Disney+ Day: X-Men '97. Spider-Man Freshman Year, Zootopia+, Baymax, Win Or Lose and More

November 12 is the first-ever Disney Plus Day. To celebrate the streamer's second birthday, Disney have brought a smorgasbord of brand new material to the service, including new animated shorts from Pixar, Disney and The Simpsons. The House of Mouse has also been making announcements and offering previews of upcoming shows and movies throughout the day. Here's a round-up of all the animation.

Baymax

Baymax, the Lovable medical robot and star of Big Hero 6 is back next summer in a new self-titled Disney Plus series. Disney TV Animation has already produced a 2D animated spin-off of the movie which ran for 3 seasons, but this is going to be produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios. This is actually the first ever TV series to be produced by WDAS, which seems to be reflected in a more cinematic quality of animation. From what we can see in the first trailer. It looks like this is going to be more of a sitcom with Baymax trying to help out at home (and causing more chaos in the process) rather than further superhero shenanigans. And it's all looking thoroughly charming.

   

Zootopia+

Also from Walt Disney Animation Studios, return to the world of Zootopia (aka Zootropolis) in a short-form series, exploring the lives of various different residents of the animal city. Streaming sometime in 2022.

Tiana

Also from WDAS is the new long-form musical adventure series featuring Tiana from The Princess and The Frog.  It was announced that Stella Meghie (The Photograph) will be writer and director of the new series which will follow Tiana as "the newly crowned Princess of Maldonia, but a calling to her New Orleans past isn’t far behind. "

X-Men '97

Marvel Studios have announced their second original animated series, and it's a doozy. There has actually been speculation that an X-Men animated series was in development ever since Marvel got the rights back to the franchise. It makes a lot of sense, as the original 90s X-men series is fondly remembered and it seems likely it will be a while before the mutants will be back on the big screen in the MCU. The new series (coming 2023) will pick up where the original left off. If you don't have the theme-tune stuck in your head yet, you will in a minute.

Spider-Man: Freshman Year

A third Marvel Studios animated series is also confirmed and this time it's going to star everyone's favourite web-slinger. The series will follow the early years of Peter Parker's time as Spider-Man. Presumably, we will finally meet this universe's Uncle Ben!

I Am Groot

Everyone's favourite sentient space tree is back in a short-form series exploring his glory years as Baby Groot, causing chaos amongst the stars. It's not entirely if these shorts will be fully animated or not, but either way it's something to look forward to for fans of Guardians Of The Galaxy.

Marvel Zombies

Based on the fan-favourite episode of Marvel's What If..? a spin-off series is in development. Bryan Andrews, director of that series will return to helm this show which "reimagines the Marvel Universe as a new generation of heroes battle against an ever-spreading zombie scourge. " A second season of What If is also on the way. Neither series have a release date or window just yet.

The Ice Age Adventures Of Buck Wild 

This Disney Plus original movie is a spin-off of the popular Ice Age series, featuring the character of prehistoric pirate Buck Wild (voiced by Simon Pegg) heading off on a new adventure in The Lost World. In light of Disney's decision to close Blue Sky Studios (who originated the Ice Age series) and cancel their in-production film Nimona, the very existence of this film is a bit of a sore point to many animation fans. However, for the majority of this film's intended audience, which studio made it probably doesn't make any difference. The movie arrives on Disney Plus on January 28.

 

The Proud Family: Louder And Prouder

Disney's groundbreaking noughties animated series The Proud Family is being revived in a new series for Disney Plus. Penny Proud and her family return in a brand new series featuring the original creators and voice cast plus a whole host of new talent. The new series will be streaming from February 2022.

Diary Of  A Wimpy Kid

Disney revealed a brand new poster for next month's adaptation of Jeff Kinney's best-selling Diary Of A Wimpy Kid. Not only that, but they announced that an animated adaptation of the sequel Roderick Rules, is also on the way!

Encanto

Walt Disney Animation Studios' newest animated feature comes to cinemas this Thanksgiving. You won't have long to wait to watch it at home either as Encanto will be available via Disney Plus as an early Christmas present, Stream it from Christmas Eve.

 

And There's More...

The Cars Franchise is still motoring on... a new series Cars On The Road streams next year on Disney Plus. Kerchow!

Rev your engines: Owen Wilson and Larry the Cable Guy return to voice Lightning McQueen and Mater in the Disney+ original series: Cars on the Road, streaming in 2022! #DisneyPlusDay pic.twitter.com/FzPjjNCbRY

— Pixar (@Pixar) November 12, 2021

Turning Red and Lightyear, 2022's new Pixar films will both get detailed making-of documentaries. A new teaser image was also released for Pixar's first (non-short form) in-house television series (Monsters At Work was produced by Disney TVA) Win Or Lose. The series will stream in Fall 2023. "Each 20-minute episode of “Win or Lose” highlights the perspective of a different character as a middle school coed softball team prepares for their championship game."

A new teaser image was released for the upcoming live-action/animated hybrid movie based on the Disney Afternoon favourite. Chip; N' Dale: Rescue Rangers. Comedians Andy Samberg and John Mulaney will voice the intrepid rodent adventurers in  "a comeback 30 years in the making". It also confirms a spring 2022 release on Disney Plus.