Tag: Disney+

Disney Gives Greenlight to ‘Zombies 5’ for Disney+, Disney Channel

A fifth installment of the “Zombies” Disney movie franchise has been greenlit for Disney+ and the Disney Channel with Malachi Barton and Freya Skye set to return to their roles as Victor and Nova.

Zombies 5 will begin production this spring in New Zealand and an official title will be announced at a later date. Franchise stars Milo Manheim and Meg Donnelly will not return to their roles as Zed and Addison while Trevor Tordjman is slated to return as Bucky, the cheer captain and cousin of Addison from the original trilogy.

In the fifth installment, following the events of Zombies 4: Dawn of the Vampires, the newfound peace between the Daywalkers and Vampires is put to the test when a band of fierce mermaids arrives in Rayburn. Nova and Victor must unite their groups once more to discover what the mermaids are really after in order to protect the fragile harmony they worked so hard to build.

The returning cast also includes Julian Lerner as Ray. New to the franchise are a trio of mysterious mermaids: Diaana Babnicova as Pearl, Taylor Oliver as bad-boy Fin, and Olive Mortimer as tech-wiz Sandy.

“‘Zombies’ has become a defining franchise for the current generation,” Ayo Davis, president, Disney Branded Television, said in a statement. “With each movie, we intentionally push the story somewhere new. Introducing mermaids in Zombies 5 opens up a completely different dynamic, while staying true to the music, characters and themes of unity and acceptance that are at the heart of these films.”

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‘Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special’ to Debut on Disney+ March 24

Disney+ will debut the “Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special” on March 24. The special will celebrate the iconic series that defined a generation — exactly two decades after its Disney Channel debut.

The special will be filmed in front of a live studio audience and will feature an interview with Miley Cyrus, hosted by Alex Cooper. The conversation will offer an intimate look at the creation of one of pop culture’s most iconic characters and the lasting impact the show and character have had on fans around the world. With heartfelt nostalgia and fresh perspective, Cyrus will revisit the moments, music and memories that defined an era.

Viewers will be treated to never-before-seen archival footage, with some of the most memorable sets from “Hannah Montana” brought back to life — including the Stewart family living room and the legendary Hannah Montana closet.

With one of Disney’s most passionate fandoms, “Hannah Montana” became a global phenomenon, reshaping kids’ television, influencing music and fashion, and launching a generation-defining pop star. The Emmy-nominated series spawned 14 platinum and 18 gold albums worldwide, as well as two feature films.

“‘Hannah Montana’ will always be a part of who I am,” Miley Cyrus said in a statement. “What started as a TV show became a shared experience that shaped my life and the lives of so many fans, and I’ll always be thankful for that connection. The fact that it still means so much to people all these years later is something I’m very proud of. This ‘Hannahversary’ is my way of celebrating and thanking the fans who’ve stood by me for 20 years.”

“‘Hannah Montana’ opened the door for so many fans to dream big, sing loud, and embrace every side of themselves, which is why its legacy continues to shine across generations,” Ayo Davis, president of Disney Branded Television, said in a statement. “Partnering with Miley on this special is a dream, and we want it to be a love letter to the fans, who remain as passionate today as they were when the series debuted almost 20 years ago.”

The special is produced by HopeTown Entertainment and Unwell Productions. Ashley Edens serves as showrunner, with Miley Cyrus, Tish Cyrus-Purcell, Alex Cooper and Matt Kaplan as executive producers.

The “Hannah Montana” collection is available to stream on Disney+. Starting Feb. 19, viewers can watch a dedicated non-stop stream featuring all four seasons of “Hannah Montana,” Hannah Montana: The Movie and Hannah Montana and Miley Cyrus: The Best of Both Worlds Concert. The “Hannah Montana” catalog has amassed more than half a billion hours streamed globally on Disney+ to date, according to the service.

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Two New Preschool Series to Premiere on Disney+ in March

Two new preschool series — “BeddyByes” and “Magicampers” — will premiere in March on Disney+ and Disney Jr. in the United States and will begin rolling out globally throughout the year.

“BeddyByes,” designed to support positive sleep routines for young children, premieres March 2 on Disney Jr. and Disney Jr. On Demand, with 20 episodes streaming the next day on Disney+ in the United States and select regions internationally.

