D23 2026 recap: Here's everything announced at Disney's ultimate fan event - ABC7 Los Angeles

• CEO Josh D’Amaro hosted the D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event at the Honda Center to unveil exclusive first looks and major entertainment announcements. • The showcase featured creators and stars from across Disney's portfolio, including Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic, Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN.

• Actor Ananya Raj, recognized for her roles in the films ‘Ghost’ and ‘Final Exit’, has passed away at the age of 27. • The news was reported on August 16, 2026, as part of a live entertainment update covering global celebrity trends and industry news.

• Ariana Grande has commenced a UK tour, beginning with the first of 10 scheduled performance dates in London. • The singer intends to "step back" from her public life and take a hiatus following the conclusion of these shows.

• Disney revealed major updates on upcoming projects, including "X-Men," "Avengers," and a new "Villains Land" theme park area, during the D23 event on August 14, 2026, in Anaheim. • Key film announcements include "Ice Age: Boiling Point," starring Queen Latifah and Dennis Leary, which is scheduled for a theatrical release on February 5, 2027.

• COL Group has launched COL AI Studios, a new entertainment vertical designed to help brands, studios, and platforms develop and scale content. • The studio leverages a global distribution network that has grown from 1,000 to over 5,000 live-action titles sourced from China, Southeast Asia, Europe, and the U.S.

• Sunny Deol's film "Batwara 1947" experienced a sharp increase in box office collections on its second day of release, August 15, 2026. • The movie is currently performing strongly and is aiming to reach a significant revenue milestone of ₹30 crore.

• U.S.-based Denison Global Entertainment, LLC has established a new European production hub in Albania through the creation of Denison Entertainment Sh.p.k. • The expansion was facilitated by Fare Impresa®, an international legal and business advisory firm led by attorney Egli Haxhiraj.

• Ariana Grande has commenced her UK tour, beginning with the first of 10 scheduled concert dates in London. • The singer is reportedly focusing on her professional commitments despite facing personal problems at home.

• Immersive media technologies, specifically Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR), are gaining momentum in India to enhance audience engagement. • Despite the growth, the industry faces significant monetization challenges driven by high equipment costs and various legal hurdles.

• Icelandic singer-songwriter Laufey has launched the fourth edition of “A Very Laufey Day,” a global fan event designed to foster offline connections. • The initiative, which began in 2023 to celebrate her album “Bewitched,” involves curated itineraries that encourage fans to visit the artist's favorite cultural locations.

• A small group of six conglomerates—Comcast, Disney, Warner Bros., Paramount, Sony, and Amazon—now dominate the majority of global news, internet, and television consumption. • Amazon has significantly expanded its media footprint by acquiring film and distribution studios such as MGM, United Artists, and Orion Pictures.