Disney Is Ready for Blockbuster Season With Exciting New Plans for Its Biggest Films [Exclusive]

2 days ago 6

Published Feb 9, 2026, 9:00 AM EST

Ryan O'Rourke is a Senior News Writer at Collider with a specific interest in all things adult animation, video game adaptations, and the work of Mike Flanagan. He is also an experienced baseball writer with over six years of articles between multiple outlets, most notably FanSided's CubbiesCrib. Whether it's taking in a baseball game, a new season of Futurama or Castlevania: Nocturne, or playing the latest From Software title, he is always finding ways to show his fandom. When it comes to gaming and anything that takes inspiration from it, he is deeply opinionated on what's going on. Outside of entertainment, he's a graduate of Eureka College with a Bachelor's in Communication where he honed his craft as a writer. Between The IV Leader at Illinois Valley Community College and The Pegasus at Eureka, he spent the majority of his college career publishing articles on everything from politics to campus happenings and, of course, entertainment for the student body. Those principles he learned covering the 2020 election, Palestine, and so much more are brought here to Collider, where he has gleefully written on everything from the SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes to Nathan Lane baby-birding sewer boys.

2025 was quite the year for Disney in theaters. The House of Mouse delivered not one, but three films that raked in over $1 billion at the box office in the live-action Lilo & Stitch, Zootopia 2, and Avatar: Fire and Ash, released three new feature additions to the MCU, and enjoyed a bevy of other smaller critical and financial wins with hits like Predator: Badlands and Is This Thing On?. Against all odds, however, 2026 is shaping up to be on a completely different level. Throughout the summer, Disney will see the launch of massive new installments in its core entertainment pillars, with Star Wars returning to theaters on May 22 with The Mandalorian and Grogu, and one of Disney's most beloved modern princesses coming to life with the Moana live-action remake on July 10. Pixar is also bringing back everyone's favorite living playthings with Toy Story 5 on June 19.

Such a pivotal time for the Mouse House also means a chance to deliver tie-in merchandise that fans will care about. Last year was a reminder for the company of how important its product design and collaborations were to its overall success, as Lilo & Stitch alone accounted for more than $4 billion in merch sales, and Zootopia 2 is looking strong as well with sustained interest heading into 2026. Ahead of the New York Toy Fair this weekend, which will be a launch pad for a year full of toy and licensing opportunities, Collider has partnered with Disney Consumer Products to share a preview of the company's Blockbuster Season cross-franchise plans, including participating licensees and retailers helping to bring their films into the real world.

For Disney, the goal with its products is to keep viewers of all ages engaged with their favorite movies and franchises long after release and create new generations of fans through accessible means. That goal will be especially reinforced during the Blockbuster Season campaign, as many of the company's biggest IPs will be firing on all cylinders this year. One of the partners who will be involved with all three of Star Wars, Disney Princesses, and Pixar is the toy giant Lego, which will be releasing new sets tied to each of the blockbuster releases. Crocs, meanwhile, will handle the fashion with new collections of its signature footwear, and Walmart will stock local store shelves with the hottest Disney items throughout the summer. More collaborations will be unveiled as the year unfolds, though it's fair to expect some regular partners like Loungefly, Pop Mart, and Funko to be involved as well. The Mouse House has gotten a bit more creative of late, too, including a recent partnership with Topps that captures everyone from Captain Jack Sparrow to Tigger in trading card form.

Disney Is Excited By the Potential the 2026 Blockbuster Season Brings

Disney's biggest films should have no trouble translating around the globe. Toy Story, Moana, and Star Wars have all proven themselves as worldwide draws time and again, with the latest of the bunch, Moana 2, also surpassing the $1 billion mark. Later this year, around Christmas, the company also has an ace up its sleeve in the MCU's next big team-up film, Avengers: Doomsday, which has sky-high expectations after Avengers: Endgame shattered records with a haul of nearly $2.8 billion. Nonetheless, the Blockbuster Season campaign, and all the merch included courtesy of Disney Consumer Products, will represent a significant part of the company's creative output worldwide. With a reach of over 180 countries that spans over 100 consumer categories, including play, fashion, home decor, and more, the Mouse House knows how important it is to nail the items fans will keep with them long after the credits roll.

Paul Gitter, executive vice president of global brand commercialization for Disney Consumer Products, emphasized that point of making lasting impressions through merchandise in an official statement. From Lilo & Stitch-themed bags to Star Wars Black Series figures from Hasbro, they've shown what they're capable of in terms of delivering high-quality items for fans of all kinds, and they're ready to take that to the next level in a year so full of potential. He said:

“The Blockbuster Season campaign is a pivotal moment for our business and our partners. Disney Consumer Products is leveraging the cultural momentum of major theatrical releases to drive meaningful licensee sell in and retail excitement. By extending big screen storytelling into everyday products, we’re elevating these blockbuster films into global cultural and commercial catalysts.”

Disney's Blockbuster Season merchandise campaign will kick into high gear, starting with The Mandalorian and Grogu on May 22. Stay tuned here at Collider for more on all the exciting collectibles, apparel, and more coming throughout 2026 in celebration of the company's most massive films.