News

Soul, Luca and Turning Red have all largely been buried on Disney+, but why? As always, we’ve had some thoughts.

Pixar has long been at the forefront of American mainstream animation. The studio ushered in the era of CG animation with its debut feature Toy Story, intelligently explored darker themes of loss in Up, and helped all of us make sense of the messy emotions in our heads with Inside Out. Not to mention, its trophy cabinet must be buckling under the weight of all of its awards.

Of course, not all of its films have been hits. Lightyear, a Toy Story spin-off, missed the mark, and the Cars franchise remains, well, ordinary. Still, Pixar has always been at its best when focusing on original films, and at a point where blockbusters were dominated by sequels and franchises, Pixar was putting often breathtakingly original movies through the Hollywood system.

Remember when Natasha Romanoff sacrificed herself for the Soul Stone and made entire theatres cry? It was the end of an era, especially for those who have been loving the badass Avenger since her first appearance in Iron Man 2. Even though Scarlett Johansson “returned” to the Marvel Cinematic Universe in Black Widow, it was melancholic for her fans to watch knowing that the film was set before the events of Avengers: Endgame.

Black Widow’s sacrifice in Avengers: Endgame (2019) | Credits: Marvel Studios

Scarlett Johansson sure played the hell out of Natasha all these years, so much so that it is impossible for us to imagine another actress in her shoes. However, her career outside of the MCU is equally impressive, if not more. Her upcoming Wes Anderson project proves that the actress has juicy roles all lined up and ready to go!

Scarlett Johansson ready to shine bright post-mcu...

Moana 2 is one of the biggest films to hit theaters in the last year, but the original plan for the sequel would have completely prevented Disney from earning $1 billion at the box office. The follow up to 2016's Moana, Moana 2 was the third most successful film released theatrically last year. The animated musical beat out other mainstream and cultural hits like Wicked and Dune, with only two other Disney releases, Inside Out 2 and Deadpool & Wolverine, beating it at the box office.

This makes the fact that Moana 2 was originally produced as a TV show all the more surprising. If the project had remained in that form, then Disney+ would have had another in a slew of streaming shows while the company would have lost out on one of the year's most successful films. Set in motion by circumstances outside Disney's control, the decision to pivot...

Keke Palmer's new comedy One of Them Days has broken a Rotten Tomatoes record. The movie, which was produced by Insecure's Issa Rae, was directed by Lawrence Lamont (who previously collaborated with Rae on Max's Rap Sh!t) from the debut screenplay by Syreeta Singleton (who was the showrunner of Rap Sh!t). It co-stars Palmer and singer-songwriter Sza as best friends Dreux and Alyssa alongside an ensemble cast that includes Vanessa Bell Calloway, Maude Apatow, Katt Williams, Dewayne Perkins, Lil Rel Howery, and Janelle James.

The new Keke Palmer movie is the latest in a string of prominent projects for the actor, who kicked off her career in the mid 2000s and first rose to prominence when she starred opposite Laurence Fishburne and Angela Bassett in 2006's Akeelah and the Bee. She parlayed this success as a child actor into roles in projects such as Disney's Jump In! and Nickelodeon's True Jackson,...

From the unexpected success of Terrifier 3 to the unprecedented failure of Joker: Folie à Deux, there were a bunch of shocks and surprises at the box office in 2024. After Barbenheimer gave the box office a massive boost in 2023, 2024 saw another decline in theatrical revenue. But there were a few blockbuster hits that kept movie theaters alive in 2024, like Wicked, Inside Out 2, and Deadpool & Wolverine. There were some 2024 box office disappointments that found success on streaming long after they left theaters.

Some of the box office results of 2024 were completely predictable. Borderlands and Kraven the Hunter were never going to be hits; everything about their marketing and behind-the-scenes drama spelled a disaster from the get-go. And no one was surprised when ol’ reliables like Kung Fu Panda and Sonic the Hedgehog scored another hit at the box office. But there were still plenty of surprises at the 2024 box office.

Though fans thought they said goodbye to Woody and Buzz for good with 2019's Toy Story 4, Toy Story 5 has been confirmed. Released in 1995, the first Toy Story movie was Pixar's debut feature-length film. Toy Story revolutionized animated films, and since then, Pixar has become the gold standard of animation, telling emotionally resonant stories that adults enjoy as much as children. Unlike most animated franchises, the Toy Story series has never dipped in quality, and each one of them has introduced new beloved characters.

Woody and Buzz said goodbye in Toy Story 4, the last entry in the series (excluding the spin-off Lightyear), for the final time as they went their separate ways. Woody went on to lead a new life with Bo Peep as a lost toy, and Buzz continued to belong to Bonnie, living comfortably with Jessie, Rex, and new additions such as Forky. However, regardless...

