Disney announces new Frozen, Toy Story and Zootopia sequels

Into the unknown…

By Justin Harp

8 Feb 2023

Disney

Disney has surprised fans by revealing that sequels to Frozen, Toy Story and Zootopia are in the works.

The massive announcement came during a quarterly earnings call for Disney on Wednesday (February 8), during which CEO Bob Iger revealed the exciting news.

TheWrap reports that little is known about Disney's progress on these three sequels. Creative teams and casts are expected to be announced at a later date.

"We are leaning into our unrivaled brands," Iger said of the decision to create new follow-up films.

Toy Story fans are likely to be thrilled with the announcement of a proper sequel following the divisive reaction to last year's Lightyear, a standalone adventure movie in which Chris Evans voiced Buzz Lightyear.

The most recent official sequel, Toy Story 4, made more than $1 billion at the box office in 2019 and won Best Animated Feature at the Oscars that year.

A third Frozen film has long been expected as well, especially after Anna voice actress Kristen Bell jokingly "confirmed" it would be happening last summer. (Bell also revealed she had "zero authority" to greenlight the film!)

"There could be something maybe in the works and maybe happening… maybe," she teased at the time.

Disney

Zootopia, known as Zootropolis outside North America, recently spun off into the Zootopia+ series on Disney+. The animated show features cast members Bell, Bonnie Hunt, Idris Elba and Shakira reprising their roles from the film.

Also during Wednesday's earnings call, Iger announced big changes to the way Disney will release its blockbuster films in the future.

Iger promised that Disney's creative teams will be taking back control over whether their films will go directly to Disney+ or open first in theatres, following a few years of uncertainty due to the pandemic.

Lightyear is streaming on Disney+, along with the entire Toy Story series and shorts.