5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Week

By Andie Hagemann

New year, new spectacular titles coming to your TV (and assorted streaming devices) this week! On Tuesday night, watch the The Rookie and The Rookie: Feds crossover event, followed by the series premiere of Will Trent, all airing on ABC. The second seasons of Magic of Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Star Wars: The Bad Batch launch Wednesday on Disney+, and that same day a new episode of Abbott Elementary airs on ABC.

In a scene from the ABC series The Rookie: Feds, actors Nathan Fillion as John Nolan and Niecy Nash-Betts as Simone Clark stand inside a residential kitchen. Fillion rests his hand on the counter and wears a green corduroy coat and a black T-shirt. Nash-Betts looks to the left and wears a burnt orange T-shirt and a purple kimono with colorful flowers. On the kitchen counter sits a glass of red wine.

The Rookie and The Rookie: Feds Crossover Event—Tuesday, January 3, from 8-10 p.m. ET/PT
The two-hour crossover event begins with the adrenaline-pumping midseason premiere of The Rookie. Detective Nyla Harper (Mekia Cox) and her husband James (Arjay Smith) find themselves trapped in the middle of a bank robbery, which leads the entire team on a citywide manhunt. Meanwhile, Officers Tim Bradford (Eric Winter) and Lucy Chen (Melissa O’Neil) finally go on their first date, but it isn’t free of drama.

The action continues with the midseason premiere of The Rookie: Feds, as a mysterious caller threatens to reveal a leaked list of undercover FBI agents if a prisoner isn’t released. After an exposed agent is wounded, the team identifies the caller and heads to the Port of Los Angeles to secure the prisoner’s release. Later, FBI rookie Simone (Niecy Nash-Betts) enlists Officer John Nolan (Nathan Fillion) to help her remodel Cutty’s garage into a living space.

In a scene from the ABC series Will Trent, actors Sonja Sohn as Amanda and Ramón Rodríguez as Will Trent stand side by side. Sohn wears an orange collared top, khaki pants, and an orange and tan plaid jacket with a gold police badge on her hip. Rodriguez wears a tan three-piece suit, a blue button-down shirt, and a green plaid tie. He holds a picture frame in his left hand.

Will Trent—Tuesday, January 3, at 10 p.m. ET/PT on ABC
When a murder investigation reveals there is more to the story, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) enlists the keen instincts of Special Agent Will Trent (Ramón Rodríguez) to uncover the truth. Along the way, he reunites with a part of his past that helped shape him into the agent he is now. The all-new series also stars Erika Christensen, Iantha Richardson, and Jake McLaughlin.

In a scene from the National Geographic series Magic of Disney’s Animal Kingdom, two hippos stick their heads above the water’s surface.

Magic of Disney’s Animal Kingdom—Wednesday, January 4, on Disney+
Prepare for hours of cuteness… because Season 2 of this beloved series will be available to binge on the streaming service beginning this week. The adorable Magic of Disney’s Animal Kingdom gives viewers a backstage pass to explore Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, and The Seas with Nemo & Friends at EPCOT at Walt Disney World Resort. Discover how more than 5,000 remarkable animals spend their days, and meet the caretakers who help keep things running.

In a scene from Star Wars: The Bad Batch, an animated depiction of Chewbacca holds a green lightsaber in darkness.

Star Wars: The Bad Batch—Wednesday, January 4, on Disney+
The hit series returns with its long-awaited second season. Set months after the events on Kamino, Season 2 follows the Bad Batch as they continue their journey navigating the Empire after the fall of the Republic. They will cross paths with friends and foes, both new and familiar, as they take on a variety of thrilling mercenary missions that will take them to unexpected and dangerous new places. Star Wars: The Bad Batch 2 stars Dee Bradley Baker as the voice of the Bad Batch and Michelle Ang as the voice of Omega. Returning guest stars include Rhea Perlman as Cid and Noshir Dalal as Vice Admiral Rampart, while Wanda Sykes will make her series debut as the voice of Phee Genoa. The first two episodes debut on the premiere date, followed by new episodes launching every Wednesday.

In a scene from the ABC series Abbott Elementary, actors Quinta Brunson as Janine and Lisa Ann Walter as Melissa stand inside a school library next to large wooden book stacks. Brunson wears a long-sleeved green and white dress and holds her hands behind her back. Walter wears a blazer, a neon green top, and black pants and holds a stack of books in her arms.

Abbott Elementary—Wednesday, January 4, at 9 p.m. ET/PT on ABC
The hit series returns with a friendly competition between classrooms. Melissa (Lisa Ann Walter) and Janine (Quinta Brunson)—and their classrooms—go head-to-head in a read-a-thon sponsored by a local pizza shop. Both teachers encourage their students to hit the books hard, but face a few unexpected challenges along the way. Meanwhile, Jacob (Chris Perfetti) and Gregory (Tyler James Williams) team up to start a student-podcasting club.

Disney to Celebrate 100th Anniversary in 2023

By the D23 Team

The Walt Disney Company will mark its 100th anniversary in 2023, timed to its founding by Walt Disney and Roy O. Disney on October 16, 1923. The year 2023 will celebrate the journey and storytelling of Disney’s creative visionaries across the decades, as well as the fans and families who have brought Disney into their hearts to create cherished memories during the past 100 years.

In 2023, Disney100 will introduce new experiences with beloved characters along with heartwarming new stories to delight audiences and guests around the world. There will also be a slate of exciting events around the globe to mark this milestone, including:

  • At Disney Parks, 2023 will be full of surprises and new offerings. The festivities start January 27 at Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, when guests will enjoy the grand opening of the new attraction Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway and two all-new nighttime spectaculars—World of Color – One at Disney California Adventure Park and Wondrous Journeys at Disneyland Park—along with special entertainment, food, beverage, and merchandise offerings. Additionally, Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest, airing Saturday, December 31, on ABC, and ESPN’s broadcast of the 109th Rose Bowl Game on Monday, January 2, will both celebrate Disneyland as a home of Disney100. Later in 2023, the celebration will come to life at Walt Disney World Resort. International Disney Parks destinations will feature new offerings and surprises throughout the year, all leading up to the 100th anniversary of the company on October 16. 
  • Disney100: The Exhibition, opening February 18 at The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is a 15,000-square-foot exhibition that invites guests to step into their favorite Disney stories through innovative and immersive technology throughout 10 galleries. As part of the exhibition, the Walt Disney Archives is opening its vault of treasures, showcasing more than 250 of its “Crown Jewels,” rarely seen original artworks and artifacts, costumes and props, and other memorabilia. The exhibition is beginning a five-year journey that will make stops across the United States and throughout Europe, including Munich and London in 2023. 
  • In Europe, fans will have the opportunity to experience Disney stories and songs in new, interactive ways, including a multi-territory European Concert Tour, Disney100: The Concert, kicking off in April; and an immersive Wonder of Friendship experience, debuting in May. 
  • Comic-Con Experience (CCXP) 2022 in Brazil marked the beginning of The Walt Disney Company’s anniversary celebration in Latin America, which will continue in 2023. In addition, Disney100 in Concert, developed in Latin America, will kick off in Argentina’s Opera House (Teatro Colón) in February, following an 11-country symphonic LATAM tour, where beloved characters will participate in generating a unique ensemble of music, film, and dancing. Tickets for Disney100 in Concert at Teatro Colón are on sale now. 
  • Disney will also celebrate its biggest fans in special ways throughout Disney100, with exclusive events, sneak previews, and, in September, a Disney100-themed Destination D23 just for Members of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club at Walt Disney World Resort. 
  • On November 22, Walt Disney Animation Studios will debut Wish, an original animated story with all-new characters, plus original music by Julia Michaels. From the teams that created the Frozen films, Wish is inspired by the Studios’ legacy of storytelling and explores how the star that so many Disney characters wished upon came to be.