Recently, Disney has seemingly been pivoting in its efforts to appeal to a larger demographic and family audience. For years, they have been chasing more niche groups, and it has led to box office disappointment. They seem to be pivoting back to the larger audience, and the media is crying foul. One reporter actually claimed that Disney is chasing “the most vocally angry fringe of their audience,” and this “has lost Disney and Pixar the respect and love of many fans.”

Actually. No.

Disney is pivoting to chase the silent majority that didn’t go to the theater for “Strange World,” “Lightyear,” or even “Wish.”

Disney is trying to win the family demographic back, and to do so they are willing to anger the “vocally angry fringe.”

“Inside Out 2” became the biggest animated film of all time and is also in the top ten box office totals. Disney also reportedly censored it,...

This week, Tim Allen began recording his much-loved part as Buzz Lightyear for Toy Story 5. The 71-year-old actor recently finished a five-hour speech session for the much-anticipated Pixar film. Allen, who has voiced the iconic Space Ranger since the franchise began in 1995, talked about how excited he was about the creative idea for the project.

Collider talked to Allen, who said, “It’s a very, very clever story.” He made it clear that the project’s growth was based on creativity rather than money: “I don’t think it’s really about the money.” These people would not have done it or called Tom Hanks and me if they hadn’t written such a great story.

The fifth episode of the popular cartoon show looks like it will explore new ideas. The official plot summary hints at a story where “Toy meets Tech,” giving Buzz, Woody, Jessie, and their...

Pixar’s ‘Win or Lose’ is an animated series debuting on Disney+ on February 19, 2025. It tells the story of a middle school softball team, the Pickles, leading up to their championship game, with each episode showing a different character’s perspective in unique animation styles.

Created by Carrie Hobson and Michael Yates, the eight-episode series explores themes like love, rivalry, and life’s challenges, featuring a voice cast that includes Will Forte and Ian Chen.

Originally, the series was set to include a transgender-themed story, but reports say this part was removed before the show’s release.

A Disney spokesperson confirmed the story arc was removed and shared a statement:

When it comes to animated content for a younger audience, we recognize that many parents would prefer to discuss certain subjects with their children on their own terms and timeline.

The character will stay in the show, but lines about gender identity have been removed,...

Tim Allen is gearing up to reprise his iconic role as Buzz Lightyear in Toy Story 5. The actor recently shared updates on the film, which is set to hit theaters on June 19, 2026.

In an interview promoting his new sitcom, Allen revealed that he had already begun recording lines for the film. “I just did the first five-hour session for Buzz,” he explained, calling it both exciting and challenging. “It’s really weird to get back into it, but I’m so blessed to be Buzz Lightyear, to be honest.”

Allen also expressed his admiration for the script, emphasizing its creativity. “It’s a very, very clever story,” he said. “They wouldn’t have done it if the script wasn’t brilliant, and they wouldn’t have called me and Tom [Hanks] either.” Although plot details remain under wraps, Allen hinted that the story will be something special.

Reflecting on the recording process,...

Buzz Lightyear star Tim Allen has offered audiences fresh insight into the progress of Pixar’s Toy Story 5. First announced by Disney CEO Bob Iger in February 2023, the fifth installment in the popular 3D animated movie series is slated to arrive on June 19, 2026. While the exact plot details for Toy Story 5 remain firmly under wraps, director Andrew Stanton has confirmed that the movie will see the toys struggling to remain relevant in the face of electronic entertainment.

Speaking with Collider, Allen confirmed that he recently completed his first five-hour recording session as Buzz for Toy Story 5. Admitting that while it was initially “really weird” returning as the character, he eventually found his stride as Buzz again after two hours in the recording booth. Praising the story, Allen also shot down suggestions that the sequel is simply "about the money," and that had they not devised a clever script,...

Disney seems to be coming to terms with its past mistakes and doing what it can to mitigate or avoid repeating them. It allegedly toned down the “gay” in “Inside Out 2,” and now it is bringing back proper Buzz Lightyear with Tim Allen for “Toy Story 5.”

When Disney released “Lightyear” the film did not do well.

Disney touted the film as the movie Andy watched as a child. However, Buzz Lightyear was voiced by Chris Evans instead of Tim Allen.

While many argued that the very short part of the film about two moms killed the box office, it was more likely the result of “Lightyear” not being a proper “Toy Story” film.

When it was released, “Lightyear” only made about $226 million globally. It likely caused Disney a loss of $106 million.

Later, when cuts came to Pixar, the director and producer of the film were fired.

Now Disney...

Tim Allen is teasing the return of Buzz Lightyear and Toy Story 5.

The actor says he’s reprising his role in the saga and praised the Pixar project.

“It’s a very, very clever story,” Allen told Collider. “Do you wanna do five of these [movies]? I don’t really believe it’s about the money. I’m sure they want it to be a success, but that’s not why they did it. Had they not come up with a brilliant script, they wouldn’t have done it and they wouldn’t have called me and Tom [Hanks]. It’s really clever.”

