By D23 Team
The new year has arrived and, chances are, you’ve got a brand-spanking-new calendar that’s just waiting to be filled up. Well, we here at D23 have some can’t-miss events and openings that you’re going to want to plan your 2018 around. Here are some of the dates that we’re marking on our calendars and circling in red!
February 16: Marvel Studios’ Black Panther
We are so ready to journey to Wakanda and meet Marvel Studios’ latest Super Hero, Black Panther. Following the death of his father, the King of Wakanda, T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman) returns home to the isolated, technologically advanced African nation to take his rightful place as king. But when a powerful old enemy reappears, T’Challa is drawn into a formidable conflict that puts the fate of Wakanda and the entire world at risk. Check out the trailer here, and we think you’ll be as excited as we are!
March 9: Disney’s A Wrinkle in Time
How exactly does one tesser, you might ask? Meg Murry (played by newcomer Storm Reid) provides the basics in this trailer, but A Wrinkle in Time, The Walt Disney Studios’ feature adaptation of Madeleine L’Engle’s classic novel, will take audiences through space and time in this new epic-adventure directed by Ava DuVernay. The film also stars Reese Witherspoon, Oprah Winfrey, and Mindy Kaling as Mrs. Whatist, Mrs. Which, and Mrs. Who, respectively, as three spectacular celestial beings who guide Meg on a transformative journey through which we discover that strength comes from embracing one’s individuality and that the best way to triumph over fear is to travel by one’s own light.
April 13: Pixar Fest Begins at Disneyland Resort
It’s an Incredible year to be a Disney•Pixar fan (see below), and the fun begins on April 13, when Pixar Fest comes to the Disneyland Resort. The limited-time offering features the debut of an all-new fireworks spectacular, Together Forever—A Pixar Nighttime Spectacular, which celebrates friendship through an emotional journey through our favorite Pixar pairings. The Pixar Play Parade will also make its way to Disneyland park with new parade elements that include the iconic Pixar lamp, as well as characters from Up and Inside Out. Over in Disney California Adventure, take a “short” break at the Sunset Showcase Theater in Hollywood Land, which hosts the Pixar Shorts film festival, featuring rotating favorites such as For the Birds and Lava. Fans can also stop by Paradise Gardens to enjoy a new Pixar-themed musical troupe and Pixar character greeting opportunities.
May 4: Marvel Studios’ Avengers: Infinity War
Ten years after Nick Fury first recruited Iron Man into the Avengers Initiative, Earth’s Mightiest Heroes face off against the biggest foe they’ve ever fought in Avengers: Infinity War, hitting theaters May 4. Directed by Anthony and Joe Russo, the heroic team behind Captain America: Winter Soldier and Captain America: Civil War, Infinity War presents a new danger that has emerged from the cosmic shadows: Thanos, a despot of intergalactic infamy. First seen at the end of 2012’s Avengers, Thanos has been collecting the Infinity Stones, artifacts of unimaginable power, that will enable him to inflict his twisted will on all of reality. It’s the biggest Super Hero film ever, and we can’t think of a better way to kick off a blockbuster summer. Hold on tight, because this is going to be big! See the trailer here.
May 25: Solo: A Star Wars Story
We haven’t yet heard much about the newest Star Wars standalone tale, but that doesn’t mean we aren’t circling our calendars for May 25, 2018… because we’re fairly certain it’s going to be seriously epic. Here’s what we do know: Alden Ehrenreich (Hail, Caesar!) stars as the lovable, fast-shooting scoundrel—and the film covers his early life, including shenanigans with soon-to-be close friend Lando Calrissian (Donald Glover). Directed by Ron Howard, Solo: A Star Wars Story also stars Emilia Clarke, Woody Harrelson, Thandie Newton, and Paul Bettany. (And don’t worry: Chewbacca’s there, too!) Keep your eyes peeled on D23.com for more info about the film as it becomes available…
Summer: Pixar Pier
Coming this summer to Disney California Adventure Park, Pixar Pier will transform the southern shore of Paradise Bay at Disney California Adventure park with whimsical neighborhoods filled with characters from some of your favorite Pixar stories. The neighborhood inspired by The Incredibles will be anchored by the Incredicoaster, which will feature a new mid-century-modern-style loading area inspired by the Parr family home as seen in the upcoming Incredibles 2. In another neighborhood, each of the 24 gondolas on what is now Mickey’s Fun Wheel will feature different pairs of Pixar pals. And at the Games of the Boardwalk, all of the midway games will be inspired by characters from films such as a bug’s life, WALL·E, and the Pixar short La Luna.