Some of the Disney100 celebration has already begun! Earlier this month, Walt Disney Animation Studios debuted an all-new Oswald the Lucky Rabbit short, officially bringing back the beloved character to celebrate the Company’s 100th anniversary. On December 12, the first offerings from the Disney100 Platinum Celebration Collection launched on shopDisney, including the iconic Mickey Mouse Ear Hat with a platinum touch, Sketchbook Ornaments with classic designs of fan-favorite characters, and exclusive Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse plush.

Disney is excited to honor its milestone birthday in 2023 by continuing to bring both new and timeless stories to life for the fans who have sparked the magic and wonder that is Disney since the company’s founding on October 16, 1923. There is much more to come, which Disney looks forward to sharing soon.

Every Disney Moment We’re Looking Forward to in 2023

We’ll admit it…. We’re pretty excited for 2023. Not only does it contain our FAVORITE number, but it also kicks off the celebration of 100 years of The Walt Disney Company! We have so much to look forward to from around the worlds of Disney this year that it might seem impossible to fit it all in one article—but we tried anyway!

Disney100

On October 16, 1923, Walt Disney and Roy O. Disney founded the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio and changed the world forever. One hundred years later, we’re still carrying on the legacy of Walt’s dream—and creating new things beyond the bounds of what was possible a century ago. Of course, Disney can’t let this milestone pass quietly—we’re celebrating all year long with special events, exclusive merchandise, and highly anticipated entertainment. Disney100 will be the largest cross-company global celebration in the 100-year history of The Walt Disney Company.

Here are just some of the ways you can help ring in 100 years of Disney in 2023:

  • See Mickey in his new “platinum” outfit
  • A brand-new Walt Disney Studios logo introduction
  • Disney100: The Exhibition
  • New Disney100 merchandise, including a Platinum Collection, a Decades Collection, and all-new books
  • A vinyl compilation highlighting Disney’s musical moments across film, television, and the Parks

You can read more about Disney100: The Exhibition here, and buy tickets here... and be sure to stay tuned throughout 2023 as more ways to celebrate Disney100 are announced!

Disney Parks, Experiences and Products

There’s always a great, big beautiful tomorrow at Disney Parks, and 2023 is promising a positively platinum future! To ring in 100 years of The Walt Disney Company, Disney Parks across the globe are kicking off a spectacular celebration of Disney’s legacy—and it all begins on January 27 at Disneyland Resort, where you can look forward to Wondrous Journeys, an all-new fireworks spectacular at Disneyland Park, and World of Color – One at Disney California Adventure Park. Plus, the whole resort is going platinum with new decorations, merchandise, food, and even new costumes for Mickey Mouse and his friends!

As part of this 100th anniversary celebration at Disneyland, guests can look forward to the opening of Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway on January 27 and the long-awaited return of the Magic Happens parade beginning February 24. Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway first opened at Walt Disney World in 2020 and arrives at Disneyland Park to kick off not just the Disney100 celebration, but to usher in the reopening of Mickey’s Toontown on March 8! Guests of D23 Expo were able to get a sneak peek at what’s in store for the reimagined land, including Goofy’s How-To-Play Yard and CenTOONial Park.

Over on the East Coast, Walt Disney World Resort is taking guests into the Grid with the opening of TRON Lightcycle / Run, an attraction that lets you climb aboard your own Lightcycle and race against the Grid’s speediest Programs. The highly anticipated coaster has been a fan-favorite at Shanghai Disneyland and will open at Magic Kingdom Park in the spring. Something a little more ghoulishly delightful is materializing over in Magic Kingdom’s Liberty Square; as announced at D23 Expo 2022, the fan-favorite and extremely beloved Hatbox Ghost will make his home at Magic Kingdom’s Haunted Mansion next year. And as if that wasn’t enough, one more fan-favorite is returning to Magic Kingdom—the Happily Ever After fireworks will once again light up the sky with an updated version of the show in 2023.

As EPCOT’s multi-year transformation continues, guests will start to see some new enhancements open in late 2023. The World Celebration neighborhood and Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana will offer guests new and exciting experiences, while Figment will return to appear live and spark guests’ imaginations.

Our friends overseas are also hard at work creating new magic for Disney fans to enjoy, including World of Frozen at Hong Kong Disneyland. Opening in the second half of 2023, this Frozen-inspired land is the first of three to debut at international Disney parks. Over at Disneyland Paris, the park’s 30th anniversary will come to a grand finale with a new stage show, “Pixar: We Belong Together,” debuting late 2023 at Walt Disney Studios Park.

No matter if you live in California or Hong Kong or somewhere in between, there’s one new Disney Parks experience we’ll all be able to enjoy next year: A series of adorable shorts on Disney+ starring Duffy and friends! The six-episode, stop-motion animated series features all of Duffy’s friends, including the inquisitive new fox LinaBell. During the “World of Duffy & Friends” panel at D23 Expo 2022, guests got a sneak peek at some of the shorts—and they were riveted, “aww”-ing and “oh no”-ing as the adventures unfolded. Soon, you too can be captivated by the charming antics of Duffy and his cuddly crew!

Movies

In a scene from Walt Disney Studios’ The Little Mermaid, actor Halle Bailey portrays Ariel, a mermaid with long, flowy red hair, an iridescent green mermaid tale, and an iridescent purple strapless top. Bailey looks up and sits on a large rock deep below the ocean’s surface.

Swimming onto the big screen in 2023 is the highly anticipated live-action adaptation of The Little Mermaid, starring Halle Bailey as Ariel, the spirited young mermaid with a thirst for adventure. Directed by Rob Marshall, the film also stars Daveed Diggs as the voice of Sebastian, Jacob Tremblay as the voice of Flounder, Awkwafina as the voice of Scuttle, Jonah Hauer-King as Prince Eric, Art Malik as Sir Grimsby, and Noma Dumezweni as Queen Selina, along with Javier Bardem as King Triton and Melissa McCarthy as Ursula.

In the reimagining of the Oscar®-winning animated classic, Ariel—the youngest of King Triton’s daughters, and the most defiant—longs to learn more about the world beyond the sea, and while visiting the surface, she falls for the dashing Prince Eric. While mermaids are forbidden to interact with humans, Ariel must follow her heart. She makes a deal with the evil sea witch, Ursula, which gives her a chance to experience life on land, but ultimately places her life—and her father’s crown—in jeopardy. The Little Mermaid opens exclusively in theaters on May 26.

The key art for Disney’s Peter Pan & Wendy features the top sails of a pirate ship peeking above a layer of thick clouds as it moves toward a golden sunset.

Coming to Disney+ in Spring 2023, is Walt Disney Studios’ Peter Pan & Wendy—a live-action reimagining of the 1953 animated classic Peter Pan. Directed by David Lowery, the film stars Alexander Molony as Peter Pan, Ever Anderson as Wendy, Yara Shahidi as Tinker Bell, Alyssa Wapanâtahk as Tiger Lily, and Jude Law as Captain Hook.

The new film dives deeper into Wendy’s story as she joins the boy who refuses to grow up on a magical journey to Neverland and reveals the history behind Peter Pan’s rivalry with one of Disney’s infamous villains.