“BeddyByes” invites audiences to join best friends MeMo and BaBa as they travel across the remarkable Planet BeddyByes, meeting new and familiar faces on their mindful and soothing journey to bedtime. The animated series supports healthy daily routines and sleeping habits for preschoolers. Cast members include Noah Melo Batista as MeMo, Phoebe Dalton as BaBa, and BAFTA Award winner Dawn French as Gramma Leeba.

“Magicampers,” a fantastical adventure series for preschoolers, premieres March 23 on Disney Jr. and Disney Jr. On Demand, with the first six episodes available to stream the next day on Disney+ in the United States and select regions internationally.

“Magicampers” follows the adventures of best friends Darly and Loomis at a day camp for magical creatures on a fantastical island. Darly is half-pig and half-Pegasus, Loomis is half-donkey and half-unicorn, and their young friends are also mythical mashups of all stripes. Every day, they go on incredible journeys of discovery and dream of becoming legendary, having their stories told and retold for all time. At the heart of the series, Darly and Loomis will learn that becoming a legend isn’t about mastering magic powers or winning the biggest prize — it’s about understanding and accepting yourself and others and working together with all kinds of friends. The series stars a diverse young voice cast as the “Magicampers,” including Cassie Glow as Darly, Benjamin Mackey as Loomis and Mason Blomberg as Dracoon, with Emmy Award winner Uzo Aduba (“The Residence,” “Orange Is the New Black”) as nature spirit and camp leader Treena.

The theme songs and key art for both series were revealed today. Additionally, Walt Disney Records will release the “Magicampers” theme song, titled “We’re the Magicampers,” Feb. 13, on all major digital platforms.

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‘Descendants/Zombies Worlds Collide: Concert Special’ Coming to Disney+ and Disney Channel

The “Descendants/Zombies Worlds Collide: Concert Special” will premiere on Disney Channel Feb. 19 and will be available to stream the next day on Disney+.

The program combines the music from Disney’s “Descendants” and “Zombies” franchises as featured in the “Descendants/Zombies Worlds Collide Tour,” which played to sold-out crowds in more than 40 arenas across North America last summer.

“Descendants” follows the teenage children of Disney villains, while “Zombies” centers on a high school attended by humans, zombies and other monsters.

The concert features performances by Kylie Cantrall, Freya Skye, Malia Baker, Malachi Barton, Dara Reneé, Joshua Colley and Mekonnen Knife, with special appearances by Meg Donnelly, Milo Manheim, Liamani Segura and Rita Ora.

The special also includes exclusive backstage access and never-before-seen footage from the tour.

“Descendants/Zombies Worlds Collide: Concert Special” is produced by Fulwell 73 Productions, the team behind the Disney concert specials “The Lion King Live at the Hollywood Bowl,” “Encanto at the Hollywood Bowl” and “Elton John Live: Farewell from Dodger Stadium.”

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In addition, Disney Music Group Feb. 2o will release the “Descendants/Zombies: Worlds Collide Tour — The Live Album” across all major digital platforms. The 24-song track list includes:

