Disney has announced a new original animated feature, Hexed, set for a theatrical release in November 2026. Revealed onstage at Destination D23 in Orlando by Walt Disney Animation Studios chief creative officer Jared Bush, the film follows an awkward teenage boy and his Type A mother who learn that his unusual traits are actually magical abilities, drawing them into a hidden world of sorcery. The studio also unveiled a title treatment for the project during the presentation.
Hexed will be directed by Josie Trinidad and Jason Hand, with production by Roy Conli and Juan Pablo Reyes Lancaster-Jones. Trinidad, a veteran story lead on recent Disney titles, made her directing debut on the series Zootopia+, while Hand most recently served among the directors on Moana 2. The studio has not announced casting. Trade coverage emphasizes that Hexed is positioned as the animation banner’s next original feature following a run of sequel-driven releases.
The fall 2026 dating places the film in Disney Animation’s customary Thanksgiving corridor, a window that has historically supported broad family turnout. The D23 showcase framed Hexed alongside wider studio updates, including Pixar’s Toy Story 5 for June 19, 2026 and previews from across the company’s 2025–2027 slate, signaling how the new title fits into a year anchored by both franchise entries and one-off originals. Industry reports tied to the event reiterated the November timing without specifying a day; the studio’s fan site cited November 2026 in its official recap.
While plot details remain limited beyond the core premise, the film’s mother–son dynamic and “secret world” angle suggest a contemporary fantasy approach that leans on character humor and coming-of-age stakes—territory familiar to the directors’ prior story work. The announcement did not include footage, but the reveal of Hexed’s logo and placement in the schedule provides a clear marker for the animation division’s pipeline as postproduction ramps up on releases due earlier in 2026. Further production information, including casting and music, is expected closer to release.
