Pixar Announces Release Dates for 'Incredibles 3' and 'Coco 2,' Confirms 'Monsters, Inc. 3' is in Development

Summary

• Following the recent theatrical release of Hoppers, Pixar has officially unveiled its long-term development slate, aggressively leaning into its most successful franchises

• The Incredibles 3 is targeting a 2028 release with Elemental director Peter Sohn at the helm, while Coco 2 is expected to arrive in 2029 with original directors Lee Unkrich and Adrian Molina returning

• The animation studio also confirmed that Monsters, Inc. 3 is currently in early development, alongside a slate of new original films including Ono Ghost Market and an untitled musical

Pixar is officially opening the closet door to the monster world once again. The Hollywood Reporter reports that Pixar Chief Creative Officer Pete Docter confirmed that the animation powerhouse is expanding its pipeline of blockbuster sequels. Leading the massive announcement is the highly anticipated news that Monsters, Inc. 3 is officially in early development, while concrete release windows have been set for both The Incredibles 3 and Coco 2.

The major announcements arrive as Pixar aims to reaffirm its box office dominance and cater to a multi-generational audience. While details remain scarce, Monsters, Inc. 3 will mark the studio’s first return to the main big-screen storyline of Mike Wazowski and James P. “Sulley” Sullivan since the 2001 original and its 2013 prequel, Monsters University. The studio has not yet announced a director or a definitive release timeframe for the threequel.

Fans of other Pixar staples won’t have to wait quite as long for concrete updates. The Incredibles 3 is officially slated for a 2028 release. In a slight changing of the guard, Brad Bird will return as a writer and executive producer, while Elemental filmmaker Peter Sohn will take over the primary directing duties. Meanwhile, Coco 2 is targeting a 2029 theatrical bow, with the original film’s directors, Lee Unkrich and Adrian Molina, returning to continue the vibrant story from the Oscar-winning 2017 hit.

In addition to the sequel-heavy lineup—which also includes this summer’s Toy Story 5—Pixar is still investing heavily in original storytelling. The studio officially revealed Ono Ghost Market, a feature film inspired by Asian myths about supernatural bazaars where the living and dead interact, which was originally developed as a Disney+ series. Furthermore, Turning Red director Domee Shi is set to helm Pixar’s first-ever full musical feature.

Explaining the studio’s strategic blend of new IP and established hits, Docter noted his desire to “re-embrace the universally relatable concepts like talking toys and monsters in the closet that once made it a juggernaut.” He emphasized the studio’s unwavering commitment to quality: “As time’s gone on, I realized my job is to make sure the films appeal to everybody. If we’re going to just crank crap out, let’s shut the doors. I’d rather die trying to make something that we genuinely believe in.”

With a roadmap that heavily relies on its most cherished properties while still sprinkling in promising original concepts, Pixar is making a massive bet on nostalgia and proven franchises to drive its next decade of cinematic storytelling.