On August 11, embark on a ghostly adventure with Walt Disney Studios’ Haunted Mansion. Inspired by the classic Disney Parks attraction, the film follows a woman and her son who enlist a motley crew of so-called spiritual experts to help rid their home of supernatural squatters. Directed by Justin Simien, who used to work at Disneyland Park, the film’s star-studded cast includes Rosario Dawson, LaKeith Stanfield, Danny DeVito, and Jamie Lee Curtis, to name a few.

In a scene from Marvel Studios’ Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, actors Paul Rudd and Kathryn Lang look at a group of people aiming weapons at them on an alien planet resembling a desert landscape.

Marvel Studios has three films lined up for 2023, starting with Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania on February 17, which kicks off Phase 5 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Directed by Peyton Reed, the cast includes Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, Michael Douglas, Michelle Pfeiffer, Kathryn Newton, and Jonathan Majors.

The beloved band of misfits return with the premiere of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 on May 5. James Gunn writes and directs the film, which stars Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldaña, Dave Bautista, Karen Gillan, Pom Klementieff, Vin Diesel, Bradley Cooper, Sean Gunn, Chukwudi Iwuji, Will Poulter, and Maria Bakalova.

On November 11, go higher, further, and faster when The Marvels premieres in theaters. The film, directed by Nia DaCosta, stars Brie Larson, Iman Vellani, and Teyonah Parris.

In a scene from Disney and Pixar’s Elemental, Ember, a fiery woman, and Wade, a water-like man, stand side-by-side in front of a counter. Behind them are lush, green plants.

On June 16, Disney and Pixar Animation Studios will release Elemental, introducing audiences to Element City, where fire-, water-, land- and air-residents live together. The story, directed by Peter Sohn, introduces Ember (voiced by Leah Lewis), a tough, quick-witted, and fiery young woman, whose friendship with a fun, sappy, go-with-the-flow guy named Wade (voiced by Mamoudou Athie) challenges her beliefs about the world they live in.

In a scene from Lucasfilm’s Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, actor Harrison Ford portrays Indiana Jones. Ford wears a brown leather jacket, a tan button-down shirt, a brown tie, and a brown fedora. Ford holds a whip in his right hand and stands in front of a large window.

Legendary hero archaeologist Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) returns to the big screen in Lucasfilm’s Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny on June 30. Starring along with Ford in the highly anticipated fifth installment of the franchise are Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Antonio Banderas, John Rhys-Davies, Shaunette Renee Wilson, Thomas Kretschmann, Toby Jones, Boyd Holbrook, Oliver Richters, Ethann Isidore, and Mads Mikkelsen. The film is directed by James Mangold.

In a scene from Lucasfilm’s Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, actor Harrison Ford portrays Indiana Jones. Ford wears a brown leather jacket, a tan button-down shirt, a brown tie, and a brown fedora. Ford holds a whip in his right hand and stands in front of a large window.

Walt Disney Animation Studios’ upcoming animated feature film Wish premieres November 22, exclusively in theaters. The epic animated musical, directed by Chris Buck and Fawn Veerasunthorn, is inspired by the studios’ legacy of films. The film is set in Rosas, the kingdom of wishes where wishes can literally come true. Asha (voiced by Ariana DeBose) is a 17-year-old optimist with a sharp wit who cares endlessly about her community. In a moment of desperation, Asha makes an impassioned plea to the stars, which is answered by a cosmic force, a little ball of boundless energy called Star. Together, they face the most formidable of foes to save her community and prove that when the will of one courageous human connects with the magic of the stars, wondrous things can happen.

Wish also includes Disney Animation’s good-luck-charm Alan Tudyk as the voice of a goat named Valentino, and showstopping original songs penned by Julia Michaels.

Streaming Ahead

There’s so much incredible content to look forward to in the new year—where do we start?! Well, as committed Whovians, we’re especially excited for Doctor Who’s debut on Disney+ in late 2023. But before we go galivanting through time and space on the TARDIS, there’s so much else in store on the streaming service, such as Season 4 of High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, featuring a host of original trilogy stars; several sure-to-be-thrilling new series from Marvel Studios, including Secret Invasion, Echo, and Ironheart; a deeper look into a fan-favorite Star Wars character with the new Lucasfilm series Ahsoka; and—coming up soon!—the return of both The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder (February 1) and Lucasfilm’s The Mandalorian (March 1).

Promo images for Marvel Studios’ Echo, starring Alaqua Cox (seen leaning up against a forklift, wearing a purple turtleneck, black pants, and boots), and Disney+’s High School Musical: The Musical: The Series Season 4 (image featuring, left to right, Lucas Grabeel wearing a black top and baseball cap, Corbin Bleu wearing a black denim button-up, and Monique Coleman wearing a yellow top and orange skirt).

Over on Hulu, Only Murders in the Building will return for a third season of hilarity, and How I Met Your Father will continue exploring the meet-cute of the show’s titular narrator.  On Freeform, the second half of grown-ish’s fifth season kicks off on January 18 as Junior continues in big sister Zoey’s footsteps, and the new series The Watchful Eye (debuting January 30) follows a young woman as she’s thrust into a world of old money and deadly secrets.

ABC welcome back A Million Little Things for its farewell season on February 8 (you can stream previous seasons on Hulu)... and there are several new series to look forward to—including Not Dead Yet (also premiering February 8), starring Gina Rodriguez as a broke and newly single self-described “disaster” who lands the only job she can find: writing obituaries.

Promo images for ABC’s Not Dead Yet starring Gina Rodriguez (seen wearing a blue leather jacket and looking at someone off-camera to the right); and Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur (the show logo is in the upper left of the image, and lead character Lunella—wearing large goggles, a yellow outfit, black boots, and red gloves—is using a broom to brush the teeth of Devil Dinosaur, a bright-red T-rex).

On Disney Channel, the highly anticipated animated series Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur chronicles the adventures of 13-year-old super-genius Lunella Lafayette and her 10-ton T-Rex; look for it to debut on February 10. And Season 2 of Magic of Disney’s Animal Kingdom—debuting January 1 on Nat Geo, and then streaming on Disney+ January 4—will take another gander at the amazing animal care and conservation efforts across Walt Disney World Resort.

There’s truly something for everyone in 2023—so mark those calendars, and keep those eyes peeled...

5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Weekend Presented by State Farm®

By Andie Hagemann

As 2022 comes to a close, FX is counting down the start of the New Year with an epic Marvel movie marathon all weekend long. On Saturday, watch X2: X-Men United, Thor, and Captain America: The First Avenger. Then, catch Fantastic Four and Black Panther, both airing on Sunday. All these super titles are also available to stream on Disney+.

In a scene from X2: X-Men United, actor Hugh Jackman portrays Wolverine and extends his arms outward. He wears a white ribbed tank top and has metal blades extending out of his knuckles. Behind him are a large wooden staircase and a masked fighter holding a large machine gun.

X2: X-Men United (2003)—Saturday, December 31, at 11 a.m. ET/PT on FX
After brainwashed mutant Nightcrawler (Alan Cumming) attacks the President of the United States (Cotter Smith), former Army commander William Stryker (Brian Cox) launches an investigation into the attack—as well as the mansion and school owned by Professor Charles Xavier (Patrick Stewart). Magneto (Ian McKellen) escapes his plastic cell and partners with Xavier and the X-Men to combat their shared enemy. The film also stars Hugh Jackman, Halle Berry, James Marsden, Anna Paquin, Rebecca Romijn, and Shawn Ashmore, to name a few.

