Disney's Star Wars and MCU both aim for stability in 2026.

Disney is positioning 2026 as a reset year, with The Mandalorian & Grogu and Avengers: Doomsday returning to theaters and relying on familiar characters and creators to rebuild audience confidence.

Disney is positioning 2026 as a reset year for two of its largest franchises. Both Lucasfilm and Marvel Studios are prioritizing big theatrical events, returning creative teams, and recognizable characters to reestablish audience engagement. The Mandalorian & Grogu returns Star Wars to theaters after 2019, while Avengers: Doomsday is set as a major MCU multiverse event. The studios report using 2026 to build stability before larger changes in 2027. Key developments: - The Mandalorian & Grogu is described as Star Wars' first theatrical release since The Rise of Skywalker (2019) and continues the story of Din Djarin and Grogu as they work with the New Republic against lingering Imperial Remnant leaders. - Avengers: Doomsday is presented as the beginning of the end of the MCU's Multiverse Saga and will bring together multiple heroes from different realities. - Both films lean on returning creators and familiar faces; the article notes the Russo Brothers' return to direct the Marvel film and the reported returns of Chris Evans and Robert Downey Jr. - The article reports that Pedro Pascal is involved in both projects, appearing in The Mandalorian & Grogu and listed as Mister Fantastic in Avengers: Doomsday. - Disney plans to follow these 2026 releases with larger new-story projects in 2027, including Starfighter and Avengers: Secret Wars. Summary: The article frames 2026 as a year of consolidation for Disney, using nostalgia and trusted creative teams to restore audience confidence in both Star Wars and the MCU. Reported plans call for that stability to enable bolder storytelling in 2027, with Starfighter and Avengers: Secret Wars positioned as the next major steps. The overall aim reported is to regain momentum and engagement before pursuing larger creative shifts.