Disney’s Turning Red will be followed by an exciting slate of animated movies from Walt Disney Animated Studios, 20th Century Animations, and Pixar. Turning Red kicks off the highly anticipated list of Disney animated movies in 2022, which comes after massively successful ventures in 2021 like Luca and Encanto. Disney’s upcoming animated movies include both theatrical and streaming projects for Disney+, with many films being new additions to existing franchises.
Pixar’s Turning Red, directed by Domee Shi, was initially designated for an exclusive theatrical release, but was later moved to a streaming-only premiere on Disney+ for March 11. While many have critiqued this as an undesirable precedent for Disney’s ownership of Pixar’s animated movies, as both Soul (2020) and Luca (2021) were also moved to streaming releases, the change in release strategy for Turning Red was primarily influenced by surges in the COVID-19 pandemic. While Disney has already designated a significant portion of its upcoming animated films for an exclusive debut on Disney+, it appears future Pixar movies like Lightyear will still receive their desired theatrical releases.
After Disney’s acquisition of 20th Century Studios, the company’s slate of animated film features diversified to also include more mature content. That said, Disney’s primary focus remains on Pixar and Walt Disney Studios, where the majority of their animated features are produced. Disney is releasing 10 animated movies after Turning Red, with some having firm theatrical or Disney+ premiere dates while others’ release dates have yet to be determined. Disney’s slate of original and franchise animated movies is increasing over the next few years, with a few major films set to release in 2022. Here’s a breakdown of all 10 upcoming Disney animated movies releasing after Turning Red.
Chip 'N Dale: Rescue Rangers - May 20, 2022
The next Disney animated movie premiering after Turning Red is Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers, which will be released exclusively on Disney+ on May 20, 2022. Disney+'s Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers is a sequel to the 1980s TV show of the same name, which blends the worlds of live-action and animation akin to Who Framed Roger Rabbit. Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers follows the title chipmunks as they start a detective agency, Rescue Rangers, in which they solve crimes deemed “too small” for the police. The Disney+ sequel movie picks up 30 years after the TV show’s finale, where Chip (John Mulaney) is now an insurance salesman and Dale (Andy Samberg), who had “CGI surgery,” works in the convention circuit. 2022’s Rescue Rangers finally sees the chipmunks reunite when a cast member from the original Disney animated series goes missing.
The Bob’s Burgers Movie - May 27, 2022
The long-awaited feature film from the animated Bob’s Burgers TV show releases fairly soon after Pixar’s Turning Red. Having been in development since 2017, The Bob’s Burgers Movie is finally premiering exclusively in theaters on May 27, 2022, with the main TV show cast reprising their roles. The 20th Century Animations movie follows the Belcher family after a ruptured water main creates a sinkhole outside of Bob’s Burgers, effectively ruining the characters’ summer plans. Disney’s upcoming animated movie sees Bob and Linda try keeping Bob’s Burgers up and running while the Belcher kids try solving a mystery to save the restaurant.
Lightyear - June 17, 2022
Arguably the most highly anticipated upcoming Disney animated movie is Lightyear, a standalone film in the Toy Story franchise following the real in-universe Buzz Lightyear human figure that inspired Andy’s toy. Lightyear’s title Space Ranger is voiced by Chris Evans, taking over from Tim Allen, who voices the toy version of the character. Receiving an exclusive theatrical release in June 2022, Pixar’s Lightyear tells the fictional origin story of the human Buzz Lightyear character as he goes from young test pilot to the Space Ranger who battles Emperor Zurg.
Strange World - November 23, 2022
The next big Walt Disney Animated Studios movie releasing after Turning Red is Strange World, which follows its characters journeying into an uncharted, dangerous world where fantastical creatures reside. Disney has yet to release many details on the plot of Strange World’s action-adventure animated movie, but it’s set to be directed by Don Hall, who helmed Big Hero 6 and 2021’s Raya and the Last Dragon. Alongside concept art for the movie, Disney announced Strange World will premiere on November 23, 2022.
Night At The Museum: Kahmunrah Rises Again - 2022
Disney’s acquisition of 20th Century Studios led many to anticipate their revival of the Night at the Museum franchise, which is helmed by Free Guy director Shawn Levy. Following Night at the Museum’s three live-action films, Disney announced a reboot of the franchise in 2019 with an animated feature titled Night at the Museum: Kahmunrah Rises Again. The CGI-animated movie was originally scheduled for an exclusive Disney+ release in 2021 but was pushed back to an unconfirmed premiere date in 2022. With Shawn Levy serving as an executive producer, Night at the Museum: Kahmunrah Rises Again will revolve around Larry Daley’s son, Nick, who is hesitant to follow in his father’s nightwatchman footsteps as the title villain returns to conquer the world. It’s still unclear when exactly the animated Night at the Museum reboot movie will drop on Disney+.
Diary Of A Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules - 2022
Disney+ officially rebooted the Diary of a Wimpy Kid film series in 2021 with the same-titled animated feature, announcing that several animated sequels would follow in the future. The first sequel, Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules, will be released exclusively on Disney+ in 2022. While author Jeff Kinney revealed he intends to adapt all of his books into animated films, Rodrick Rules is the only confirmed upcoming Diary of a Wimpy Kid Disney+ movie so far.
Untitled Carlos López Estrada Movie
Raya and the Last Dragon director Carlos López Estrada has confirmed that he will be helming another untitled animated film for Walt Disney Animation Studios set to release in 2023. Estrada is already directing a live-action Robin Hood movie remake for Disney+, though it’s unclear when this will be released. So far, no details on the animated Carlos López Estrada movie have been announced, but the director expects audiences will see it in 2023.
Untitled Pixar Movies
Disney’s upcoming release schedule includes a slot for one untitled Pixar animation film in 2023 and two more Pixar movies in 2024. While Disney currently only has three untitled Pixar animated movies on its schedule after Turning Red and Lightyear, audiences can expect many more over the next few years considering how well Pixar’s movies have performed. While Disney+ has expanded many Pixar Animation movies’ universes by creating spin-off TV shows, there won’t be a shortage of Pixar projects in the slate of Disney’s animated movies releasing after Turning Red.
Watch Turning Red on Disney+ now.