In a scene from Marvel Studios’ Thor, actor Chris Hemsworth portrays Thor and actor Clark Gregg portrays Agent Coulson. Hemsworth and Gregg stand face-to-face in a desert landscape next to a vintage electronic sign painted yellow and orange. Hemsworth wears silver and black armor and a red cape; Gregg wears a black suit, a black tie, and a white button-down shirt.

Thor (2011)—Saturday, December 31, at 2 p.m. ET/PT on FX
Thor (Chris Hemsworth), the son of Odin (Anthony Hopkins), king of the Norse gods, is next in line to inherit the throne of Asgard from his aging father. However, on the day that he is to be crowned, Thor reacts with brutality when the Frost Giants enter the palace in violation of their treaty. Odin punishes Thor and banishes him to Earth. Meanwhile, Loki (Tom Hiddleston), Thor’s brother, plots mischief in Asgard—and Thor, stripped of his powers, faces his greatest threat. The star-studded cast also includes Natalie Portman, Kat Dennings, Idris Elba, Stellan Skarsgard, and Renee Russo.

In a scene from Marvel Studios’ Captain America: The First Avenger, actors Hayley Atwell as Peggy Carter and Chris Evans as Steve Rogers/Captain America stand side-by-side and wear olive military uniforms. Behind Atwell and Evans are other soldiers and a large white board with writing and drawings.

Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)—Saturday, December 31, at 4:30 p.m. ET/PT on FX
During World War II, Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) wants to do his part and join America’s armed forces, but the military rejects him due to his small stature. However, Rogers gets his chance when he’s accepted into an experimental program that turns him into a super soldier. Ultimately, this new “Captain America” joins forces with Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan) and Peggy Carter (Hayley Atwell) in the fight against the Nazi-backed HYDRA organization. The film also stars Hugo Weaving, Samuel L. Jackson, Tommy Lee Jones, Dominic Cooper, and Stanley Tucci.

In a scene from Fantastic Four, actors Kate Mara as Sue Storm/Invisible Woman and Michael B. Jordan as Johnny Storm/Human Torch wear all-black ensembles and stand on a metal platform.

Fantastic Four (2015)—Sunday, January 1, at 7 a.m. ET/PT on FX
Upon transporting to an alternate universe, four young outsiders gain superhuman powers as they alter their physical form in shocking ways. Reed Richards (Miles Teller) becomes Mr. Fantastic, able to stretch and twist his body at will; Ben Grimm (Jamie Bell) gains immense strength as the Thing; Johnny Storm (Michael B. Jordan) becomes the Human Torch, able to control and project fire; and Sue Storm (Kate Mara) becomes the Invisible Woman. Together, the foursome must learn how to efficiently use their new powers to prevent Doctor Doom (Toby Kebbell) from destroying Earth.

In a scene from Marvel Studios’ Black Panther, actors Lupita Nyong’o as Nakia, Disney Legend Chadwick Boseman as T’Challa/Black Panther, and Letitia Wright as Shuri stand in a narrow hallway. Nyong’o wears a green printed scarf around her neck and looks to her right; Boseman wears a brown hooded top and a metal claw necklace around his neck; Wright wears an orange sleeveless top with black straps on her arms.

Black Panther (2018)—Sunday, January 1, at 5 p.m. ET/PT on FX
After the death of his father, T’Challa (Disney Legend Chadwick Boseman) returns home to the African nation of Wakanda to take his place as king. However, when a powerful enemy suddenly reappears, T’Challa’s title as king—and as Black Panther—gets tested as he’s drawn into a battle that puts Wakanda and the world at risk. To secure the safety of his people, T’Challa assembles his allies and unleashes the full power of Black Panther. Also starring in the hit film are Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira, Martin Freeman, Daniel Kaluuya, Letitia Wright, Winston Duke, Sterling K. Brown, Angela Bassett, and Forest Whitaker.

Quiz: Which Disney Character Should You Be Like in the New Year?

By Victoria Hunt

The new year is just around the corner and with that comes new year’s resolutions. Whatever your resolutions may be, we could all strive to be more adventurous, caring, and optimistic—and who better to emulate than our favorite Disney characters! Take the quiz below to find out which character should be your 2023 inspiration.

What do you want to focus on this upcoming year?

Where do you want to travel in 2023?

What is something you want to work on?

In which Disney Park do you wish you were spending New Year’s Eve?

What is going to be your 2023 anthem?

Quiz: Which Disney Character Should You Be Like in the New Year?
Anna

Anna from Frozen is wearing a black sweetheart neckline with green off-the-shoulder sleeves. She is standing in the woods.

Anna from Disney’s beloved Frozen is the perfect character to inspire you in the new year. Her optimistic spirit is something we could all learn from. It’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day trials and tribulations of our lives, but if we look at the world through Anna’s eyes, we might just find that “Love Is an Open Door!” Next time you find yourself taking life too seriously, try emulating Anna’s silly and free-spirited optimism.
Mirabel

Encanto’s Mirabel is holding a stack of plates while looking over her left shoulder. She is wearing a white layered shirt and glasses.

We could learn from many characters in Encanto, but no one fully captures determination and perseverance like Mirabel. Whenever you are feeling unimportant or forgotten, reflect on Mirabel’s quiet accomplishments. Her strength might not get all the attention, but she rarely waivers in the face of struggle. Behind-the-scenes, Mirabel is an instrumental part of the Madrigals’ household. In 2023, don’t get in the way of your ambitions by focusing on what everyone else is doing. Stay focused!
Mei-Mei

You don’t have to turn into a red panda in 2023 to be more like Mei from Turning Red. All you need is an ounce of confidence! Being a teenager is hard enough, not to mention turning into a giant furry animal every time you feel a strong emotion. Like Mei, you might feel a lot, but you don’t show it to everyone. Take a page from her book by coming out of your shell and be willing to try new things, even if they are a little scary. You never know what you might see and learn from your newfound sense of adventure.
Searcher Clade

In Disney’s newest animated film, Strange World, Searcher Clade grew up with a unique view on his father’s expeditions. While his father loved adventure, Searcher found himself more intrigued by plant life. His passion sets him apart from the rest of the community and eventually helps him with a life-changing discovery. In 2023, embrace your unique nature and show off your skills, because you never know who might benefit from it!

Introducing Our 2023 Gold Member Collector Set

Join this magical celebration with a magnificent gift 100 years in the making—the Mickey Mouse “Leader of the Club” Milestone Statue, designed with platinum panache for D23 Gold Members by artist James Fauntleroy. This icon of the Disney 100 years celebration is available to all new and renewing D23 Gold Members in 2023!*

Mickey Mouse “Leader of the Club” Milestone Statue

Over the past 100 years, The Walt Disney Company has told stories that have defined generations, inspired the world, and introduced all of us to beloved characters that bring out the best parts of ourselves.

Collector Set 2023 - James Fauntleroy - Disney100

Starting with a small cartoon studio in 1923, Walt Disney’s dream has grown into a rich, century-long legacy of the world’s most inspiring stories, places, and fans. A momentous milestone deserves an equally incredible icon, so D23: The Official Disney Fan Club has partnered with artist James Fauntleroy and Gentle Giant Studios to create the Mickey Mouse “Leader of the Club” Milestone Statue to pay tribute to The Walt Disney Company’s rich legacy of unmatched creativity—and inspire the next century of storytellers!

