Disney's Blockbuster Summer 2026 — Every Movie You Need to Know About
Summer is officially here — and Disney is not playing around this year.
Disney has officially declared this their Blockbuster Summer — and after looking at the full lineup I can confirm that is not an exaggeration. This summer's movie slate is genuinely one of the most exciting collections of films Disney has put together in years, and for families, Disney fans, and Star Wars obsessives alike, there is something in this lineup for everyone.
Let me walk you through everything coming your way this summer — because there is a lot and it all deserves its own moment.
The Mandalorian and Grogu — Already in Theaters
Directed by Jon Favreau and starring Pedro Pascal, this is the first new Star Wars film on the big screen in seven years — and movie fans have not ventured to a galaxy far, far away in a long, long time.
The Mandalorian and Grogu brings Din Djarin and Baby Yoda — I will always call him Baby Yoda, I don't care — from the small screen to the big screen for the first time and everything I have heard about it is spectacular. If you haven't seen it yet, go. This week if you can.
And if you want to feel even more connected to this film — the Mandalorian and Grogu mission at Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run is live at Hollywood Studios right now. The timing of this film and that park experience together is genuinely perfect. 🚀
Toy Story 5 — And the Most Full Circle Moment of My Motherhood
I need to tell you something before I tell you about this movie.
When Toy Story 4 came out I was pregnant with Lennon. She wasn't here yet. She hadn't seen a single frame of Toy Story or met Woody or Buzz or understood any of it. She was just a baby in my belly while I sat in that theater feeling all the feelings that Pixar always manages to pull out of you.
And now Toy Story 5 is coming out this summer — and Lennon is six years old and she loves these characters and she is going to sit next to me in that theater! She’s even made the comment that it was not fair that I saw it without her even though she knows she was in my belly. Silly girl!
Toy Story 5 is one of the flagship releases of Disney and Pixar's Blockbuster Summer 2026 — and it is going to be one of those movies that hits parents in a completely different place than it hits their kids. The kids will see an adventure. The parents will see time passing and somehow Pixar will make both of those things happen in the same film at the same time. They always do.
If you need me I will be in the theater crying into my popcorn with my girl beside me. 😭🏰
Moana — Live-Action — July 10th
Lennon has already asked when we are going. Multiple times. With increasing urgency.
Disney's live-action Moana arrives July 10th, directed by Thomas Kail and starring Catherine Laga'aia as Moana with Dwayne Johnson reprising his role as Maui.
After Lilo and Stitch soared past the $1 billion mark last summer, there is genuine excitement around this one — and with Moana 2 having grossed over $1 billion worldwide in 2024, this is one of Disney's most beloved properties getting the live-action treatment.
The songs. The story. Dwayne Johnson back as Maui. The built-in audience of every child who has watched the animated version approximately four hundred times. This one is going to be enormous and I cannot wait to sit next to Lennon and watch her face when "How Far I'll Go" starts playing on the big screen.
Mother-daughter movie date is already penciled in. July 10th. We will be there. 🌊
Why Blockbuster Summer matters for Disney parks
Here is what I love about Disney Blockbuster Summer as a travel advisor — these films do not just live in movie theaters. Disney is bringing the Blockbuster Summer experience together through theatrical releases, Disney parks, cruises, streaming, and merchandise into one unforgettable season.
The Mandalorian experience at Hollywood Studios. Toy Story Land already fully immersed in the world of these characters. The live-action Moana releasing right in the heart of summer trip season. It all connects and it all feeds each other in a way that makes this particular summer at Disney World feel genuinely electric.
If you've been thinking about a Disney trip this summer — this is one of the most exciting times to go in recent memory. The parks are alive in a way that feels like a really special chapter.
DM me or visit thatkatiefath.com/travel to start planning yours. My services are always completely free. 🏰🤍
Real life. Real magic. Real dreams. ✨
xoxo,
Katie