Pixar is officially doubling down on its most beloved franchises. The animation giant has confirmed development on four major sequels, including a long-rumored third installment in the Monsters Inc. universe. The news emerged from a Wall Street Journal profile published as the studio celebrates the theatrical release of its latest original film, Hoppers.
The sequel surge represents a strategic shift for a studio once known for its “two originals for every sequel” philosophy. With Toy Story 5 arriving this summer and three more franchise entries mapped out through 2029, Pixar is embracing the modern studio playbook: lean on proven brands while originals become more selective.
The biggest surprise comes from Monstropolis. Pixar confirmed it is developing a third film in the Monsters Inc. franchise, following the 2001 original and its 2013 prequel Monsters University.
No director or plot details have been revealed, including where the new installment fits in the franchise timeline. The original, directed by now-chief creative officer Pete Docter, grossed $528.7 million worldwide and spawned the Disney+ series Monsters at Work, which ran for two seasons. Its prequel earned even more, $743.5 million, proving the franchise’s enduring box office appeal.
The closest sequel on the horizon is Toy Story 5, set to hit theaters June 19, 2026. Andrew Stanton, a Toy Story veteran, directs alongside McKenna Harris.
The teaser dropped last November, introducing a high-tech twist: an AI tablet named Lilypad voiced by Past Lives star Greta Lee. Described as a “playfully antagonistic presence,” Lilypad represents the toys’ latest challenge in a world where screens compete with imagination.
Tom Hanks and Tim Allen return as Woody and Buzz Lightyear, though Allen revealed the film shifts focus. “I can tell you that it’s a lot about Jessie,” Allen told WIVB. “Woody and I do realign. And there’s an unbelievable opening scene with Buzz Lightyear”. Joan Cusack returns as Jessie, with Conan O’Brien joining as a gadget called “Smarty Pants”.
The film arrives seven years after Toy Story 4, which grossed over $1 billion and won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature.
The Parr family returns. Incredibles 3 is scheduled for 2028, with Elemental director Peter Sohn at the helm. Brad Bird, who directed both previous installments, remains involved in a creative capacity.
The third installment continues a franchise that began in 2004 and returned with 2018’s Incredibles 2, which grossed $1.24 billion worldwide, one of Pixar’s highest earners. No plot details have emerged, but fans eagerly await updates on Jack-Jack’s powers and the family’s next mission.
The Land of the Dead welcomes visitors again. Coco 2 is officially in development for a 2029 release, bringing Miguel and Héctor back to the screen nearly 12 years after the original.
The 2017 original became a cultural phenomenon, grossing $814 million globally and winning two Academy Awards, including Best Animated Feature. Its exploration of family, memory, and Mexican traditions resonated deeply with audiences worldwide. Details about the sequel’s storyline remain under wraps, but expectations run high.
Despite the sequel blitz, Pixar hasn’t abandoned new ideas. The studio just released Hoppers, an animal-focused adventure expected to earn $35-40 million in its opening weekend.
Next year brings Gatto, directed by Luca’s Enrico Casarosa, about a feline thief in Venice. Two additional originals are in development: Ono Ghost Market, inspired by Asian myths about supernatural bazaars where the living and dead intersect, and Pixar’s first-ever musical from Turning Red director Domee Shi.
The sequel-heavy slate reflects Pixar’s position in today’s entertainment landscape. Franchise films provide reliable revenue, allowing the studio to take creative risks on originals. Whether this balance produces a healthier Pixar or simply a more polished version of franchise triage remains the question hanging over the studio now.
For fans, the next few years offer something rare: four beloved worlds returning to the screen, each with new stories to tell.
