On Thursday evening, Walt Disney Studios hosted a special presentation at the 2024 CinemaCon Convention in Las Vegas which provided an exclusive look at its upcoming theatrical releases, including films from some of its famed production studios: Disney Live Action, Marvel Studios, Pixar, Walt Disney Animation Studios, 20th Century Studios, and Searchlight Pictures.

The event is the largest and most important gathering of movie theater owners from around the world, with the focus on the theatrical business. Disney showcased all of the films heading to the cinema over the next year and showcasing its commitment to theatrical releases.

While all of the films showcased at the event will be premiering in cinemas, once they’ve finished their theatrical runs of three to five months, they will be released on Disney+.

Alan Bergman, co-chairman of Disney Entertainment, took to the stage at The Colosseum at Caesar’s Palace to speak about the power of the theatrical film experience and the upcoming flow of exceptional cinematic events Disney will be delivering to theaters in the coming months before turning the microphone over to Tony Chambers, executive vice president and head of theatrical distribution.

Attendees of the event were treated to a special presentation of 13 minutes of thrilling footage from the highly anticipated all-new action-adventure spectacle from 20th Century Studios, “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes,” which is coming to theaters on May 10th.

Disney also released the trailer to the new movie, “Young Woman and the Sea,” which is the extraordinary true story of Trudy Ederle, the first woman to successfully swim the English Channel. Chambers tossed to a taped greeting from legendary producer Jerry Bruckheimer, who then introduced the brand-new trailer featuring Daisy Ridley as the accomplished swimmer born to immigrant parents in New York City in 1905. Through the steadfast support of her older sister and supportive trainers, she overcame adversity and animosity to rise through the ranks of the Olympic swimming team and complete the staggering achievement – a 21-mile trek from France to England. CinemaCon attendees were the first to see the trailer and it was also released to the public.

“Young Woman and the Sea” was originally going to be released straight onto Disney+, but instead it will be getting a special engagement in select cinemas May 31st.

Chambers welcomed Emmy Award- and Golden Globe Award-winning actor Amy Poehler to the stage. Poehler, who returns to cinemas as the voice of Joy in Disney and Pixar’s “Inside Out 2” and who is receiving this year’s CinemaCon Vanguard award at the Big Screen Achievement Awards ceremony, spoke about the film, which is a return to the mind of newly minted teenager Riley just as Headquarters is undergoing a sudden demolition to make room for something entirely unexpected.

CinemaCon attendees were then treated to the first 35 minutes of the animated film, which opens in theaters June 14th 2024.

Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige also took to the stage to talk about some of the upcoming movies currently in development. Anthony Mackie also took to the stage, to talk about Marvel Studios’ “Captain America: Brave New World.” Mackie offered up a little behind-the-scenes insight before introducing a first look at the film, which hits theaters on February 14th, 2025.

Feige then spoke about Marvel Studios’ “Deadpool & Wolverine” and introduced Shawn Levy, the film’s director. The filmmaker, who is receiving CinemaCon’s Director of the Year award at the Big Screen Achievement Awards ceremony, thrilled the audience with an exclusive look at the film, which stars Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, Emma Corrin, Morena Baccarin, Rob Delaney, Leslie Uggams, Karan Soni, and Matthew Macfadyen. “Deadpool & Wolverine” opens in theaters July 26th 2024

Also showcased during the presentation was “Alien: Romulus”, where a video was shown of the film’s producer Ridley Scott and director/writer Fede Alvarez, who thanked exhibitors for their ongoing partnership and their support of the “Alien” franchise over the past 45 years and introduced a special look at the upcoming film, a truly terrifying cinematic experience opening in theaters August 16th 2024. 20th Century Studios’ “Alien: Romulus” takes the phenomenally successful “Alien” franchise back to its roots: While scavenging the deep ends of a derelict space station, a group of young space colonizers come face to face with the most terrifying life form in the universe.

Searchlight Pictures also showcased some of its upcoming movies at the event, including “Kinds of Kindness,” which will premiere this summer at the Cannes Film Festival, opens exclusively in theaters—directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, the film stars recent Oscar winner Emma Stone, who is joined by Jesse Plemons, Willem Dafoe, Margaret Qualley, Hong Chau, Joe Alwyn, Mamoudou Athie, and Hunter Schafer. The film is a triptych fable, following a man without choice who tries to take control of his own life; a policeman who is alarmed that his wife, who was missing at sea, has returned and seems a different person; and a woman determined to find a specific someone with a special ability, who is destined to become a prodigious spiritual leader.

The first footage from 20th Century Studios’ “The Amateur” was then screened exclusively in the room. The film, an action-packed espionage thriller directed by James Hawes and starring Oscar winner Rami Malek, Rachel Brosnahan, Caitriona Balfe, Michael Stuhlbarg, Holt McCallany, Julianne Nicholson, Adrian Martinez, and Laurence Fishburne, opens in theaters nationwide on April 11th, 2025.

Oscar winner Barry Jenkins then took to the stage to talk about Disney’s “Mufasa: The Lion King,” the follow-up to 2019’s global phenomenon, and showcase the teaser trailer for the film, which opens in theaters on December 20th. Told in flashbacks, “Mufasa: The Lion King” reveals the rise of one of the greatest kings of the Pride Lands as Rafiki, Timon, and Pumbaa share the story of Mufasa with a young lion cub. The film is produced by Adele Romanski & Mark Ceryak, and executive produced by Peter Tobyansen.

The Studio closed out the presentation with a surprise appearance by Dwayne Johnson, who came to a stage filled with Polynesian drummers and dancers from Tiana Liufau’s Nonasina (Liufau is the choreographer on the “Moana” films). Johnson returns as the voice of Maui in Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Moana 2,” opening in theaters on November 27th. Bergman returned to the stage to introduce NATO chairBob Bagby, who presented Johnson with the NATO Spirit of the Industry Award in recognition of his unparalleled dedication, passion, and commitment to the motion picture theatrical experience.

“Moana 2” reunites Moana (voice of Auli‘i Cravalho) and Maui three years later for an expansive new voyage alongside a crew of unlikely seafarers. After receiving an unexpected call from her wayfinding ancestors, Moana must journey to the far seas of Oceania and into dangerous, long-lost waters for an adventure unlike anything she’s ever faced.

Which movie are you looking forward to watching this year? Let us know on social media!

Roger Palmer

Roger has been a Disney fan since he was a kid and this interest has grown over the years. He has visited Disney Parks around the globe and has a vast collection of Disney movies and collectibles. He is the owner of What's On Disney Plus & DisKingdom. Email: Roger@WhatsOnDisneyPlus.com Twitter: Twitter.com/RogPalmerUK Facebook: Facebook.com/rogpalmeruk

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