Disney Unveils Exciting New Animated Series at Annecy: What to Expect!

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Disney+, Disney Jr., and Disney Channel have unveiled an exciting array of fresh, animated series, just before they showcase them at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival.

Disney’s upcoming lineup, which includes the approval of shows such as “Sam Witch” and sneak peeks into unique blends of genres like “Dragon Striker”, is firmly committed to weaving tales that enchant with magic, resonate with music, and celebrate diverse cultural narratives.

In Annecy, Disney Branded Television’s president, Ayo Davis, emphasizes that it provides an ideal setting to highlight the imaginative aspirations and global might of our children’s animation catalog. She explains, “Annecy serves as a fantastic platform for us to unveil daring new creations like ‘Sam Witch,’ continue the success of fan favorites such as ‘Marvel’s Spidey and his Amazing Friends‘ and ‘SuperKitties,’ and expand our collection of original shorts. Our aim is to create a robust lineup featuring characters cherished by generations, tailored for today’s viewing habits.

“Sam Witch” Leads New Originals

At the forefront among the approved shows is “Sam Witch,” an upcoming animated series by creator Mia Resella and Brown Bag Films. Intended for preschoolers, this series tells the story of a young girl mastering witchcraft with aid from her magical companions and a nurturing community. With its themes of inclusivity and playful atmosphere, “Sam Witch” seeks to captivate families when it debuts on Disney Jr. and Disney+.

Among the new releases, “Dasher” is a highly anticipated CG-animated holiday spectacle. It’s adapted from Matt Tavares’ acclaimed picture book, “Dasher: A Brave Little Doe Who Changed Christmas Forever.” This production is a joint effort between Trustbridge Entertainment, 9 Story Media Group, and Brown Bag Films, in collaboration with Disney Branded Television. The special tells the origin tale of one of Santa’s most recognized reindeer and is slated for release during the 2026 holiday season.

In terms of new additions, Disney Branded Television is incorporating “Miraculous Stellar Force,” the initial spin-off from the popular worldwide franchise created by Zag’s Miraculous. This 2D hand-drawn anime-style series takes viewers to an international school in Tokyo, where a group of 12 students are tasked with safeguarding fragments of a broken cosmic weapon, the Stellar Matrix. The series boasts a fresh cast and a captivating, ongoing storyline, set to debut in 2027 after a thrilling special airs later this year. Produced by Miraculous Corp, a collaboration between Mediawan and Zag, “Miraculous Stellar Force” was conceived by Thomas Astruc.

Franchise Returns

Disney is investing heavily in popular franchises, such as Marvel’s “Spidey and his Amazing Friends.” This show, which ranks as the second most-watched kids and boys series aged 2-5 in the U.S., has not only been renewed for a fifth season but also for a sixth. This preschool superhero series, filled with thrilling, teamwork-focused adventures, continues to follow Peter Parker, Gwen Stacy, and Miles Morales.

Other significant updates encompass “SuperKitties” (Season 4), “Disney Jr.’s The Little Mermaid – Ariel’s Second Season,” and “RoboGobo” (Season 2). Particularly noteworthy is the latter, a moving series centered around a group of rescue animals donning high-tech gear, which boasts an impressive voice cast headed by Cynthia Erivo, Alan Cumming, and Susan Kelechi Watson.

Meanwhile, “SuperKitties” plans to continue its mission of spreading kindness by introducing a fresh “Su-Purr Wild” storyline in the approaching third season. The forthcoming fourth season is expected to offer additional jungle adventures and introduce new characters.

Shorts and YouTube Content Expand Footprint

With an increasing trend towards compact, mobile-focused entertainment, Disney is broadening its collection of short videos. The animated world of “Chibiverse,” featuring chibi-style characters from various Disney animations, will come back for a fourth season. Additionally, popular shorts like “Playdate with Winnie the Pooh” and “Me & Mickey” are being developed further into a new series called “Me & Mickey: In the Clubhouse+,” offering fresh video blogs and clubhouse escapades tailored for preschoolers.

Additionally, Ariel makes her small-screen comeback in the musical series “Songs from the Crystal Cavern,” which boasts original melodies performed by characters from the Disney Junior’s version of Ariel. The holiday season is filled with two stop-motion sing-alongs, “Mickey & Minnie’s Holiday Tunes: Halloween” and “Mickey & Minnie’s Holiday Tunes: Christmas,” ensuring a year-round celebration of holiday content from Disney Junior.

In simpler terms, Ariel is back on TV in the musical series “Songs from the Crystal Cavern.” She sings with other characters from her Disney Junior show. During holidays, you can enjoy two stop-motion songs – one for Halloween and one for Christmas – which are part of the continuous holiday content provided by Disney Junior throughout the year.

First Looks: “Dragon Striker” and “Su-Purr Adventures”

The crowd at Annecy is set for an exclusive sneak peek of not one, but two much-awaited productions: “Dragon Striker” and the upcoming season of “SuperKitties: Purr-filled Adventures.

Manufactured by La Chouette Compagnie, “Dragon Striker” combines elements of sports, fantasy, and magic in a narrative centered around Key, a farm boy with an enigmatic power, and Ssyelle, a tenacious goalkeeper. As an underdog duo at an elite academy that specializes in sports and magic, they embark on a journey filled with action-packed challenges and heartfelt moments as they battle an ancient evil. A more comprehensive overview of the series will be provided during a Studio Focus session on Tuesday evening.

In the meantime, “SuperKitties: Purr-fect Adventures” is back! Bitsy, Ginny, Sparks, and Buddy are off to investigate the wild jungles of Kittydale, armed with fantastic feline gadgets and facing fresh enemies. A sneak peek at the “Wild Su-Purr” theme song has been revealed prior to the series’ premiere this summer.

A Strategy for Every Screen

Disney Branded Television is consistently modifying its strategies for how children interact with content on its streaming platforms, linear networks, and YouTube channels. By blending long narratives, brief interactive segments, musical snippets, and seasonal events, the 2025-26 lineup acknowledges that kids are consuming content across various places, requiring traditional brands to meet them where they are.

Year after year, the company demonstrates its commitment to the Annecy Festival by reinventing iconic characters such as Mickey Mouse and Winnie the Pooh, expanding popular series like Miraculous Ladybug and Marvel, and creating innovative new worlds like “Dragon Striker.” This consistent presence at Annecy underscores their position as a key player within the animation industry.

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2025-06-07 19:17