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Disney reshuffles: what moved and why it matters
Disney has quietly retooled a chunk of its theatrical calendar for 2026 and 2027, shifting high-profile titles across its Disney, Pixar and Searchlight labels. The changes — first reported by Deadline — reflect a broader industry pattern as studios juggle seasonal windows, franchise momentum and counter-programming to maximize box office returns.
The most immediate headline: Searchlight's horror sequel Ready or Not 2: Here I Come has been moved forward to March 27, 2026 (previously April 10, 2026). That promotion into the pre-Easter weekend signals confidence in the Radio Silence-directed follow-up, banking on the original Ready or Not's sleeper success and the franchise's appetite among young adult audiences. The sequel will now square off with Warner Bros./New Line's gothic horror They Will Kill You, making late March a surprisingly packed horror battleground.
In contrast, Ridley Scott's sci-fi thriller The Dog Stars has been delayed. Originally slated to open March 27, 2026, its new release date is August 28, 2026. With a cast that includes Jacob Elordi, Josh Brolin, Guy Pearce, Margaret Qualley and Benedict Wong, The Dog Stars promises a high-stakes post-apocalyptic drama about survivors facing violent factions called the Reapers after a devastating virus. Moving the film to late summer places it near releases like Coyote vs. Acme and a Cliffhanger project, shifting its competition from horror-heavy March into the crowded late-summer slate.
Pixar's Gatto jumps the calendar
Pixar has also nudged its schedule: Gatto, a stylized feature set in Italy about a black cat named Nero who finds himself indebted to a feline mafia boss, has moved up from June 18, 2027 to March 5, 2027. Directed by Enrico Casarosa (best known for 2021's Luca), Gatto's earlier release positions it before the spring blockbuster rush and alongside a Warner Bros. untitled title and Michael B. Jordan's The Thomas Crown Affair remake — a bold play for family audiences and animation fans.
Beyond single-title shifts, Disney has cleared a pair of previously held placeholder dates — September 11, 2026 and November 6, 2026 — and reassigned a March 5, 2027 slot to June 18, 2027. Those moves suggest the studio is still deciding where to place additional tentpoles or another Pixar feature.
Context and comparisons Ready or Not 2's forward move recalls similar strategies where studios accelerate horror sequels to exploit specific seasonal windows (think the way Blumhouse often targets late October). Pixar's Casarosa returning to the Italian setting invites inevitable comparisons to Luca, but Gatto looks tonally different: a crime-comedy animated fable rather than a sun-drenched coming-of-age story. Ridley Scott's delay is not unprecedented — Scott has long alternated period epics and sci-fi films with flexible release plans (see Prometheus and Alien: Covenant timing) — but the new slot will expose The Dog Stars to a different market dynamic.
Behind the scenes and fan reaction Insiders suggest marketing and visual effects schedules, plus counter-programming concerns, influence these reshuffles. Fans on social platforms quickly signaled excitement for Gatto — Casarosa has a devoted following — while Ready or Not devotees are already debating whether the sequel will amplify the original's mix of dark comedy and violent setpieces.
Film critic Anna Kovacs offers a measured take: 'Disney's moves feel strategic rather than reactive — they're optimizing windows for genre and family films. It's a reminder that release timing can be as crucial as the movie itself.'
How this reshapes the box office By reassigning dates, Disney creates new matchups and avoids head-to-head clashes for films with overlapping audiences. The pre-Easter slot for Ready or Not 2 could boost opening-weekend grosses among younger viewers, while Gatto's spring release aims to capture families before the summer tentpole avalanche. For cinephiles tracking Ridley Scott, the August return may signal a different awards and festival path for The Dog Stars.
Whether these changes will pay off remains uncertain — box office success depends on marketing, critical reception and audience appetite — but the schedule tweaks reveal a studio actively managing its assets in a volatile theatrical landscape. Expect more adjustments as 2026 approaches and studios react to early-market performance and shifting streaming strategies.
Comments
Marius
Ready or Not 2 in pre-Easter? Bold choice. The Dog Stars in August feels like it could get crushed by summer noise, marketing better be sharp
atomwave
Wow Gatto jump to March? Casarosa fans will lose it... hope it’s not just Luca-lite. studio playing chess with dates, risky move tho
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