“I only hope that we never lose sight of one thing—that it was all started by a mouse,” Walt Disney once reflected. Designed as a reflection of Disney’s past, present, and future, artist and Grammy®-winning music producer James Fauntleroy brought a “platinum pop star” tribute to Walt’s loveable mouse with a stylish varsity jacket featuring the Disney 100 years logo and flair paying tribute to Mickey’s own fandom for some of Disney’s most incredible stories. An oversized version of the Mickey statue was unveiled at D23 Expo, the celebration’s kick off, and now D23 Gold Members have the opportunity to bring home the magic with this exquisitely crafted 10-inch statue!

Collector Set 2023 - Mickey Mouse Statue

New! Choice of D23 Gold Membership Card Design

In 2023, D23 is offering the Ultimate Disney Fans the chance to celebrate the stories and characters they love most. In addition to receiving a commemorative member certificate, for the first time ever, all new and renewing D23 Gold Members will have the opportunity to choose one of four unique membership card designs showcasing the thrilling worlds of Disney, Pixar, Star Wars, and Marvel.

And what iconic characters from the last 100 years might you see on these 2023 D23 Gold Membership Cards? Let’s take a look at the fabulous fan favorites featured on each new D23 Gold Membership Card Design!

Collector Set 2023 - Membership Card - Disney

Disney – Get ready for a trip to where it all started 100 years ago. For the Ultimate Disney Fans, our signature D23 Gold Member Card for 2023 recounts some of the most iconic characters of the past 100 years: Tiana, Baymax, Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, Stitch, Tinker Bell, Mirabel Madrigal, Maleficent, and Mickey Mouse: The Leader of the Club!

Pixar – You’ve got a friend in D23! And for our friends who are the Ultimate Pixar Fans, a kaleidoscopic collection of inspiring Pixar Pals is here for you—to infinity and beyond. D23 is overjoyed to feature beloved characters who always seize their moment: Joy, Buzz Lightyear, WALL-E, Miguel Rivera, Meilin Lee, Kevin, Remy, and Mike Wazowski!

Collector Set 2023 - Membership Card - Pixar
Collector Set 2023 - Membership Card - Star Wars

Star Wars – A galaxy far, far away is just within reach… and if you are the Ultimate Star Wars Fan, you are sure to be strong in the Force with this card! D23 is excited to feature friends and foes from the outer rim and beyond: Rey Skywalker, BB-8, Darth Vader, C-3P0, Chewbacca, Boba Fett, Ahsoka Tano, and Grogu!

Marvel – Prepare to assemble with an epic set of heroes. For the Ultimate Marvel Fans, an endless expanse of possibilities has opened for you to have your very own super team! D23 is excited to feature heroes (and villains) from across the multiverse: Captain Marvel, Loki, Groot, The Wasp, Iron Man, Thor, and Black Panther!

Collector Set 2023 - Membership Card - Marvel

Preferred card design must be made at least two (2) days before your D23 Gold Membership plan renewal date. Members who do not select a design by this deadline will receive the Disney-themed D23 Membership Card. Learn more about selecting your card design.

THE 2023 D23 COLLECTOR SET IS EXCLUSIVELY FOR GOLD MEMBERS.

JOIN THE CLUB

*The 2023 D23 Gold Member Collector Set, consisting of the D23 membership card (“Card”), certificate (“Certificate”), and Mickey Mouse “Leader of the Club" Milestone Statue (“Statue”), will be available starting January 1, 2023, for new or renewing D23 Gold Members joining or renewing on either a D23 Gold Membership Individual Plan or D23 Gold Membership Duo Plan (sent to the Primary Member) and will ship in 6-8 weeks after enrollment or renewal. Limit one (1) D23 Gold Member Collector Set per membership plan.

Every Incredible Disney Moment from 2022

By the D23 Team

From the launch of Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind to the long-awaited debut of a sequel to Enchanted, this year was packed with highly anticipated moments… the biggest (for us) being D23 Expo! It was amazing to spend this year celebrating everything Disney with you—so, let’s take some time to reflect on our favorites from the year.

D23 Member Events

In 2022, we celebrated the ultimate Disney fans with extraordinary D23 Member events across the country, commemorating several milestone anniversaries of fan-favorite films with awe-inspiring affairs, like a tropical shindig for the Lilo & Stitch’s 20th, a nationwide celebration of Hercules’ 25th, and a celebration at the Walt Disney Studio Lot for Bedknobs & Broomsticks’ 50th.

D23 channeled the force at Star Wars Celebration 2022 with a panel celebrating 35 years of Star Tours and “hustled like a Hutt” at our D23 Galactic Disco. D23 also traveled to Marceline, Missouri, for a visit to Walt Disney’s hometown, embarking on a historic journey of the sites important to his boyhood, and hearing stories from the locals. Members were also among the first to see incredible Walt Disney Archives exhibitions in Detroit, Anaheim, Palm Springs, and Pasadena!

In San Diego, D23 hosted an animated member mixer inspired by The Disney Afternoon, followed by a Derezzed Dance Party on the Grid inspired by 40 years of TRON over the summer! D23 Gold Members got to rock the galaxy at our D23 Gold Member preview of Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind at EPCOT, where later in the year, we also celebrated the park’s 40th Anniversary!

In the fall, D23 “spell-ebrated” Halloween Sanderson-style, with a Hocus Pocus 2 “Run Amuck” in Salem event, a D23 Member-Exclusive Oogie Boogie Bash, and a haunted happening at the Walt Disney Studios. Then, D23 rang in the Season of Magic, celebrating 30 years of The Muppet Christmas Carol at multiple merry locations across the country, including New York City, Orlando, and Burbank.

But above all, who could forget that D23 hosted the world’s BIGGEST Disney Fan Event: D23 Expo 2022, sharing the latest news, projects, and looks forward to the future of The Walt Disney Company—all while kicking off the celebration of Disney100! It was a time for Disney fans around the world to connect and revel in their fanhood, looking back at the last 100 magical years and looking ahead to a bright future of limitless possibilities, reflecting on the stories we love and those yet to come.

If 2023 is anything like our past year, we know it’s sure to be a fan-tastic crown jewel in 100 years of The Walt Disney Company—and D23: The Official Disney Fan Club can’t wait to jubilate in all the magic and excitement with the best fans in the whole world!

A Year of Movie Magic 

From Pandora to Salem, and Wakanda to the Nile River, Disney transported audiences to fantastical places—new and familiar—throughout 2022. The stories told by 20th Century Studios, Hulu, Marvel Studios, National Geographic Documentary Films, Pixar Animation Studios, Searchlight Pictures, Walt Disney Animation Studios, and Walt Disney Studios captured Disney’s signature movie magic with sensational storytelling.

Over the past 12 months, Disney released dozens of titles that enticed the young and young at heart. Some of our favorites at D23 include (in chronological order): Death on the Nile, Turning Red, OLIVIA RODRIGO: driving home 2 u (a SOUR film), Crush, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Sneakerella, Thor: Love and Thunder, ZOMBIES 3, Under Wraps 2, Hocus Pocus 2, Rosaline, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Disenchanted, Strange World, Darby and the Dead, and Avatar: The Way of Water. If you loved this list, just wait until you see what’s coming next year!

Awards

Back in March, The Walt Disney Company won six Academy Awards® at the 94th Oscars® ceremony on ABC. The night opened with a historic win for Best Actress in a Supporting Role—West Side Story’s Ariana DeBose is the first Afro-Latina and openly queer woman of color to receive the honor. Not only that, but she and Rita Moreno are the first pair of women to win Academy Awards for playing the same character. DeBose told Moreno, “Your Anita paved the way for tons of Anitas like me. I love you so much.” Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Encanto went on to win the award for Best Animated Feature Film, while Cruella took home the award for Best Costume Design. (And how could they not? Those costumes were fabulous, darling!)

