Multiple Major Projects in the Works at Pixar, ‘Monsters Inc. 3’ Enters Early Development

According to a recent feature report on Pixar published by The Wall Street Journal, the Emeryville, California-based animation studio is developing multiple new projects, including the highly anticipated Monsters Inc. 3, which is currently in early development. Meanwhile, Incredibles 3 is planned for a 2028 release, and Coco 2 is expected to hit theaters in 2029.

A New Chapter for the Monsters Inc. Franchise
The original Monsters Inc. debuted in 2001, directed by current Pixar Chief Creative Officer Pete Docter. It told the story of Sulley (voiced by John Goodman) and Mike Wazowski (voiced by Billy Crystal), who work at a power company run by monsters that generate energy by scaring children. This heartwarming family film grossed $528.7 million worldwide and won the Academy Award for Best Original Song.

The franchise later expanded with the 2013 prequel film Monsters University and the spin-off series Monsters at Work, which premiered on Disney+ in 2021 and ran for two seasons.

No further details have been revealed regarding the plot, director, or voice cast for Monsters Inc. 3. Original voice actor John Goodman, while attending the South by Southwest (SXSW) Film Festival to promote his new film Chili Finger, told ScreenRant that he had only just heard about the sequel rumors himself: “I heard that yesterday. They haven’t asked me yet. They’ve probably got some young fat guy now. Passing the baton to younger fat man character actors.”

Despite this, Chili Finger director Edd Benda revealed that the film contains a visual Easter egg paying homage to Monsters Inc., demonstrating the classic animation’s enduring cultural influence.

Full Picture of Pixar’s Upcoming Projects
Beyond Monsters Inc. 3, The Wall Street Journal report also unveiled Pixar’s creative landscape for the coming years:

Confirmed Release Projects:

Hoppers: Released this weekend, with an estimated $40 million opening weekend box office in the U.S. and Canada, marking Pixar’s best debut for an original animated title since Coco in 2017.

Gatto: Scheduled for release in March 2027.

New Original Projects:

Ono Ghost Market: Originally planned as a streaming series, it has now been upgraded to a feature film. The project is inspired by Asian myths about supernatural bazaars, telling a fantastical story where the living and the dead intersect.

Pixar’s First Musical: Directed by Domee Shi (Turning Red), the title has not yet been announced. This marks a new genre exploration for Pixar.

Sequel Project Timeline:

Toy Story 5: Expected in 2026

Incredibles 3: Expected in 2028 (directed by Peter Sohn (Elemental), with Brad Bird writing and producing)

Coco 2: Expected in 2029

Disney has not yet officially confirmed these projects, but has reserved release dates for a Northern California studio production on March 10 and June 16, 2028.

Strategic Shift: Seeking Balance Between Classic and Innovation
The Wall Street Journal report revealed the strategic adjustments Pixar is undertaking after navigating turbulent times in the 2020s. Films like Turning Red and Luca were released directly on Disney+, while theatrical releases such as Lightyear and Elio underperformed, leading to a difficult period for the studio.

However, Inside Out 2, released in 2024, proved Pixar had won its audience back with a staggering $1.7 billion global box office gross. Now, the studio is striving to find a balance between returning to its classic playbook and introducing new elements. As Chief Creative Officer Pete Docter stated, the goal is to remain “useful” to Disney.

Industry Significance
The two Monsters Inc. franchise films have grossed over $1.3 billion combined worldwide, and the continued success of the Disney+ series demonstrates the powerful longevity of this IP. Against the backdrop of major sequel successes like Inside Out 2, Pixar’s increased focus on developing its classic IP is both a response to market demand and a crucial measure to secure its strategic value within the Disney ecosystem.

While all news awaits official confirmation from Pixar, one thing is certain: this animation studio, creator of countless classics, is painting an ambitious blueprint for the coming years, one that respects its traditions while embracing innovation.