“I just did the first five-hour session for Buzz, probably a week ago,” Allen added. “It’s really, really weird to get back in it.”

Asked which of the four existing films is his favorite, the 71-year-old replied, “There’s nothing like Toy Story 1… that was such an amazing experience.

Gold Derby rounds up today’s top stories in entertainment for Dec. 27, 2024.

Update:

Nightbitch comes barking to Hulu

On Dec. 27, Amy Adams‘ latest awards contender became available to stream for free for Hulu subscribers. Based on the 2021 Nightbitch novel by Rachel Yoder, the big budget film version from writer/director Marielle Heller stars Adams as a stay-at-home mother who starts inexplicably transforming into a dog. Other cast members include Scoot McNairy as her husband, Arleigh Patrick Snowden & Emmett James Snowden as their son, and Zoë Chao as a family friend.

Searchlight Pictures’ horror-comedy has been racking up various awards nominations this season, including for Adams at the Golden Globes and Independent Spirit Awards. Oscars next? As Heller recently told Gold Derby, “[Adams] is so wonderful and she’s so vulnerable, and I feel like she really trusted me.” Watch the video interview below:

Tim Allen spills secrets about Toy Story 5...

Some of the creatives who helped shape the transgender storyline for the Pixar series Win or Lose are mourning its loss after The Hollywood Reporter broke the news last week that the character at its center will now be portrayed as cisgender.

“It hardly surprised me, but it devastated me,” Sarah Ligatich, a former Pixar assistant editor who consulted on the episode, tells THR. “For a long time, Disney has not been in the business of making great content. They have been in the business of making great profits. Even as far back as two years ago when I was at Pixar, we had a meeting with [then-ceo] Bob Chapek, and they were clear with us that they see animation as a conservative medium.”

As THR reported, Win or Lose — focusing on a middle school co-ed softball team called the Pickles with a voice cast including Will Forte as coach — is...

Tim Allen is again lending his voice to Buzz Lightyear for Toy Story 5 and teasing the upcoming animated film.

The Shifting Gears star said in a recent interview that he had just completed recording his first session for the film, which is set to focus mainly on his character.

“Well, I don’t know what I’m supposed to say. Yes, I just did the first five-hour session for Buzz, probably a week ago,” Allen told Collider while promoting his new ABC sitcom. “It’s really, really weird to get back in it. I can’t tell you anything.”

Allen praised the sequel, saying that “it’s a very, very clever story,” adding, “I don’t really believe it’s about the money. I’m sure they want it to be a success, but that’s not why they did it. Had they not come up with a brilliant script,...

This weekend, director Barry Jenkins brings the story of Mufasa to life through the live-action style popularized by the 2019 The Lion King. It was an unusual choice to craft a prequel to the popular franchise but also provided some distance from the straight-to-dvd sequels of the 2000s. With Mufasa: The Lion King, we’re seeing a return to the Disney sequels and Disney prequels of the past. It’s no longer confined to animation, but with features like Maleficient, Alice in Wonderland, and Lightyear, Disney continues to expand its franchises.

What was a very uncommon aspect of Disney for its first sixty years became popularized in the 1990s. Three decades later, we’ve seen the House of Mouse continue to roll out these films. With Mufasa: The Lion King releasing this week, here are 10 of our favorite sequels and Disney prequels. Out of fairness, we’re only including a single entry from each franchise,...

‘Win or Lose’ is an upcoming animated series by Pixar, set to premiere on Disney+ on February 19, 2025. It follows a middle school softball team, the Pickles, in the week before their championship game, showing each player’s perspective with unique animation styles.

Created by Carrie Hobson and Michael Yates, the series explores themes of love, rivalry, and life challenges through an eight-episode run. The series features a cast that includes Will Forte, Ian Chen, Izaac Wang, Jo Firestone, Milan Ray, Josh Thomson, Erin Keif, and Rosie Foss.

The story was supposed to feature a transgender-themed story arc in the latter episodes, but according to THR, it was removed ahead of release.

A Disney spokesperson confirmed the story arc was removed and shared a statement:

When it comes to animated content for a younger audience, we recognize that many parents would prefer to discuss certain subjects with their children on their own terms and timeline.

Pixar’s new animated series Win or Lose, set for a 2025 premiere on Disney+, will no longer include a transgender storyline.

Disney has eliminated “a few lines of dialogue” from an episode that references a character’s gender identity, we’ve learned.

Disney released a statement to Deadline confirming the change, first reported by The Hollywood Reporter, saying that “when it comes to animated content for a younger audience, we recognize that many parents would prefer to discuss certain subjects with their children on their own terms and timeline.”