In another first, Summer of Soul (…Or When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised) was awarded Best Documentary Feature, marking Disney’s Onyx Collective and Hulu’s first Oscar win, and Searchlight Pictures’ first win in the category. And Searchlight Pictures’ The Eyes of Tammy Faye took home two Academy Awards: a big Best Actress in a Leading Role win, for Jessica Chastain, and Best Makeup and Hairstyling. In her acceptance speech, Chastain gave the heartfelt assurance, “For any of you out there who do in fact feel hopeless or alone, I just want you to know you are unconditionally loved for the uniqueness that is you.” Read more about Disney’s momentous Oscars Sunday here.

Later in the year, The Walt Disney Company earned 26 Primetime Emmy® Awards, including five for The Beatles: Get Back—including Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series. Additionally, Disney took home 16 Emmys at the inaugural Children’s & Family Emmy Award ceremonies, including four wins for Sneakerella and two for The Mysterious Benedict Society. Read more about the Primetime Emmy Awards here and the Children’s & Family Emmy Awards here.

Disney Parks, Experiences and Products

This year also brought the debut of advancements in Disney voyages, both at sea and in… space? The Disney Wish set sail this past summer, joining the Disney Cruise Line fleet and bringing guests all-new dining experiences and entertainment, including AquaMouse—the first-ever Disney attraction at sea, which features Mickey and friends in a brand-new adventure. The D23 Inside Disney team helped kick off the inaugural voyage with a special video episode highlighting all the magic the ship has to offer.

Meanwhile, something entirely new was taking off at Walt Disney World Resort... Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser. This revolutionary two-night immersive experience takes you on a trip through the Star Wars galaxy, introducing you to out-of-this-world cuisine, epic lightsaber training, and a performance from an intergalactic pop star! Every trip is different for every guest, because Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser makes YOU the main character.

While we’re continuing to celebrate Walt Disney World’s golden anniversary, which kicked off October 2021, we celebrated even more anniversaries this year: Tokyo DisneySea rang in 20 splashy years, while we said “bon anniversaire” to 30 years of Disneyland Paris. Both parks celebrated in style, with Tokyo DisneySea introducing a new spectacular, Believe! Sea of Dreams, and a new friend in LinaBell the fox, the newest addition to Duffy and Friends (who debuted at Shanghai Disneyland in the prior year and Hong Kong Disneyland this year).

Over at Disneyland Paris, not only was the park full of sparkling art and overlays to celebrate the anniversary, but Mickey Mouse was able to pull off the most magical trick of all—lighting up the Eiffel Tower! Later in the year, there was a super new development to Walt Disney Studios Park: The opening of Avengers Campus, the second Super Hero-centric land to open at a Disney park (Disneyland Resort’s Avengers Campus being the first, having opened last year). It features two attractions, Spider-Man W.E.B. Adventure and Avengers Assemble: Flight Force.

Only one anniversary involved “thousands of sparkling lights and electro-syntho-magnetic musical sounds”: The Main Street Electrical Parade! The streets of Disneyland Park were aglow with the floats from this much-beloved parade, which celebrated 50 sparkling years this past June. That wasn’t the only thing lighting up the nights at Disneyland Resort, however. We also saw the return of Disneyland Forever fireworks spectacular, World of Color, and Fantasmic! at Disneyland Resort this year—with Fantasmic! also returning to Disney’s Hollywood Studios this past November.

This winter, Disneyland Park attendees have been saying the same thing: “I would like to see the baby.” The Mandalorian and his adorable charge, Grogu, made their debut at Disneyland Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge after being announced at D23 Expo 2022 in September. They aren’t the only bounty hunters lurking in the shadows of Black Spire Outpost… After their reveal at Star Wars Celebration, Boba Fett, and Fennec Shand also began stalking the streets of Batuu.

The Star Wars universe isn’t the only thing that’s expanding! Avengers Campus has been home to a multitude of visiting Super Heroes, from the new Black Panther to the Scarlet Witch herself. When you weren’t busy meeting Moon Knight or catching up with Ms. Marvel, you might have noticed an incredible advancement in Imagineering: Clad in his quantum suit, Hulk towered over guests for a brief time after his reveal at D23 Expo.

Over on the East Coast, EPCOT guests experienced an intergalactic adventure of their own in the form of Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. This thrilling new attraction created by Walt Disney Imagineering not only features the first-ever reverse-launch on a Disney coaster, but also includes 360-degree rotating action as you race across the galaxy! The D23 Inside Disney podcast celebrated the attraction’s launch with a special video episode in May that featured amazing behind-the-scenes details.

Imagination on Display 

Television series took audiences on all manner of adventures throughout 2022—from the return of some well-known juggernauts to the additions of a slew of new shows from across the worlds of Disney.

Production stills from Lucasfilm’s Willow starring Warwick Davis (wearing a blue tunic and green vest and holding a staff);Andor starring Pedro Pascal (wearing a tan hooded jacket with black and orange details); andHigh School Musical: The Musical: The Series (image of Saylor Bell Curda as Maddox holding a guitar, standing at a microphone; she’s wearing a camo print hoodie and black pants).

Programming from our pals at Disney+ reintroduced us to the magic of Willow Ufgood in Lucasfilm’s Willow; followed an all-new treasure map in the continuing exploits of National Treasure: Edge of History; caught back up with Scott Calvin and family in The Santa Clauses; and even watched as an ’80s icon was kidnapped and rocketed through holly, jolly space in The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special. We also got glimpses into two important backstories thanks to Lucasfilm’s Andor and Obi-Wan Kenobi, and watched as our favorite Wildcats went to sleepaway theater summer camp in High School Musical: The Musical: The Series.

Meanwhile, we met Jennifer Walters and her memorable alter-ego in She-Hulk: Attorney At Law; watched as Kamala Khan realized some amazing new powers in Ms. Marvel; observed as Steven Grant and Marc Spector became Moon Knight; and even followed along as a teenager searched for his long-lost parents in Tierra Incógnita. But that’s not all: The iconic Prouds returned in the animated series The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder, and everyone’s favorite inflatable healthcare companion, Baymax!, helped several new (and occasionally unsuspecting) patients. And the God of Thunder himself pushed his body to the limit—and we mean that quite literally—in Limitless with Chris Hemsworth.

Over on Hulu, Only Murders in the Building returned to surprise and delight all (fictional) true-crime fans, while Love, Victor wrapped up its third and final season. How I Met Your Father looked at a brand-new group of friends navigating life, and The Hair Tales explored the stories and beauty of Black hair from Black women’s perspectives. ABC, meanwhile, celebrated two incredible milestones: the final episode of the game-changing series black-ish, starring Disney Legends Anthony Anderson and Tracee Ellis Ross, and the 400th episode of Grey’s Anatomy, featuring Disney Legend Ellen Pompeo. Plus, another singing sensation was chosen by fans on American Idol (during its 20th milestone season), and Abbott Elementary, created by and starring Quinta Brunson, took pop culture—and the Emmys®—by storm.

Production stills from Moon Knight (wearing his signature all-white mask, cape, and ensemble and is surrounded by bodies); black-ish, starring Disney Legends Anthony Anderson and Tracee Ellis Ross (Anderson is sitting, wearing a tux, while Ross is standing, wearing a gold beaded gown, and they’re seen against a red background); and Abbott Elementary, starring Quinta Brunson (wearing orange top and patterned skirt, against a bright yellow background).