  • “Worlds Collide” – Performed by Kylie Cantrall, Freya Skye, Malia Baker, Malachi Barton, Dara Reneé, Joshua Colley and Mekonnen Knife
  • “Red” – Performed by Kylie Cantrall
  • “The Place to Be” – Performed by Freya Skye and Malachi Barton
  • “Fired Up/Did I Mention” – Performed by Malachi Barton, Joshua Colley and Mekonnen Knife
  • “Rotten to the Core/BAMM” – Performed by Kylie Cantrall, Freya Skye, Malia Baker, Malachi Barton, Joshua Colley and Mekonnen Knife
  • “Perfect Revenge/What’s My Name” – Performed by Dara Reneé and Joshua Colley
  • “Life Is Sweeter” – Performed by Kylie Cantrall, Freya Skye, Malia Baker, Malachi Barton, Dara Reneé, Joshua Colley and Mekonnen Knife
  • “Like the Zombies Do/Chillin’ Like a Villain” – Performed by Kylie Cantrall, Freya Skye, Malia Baker, Malachi Barton, Dara Reneé, Joshua Colley and Mekonnen Knife
  • “Someday” – Performed by Freya Skye and Malachi Barton
  • “Dream Come True” – Performed by Freya Skye and Malachi Barton
  • “Good to Be Bad” – Performed by Malia Baker and Mekonnen Knife
  • “Love Ain’t It” – Performed by Kylie Cantrall
  • “Flesh & Bone/It’s Goin’ Down” – Performed by Kylie Cantrall, Freya Skye, Malia Baker, Malachi Barton, Dara Reneé, Joshua Colley and Mekonnen Knife
  • “We Own the Night/Call to the Wild” – Performed by Dara Reneé, Joshua Colley and Mekonnen Knife
  • “Don’t Mess with Us” – Performed by Freya Skye and Malachi Barton
  • “Ways to Be Wicked” – Performed by Kylie Cantrall, Malia Baker, Joshua Colley and Mekonnen Knife
  • “Queen of Mean” – Performed by Dara Reneé
  • “Alien Invasion” – Performed by Kylie Cantrall, Freya Skye, Malia Baker, Malachi Barton, Dara Reneé, Joshua Colley and Mekonnen Knife
  • “If Only” – Performed by Malia Baker
  • “Space Between” – Performed by Kylie Cantrall and Malia Baker
  • “My Own Way” – Performed by Freya Skye
  • “Shuffle of Love” – Performed by Malachi Barton, Joshua Colley and Mekonnen Knife
  • “Legends in the Making” – Performed by Kylie Cantrall, Freya Skye, Malia Baker, Malachi Barton, Dara Reneé, Joshua Colley and Mekonnen Knife
  • “Set it off (Encore)” – Performed by Kylie Cantrall, Freya Skye, Malia Baker, Malachi Barton, Dara Reneé, Joshua Colley and Mekonnen Knife

Searchlight’s ‘Rental Family’ to Begin Streaming on Hulu Feb. 18

Searchlight Pictures’ Rental Family will begin streaming on Hulu and Hulu on Disney+ (for bundle subscribers in the United States) on Feb. 18.

Set in modern-day Tokyo, Rental Family stars Academy Award winner Brendan Fraser as a once-promising American actor searching for purpose and belonging in a society where he feels increasingly adrift. An unexpected acting call leads him to a “rental family” agency, where he is hired to step into surrogate roles for strangers seeking connection. As performance blurs into reality, the experience awakens his empathy and compassion, drawing him deeply into his clients’ lives and pulling him off-script whenever his heart takes over.

Following its World Premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, the film went on to win numerous festival audience awards including at the Chicago, Woodstock, Middleburg, Hawaii and Heartland Film Festivals.

Directed, co-written and produced by Hikari, Rental Family also stars Emmy nominee Takehiro Hira, Mari Yamamoto, newcomer Shannon Mahina Gorman, who was nominated for a CCA Award for her performance in the film, and iconic actor Akira Emoto.

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Comcast-Owned Sky Bundling Disney+, HBO Max, Netflix, Hayu Into Single Subscription in U.K.

Comcast-owned satellite TV operator Sky Feb. 11 announced it is bundling Disney+, HBO Max, Netflix and reality-based Hayu into a single subscription for its U.K. pay-TV subscribers.

For the first time, new customers will be able to get Sky, ad-supported options of HBO Max (when it launches March 26), Disney+, Hayu and Netflix together as part of “Sky Ultimate TV,” priced from £24 ($32.80) a month.

Pay-TV operators are increasingly bundling streaming services to combat “cord-cutting” and transform themselves into super-aggregators of video content across all distribution channels. Streaming bundles have become a central strategy for maintaining consumer relevance in a fragmented market where households juggle an average of nearly three streaming platforms.

“This marks a new era for Sky,” Sophia Ahmad, chief consumer officer at Sky, said in a statement. “Nobody else offers this breadth of incredible entertainment in a fully integrated experience, with everything customers love watching side by side so viewers can jump from show to show with ease.”

Comcast-owned Peacock streaming is not included in the bundle as it is limited to the U.S. market.

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Disney Posts 72% SVOD Quarterly Operating Income Increase

The Walt Disney Co. Feb. 2 reported a 72% surge in subscription VOD operating income to $450 million in the first quarter ended Dec. 27, 2025 on revenue of $5.34 billion.

That’s up from operating income of $261 million on revenue of $4.8 billion in the previous-year period.

