Disney’s 2026 movie calendar is already a yearlong family-planning puzzle in New York City: some titles are in theaters now, some have passed their opening weekends, and several late-year releases are still ahead. As of July 22, 2026, the safest way to plan is to separate confirmed Disney dates from internet speculation, then match the movie to the right NYC outing: a giant-screen Saturday, a transit-easy after-school show, or a museum stop for kids who want more behind-the-scenes movie magic. This guide uses official Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm and local venue sources, and it avoids guessing at showtimes, prices, streaming dates or special-format bookings that theaters have not posted yet.
Text Karpo your neighborhood, children’s ages and preferred weekend, and we’ll help shortlist NYC theaters and low-stress Disney movie plans. Ask Karpo to compare Moana, Toy Story 5, Hexed and Avengers: Doomsday by runtime, rating status and transit convenience.
The confirmed Disney 2026 calendar families can actually use
Disney’s official 2026 theatrical slate gives families several solid anchor dates. Pixar’s Hoppers opened March 6, Lucasfilm’s Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu opened May 22, Pixar’s Toy Story 5 opened June 19, and Disney’s live-action Moana opened July 10. Later in the year, Disney has announced a limited theatrical re-release of Avengers: Endgame on September 25, 20th Century Studios’ Whalefall on October 16, Searchlight Pictures’ Wild Horse Nine on November 6, Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Hexed on November 25, and Marvel Studios’ Avengers: Doomsday on December 18.
For a family guide, not every Disney-owned release belongs in the same bucket. Toy Story 5, Moana, Hoppers and Hexed are the clearest all-ages planning candidates based on their Disney listings and genres. The Mandalorian and Grogu may work for many Star Wars households, but parents should consider each child’s tolerance for action and loud sound. Avengers: Doomsday is a major teen-and-family fandom event, but it is not the same kind of low-stress outing as an animated matinee.
What is playing now: Moana as the July NYC anchor
The most immediate Disney family outing in NYC is Moana, which Disney lists with a July 10, 2026 U.S. theatrical release, a PG rating and a 1 hour, 55 minute runtime. The official Disney Movies page describes it as a live-action reimagining starring Catherine Lagaʻaia as Moana and Dwayne Johnson as Maui, directed by Thomas Kail. Because it is already in its theatrical window, families should use current theater pages rather than old announcement articles for showtimes.
In practical NYC terms, Moana is a good fit for families who want a summer movie that can stand alone as a weekend plan. Build in extra time for restrooms and snacks because the runtime is close to two hours before previews. If you are bringing younger children, the best bet is often an earlier matinee, a reserved-seat theater near a subway line you know well, and a backup plan if a child decides the volume or crowd is too much.
Toy Story 5 is still a strong summer option, but check local availability
Toy Story 5 opened June 19, 2026, according to Disney’s official page, which lists the movie as PG with a 1 hour, 42 minute runtime. Disney describes the new installment as a “Toy meets Tech” story involving Woody, Buzz, Jessie and a tablet device named Lilypad. Since the film opened more than a month before this July 22 guide date, NYC showtime density may vary by theater, neighborhood and format.
That timing matters for parents. A movie that was everywhere on opening weekend may have fewer convenient screens by late July, especially as new releases arrive. Before promising a specific auditorium, check the theater’s own page or ticketing partner the same day. If Toy Story 5 is available only at a late time near you, consider whether a home pre-watch of earlier Toy Story films and a weekend Moana outing would be calmer.
Where to see Disney movies in NYC without guessing showtimes
For premium-format planning, AMC Lincoln Square 13 remains a key Manhattan option because AMC lists IMAX with Laser for that location. It is useful for families who want a destination screening and are comfortable navigating the Lincoln Square area before or after the movie. As with all major chains, do not assume every Disney release will play in every auditorium or premium format; availability changes by date, demand and studio booking.
Regal Times Square is another central option, with Regal’s official theater page listing the location at 247 W. 42nd St., New York, NY 10036, and Regal’s format pages explaining ScreenX and 4DX experiences. Those formats can be exciting for older kids, but 4DX includes motion seating and environmental effects, so it is not ideal for every child. For a calmer Brooklyn choice, Alamo Drafthouse Downtown Brooklyn is at 445 Albee Square West, with reserved seating and a dine-in model that can work well for families who plan ahead.