Win or Lose, which features Will Forte as the voice of softball Coach Dan, will begin to roll out on Disney+ beginning Feb. 19, 2025, with each episode following a new character. The series revolves around a co-ed softball team at middle school named the Pickles in the week leading up to their big championship game.

In addition to Forte, voice cast includes Ian Chen,...

Pixar’s “Win or Lose,” an original series coming to Disney+, has already lost.

The animated show, which focuses on a little league’s championship game and is told from the point-of-view of various participants, deleted a storyline that involved a transgender character.

A Disney spokesperson confirmed the alteration, saying, “When it comes to animated content for a younger audience, we recognize that many parents would prefer to discuss certain subjects with their children on their own terms and timeline.”

Disney declined any further details on the episode in question.

When Pixar’s “Lightyear” was released in 2022, staff at the Emeryville, California-based animation studio protested when, shortly before release, a fairly innocuous same-sex kiss was removed. Disney finally caved and reinserted the moment, as it was very much a part of the ongoing discussion that had to do with Disney’s failure to oppose Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill.

Disney has removed a storyline regarding a transgender character and themes of gender identity from the upcoming Pixar series “Win Or Lose,” IndieWire has confirmed.

The Pixar series, which is meant to release on Disney+ on February 19, 2025, follows a co-ed softball team in the week leading up to the championship game, with each of the eight episodes focusing on the perspective of a different character, including the kids, their parents, and an umpire.

Disney declined comment on the nature of the specific storyline that was cut or how much was edited or removed, but confirmed its removal.

“When it comes to animated content for a younger audience, we recognize that many parents would prefer to discuss certain subjects with their children on their own terms and timeline,” a spokesperson said in a statement to IndieWire.

THR, which first reported the news, said the character remains in the show, but a...

Pixar’s original animated series Win or Lose will no longer include a transgender storyline in a later episode, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.

The series follows a co-ed middle school softball team named the Pickles in the week leading up to their championship game. Each of the eight episodes center on the off-the-field life of a character and their point of view, whether it be a player, a parent, a coach or an umpire.

A spokesperson for Disney confirmed that the story arc was removed and provided the following statement to THR: “When it comes to animated content for a younger audience, we recognize that many parents would prefer to discuss certain subjects with their children on their own terms and timeline.”

The character remains in the show, but a few lines of dialogue that referenced gender identity are being removed. A source close to Win or Lose said...

While Inside Out 2’s box office success and critical performance were already great news, 2024’s top trending movies are what prove that Pixar is truly back on top. While almost all of Pixar's movies have fared well with critics, the studio has not been so fortunate at the box office. 2015’s The Good Dinosaur under-performed with both critics and audiences upon its release, proving that it was not only Pixar’s spinoffs and sequels that had a hard time equaling the critical success of their earliest original offerings.

Related Every Upcoming Pixar Movie & TV Show

Here is every upcoming Pixar movie and TV show slated for release over the next few years, from new originals like Elio to sequels like Toy Story 5.

Meanwhile, the 2020s were outright brutal for the previously reliable studio. 2020's fantasy adventure Onward brought together two of the most profitable movie stars of the year,...

It's been a wild few years at the box office. The 2020 lockdowns put theaters and Hollywood in a terrible place, and the recovery has been slower than expected. But 2023 offered hope, as the domestic box office hit $9 billion, getting us closer to pre-pandemic normals. Then the SAG and WGA strikes happened, which completely destroyed the release calendar for the first half of 2024. Because of that, theaters were once again forced to weather a brutal storm.

The first half of 2024 was close to a disaster. Not only were we left without any blockbuster releases for months on end but, once they started coming, the first several proved to be disappointments out of the gate (we're talking about films such as "The Fall Guy" and "Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga"). It all looked pretty bleak for a bit, with the domestic box office trailing more than 20% last year's total heading into summer.

Chris Evans' movie career after his departure from the MCU in 2019 made his return to Marvel Studios in 2026's upcoming Avengers: Doomsday practically inevitable. Five years ago, Chris Evans made what seemed to be his final appearance in the MCU as an old version of Steve Rogers passing the Captain America mantle and shield to Sam Wilson at the end of Avengers: Endgame. 2024's Deadpool & Wolverine dragged him back to the MCU as Johnny Storm's Human Torch, however, and he's now been revealed to be returning for the Phase 6's upcoming crossover event, Avengers: Doomsday.

On December 9, The Wrap reported that Chris Evans will be returning to the MCU in Avengers: Doomsday, though the extent and nature of his role hasn't been revealed. Chris Evans could reprise his iconic role of Steve Rogers' Captain America, though there has also been speculation of him portraying an evil Hydra version of Cap,...

