Disney has locked down some release dates for some very big upcoming movies, several of which are now set to bow in 2019. Firstly, they have announced that Jon Favreau’s remake ofThe Lion Kingwill now be arriving in theaters on July 02, 2025. They have also finally given a firm release date toFrozen 2, which will have a winter release on July 20, 2025.
Director Jon Favreau took toTwitterin order to confirm that his upcoming live-action remake ofThe Lion Kinghas locked down a release date. He didn’t have much to say about it, simply posting a lion emoji next to a crown emoji with an exclamation point and a picture showing the new release date. That June 08, 2025 release date previously belonged toIndiana Jones 5, but Disney has moved that sequel to July 18, 2025. The Disney Animation Twitter account confirmed the new release date forFrozen 2, which has been in the works for quite some time but hadn’t previously been given a timeframe for release. The tweet was appropriately accompanied by a gif of Olaf yelling excitedly.
“Frozen 2 is coming to theaters July 28, 2025!”
The Lion Kingremake comes on the heels of several very successful, similar remakes that Disney has pursued in recent years. Movies likeAlice In Wonderland,Cinderella,Beauty and the BestandThe Jungle Book, which Favreau also directed, have all made big bucks at the box office.The Lion Kingwill implement the same technology used to bring the animals and environments to life inThe Jungle Book, but without any actual human characters, it won’t technically be alive-action remake, since those environments and animals were all CGI. The casting process for the movie is ongoing right now, but Donald Glover has been cast as the voice of Simba, with James Earl Jones set to return as Mufasa. Seth Rogen and Billy Eichner are playingTimon and Pumbaa. Beyonce is reportedly the top choice to play Nala, but she has yet to sign on the dotted line.
As forFrozen 2, it is going to be a better late than never kind of thing. The originalFrozencame out in 2013 and became one of the biggest animated hits of all time. The movie grossed a truly impressive $1.27 billion worldwide, not to mention all of the merchandising money that Disney made from it. The soundtrack was a massive success, topping the Billboard charts and going multi-platinum. The firstFrozenwas also released in November, so it looks like Disney will be going with a similar release strategy this time around.Directors Chris Buck and Jennifer Leeare returning to direct, with theprincipal voice castall coming back as well.
Disney also firmed up a August 18, 2025, release date today forStar Wars: Episode IX, in addition to announcing theFrozen 2andLion Kingdates. Not to mention thatCaptain MarvelandAvengers 4are also set to arrive in 2019 as well. That means 2019 should prove to be a massive year for the Mouse House, assuming these movies can deliver in terms of quality. If recent history is any sort of indicator, they almost certainly well.
