Preview the Full Slate of Lucasfilm, Marvel, Pixar and Walt Disney Movies in 2016

2015 was certainly a banner year for Walt Disney Studios, with the triumphant return of Star Wars.  The slate of Disney movies in 2016 also includes the return of some old friends, live-action remakes of animated classics, a mystical new Marvel super hero, and the first stand-alone Star Wars story.  Below you’ll find the descriptions, release dates, and links to our individual pages for all the Disney movies in 2016 including releases from Marvel, Pixar, Walt Disney Pictures, and Lucasfilm Ltd.  We’ll continue to add images, news, and trailers to each film’s individual page as we get more information.  So take a look below and let us know what films you are you looking forward to most in the coming year.

The Finest Hours - January 29, 2016

THE FINEST HOURSDisney’s THE FINEST HOURS is the unforgettable story of the Coast Guard’s courageous mission, where Chris Pine plays Bernie Webber, the captain of the rescue boat, in the heroic action-thriller.  On February 18, 1952, a massive nor’easter struck New England, pummeling towns along the Eastern seaboard and wreaking havoc on the ships caught in its deadly path, including the SS Pendleton, a T-2 oil tanker bound for Boston, which was literally ripped in half, trapping more than 30 sailors inside its rapidly-sinking stern.  THE FINEST HOURS is directed by Craig Gillespie and also stars Academy Award and Golden Globe nominee Casey Affleck; Ben Foster; Holliday Grainger; John Ortiz; and Eric Bana.

Click here for our review of Disney’s THE FINEST HOURS.

Zootopia - March 4, 2016

ZOOTOPIAThe modern mammal metropolis of ZOOTOPIA is a city like no other. Comprised of habitat neighborhoods like ritzy Sahara Square and frigid Tundratown, it’s a melting pot where animals from every environment live together—a place where no matter what you are, from the biggest elephant to the smallest shrew, you can be anything. But when optimistic Officer Judy Hopps (voice of Ginnifer Goodwin) arrives, she discovers that being the first bunny on a police force of big, tough animals isn’t so easy. Determined to prove herself, she jumps at the opportunity to crack a case, even if it means partnering with a fast-talking, scam-artist fox, Nick Wilde (voice of Jason Bateman), to solve the mystery.

Click here for more images, trailers, and news for Disney’s ZOOTOPIA.

The Jungle Book - April 15, 2016

the jungle bookDirected by Jon Favreau (“Chef,” “Iron Man,” “Elf”), based on Rudyard Kipling’s timeless stories and inspired by Disney’s classic animated film, THE JUNGLE BOOK is an all-new live-action epic adventure about Mowgli (newcomer Neel Sethi), a man-cub who’s been raised by a family of wolves. But Mowgli finds he is no longer welcome in the jungle when fearsome tiger Shere Khan (voice of Idris Elba), who bears the scars of Man, promises to eliminate what he sees as a threat. Urged to abandon the only home he’s ever known, Mowgli embarks on a captivating journey of self-discovery, guided by panther-turned-stern mentor Bagheera (voice of Ben Kingsley), and the free-spirited bear Baloo (voice of Bill Murray). Along the way, Mowgli encounters jungle creatures who don’t exactly have his best interests at heart, including Kaa (voice of Scarlett Johannsson), a python whose seductive voice and gaze hypnotizes the man-cub, and the smooth-talking King Louie (voice of Christopher Walken), who tries to coerce Mowgli into giving up the secret to the elusive and deadly red flower: fire.

Click here for all the trailers, images, and news for THE JUNGLE BOOK.

Marvel’s Captain America: Civil War - May 6, 2016

Captain American Civil WarCAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR picks up where AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON left off, as Steve Rogers leads the new team of Avengers including ANT-MAN in their continued efforts to safeguard humanity. After another international incident involving the Avengers results in collateral damage, political pressure mounts to install a system of accountability and a governing body to determine when to enlist the services of the team. The new status quo fractures the Avengers while they try to protect the world from a new and nefarious villain.

Click here for all the trailers, images, and news for CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR.

Alice In Wonderland: Through the Looking Glass - May 27, 2016

ALICE THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASSDisney’s ALICE IN WONDERLAND: THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS features an award-winning production team and all-star ensemble cast, including Johnny Depp, Anne Hathaway, Mia Wasikowska, Helena Bonham Carter and Sacha Baron Cohen.  James Bobin (“The Muppets,” “Muppets Most Wanted”) helms the film, which revisits Lewis Carroll’s beloved stories with an all-new new tale that travels back to Underland—and back in Time.  ALICE IN WONDERLAND: THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS introduces several new characters as well: Zanik Hightopp (Rhys Ifans), the Mad Hatter’s father, and Time himself (Sacha Baron Cohen), a peculiar creature who is part human, part clock.

Click here for all the trailers, images, and news for ALICE IN WONDERLAND: THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS.

Disney•Pixar’s Finding Dory - June 17, 2016

Disney•Pixar's FINDING DORYWhen Dory said “just keep swimming” in 2003’s Oscar-winning film “Finding Nemo,” she could not have imagined what was in store for her (not that she could remember). Ellen DeGeneres, voice of the friendly-but-forgetful blue tang fish, returns in Disney•Pixar’s FINDING DORY — the all-new story, which reunites Dory with friends Nemo and Marlin on a search for answers about her past. What can she remember? Who are her parents? And where did she learn to speak Whale?

