ares, the third chapter in the TRON saga. With a cutting-edge visual display and a riveting extended trailer, the duo teased a story that bridges the digital and human realms, premiering October 10.
CinemaCon attendees were also treated to a pulse-pounding clip from The Amateur, an espionage thriller starring Rami Malek, Laurence Fishburne, and Rachel Brosnahan, arriving in theaters April 11.
Elle Fanning joined the stage to premiere the trailer for Predator: Badlands, a futuristic spin on the classic franchise. Directed by Dan Trachtenberg, the film is set for a November 7 release and promises high-stakes action and an unlikely human-Predator alliance.
Jeremy Allen White and Jeremy Strong made a surprise appearance to introduce Deliver Me from Nowhere, a deeply personal look at the creation of Bruce Springsteen’s Nebraska album. Directed by Scott Cooper, the film dives into the heart of Springsteen’s artistry and lands in theaters later this year.
Jamie Lee Curtis returned to promote Ella McCay, a political dramedy from legendary filmmaker James L. Brooks, who was honored with CinemaCon’s Cinema Vérité Award. With a cast led by Emma Mackey and Woody Harrelson, Ella McCay opens September 19.
Searchlight Pictures followed up with a first trailer for The Roses, a darkly comedic drama reimagining The War of the Roses. Olivia Colman and Benedict Cumberbatch headline this tale of marital warfare and ambition, hitting theaters August 29.
Marvel Studios kept the adrenaline high with major reveals. Florence Pugh, David Harbour, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus dropped new footage from Thunderbolts (May 2), a gritty team-up of Marvel’s morally complex antiheroes. Moments later, Kevin Feige introduced the first footage of The Fantastic Four: First Steps—a retro-futuristic reintroduction of Marvel’s First Family. Starring Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach, the film takes on Galactus and the Silver Surfer when it opens July 25.
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Pixar’s upcoming cosmic coming-of-age tale Elio received six minutes of 3D footage. Zoe Saldaña introduced the scene, which follows a misfit boy mistaken for Earth’s ambassador to the galaxy. Directed by Madeline Sharafian, the film hits theaters June 20.
Saldaña remained on stage to tease Avatar: Fire and Ash, the highly anticipated third installment in James Cameron’s Avatar saga. In a taped message, Cameron introduced an immersive sneak peek that transported the audience back to the bioluminescent wonders of Pandora. The epic continues December 19.
Finally, Zootopia 2 got its spotlight with new clips and a cast announcement. Ke Huy Quan and Quinta Brunson join returning voices Ginnifer Goodwin and Jason Bateman as Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde unravel a new mystery. Expect Zootopia 2 to hit theaters November 26.
From intergalactic adventures to emotional homecomings, Disney’s upcoming lineup proves there’s something for every moviegoer in 2025. As CinemaCon 2025 continues, The Walt Disney Studios has already set the bar sky-high, reigniting excitement for the magic of the big screen.
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