Videos speak louder than words seemed to be the mantra as Disney took the stage at CinemaCon to reveal what their seven studios have in store for 2024 + 2025.

Closing out the convention, the Mouse House came through with a clear strategy of letting extended footage, trailers, and clips be the main attraction as they brought the CinemaCon audience 75 minutes of the buzziest titles from their slate. With a rough 2023 of major films flopping, the studio is set on rebuilding their franchises focusing on quality over content and revolving largely around the theatrical experience.

Some were talking amid footage with guests including Marvel boss Kevin Feige resetting the course for Marvel with only two films coming from the superhero studio this year and two coming later. The most anticipated for any superhero fan is the inclusion of Deadpool in the MCU with Deadpool & Wolverine, bringing back Wolverine who was thought to be dead in the mix. Giving a taste of how Deadpool fits into the corporate Marvel brand, Ryan Reynolds did not hold back from a meta clip acknowledging the change of studios for the raunchy hero.

Deadpool is now a used car salesman stepping away from the superhero life until he is reluctantly brought back via the MCU timeline. The TVA appears to introduce him from the Fox Universe to his new home, even updating his look. With plenty of fourth-wall breaks and F-bombs, the Deadpool aura holds strong. From the excitement displayed by Feige onstage with Director Shawn Levy, it’s sure to be a major summer hit and the energy Disney needs to reclaim their spot dominating the box office.

In addition to the actor’s acknowledging changes in a film, Harrison Ford officially joined the MCU in Captain America: Brave New World with a first look set in the cherry blossom season of Washington D.C. Ford makes light of being the new Thaddeus Ross with a changed appearance as he squares off with Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson in a geopolitical thriller. Footage shows Wilson being tasked by Ross to rebuild the Avengers then cutting to Isiah Bradley being commanded by a high-pitched noise to the point of attacking.

Florence Pugh is becoming the face of the Thunderbolts* showing up on video to let the CinemaCon audience know they are hard at work filming with a large ensemble of Pugh. Wyatt Russell, Sebastian Stan, and more. And yes, Feige acknowledged the atrik at the end of the title saying for now that is the title. No updates on Fantastic Four other than its coming with graphics hinting at a 1960s era as its period.

To prepare for an afternoon of footage, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes kicked off the presentation with a 13-minute clip showing off the beautiful visuals of cliffs and treetops inhabited by the apes. A village belonging to one of the protagonists, Noah, disrupts the peace as it is being attacked and burned. Noah finds his father buried under stones on a mission to go find the missing apes.

20th Century is pushing its diversity of genres by also having the next installation of the Alien series on its slate for later this summer. A special look at Alien: Romulus was shown and with a gnarly refreshing version of a xenomorph popping out of a chest took over the screen. Alien: Romulus is described as “frightening” and throughout the presentation was stressed to be experienced communally at the theater.

Next was a biographical film that felt reminiscent of Disney’s historical live-action films of the mid-2000s before they decided to only remake their animated films. Young Woman and the Sea stars Daisy Ridley as Gertrude Ederle who came from France to England through the English Channel. The official trailer and poster were released with producer Jerry Bruckheimer noting it as the highest-testing movie of his career.

Searchlight, who has been racking up Oscars for Disney since its purchase of the studio had a brief appearance during the presentation. Surprisingly no footage was shown, only brief looks at its three titles during the opening montage. Yorgos Lanthimos has become Searchlight darling as Poor Things was applauded for its four Oscar wins leading into his next feature with the studio Kinds of Kindness where an already released sizzle reel was shown. Completing the slate is the buzziest title from Sundance which Searchlight acquired, A Real Pain, and Marielle Heller’s Nightbitch starring Amy Adams.

Pixar has been having trouble with their recent releases, but with 35 minutes of Inside Out 2 the animation studio seems to be back on track delivering their signature style. The sequel takes place with Riley now a teenager dealing with an array of new emotions like Anxiety battling her existing emotions of Joy leading to the destruction of her sense of self. The film advances original concepts introduced in the previous by adding complexity and beliefs to the mix as Riley tries to impress a new crowd of kids.

What is the director of Moonlight doing directing a tentpole film asks Barry Jenkins as he comes out on stage to give a quick look at Mufasa: The Lion King. Jenkins said how the film is so full of heart given its massive scale. There will be plenty of new songs to be announced as the year goes on. Mufasa: The Lion King will follow the origin of Mufasa as he becomes one of Disney’s greatest kings. The story includes young Mufasa with Scar and other favorites from the beloved animated feature. Jenkins said it would be an exploration of the countries of Africa.

There is no better way to close out a presentation than with a dance performance with The Rock to introduce Moana 2 footage. The scene picks up with a musical number announcing Moana is finally back with some cheeky bits featuring some villagers dressed like her and her story being told around the community hinting at what a massive global success the first movie was. Majestic sunsets with crashing waves as Moana returns home.

Not fully ready, but a sizzle was shown of the upcoming Rami Malek lead film, The Amateur, to give a little peak of the 2025 slate. The film follows a CIA cryptographer who blackmails his agency to train him and send him on a mission to kill terrorists who murdered his wife.

From this presentation, Disney has scaled back and provided a clear strategy to course-correct some wrong moves in 2023 on the animation and live-action side while pivoting from streaming to theatrical. There have been so many Disney projects announced in the last few months plus films that have been shot and delayed like Elio, Lilo and Stich, and Snow White with no updates on releases. Deadpool feels to be the future of the MCU to get back on track as is Moana 2 and Inside Out 2 for their respective studios. The quality over quantity route is shown in their precise slate and release date selection with some studios highlighted more than others in their umbrella of brands.

Time for a new era in the Mouse House.