FX continued to wreak hilarious havoc with What We Do in the Shadows, and Nat Geo (via Disney+) took viewers to some of the most exotic locations on Earth with Epic Adventures with Bertie Gregory. And over on Disney Channel, Secrets of Sulphur Springs continued to dig into the origins of The Tremont; hijinks ensued on Raven’s Home; and the new series Hamster & Gretel introduced viewers to an unlikely super-powered duo.

Hope you had as much fun streaming in ’22 as we did!

5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Week

By Andie Hagemann

It’s the final week of 2022, and what better way to celebrate than with these spectacular titles! ABC News’ special The Year: 2022 is now available to stream on Hulu. Don’t miss the debut of Encanto at the Hollywood Bowl and a new episode of National Treasure: Edge of History coming to Disney+ on Wednesday. Last but not least, watch The Parent Test, airing Thursday on ABC, followed by the season finale of Fleishman Is in Trouble premiering that same night on Hulu.

In a scene from the ABC News special The Year: 2022, host and Disney Legend Robin Roberts stands with her arms folded in front of her and in front of a large television screen with the show’s title. Roberts wears a black blazer jacket with pink, red, and purple fabric crisscrossing and cascading down her sides, and a pair of purple pants.

The Year: 2022—Available to Stream on Hulu
For the 12th consecutive year, ABC News presents its jam-packed two-hour year-end special. Anchored by Disney Legend Robin Roberts, the special features many of the network’s top news anchors including David Muir, Michael Strahan, George Stephanopoulos, Juju Chang, Linsey Davis, Janai Norman, and Ginger Zee. Relive the year’s top stories, buzzworthy moments in entertainment, and more.

In a scene from Encanto at the Hollywood Bowl, actor Diane Guerrero portrays Isabella and dances on stage surrounded by platforms of colorful flowers. Guerrero wears a bright purple flowy dress and a pair of iridescent, purple platform heels.

Encanto at the Hollywood Bowl—Wednesday, December 28, on Disney+
Watch the historic Hollywood Bowl transform into Casa Madrigal for an unprecedented concert spectacular! The live-to-film concert experience reunites the original voice cast of Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Academy Award®-winning Encanto—Stephanie Beatriz (Mirabel), Adassa (Dolores), Carolina Gaitán (Pepa), Jessica Darrow (Luisa), Diane Guerrero (Isabela), Mauro Castillo (Félix), Angie Cepeda (Julieta), and Olga Merediz (Abuela Alma)—and features special guests, including legendary Colombian superstars Carlos Vives and Andrés Cepeda. The extravaganza also includes an 80-person orchestra, 50 dancers, and dazzling special effects celebrating the world, characters, and songs of the hit film.

In a scene from Disney+ Original series National Treasure: Edge of History, actor Lisette Olivera portrays Jess and sits cross-legged on the floor. Olivera is surrounded by a circle of books, newspapers, and drawings. Olivera wears a light blue long-sleeved sweater and a pair of light blue denim pants.

National Treasure: Edge of History—Wednesday, December 28, on Disney+
For the first time ever, Jess (Lisette Olivera) finds herself in a puzzle-solving slump when she can’t crack the clue found in Episode 3. Her personal life isn’t any less confusing as she tries to figure out if she and Liam (Jake Austin Walker) have romantic feelings for each other. Elsewhere, at the wake for Liam’s grandpa, Jess and her friends meet famous treasure hunter Riley Poole (Justin Bartha) and ask for his help. However, Jess’s skills are put to the test when she and Riley get caught in a deadly trap.

In a scene from ABC series The Parent Test, hosts Ali Wentworth and Dr. Adolph Brown sit side-by-side on a teal couch. Wentworth wears a pair of white pants and a pink blouse with a floral print. Dr. Brown wears a dark blue suit and a light blue button-down shirt. Behind them is a large screen with the series’ title against a soft gray background.

The Parent Test—Thursday, December 29, at 9 p.m. ET/PT on ABC
Hosted by Ali Wentworth and parenting expert Dr. Adolph Brown, this all-new series puts 12 families under the microscope in the ultimate parenting stress test. In the premiere episode, the families take on the High Dive Challenge and the Yes Day Challenge. While these families may have conflicting opinions about how to raise their children, they all share the common goal of raising happy, healthy kids.

In a scene from FX series Fleishman Is in Trouble, actor Jesse Eisenberg portrays Toby and sits at the end of a dinner table. Eisenberg wears a black button-down shirt and a black blazer jacket. On the table in front of him are wine and champagne glasses, plates, and a piece of chocolate cake.

Fleishman Is in Trouble—Thursday, December 29, on Hulu
The season finale is here, and Seth (Adam Brody) is throwing a party. The series—created for television by Taffy Brodesser-Akner, who adapts her acclaimed novel—follows recently divorced 41-year-old Toby Fleishman (Jesse Eisenberg) as he dives into the daunting new world of app-based dating. However, just as he embarks on this new journey, his ex-wife, Rachel (Claire Danes), disappears, leaving him with his children and no hint of where she is or her plans to return. As he balances parenting, the return of old friends Libby (Lizzy Caplan) and Seth, a potential job promotion, and dating, he realizes that he’ll never be able to figure out what happened to Rachel until he can face what happened to their marriage. This series is intended only for mature audiences.

Behind the Mask with James Ham and Brian Horton: The Making of Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales

By Reena Bassil

With great power comes great responsibility—whether that includes shooting webs, scaling walls to protect the city, providing amazingly quick quips, or even in creating incredible games like Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales. The character of Miles Morales was initially made popular via comics and animation, but this fan-favorite action-adventure game welcomed an original, modern take on the culturally diverse Super Hero into fans’ homes because of the amazing team at Insomniac Games and PlayStation in collaboration with Marvel Games. We had the pleasure of sitting down with Insomniac Games’ lead animator James Ham and creative director Brian Horton to learn more about what went into making this game; its dedication to showcasing diversity and cultural inclusivity; and some of the heartwarming cinematic scenes such as the game’s Afro-Latino inspired Christmas dinner. (And, if you love food, feel free to check out some of the recipes inspired by Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales and Afro-Latino culture on Marvel.com here!)

Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales quickly became a fan-favorite after launching in November 2020, not just for the game’s incredible storytelling, animation, and swinging mechanics, but also for its relatability. As the lead animator, a big part of Ham’s role is bringing characters to life through animation, while Horton (as creative director) works with his team at Insomniac Games to set an initial vision and to steer projects to quality and cohesiveness. “My goal is [to find] the core of a character,” Ham explains, “and create an animation that a player will enjoy and feel what the character is feeling.”

“The feeling of having to fill big shoes really spoke to me,” Ham continues, speaking of Miles Morales; “I see Miles as an inspirational comic book figure, and we wanted to make sure we did him justice in our game.”

With the introduction of Miles in Marvel’s Spider-Man and the continuation of his story in Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales, fans were offered a glimpse into an authentic representation of diversity through the lens of an Afro-Latino teen growing up in Marvel’s New York. One such instance was in a touching holiday dinner cinematic—where the titular character sat down with his Puerto Rican mother and diverse group of friends to enjoy a traditional holiday meal. The food was meticulously researched to ensure every dish was specific to the Puerto Rican roots of Miles’ mother, Rio. Diverse representation in games is key to the players’ experience when games are made for such a wide range of audiences, as Ham explains: “Seeing parts of yourself, things that make up who you are in a character you love creates a bond and leaning into that aspect really helps bring in the authenticity of a character like Miles.”

