"Disney's new offerings, showcased at the Festival d'Annecy, feature 'Zootopia 2' and 'Elio'. These productions emphasize the themes of 'accepting diversity' and 'cohabitation'."
Disney and Pixar bring diversity and coexistence front and center in their upcoming films
Get ready, animation fans! Disney and Pixar are diving headfirst into tales of acceptance and unity with their upcoming movies, showcased at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival.
The much-anticipated second installment of Zootopia is making its grand entrance nine years after the first, becoming one of Disney's greatest triumphs in 2016 with over a billion dollars at the global box office and earning the Oscar for Best Animated Film.
With the return of iconic duo Judy Hopps, the cunning rabbit cop, and Nick Wilde, the reformed fox trickster, the focus lies on their relationship as they investigate the enigma of Gary, the first snake to join the animal society of "Zootopia." Exploring the dynamics of differences among prey and predators who peacefully coexist in the world is at the heart of the story.
Director Jared Bush describes the movie as an exploration of human nature, as tensions rise and people start noticing differences in challenging times. The goal is to leave the audience pondering the message they've just seen.
Stunning sequences unveiled on Friday include the return of Mr. Big, the mafia mouse, the Marsh Market, a new water-friendly set for semi-aquatic animals, a thrilling car chase, and a therapy session between Judy and Nick.
For the Pixar team, Elio, directed by Domee Shi and Madeline Sharafian, tells the story of a space-obsessed boy who feels stuck on Earth until he is abducted by friendly aliens. In the vast universe, he makes friends with Gordon, a marginalized worm-like alien, embarking on an inspiring journey of self-discovery and embracing differences as a strength.
"At the beginning of the film, Elio is very pessimistic about Earth, which is a dangerous mindset we're all at risk of falling into," warns Madeline Sharafian. When the young boy finds himself among diverse alien species, "he feels like he's found his people and his place," summarizes Domee Shi. The film carries a hopeful vision for our planet, where diverse species and cultures peacefully coexist and work together harmoniously.
"It's a nice message, but somewhat predictable," says Stéphane Congouliers, a 27-year-old student at the Swiss design school Canvas, who caught a glimpse of the first minutes of the film. While the group praises the visuals and humor, they all express a "rather formulaic" plot of the lonely orphan.
Other Pixar films in the pipeline include Hoppers and Toy Story 5, both slated for 2026, and Gatto, which follows the tale of a black cat in the streets of Venice in 2027.
Disney and Pixar are standing firm on their commitment to promoting diversity, understanding, and living together harmoniously, as evidenced by their upcoming slate of movies.
Relevant Upcoming Animated Films
ELIO (2025)
- Release Date: June 18, 2025
- Studio: Pixar
- Themes: Embracing differences, forging connections, and living together harmoniously, even when backgrounds or appearances are vastly different
Zootopia 2
- Release Date: To be confirmed, but expected by Disney in the near future
- Studio: Disney
- Themes: Harmony, diversity
Other Notable Mentions
- Hoppers
- Release Date: March 6, 2026
- Studio: Pixar
- Themes: Empathy, understanding
- Toy Story 5
- Release Date: June 19, 2026
- Studio: Pixar
- Themes: Change, generational bonds (not as central as the themes of "differences" and "living together")
- Lilo & Stitch (Live-action)
- Release Date: May 23, 2025
- Studio: Disney
- Themes: Family, acceptance, diversity
Sources:[1] Cannes Film Festival | https://www.festival-cannes.fr/en/[2] Screen Daily | https://www.screendaily.com/[3] Animation Magazine | https://www.animationmagazine.net/[4] Polygon | https://www.polygon.com/
- As Disney and Pixar continue to champion the themes of harmony and diversity in their upcoming movies, the much-anticipated sequel to the beloved film Zootopia will delve into the importance of cultural understanding through the multispecies society of Zootopia.
- In the upcoming animated film Elio, Pixar tackles the issue of embracing differences and forging connections among various species in space, teaching viewers the power of diversity and living together harmoniously.