Another major Marvel star is returning for "Avengers: Doomsday." The massive team-up movie is part one of the two-part finale to the ongoing Multiverse Saga, the series of movies (and shows) that have continued the Marvel Cinematic Universe in the aftermath of 2019's "Avengers: Endgame," which closed out the Infinity Saga. It looks like Marvel Studios is pulling out all of the stops here, as original Avengers actor Chris Evans, known for his role as Captain America, is returning to the MCU for the film.

According to The Wrap, Evans is indeed returning in "Avengers: Doomsday," which is set to hit theaters in 2026. While one could assume he will once again play the heroic Steve Rogers, Marvel has not confirmed the exact nature of his role in the film.

"Doomsday" is to be directed by Joe and Anthony Russo, who previously helmed "Captain America: The Winter Soldier," "Captain America: Civil War,...

Chris Evans is returning to the Marvel Cinematic Universe as part of the cast for “Avengers: Doomsday,” the highly anticipated sequel that will also star Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom, The Wrap has learned exclusively. Evans will be involved in some capacity, but the extent and exact nature of his role is unknown.

After sunsetting his Steve Rogers character in 2019’s “Avengers: Endgame,” Evans recently made a brief MCU return in this summer’s “Deadpool and Wolverine,” but as his character Johnny Storm from Fox’s “Fantastic Four” movies, not as Captain America.

The Russo Brothers, who directed both Evans and Downey Jr. in “Captain America: Civil War,” “Avengers: Infinity War” and “Avengers: Endgame,” are returning to direct “Avengers: Doomsday” and its direct sequel “Avengers: Secret Wars.”

“Avengers: Doomsday” is slated for release on May 1, 2026.

Evans return to the MCU has long been rumored in fanboy circles, but Marvel declined to comment.

Red One is Chris Evans' biggest movie of 2024, but the Christmas film unfortunately continues the actor's poor franchise track record and makes his MCU success more surprising. Chris Evans has been in a lot of popular movies, but his most famous role is obviously Captain America, with his major presence in the MCU helping to define the franchise and bring it continued success until his Avengers: Endgame retirement. However, many forget that Chris Evans has struggled to find successful franchises outside of the MCU, with Red One being the latest in a long line of flops and disappointments.

The cast of Red One is absolutely packed with stars, with Chris Evans playing Jack O'Malley alongside actors like Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, J.K. Simmons, Lucy Liu, and more. The big-budget Christmas comedy seemed like it would be the next big thing for Evans after his departure from the MCU, with the...

When Bob Iger returned to the Disney CEO throne at the end of 2022, his first order of business was to dismantle a structure that saw the studio’s distribution and creative divisions operating separately. Instead, he put distribution and marketing under the control of Disney Entertainment co-chairman Alan Bergman. One year later, Iger made clear that Disney would stay far away from the culture wars that had taken a toll on the company’s stock price amid a revolt from conservative consumers. “Creators lost sight of what their No. 1 objective needed to be,” he said at the DealBook Summit. “We have to entertain first. It’s not about messages.”

Fast-forward to 2024, and “Moana 2” marks the fulfilment of those two adjustments — a movie able to pivot from its planned release on Disney+ and escape the wrath of right-wing influencers who believe the studio had been pushing a “woke” ideology, a...

While almost all of Pixar’s movies were well-received critically, six of their outings have the unfortunate distinction of ruining the studio’s staggering streak at the Academy Awards. All of Pixar’s movies have their fans, and the studio’s output is often viewed as some of the best family animations that Hollywood has to offer. Since the studio blazed onto the scene with the 1995 blockbuster Toy Story, Pixar married smart scripts, captivating characters, and original ideas with groundbreaking animation. Not only was the studio a leader in 3D animation, but Pixar also had the quality to back up this novelty.

Related Every Upcoming Pixar Movie & TV Show

Here is every upcoming Pixar movie and TV show slated for release over the next few years, from new originals like Elio to sequels like Toy Story 5.

While Pixar’s best movies prove that the studio is capable of generating...

Occasionally, live-action Disney remakes are not welcomed by fans and critics. More than once, they stirred debate around the directors' creative choices. Adapting an animated movie is not easy, especially when many of these Disney masterpieces rely on their characters' unlikely and absurd antics as well as the otherworldly portrayal of magic to both entertain and enchant the audience. And as many special effects as one might use, it's not the same.

Nevertheless, through other creative skills, some moments in these live-action Disney adaptations successfully captured the charmed core of the originals, managing to rival them. Whether through powerful performances, innovative visuals, or reinvented storytelling, these scenes prove that live action can occasionally bring something new to beloved classics, bringing the viewer back to their first, magical encounter with the story while offering a different perspective.

Cinderella Meets The Fairy Godmother Cinderella (2015)

Considering how treasured the original movie is, Cinderella...