A museum add-on for movie-loving kids: MoMI in Astoria
If you want a Disney-adjacent outing that does not depend on a specific movie time, the Museum of the Moving Image in Astoria is a useful companion stop. Its ongoing Jim Henson Exhibition is not a Disney release event, but it is officially connected to The Muppets Studio among its collaborating and cooperating organizations, and it gives kids a tactile way to think about screen storytelling, puppetry, design and performance.
MoMI lists the exhibition as ongoing and says it includes nearly 300 objects, including puppets, sketches, storyboards, scripts, photographs, costumes, clips and interactive experiences. The museum’s published location is 36-01 35 Ave. in Astoria, Queens, with regular hours listed for Thursday through Sunday. Pairing MoMI with a theater day can be ambitious, so it may work better as a separate weekend plan for families coming from outside Queens.
Fall 2026: Hexed is the big animated date to circle
For families looking beyond summer, Hexed is the late-year Disney Animation title to watch. Disney’s official page lists a November 25, 2026 release date and says the film is not yet rated. The studio describes the story as following Billie, voiced by Hailee Steinfeld, and her mother Alice, voiced by Rashida Jones, after magical abilities push them into a witch realm called Hexe.
Because Hexed lands the day before Thanksgiving 2026, it has obvious holiday-weekend appeal in NYC. That also means theaters may be crowded, transit may run on holiday patterns around Thanksgiving Day, and popular times could sell quickly once tickets are posted. Since the rating is not yet final, parents should wait for the official rating and theater listings before making it the centerpiece of a multi-family plan.
Marvel and Star Wars: better for older kids, teens and fandom weekends
The Mandalorian and Grogu opened May 22, 2026, according to StarWars.com, and it brought Din Djarin and Grogu to theaters after their Disney+ run. By July 22, NYC screenings may be limited compared with opening weekend, so families hoping for a catch-up showing should check active theater listings rather than assuming it is still playing nearby. It is best suited to children who already know the characters and enjoy Star Wars action.
Marvel’s next major Disney-owned event is Avengers: Doomsday, which Marvel lists for December 18, 2026. That is a prime holiday-season release date, but parents should treat it as a blockbuster for older kids and teens until final details and ratings are available. If your family wants a gentler superhero warm-up, Disney’s announced Avengers: Endgame limited re-release on September 25 may be an option, but ticket locations and formats should be verified when theaters post them.
Practical notes
Practical notes: Always confirm showtimes, seat maps, accessibility options and ticket policies directly with the theater before leaving home, especially for premium formats such as IMAX, ScreenX or 4DX. Disney release dates can still vary by territory or shift in unusual circumstances, so use the official Disney, Marvel or Star Wars pages for the date and the theater page for the local screening. For NYC families, earlier matinees are usually easier for younger kids, and subway-friendly venues can reduce parking stress. Do not rely on rumored streaming dates; Disney has not made every home-release plan public at the same time as theatrical dates. If a rating is listed as not yet rated, wait for the final rating before booking for younger children.
Tags: #Disney2026 #NYCFamilies #WeekendPlans #NYCWithKids #FamilyMovies #Moana #ToyStory5 #Hexed #Marvel #StarWars #Pixar #NYCTheaters #QueensNYC #BrooklynFamilies #ManhattanFamilies
Sources consulted: The Walt Disney Company summer 2026 theatrical slate · The Walt Disney Company spring 2026 theatrical slate · Disney Movies official Moana page · Disney Movies official Toy Story 5 page · Disney Movies official Hoppers page · Disney Movies official Hexed page · StarWars.com official The Mandalorian and Grogu page · Marvel official Avengers: Doomsday page · AMC Lincoln Square 13 official theater page · Regal Times Square official theater page · Alamo Drafthouse Downtown Brooklyn official venue rental page · Museum of the Moving Image official Jim Henson Exhibition page
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