Pixar’s Upcoming Slate: From Toy Story to Ghost Markets

Pixar Animation Studios is charting a course that balances revisiting beloved franchises with introducing original concepts, aiming to maintain audience appeal and remain a key asset for Disney. Following the success of 2024’s Inside Out 2, which grossed $1.699 billion worldwide [1], the studio is navigating a strategy of both familiar ground and innovative storytelling.

Franchise Revivals: Monsters, Inc. And Beyond

A third Monsters, Inc. film is in development, continuing a franchise that saw a resurgence with the Disney+/Disney Channel series Monsters at Work, which concluded in 2024. [1] This sequel will follow Monsters University (2013) and aims to capitalize on the established fanbase. The project is slated to approach after Coco 2, which is currently scheduled for release in 2029. [1]

Original Stories: Ghost Markets and Musicals

Pixar is also investing in original narratives. Ono Ghost Market, inspired by Asian myths of supernatural bazaars where the living and the dead interact, is being developed as a feature-length film after initially being conceived as a television series. [1] the studio is venturing into fresh territory with its first-ever musical, directed by Domee Shi, who previously helmed Turning Red. [1]

Existing Projects

These new projects will release after Gatto, which is currently scheduled for a March 2027 release. [1]

Inside Out 2 Details

Inside Out 2, released in June 2024, features returning cast members Amy Poehler, Phyllis Smith, Lewis Black, Diane Lane, and Kyle MacLachlan, alongside new additions including Maya Hawke, Kensington Tallman, Liza Lapira, Tony Hale, Ayo Edebiri, Adèle Exarchopoulos, Paul Walter Hauser, Lilimar, Grace Lu, Sumayyah Nuriddin-Green, and Yvette Nicole Brown. [1] The film follows Riley as her emotions are joined by new ones, including Anxiety, voiced by Maya Hawke. [2] The movie has a runtime of 96 minutes. [1]