Although Pixar has created a few TV shows in the years since 2000, the studio’s first cartoon did what Toy Story’s spinoff Lightyear couldn’t manage in 2022. Every Pixar movie has its champions, and the studio isn’t short of critical defenders. Pixar’s movies have fared incredibly well with reviewers, with no less than 11 of their feature film efforts winning Best Animated Feature at the Oscars. Only six Pixar movies weren’t nominated for any Academy Awards, and all of them were spinoffs, sequels, and prequels. One such movie was 2022’s box office failure Lightyear.

Related Inside Out 2's 21 Easter Eggs & Pixar References Explained

Inside Out 2, the long-awaited sequel to Pixar's beloved 2015 movie Inside Out, contains a number of Easter eggs and references to other Pixar movies.

An attempt to expand the Toy Story universe by making the in-universe toy Buzz Lightyear into a real franchise leading man,...

Chris Evans' recent run of bad luck has continued with Red One, but his future projects may turn his prospects around. Evans is a well-known star who is likely best known for his role as Captain America in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which he played from 2011's Captain America: The First Avenger through 2019's Avengers: Endgame. However, he has also appeared in other well-known movies from the beginning of his career through his post-Marvel era, including 2001's Not Another Teen Movie, 2005's Fantastic Four and its 2007 sequel, 2010's Scott Piglrim vs. the World, 2013's Snowpiercer, and 2019's Knives Out.

In spite of the star-studded Red One cast which also includes Dwayne Johnson, Lucy Liu, and J. K. Simmons, it has so far proved to be a box office disappointment. Although the other Thanksgiving season releases Wicked, Gladiator II, and Moana 2 are all enjoying record-breaking grosses, the holiday action-comedy has...

When a franchise has been around for as long as "Star Trek" has, it's bound to have a handful (or two) of all-time episodes under its belt. Nearly 60 years is a long and storied history to pull from -- not to mention an intimidating one -- but "Lower Decks" has never once shied away from a challenge. In fact, the animated series has always seemed to embrace such high expectations and season 5 is well on its way to ending the show on the highest of notes. Its latest episode, amusingly titled "Fully Dilated," lives up to that mandate by paying homage to not one, but two of the best hours in all of the "Trek" canon.

The beginning of the episode puts our Starfleet misfits on a collision course with an anomaly that's as "Trek" as it gets: A version of the Enterprise-d from another reality briefly crosses over into...

Keke Palmer is one of the few actresses who worked on both Nickelodeon and Disney Channel at the start of her fame.

During an appearance on The Toast, hosted by Claudia & Jackie Oshry, she explained the differences between working on the two networks as a kid. She had her breakthrough role on Nickelodeon’s True Jackson, VP, and went on to star in Disney’s Jump In!

“I’ll say Disney is really amazing when it comes to not only the storytelling that you see onscreen, but the storytelling even within the company, like they are storytelling through marketing, through their employees,” Palmer said. “People got pins in the office. They are literally a whole like universe, and I think that feels good, especially when you’re a little kid ’cause the magic doesn’t end. So, there’s an element of being a part of it that feels really,...

Although Pixar hasn't revealed everything about Toy Story 5's plot, there is a specific detail that will continue an interesting streak that has formed across the franchise. Toy Story 5's release date is confirmed as June 19, 2026, so the day slowly approaches when the series will unleash another sequel. Pixar revealed some tantalizing Toy Story 5 details at D23, specifically about Bonnie's shifting interest to that of smart devices rather than toys, but also concerning who the movie's bad guy(s) will be. Although the villain has never technically appeared in the franchise before, he'll still be strangely familiar.

The Toy Story movies aren't the only installments that make up the larger franchise. As well as the various Pixar shorts, 2022's Lightyear spinoff is technically also within the main canon. Additionally, there are also TV shows and video games that augment the more popular branches of the franchise. At...

Chris Evans played Steve Rogers / Captain America throughout the first three phases of the MCU. After sacrificing years of his life to save people, Rogers makes a personal choice for himself at the end of Avengers: Endgame. However, unlike his character, Evans has yet to make the right choice for himself, particularly in selecting good roles.

Chris Evans in Captain America: The First Avenger | Credits: Marvel Studios

Evans’ post-mcu box office only has one hit, Knives Out, where he played the villain Hugh “Ransom” Drysdale (not including the Deadpool & Wolverine cameo). He mostly chose direct-to-home releases after Endgame, most of which were not critics’ favorites.

Chris Evans Struggles To Find His Ground After Captain America Role Dwayne Johnson and Chris Evans in Red One (2024) | Credits: Amazon MGM Studios

Red One will be released in U.S. theaters on Friday, but critics are not at all happy with it after its international release.

Pixar has unveiled new Toy Story 5 concept art teasing an army of malfunctioning Buzz Lightyear dolls breaking free to terrify the toys fans know and love. The sequel to Pixar's first and most recognizable franchise will see the familiar family of childhood toys faced with technology taking attention away from them. Toy Story 5 will reunite the cast of past movies following the emotional farewell of the 2019 sequel, as Tim Allen is confirmed to return as Buzz and his evil doppelgngers, while Tom Hanks is expected to return.