Click here for all the trailers, images, and news for Disney•Pixar’s FINDING DORY.

The BFG - July 1, 2016

THE BFGDisney’s THE BFG tells the imaginative story of a young girl and the Giant who introduces her to the wonders and perils of Giant Country. Steven Spielberg will direct the film adaptation of the children’s novel published in 1982 by Roald Dahl.  The talents of three of the world’s greatest storytellers – Roald Dahl, Walt Disney and Steven Spielberg – finally unite to bring Dahl’s beloved classic “The BFG” to life.Newcomer Ruby Barnhill has been cast as the young girl, Sophie, and joins Mark Rylance who has been cast as the “Big Friendly Giant.”

Click here for all the trailers, images, and news for THE BFG.

Pete’s Dragon - August 12, 2016

PETE'S DRAGONPETE’S DRAGON is a re-make of Disney’s 1977 film starring Mickey Rooney and Helen Reddy about an orphan and his green dragon playmate.  Fresh off her success in JURASSIC WORLD, Bryce Dallas Howard stars in the heartwarming adventure of an orphaned boy named Pete and his best friend Elliott, who just so happens to be a dragon.  PETE’S DRAGON is directed by David Lowery, produced by Jim Whitaker, and executive-produced by Barrie Osborne, and also stars Oakes Fegley, Wes Bentley, Karl Urban, Oona Laurence and Robert Redford. PETE’S DRAGON opens in U.S. theaters on August 12, 2016.

Click here for all the trailers, images, and news for PETE’S DRAGON.

Disney’s Queen of Katwe - Fall 2016

The inspirational true story of a girl from the poverty-stricken slums of rural Uganda who dreams of becoming a champion chess player. Directed by Mira Nair from a screenplay by William Wheeler based on the book by Tim Crothers, QUEEN OF KATWE stars Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o, David Oyelowo and newcomer Medina Nalwanga.  Disney’s QUEEN OF KATWE will open in U.S. theaters in Fall 2016.

Click here for all the trailers, images, and news for QUEEN OF KATWE.

 

Marvel’s Doctor Strange - November 4, 2016

Marvel's Doctor StrangeBenedict Cumberbatch stars as neurosurgeon Doctor Stephen Strange who, after a horrific car accident, discovers the hidden world of magic and alternate dimensions in Marvel’s DOCTOR STRANGE.  “Stephen Strange’s story requires an actor capable of great depth and sincerity,” said Producer Kevin Feige. “In 2016, Benedict Cumberbatch will show audiences what makes Doctor Strange such a unique and compelling character.  In the Marvel Cinematic Universe version of the supernatural, that involves everything from quantum mechanics to string theory. The idea of this film is to open up a whole new corner of the cinematic universe. We want to enter, through DOCTOR STRANGE, the world of parallel dimensions.”

Click here for all the trailers, images, and news for Marvel’s DOCTOR STRANGE.

Disney’s Moana - November 23, 2016

MOANARon Clements and John Musker go back to the sea for Walt Disney Animation Studios’ 56th feature film, MOANA. The filmmaking team behind “The Little Mermaid,” “Aladdin,” and “The Princess and the Frog” will helm the CG animated comedy-adventure MOANA opening November 23, 2016.  In the ancient South Pacific world of Oceania, Moana (voiced by native Hawaiian newcomer Auli’i Cravalho), a born navigator, sets sail in search of a fabled island.  During her incredible journey, she teams up with her hero, the legendary demi-god Maui (voiced by Dwayne Johnson), to traverse the open ocean on an action-packed voyage, encountering enormous sea creatures, breathtaking underworlds and ancient folklore.

Click here for all the trailers, images, and news for Disney’s MOANA.

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story - December 16, 2016

STAR WARS: ROGUE ONEROGUE ONE tells the story of resistance fighters who have united to steal plans to the dreaded Death Star.  The STAR WARS story stars Felicity Jones, and is directed by Gareth Edwards.  “ROGUE ONE takes place before the events of Star Wars: A New Hope and will be a departure from the saga films but have elements that are familiar to the Star Wars universe,” says producer Kathleen Kennedy. “It goes into new territory, exploring the galactic struggle from a ground-war perspective while maintaining that essential Star Wars feel that fans have come to know. Gareth Edwards is such an innovative director and I’m so excited to be working with him and the extraordinary ensemble cast he’s selected for ROGUE ONE.”

Click here for all the trailers, images, and news for ROGUE ONE.

The Light Between Oceans - DreamWorks’ Pictures TBD

DreamWorks’ Pictures THE LIGHT BETWEEN OCEANS is a heartbreaking drama about fate, love, moral dilemmas and the lengths to which one couple will go to see their dreams realized. Starring Academy Award and Golden Globe nominee Michael Fassbender, Alicia Vikander, Academy Award and Golden Globe winner Rachel Weisz, Golden Globe nominee Bryan Brown and Jack Thompson, the film is written for the screen and directed by Derek Cianfrance based on the acclaimed novel by M.I. Stedman. We will update this post when a release date becomes available.

 

Remember release dates for films are always subject to change.  For more family entertainment news, be sure to follow Adventures by Daddy on twitter and “like” our facebook page too.

About Dave Parfitt

Married, father of two girls, and living in the heart of the Finger Lakes. I'm a runner with a PhD in neuroscience and a passion for travel.