Summer: Toy Story Land at Walt Disney World
At Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World Resort, Woody, Buzz, and all their friends from the Toy Story films are welcoming guests to Toy Story Land this summer. Guests will be “shrunk” to the size of a toy and invited into Andy’s backyard, where all Andy’s toy characters have been scattered. All ages will love the new Slinky Dog Dash family coaster, which dips, dashes, and dodges all around Toy Story Land, where you’ll see friends like Rex, Jessie, Sarge, and others. In addition to the coaster, you’ll be able to ride the Alien Swirling Saucers and Toy Story Mania via a brand new entrance. Finish your trip to Andy’s backyard by grabbing a snack at Woody’s Lunch Box.
June 15: The Incredibles 2
The Incredibles are back–Mr. and Mrs. Incredible (Craig T. Nelson and Holly Hunter) with their daughter Violet (Sarah Vowell), son Dash (Huck Milner), and baby Jack-Jack—are picking up right where they left off in 2004. With Jack-Jack showing signs of even more new powers and with new villains springing up, the Parr family needs to pull out their masks and meet some new allies in order to save the world once again. Director Brad Bird returns to helm the film.
July 6: Ant-Man and the Wasp
Marvel’s smallest hero is ready for his biggest adventure yet as Ant-Man (Paul Rudd) returns for Ant-Man and the Wasp. After the events of Captain America: Civil War, Scott Lang is struggling with his responsibilities as both a Super Hero and a father when his old allies, Hope van Dyne (Evangeline Lilly) and Hank Pym (Michael Douglas), approach him with an urgent mission. And this time, Ant-Man won’t be going it alone—Hope is ready to don a suit of her own as The Wasp. Peyton Reed directs the film, which features familiar faces and several newcomers, including Michelle Pfeiffer and Laurence Fishburne.
November 2: The Nutcracker and the Four Realms
E.T.A. Hoffman’s classic tale is a holiday favorite for so many, and director Lasse Hallström is bringing the story to the big screen this November 2. The Nutcracker and the Four Realms follows Clara (Mackenzie Foy), who is searching for a one-of-a-kind key that will unlock a box containing a priceless gift from her late mother. A golden thread, presented to her at godfather Drosselmeyer’s (Morgan Freeman) annual holiday party, leads her to the coveted key—which promptly disappears into a strange and mysterious parallel world. It’s there that Clara encounters a soldier named Phillip (Jayden Fowora-Knight), a gang of mice, and the regents who preside over three Realms: Land of Snowflakes, Land of Flowers, and Land of Sweets. Clara and Phillip must brave the ominous Fourth Realm, home to the tyrant Mother Ginger (Helen Mirren), to retrieve Clara’s key and hopefully return harmony to the unstable world. The film also stars Keira Knightley as the Sugar Plum Fairy and features a special performance from dancer extraordinaire Misty Copeland.
November 21 (Thanksgiving): Ralph Breaks the Internet: Wreck-It Ralph 2
The filmmakers and star of 2012’s Wreck-It Ralph—director Rich Moore (Zootopia), producer Clark Spencer (Zootopia, Bolt), director/writer Phil Johnston (writer, Wreck-It Ralph, Zootopia), and actor John C. Reilly—are back for the further adventures of everyone’s favorite online hero. Reilly, who again lends his voice to the bad-guy-turned-good Ralph, will reunite with Sarah Silverman (as she reprises the role of Vanellope von Schweetz, the girl with the game-winning glitch) and Jack McBrayer (back as Fix-It Felix). And they’ll be joined by an all-new character, Yesss, voiced by Golden Globe® winner Taraji P. Henson (Hidden Figures, Empire). But that’s not all… as first announced at last year’s D23 Expo 2017, an incredible group of Disney Princesses will also lend their dulcet tones to a very special sequence in the film—including Auli‘i Cravalho (Moana), Kristen Bell (Anna in Frozen), Mandy Moore (Rapunzel in Tangled), Anika Noni Rose (Tiana in The Princess and the Frog), Irene Bedard (Pocahontas), Paige O’Hara (Belle in Beauty and the Beast), Jodi Benson (Ariel in The Little Mermaid), and more!
December 25: Mary Poppins Returns
Winds in the east, mist coming in… like something is brewing about to begin… Twenty-five years after she first arrived on the doorstep of the Banks family home, Mary Poppins (Emily Blunt) returns to 17 Cherry Tree Lane. Michael Banks’ (Ben Whishaw) and his sister Jane (Emily Mortimer) try to raise his three children and keep their spirits up—as well as fix their finances as they face foreclosure on their home—but it’s nothing that a spoonful of sugar can’t help! With director Rob Marshall at the helm and the blessing of Disney Legend Julie Andrews, Mary Poppins Returns promises a supercalifragilisticexpialidocious adventure where anything can happen.