As Pixar took to the stage to show off their upcoming slate during D23 Brasil's first major showcase, the company showed off a new piece of concept art that depicts Toy Story 5's new threat emerging for the first time, later shared by Almanaque Disney on Twitter, which can be seen below:

Nova Arte Conceitual De Toy Story 5, Revelada Na #D23Brasil pic.

Chris Evans retired from the Marvel Cinematic Universe and playing Captain America in 2019, but Red One is making his return appear more likely. After landing the life-changing role of Steve Rogers and making his MCU debut in 2011, he enjoyed an acclaimed run as the Marvel icon for eight years, culminating with Avengers: Endgame's ending. The conclusion of Steve's story was done so that Evans would be freed up to explore more projects beyond the sprawling franchise, which demanded much of his time in the prior decade.

This gave the actor endless possibilities and potential to join exciting projects of all scales. On the surface, Evans doing a Christmas action movie with The Rock sounded great. Red One was even thought to be a potential massive hit for him, possibly even a franchise starter away from the MCU. That becomes tougher to imagine with Red One's Rotten Tomatoes score debuting...

In a global movie marketplace, films can be banned from select countries for split-second moments. Disney's live-action 2017 adaptation of "Beauty and the Beast," for example, was restricted from playing in both Kuwait and a city in Alabama due to a blink-and-you'll-miss-it shot of two men dancing, while Pixar's "Lightyear" ended up banned in 14 countries due to a shot of two women sharing a brief, chaste queer kiss. Institutional homophobia unfortunately isn't new or surprising, but plenty of movies have also been banned for other reasons ranging from depictions of time travel (in the case of "Back to the Future") to "The Da Vinci Code" and its exploration of Christian apocrypha.

What's ban-worthy in one country may not even be noticeable in another, as is the case with the prop choice that led to the Tom Holland-starring "Uncharted" being banned in Vietnam and the Philippines. Ruben Fleischer's adaptation...

As folks get set for a new era in Disney World, it’s fun to think back 25 years at one of the best Disney celebrations ever in the Millennium Celebration!

1999 was one of the best years for visiting Walt Disney World. Every park had something new, with the Magic Kingdom opening the Winnie the Pooh and Buzz Lightyear rides, Animal Kingdom first expanding with the Asia section, and the Disney-mgm Studios tossing in Rock n Roller Coaster and Fantasmic.

But Epcot was where the real changes were happening. After years of delays, Test Track finally opened and quickly became a smash hit. Then there was the much-maligned makeover of Journey Into Imagination while Communicore added in more fun.

Yet Epcot was also home to what became the big celebration for Disney World which touched upon how all the world was prepping for the year 2000. It’s forgotten what a huge deal this was,...

When Universal’s “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” opened in December 2022, the “Shrek” spinoff sputtered to a $12.4 million debut. Then, something miraculous happened. Thanks to TikTok and solid buzz, the animated adventure about the swashbuckling cat enjoyed nine lives on the big screen. Ticket sales barely declined week over week, and “The Last Wish” ended its run with $186 million domestically — 15 times its opening weekend — and $481 million globally.

Universal experienced this phenomenon again with Illumination’s “Migration,” which had a disappointing $12.4 million start around Christmas 2023. The cartoon tale about a family of mallards sustained momentum and flew to $127 million in North America — more than 10 times its debut — and nearly $300 million worldwide. (The average film has a 3 or 4 multiple — industry parlance for the ratio of final gross to opening weekend.) “Puss in Boots 2” and “Migration” hold the two highest animated multiples of the past 20 years.

Now, it’s happening once more...

When one thinks of Tim Allen (if one thinks of Tim Allen at all these days), it’s probably in the context of his various sitcoms, Buzz Lightyear or the Christmasy fever dream that is the Santa Clause franchise. But in addition to all of that, the author of Don’t Stand Too Close to a Naked Man is now publicly sharing his theological takes on social media.

Over on X/Twitter, Allen has been posting about the book he’s currently reading, which just so happens to be The Bible. Back in August, Allen posted that, although he had never “really read the Bible” he was nearly finished plowing through the Old Testament, and hyped for the sequel (aka the New Testament). He also noted that the Good Book was “so far amazing and not at all what I was expecting.”

While that easily could have been the end...

If the film and TV industry has one truth, it’s this: There is no single path to success. Pixar director Mike Jones is proof of that, and he’ll be sharing insights into his journey— and what you can expect from your own — at IndieWire’s Future of Filmmaking Summit taking place in Los Angeles November 2.