In addition to bringing Miles’ Spider-Man to fans through the game experience offered in Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales, the Insomniac team also manages to capture an authentic NYC experience that offered fans a look at inclusivity beyond the main character and through the lens of a living and breathing city itself. In order to achieve this, Horton told Marvel.com that the team conducted extensive interviews with residents in East Harlem to capture the finest details: “The decorations in the house and street, the murals, the music, and the characterization and behaviors of the people were all scrutinized and refined throughout production.”

When asked about the process, Ham adds, “We had consultants on the project like Evan Narcisse that brought their personal experiences living in New York to our story; Evan was critical to ensure we had details like the corner bodega, barbershop, and local restaurants.”

Insomniac Games’ mission is to make a lasting and positive impact on players’ lives... and for employees like Ham and Horton, inclusion means giving everyone a voice and not being afraid to hear and see different perspectives. “Inclusivity is in the bedrock of what it means to be an Insomniac,” Horton shares. “We continue to work hard to make our culture more diverse, equitable, and inclusive every day.”

In a still from Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales, Miles is seen with his mask off, looking off camera to the right. It’s night and there is a light snowfall; several tall buildings and lights are seen behind him.

Ham began his career in video games at Naughty Dog as an animator for Uncharted 4. After working on Infinity Ward and contributing to the Call of Duty franchise, he transitioned to Insomniac Games where he felt fortunate to work on both Marvel’s Spider-Man and Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales.

"Be creative, find ways to push yourself and think outside of the box."

James Ham

Horton's first job was as an artist at Disney Interactive in 1994. He worked at numerous studios before he joined Crystal Dynamics as an art director for Tomb Raider, and then game director of Rise of the Tomb Raider. Five years ago, he joined Insomniac Games as a creative director and worked on Marvel’s Spider-Man and Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales.

Insomniac Games - Brian Horton

"Play as many games as you can and learn what makes them fun. Once you understand that games are crafted to provide a player experience, you can start to design your own games."

Brian Horton

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5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Weekend Presented by State Farm®

By Andie Hagemann

In between holiday festivities, curl up on the couch for these spectacular titles coming to your TV (and assorted streaming devices) this weekend. On Saturday, watch a marathon of holiday-themed episodes of The Simpsons, Bob’s Burgers, and Family Guy, airing on FXX, followed by a presentation of Disney’s A Christmas Carol on Freeform, and the Tracking Santa livestream on Hulu. The Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade debuts Sunday morning on ABC, and later that same day Disney Channel will broadcast the first two episodes of The Santa Clauses.

In a scene from a holiday-themed episode of The Simpsons, the animated family—Maggie, Santa’s Little Helper, Grandpa, Lisa, Homer, Marge, and Bart—stand around a large brown piano and sing. Behind the piano stands a large green Christmas tree with a gold star on top and decorated with round, red ornaments, and a strand of gold lights. Homer is dressed as Santa Claus in a red suit with white fur and black boots. Bart wears the red Santa Claus hat with white fur atop his head.

FXX’s Seasons Greetings Animated Marathon—Saturday, December 24, from 11 a.m.-12 a.m. ET/PT on FXX
This weekend FXX wants you to celebrate the holidays with your family. No, not that one—your animated family! Beginning at 11 a.m. ET/PT on Christmas Eve, tune in to the network for a day jam-packed with hijinks with the Simpsons, Belchers, and Griffins! Don’t miss this marathon featuring hilarious holiday-themed episodes of The Simpsons, Bob’s Burgers, Family Guy, and more.

In a scene from Disney’s A Christmas Carol, actor Gary Oldman portrays Jacob Marley and appears in front of actor Jim Carrey as Ebenezer Scrooge—both computer-animated. Oldman holds large chains in his hands and has a pair of thin-framed glasses placed atop his head. Carrey wears a tan nightcap and matching tan pajamas.

Disney’s A Christmas Carol—Saturday, December 24, at 12 p.m. ET/PT on Freeform
Directed by Robert Zemeckis, this computer-animated adaptation of Charles Dickens’ beloved holiday classic features Jim Carrey in the role of the Ebenezer Scrooge, as well as the ghosts of Christmas past, present, and future. While London anxiously prepares for Christmas, Scrooge refuses to take part in the festivities. But the miser is visited by three ghosts who attempt to teach him the true meaning of the holiday before it’s too late. The film also stars Gary Oldman as Bob Cratchit, Marley, and Tiny Tim, Colin Firth as Fred, Robin Wright as Fan, and Lesley Manville as Mrs. Cratchit as well as Cary Elwes in multiple roles.

The key art for the holiday special Tracking Santa from Hulu and ABC’s Owned Television Stations is a red background with white logos and text. Small snow flurries cascade down the graphic.

Tracking Santa – Livestream—Saturday, December 24, on Hulu
It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s… SANTA CLAUS. In this live broadcast, ABC’s Owned Television Stations will track Santa sightings across America. Starting at WABC in New York, the event will jump from station to station following Santa, with anchors in the studio tossing to reporters in the field, meteorologists tracking atmospheric disturbances that can only be Santa himself, celebrity shout outs and holiday greetings, live chats with Santa, and much more!

In a scene from Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade, hosts Julianne Hough and Derek Hough stand arm-in-arm with Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse in front of Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort. Julianne wears a red, strapless, hi-low gown and a large silver necklace. Derek wears a silver, satin suit jacket, a white button-down shirt, and a pair of black pants. Mickey Mouse wears a red Santa Claus hat with green trim and a single white snowflake, a green sweater with white snowflakes across the chest, and a pair of red pants. Minnie Mouse wears a white beret, a green sweater with white snowflakes across the chest, and a red skirt with white snowflakes around the trim.

Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade—Sunday, December 25, at 10 a.m.-12 p.m. ET/7 a.m.-9 a.m. PT on ABC
The beloved holiday tradition returns to Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort with heartwarming stories, showstopping performances, and of course, the iconic Christmas Day parade! Derek Hough and Julianne Hough will host the festivities and perform “Officially Christmas.” The star-studded special also features performances by Black Eyed Peas (“Carol of the Bells”), Chloe Flower (“A Liberace Christmas”), David Foster and Katharine McPhee (“Blue Christmas,” “Grown Up Christmas List”), Maren Morris (“When You Wish Upon a Star”), and Meghan Trainor (“My Kind of Present”), to name a few. The parade will be available to stream the next day on Hulu and Disney+.

In a scene from Disney+ series The Santa Clauses, actor and Disney Legend Tim Allen portrays Scott Calvin/Santa Claus with a fluffy white beard and white hair. Allen lounges across a white sofa adorned with red pillows. Allen wears a white, long-sleeved shirt with “25” printed across the chest in red ink, a pair of red corduroy pants, and a pair of black boots. Behind the sofa is a bar with a blender sitting on top of the counter.

The Santa Clauses—Sunday, December 25, at 7 p.m. ET/PT on Disney Channel
After being Santa Claus for nearly 30 years, Scott Calvin (Disney Legend Tim Allen) is as jolly as ever. But as Christmas declines in popularity, so does his magic. Scott struggles to keep up with his demanding job, as well as spending quality time with his family. Upon discovering there’s a loophole to retire from his role, Scott considers stepping down as Santa Claus and finding a worthy successor so that he can become a better father and husband. The series also stars Elizabeth Mitchell as Carol/Mrs. Claus, Kal Penn as Simon Choksi, Elizabeth Allen-Dick as Sandra, Austin Kane as Cal, Rupali Redd as Grace Choksi, Devin Bright as Noel, and Matilda Lawler as Betty. The first two episodes of the Disney+ Original series will debut on the network on Christmas Day. All episodes are available to stream on Disney+.