Disney’s direct-to-consumer segment, which it now calls simply “SVOD,” includes Disney+, Hulu, Hulu + Live TV, and majority-owned Fubo TV. Disney no longer breaks out subscriber or revenue results for the individual streaming services.

The company reported 196 million Disney+ and Hulu combined subscribers through Sept. 30, 2025. (Disney’s acquisition of a 70% stake in Fubo TV, and its subsequent merging of the sports streamer into Hulu + Live TV, didn’t close until Oct. 29, a month after the quarter ended.)

Subscription fees increased 13% to $4.42 billion from $3.9 billion, driven by price increases and bundling between Disney+, Hulu and other third-party services.

Advertising revenue from the various ad-supported subscription tiers increased 4% to $922 million from $888 million in the prior year period.

Streaming programming and production costs increased 7% to $2.63 billion from $2.5 billion.

Other expenses increased 9% to $2.3 billion from $2 billion.

On the fiscal call, CEO Bob Iger disclosed that Disney+ would begin allowing individual users to create original AI content based on Disney IP for 30-second video spots.

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Season 2 of ‘Disney Jr.’s Ariel: The Little Mermaid’ Splashes Onto Disney+ Jan. 28

Season two of “Disney Jr.’s Ariel: The Little Mermaid” makes its Disney+ premiere Jan. 28.

The animated musical series inspired by The Little Mermaid follows young mermaid princess Ariel as she embarks on adventures with her friends throughout their Caribbean-inspired fairytale kingdom of Atlantica.

Disney legend Jodi Benson, who voiced Ariel in the original 1989 animated feature film The Little Mermaid, guest stars as Marina Neptina, Ariel’s favorite singer, later in the season.

The series features Mykal-Michelle Harris as Ariel, Taye Diggs as King Triton, Amber Riley as Ursula, Gracen Newton as Flounder, and Cruz Flateau and Elizabeth Phoenix Caro as Ariel’s mer-friends Fernie and Lucia, respectively.

In the second season, Ariel and her pals discover a magical new undersea realm and embark on imaginative journeys through the Crystal World, meeting new friends such as the adventurous mermaid Akiko (Kai Zen) and her crystal axolotl, Axyl.

The season is also currently available on Disney Jr. and Disney Jr. On Demand.

“Disney Jr.’s Ariel: The Little Mermaid” was recently nominated for a CAFE Emmy Award for Outstanding Original Song for a Preschool Program and for an NAACP Award for Outstanding Animated Series. Amber Riley has also been nominated for a CAFE Emmy Award for Outstanding Voice Performer in a Preschool Program.

The series highlights the multicultural diversity of the Caribbean through music, food, festivals, fashion, language and folklore. Dr. Patricia Saunders, professor of English and hemispheric Caribbean studies and director of graduate studies at the University of Miami, serves as cultural consultant on the series.

Music plays an integral role in the series, with original songs inspired by the diverse genres of Caribbean music. The songwriting teams are comprised of Anthony M. Jones (Tone), Sofia Quinn, Olivia Waithe, Chantry Johnson, Michelle Zarlenga and Rosemarie Tan. Emmy Award winner Christopher Willis serves as composer. Sean Skeete, dean of the Professional Performance division at Berklee College of Music, is the Caribbean music consultant.

The “Disney Jr. Music: Ariel, The Little Mermaid — Crystal Cavern” soundtrack, featuring 11 new songs, will be available on Jan. 30 across all digital platforms.

“Disney Jr.’s Ariel: The Little Mermaid” is executive produced by Lynne Southerland and produced by Wild Canary in association with Disney Jr.

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Disney+ Bows Trailer for Special Event ‘The Muppet Show,’ Due Feb. 4

Disney+ released the official trailer and key art for “The Muppet Show,” a special event featuring just-announced guest star Maya Rudolph, alongside special guest star Sabrina Carpenter and executive producer/guest star Seth Rogen. “The Muppet Show” returns Feb. 4 for the special event on Disney+ and ABC.

Kermit, Miss Piggy and the Muppets ensemble are back with a new special event, featuring music, comedy, and a whole lot of chaos as the Muppets once again take the stage of the original Muppet Theatre.

From 20th Television, Disney Branded Television, The Muppets Studio and Point Grey Pictures, the special event is directed by Alex Timbers, who also serves as executive producer. Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg, James Weaver and Alex McAtee are executive producers for Point Grey Pictures; David Lightbody, Leigh Slaughter and Michael Steinbach are executive producers for The Muppets Studio; Sabrina Carpenter, Albertina Rizzo, Matt Vogel and Eric Jacobson are executive producers.