Purchase Tickets for the Future of Filmmaking Summit

Jones has had an inspiring and unique journey in the film world. Born in San Antonio, Texas, he started as a film journalist after graduating from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts in the mid ’90s, serving as managing editor for Filmmaker Magazine and executive editor of IndieWire. His first screenplay was produced in 2001 when he was 30: “EvenHand” was a small indie that played at SXSW, Tribeca, and AFI Fest. But as so many writers have realized, getting one film produced...

Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2 is coming up with a free update that seems to have a lot to offer to its players. There are a lot of new things being added to the game, including a harder difficulty mode to raise the stakes for veteran players.

The upcoming update is set to introduce a much needed feature for veteran players. Image Credit: Saber Interactive

However, its recent update looks suspiciously similar to Helldivers 2. The main reason for comparison is concerning the looks and feel of the recent free update, which gives similar vibes to Helldivers 2.

Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2 Has A Lot To Offer Brace yourself, for the road ahead might not be the easiest. Image Credit: Saber Interactive

The recent free update is all set to introduce a wealth of new content and improvements. A new PvE operation on Kandaku, where players will face off against the towering Hierophant Bio-Titan,...

With Toy Story 5 officially on the way, the franchise is getting a chance at redemption after the last movie tried too hard to shake things up. Pixar released a few key details about Toy Story 5 at D23, including some information about the plot. The fourth sequel in the series is set to add to its predecessors' legacy while presumably becoming one of Pixar's most profitable movies. Interestingly, despite the upcoming effort to increase the tally to five Toy Story movies, the franchise will actually boast six feature-length productions. However, the previous "sequel" looked very different.

There is no denying Toy Story's success since the saga began in 1995. The franchise's heart has always been built on the movies, but the shorts, video games, and other forms of related media have helped bolster its immense popularity. With Toy Story 5's release date set for June 19, 2026, the next chapter is...

Actor Chris Evans is best known for his time as Steve Rogers / Captain America in the MCU. However, after the highs of his MCU stint, Evans has failed to replicate the strong critical and commercial success in his career. The actor stepped away from his most famous role following Avengers: Endgame, but his string of critically panned recent projects have fans concerned.

Chris Evans played Captain America in the MCU (Credit: Marvel Studios).

On social media, fans of the actor discussed his post-mcu career and noted the terrible choices he has made in the recent past. With promotional material for Evans’ next outing co-starring Dwayne Johnson making rounds fans feel the actor needs to shake up the formula. Fans also compared him to the likes of Chris Pratt, who has had a decent career outside the MCU, and here is what they had to say.

Fans Discuss Chris Evans’ Awful...

“Inside Out 2” is continuing to break records even after leaving theaters.

The Pixar film — which became the highest-grossing animated movie of all time this year — also debuted as the top streaming premiere for 2024 on Disney+. It hit the streamer on Sept. 25 and has amassed 30.5 million views worldwide in its first five days.

The sequel is the No. 1 theatrical premiere on Disney+ since 2021’s “Encanto” and the biggest film premiere of all time for the streamer in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America.

Back in July, “Inside Out 2” passed 2019’s “Frozen II” and its previous record-holding $1.45 billion global run. It also managed to beat out last year’s highest-grossing film “Barbie,” which pulled in $1.44 billion. The film blew by high expectations when it earned $154 million in its opening weekend and crossed the billion-dollar threshold in a mere 19 days.

“Inside Out 2” also marks a return to form...

With more than a decade passing between the debut of the original Warhammer 40k: Space Marine and its sequel, Space Marine 2, gamers were rightfully concerned that the sequel might not reach the same heights. After all, the complete development was in the hands of a completely different developer, Saber Interactive, rather than fan-favorite Relic Entertainment.

Space Marine 2 features a campaign that’s comparable to early 2010’s games. (Images via Focus Entertainment)

Thankfully, the concerns seemed to be unnecessary, as Space Marine 2 has proved itself to be a perfect addition to the legendary franchise and a worthy successor to the original game. The game’s success can be attributed to a range of incredible additions and features, but one of them shares similarities with the iconic Gears of War games, proving that they’re the best titles to enjoy with your buddies!

Space Marine 2’s Phenomenal Campaign Evokes Nostalgia

Warhammer 40k:...

When Walt Disney Company CEO Bob Iger parted ways with the company in 2020, he was succeeded by former Parks Chairman Bob Chapek. Unfortunately for Chapek, he had to lead the company through an unprecedented global pandemic and company upheavals, and was quickly replaced by the return of Bob Iger.

Since his return to the company, Iger has been in a bit of a hot seat, facing criticism for comments made during the 2023 SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes while trying to turn around a series of disappointing film releases and competing with the upcoming opening of Epic Universe at the Universal Orlando Resort. As the company nears three years since Iger's return, it is now facing the daunting task of trying to pick his new successor.

With a series of wins at the box office and awards shows and several large-scale projects announced for the theme parks, the Walt Disney Company seems...