“The Muppet Show Theme (2026)” single will be available Feb. 4 and is performed by The Muppets and produced by Grammy and Emmy Award-winner Bill Sherman.

The original series “The Muppet Show,” created by Jim Henson, ran from 1976 through 1981 and aired in more than 100 countries, featuring notable guest stars, including Elton John, Johnny Cash, Diana Ross, Debbie Harry, Gladys Knight, Liza Minelli, Paul Simon and many others. During its run, the series earned Emmy, Grammy, Peabody, BAFTA and numerous other awards. In 2026, “The Muppet Show” will celebrate its 50th anniversary. All five seasons of “The Muppet Show” are currently available to stream on Disney+.

Veteran Muppet performers Bill Barretta, Dave Goelz, Eric Jacobson, Peter Linz, David Rudman and Matt Vogel will perform the majority of the iconic Muppet characters in this production, supported by a talented team of additional performers. Dave Goelz, who has performed with the Muppets for over 50 years, was one of the performers on the original “The Muppet Show” and originated the characters Gonzo and Dr. Bunsen Honeydew, among many others.

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“The Muppet Show” Special Event

‘Phineas and Ferb’ Movie in Production for Disney+ and Disney Channel

The “Phineas and Ferb” universe is expanding with the greenlight of a new adventure movie from series co-creators Dan Povenmire and Swampy Marsh — the duo’s third movie for the franchise. The movie will begin production this year and will be available on Disney+ and Disney Channel.

In the movie, Dr. Doofenshmirtz’s latest time‑travel experiment backfires, erasing the moment Phineas’ mom meets Ferb’s dad — meaning the boys never become brothers and every day is merely adequate. As reality unravels and the future hangs in the balance, Phineas and Ferb must restore the timeline before it’s too late.

The original cast returns for the movie, including Vincent Martella as Phineas Flynn, David Errigo Jr. as Ferb Fletcher, Ashley Tisdale as Candace Flynn, Caroline Rhea as Linda Flynn-Fletcher, Alyson Stoner as Isabella Garcia-Shapiro, Maulik Pancholy as Baljeet, Bobby Gaylor as Buford, Dee Bradley Baker as Perry the Platypus, Povenmire as Dr. Heinz Doofenshmirtz, and Marsh as Major Francis Monogram. Povenmire and Marsh return as co-creators and executive producers, with Kate Kondell and Jeff Howard writing, Bob Bowen directing, and Brandi Young producing.

“‘Phineas and Ferb’ is built on imagination, heart and humor, where the unexpected is always part of the fun,” Ayo Davis, president of Disney Branded Television, said in a statement. “This movie gives Dan and Swampy the chance to stretch that world even further and play with what happens when everything gets turned on its head.”

“We’ve always wanted to explore a story centered on family and unconditional love, preferably in a way that’s bold and sentimental yet classically funny,” Povenmire and Marsh said in a statement. “We’re grateful to Ayo and her team for giving us the runway to expand Danville and take these characters to a whole new level.”

The news follows the fifth season premiere last summer, in which Povenmire and Marsh reunited after almost a decade. The show ranked on Nielsen’s Streaming Top 10 when the newest season debuted, drawing nearly 600 million minutes viewed.

The movie announcement comes ahead of a weekend of new “Phineas and Ferb” content on Disney+. On Jan. 16, eight all-new shorts, “Agent P Under C,” will debut on the platform, with episodes also rolling out on Disney Channel and Disney Channel Animation YouTube. The digital series follows Perry the Platypus as Agent P on a new undercover mission to stop animal adversaries from rival spy organization A.N.A.T.H.E.M.A. (the Alliance of Nefarious Animals That Have an Exceptionally Memorable Acronym). On Jan. 17, new episodes of “Phineas and Ferb” will drop on Disney+, featuring guest stars Meghan Trainor, Anna Faris, Cristo Fernández, Megan Rapinoe and Iain Stirling, including a special 22-minute episode, “Vendpocalypse the Musical,” which will also be available on Disney Channel and Disney Channel Animation YouTube.

All four original seasons of the series and the films are currently available on Disney+.

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