Movie and Film Profile: Zootopia (2016)

Zootopia premiered on February 13, 2016, at the Brussels Animation Film Festival in Brussels, Belgium. Generally released theatrically on March 4, 2016. Produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures. A sequel, Zootopia 2, was released theatrically on November 26, 2025.

DMFE Rating: ★★★★½ (4.50 out of 5 stars)

Caution: Possible Spoilers Ahead!

In Memorium: Andrew Gunn Passes Away At 58

Andrew Gunn, the producer behind many Disney films starting in the early 2000s, has passed away at the age of 58. Gunn was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), a.k.a. Lou Gehrig's Disease, in 2024. He passed away due to complications from ALS at his home in Toronto, Canada, on Monday, according to The Hollywood Reporter. 

Gunn was born in Toronto, Canada, on July 15, 1969. He graduated from the University of Western in Canada, then moved to Los Angeles, California, and earned a Master's in Communication Management from The Annenberg School at the University of Southern California. In the late 1990s, he ran development at Great Oaks Entertainment, the production company run by John Hughes of The Breakfast Club, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Planes, Trains and Automobiles, Pretty in Pink, and Sixteen Candles fame. Several late 1990s Disney films were produced in association with Great Oaks Entertainment, including the live-action 101 Dalmatians starring Glenn Close and Flubber starring Robin Williams.

In 2001, Gunn established his own production company, Gunn Films, and quickly secured a production deal with The Walt Disney Company. Starting with the Country Bears in 2002, Gunn went on to produce many Disney films, including Freaky Friday (2003), The Haunted Mansion (2003), Sky High (2005), College Road Trip (2008), Bedtime Stories (2008), Race to Witch Mountain (2009), Cruella (2021), and Freakier Friday (2025).

Movie and Film Profile: Shipwrecked (1991)

Shipwrecked premiered in Norway on October 3, 1990. Generally released theatrically in the United States on March 1, 1991. Produced by Walt Disney Pictures in association with AB Svensk Filmindusti and distributed by Buena Vista Pictures Distribution. Based on the 1973 novel “Haakon Haakonsen: En norsk Robinson” (“Haakon Haakonsen: A Norwegian Robinson”) by Oluf Vilhelm Falck-Ytter.

DMFE Rating: ★¾☆☆☆ (1.75 out of 5 stars)

Caution: Possible Spoilers Ahead!

Movie and Film Profile: Flora & Ulysses (2021)

Flora & Ulysses was released on Disney+ on February 19, 2021. Produced by Walt Disney Pictures in association with Netter Productions and distributed by Disney+. Based on the 2013 children’s novel “Flora & Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures” by Kate DiCamillo. The film was removed from Disney+ on May 26, 2023, but was later re-released digitally on September 26, 2023, on other platforms such as Amazon Prime and YouTube.

DMFE Rating: ★★★½☆ (3.50 out of 5 stars)

CAUTION: Possible Spoilers Ahead!

Trailer: Toy Story 5

Pixar has dropped a new poster and the official trailer for Toy Story 5, and fans are buzzing! The latest installment in the beloved animated franchise continues the saga of Woody, Buzz Lightyear, Jessie, Forky and the rest of Bonnie’s toy crew — but this time, they’re facing a very 21st-century challenge: technology. 

The trailer gives us a 2½-minute glimpse into the world of Toy Story 5, reuniting classic characters like: Woody (Tom Hanks), Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen), and Jessie (Joan Cusack), all back together as a new threat emerges in Bonnie’s world, a high-tech tablet-like toy named Lilypad (voiced by Greta Lee).

Bonnie, now older, has become obsessed with tech, leaving her beloved toys struggling to stay relevant and capture her attention the way they used to. The toys must band together again to remind both Bonnie and audiences why playtime with classic toys still matters.

Pixar’s trailer positions Lilypad — a frog-shaped smart tablet — as the symbolic antagonist of the film. Lilypad represents the shiny allure of screens and tech that today’s kids gravitate toward. Her disruptive influence pushes Woody and the gang to step up their game and rediscover what it means to be a toy in an increasingly digital world.

The trailer strikes a nostalgic chord with its use of “You’ve Got a Friend in Me”, reminding audiences that deep down, Toy Story has always been about friendship and loyalty. However, this chapter juxtaposes that heart against the modern world’s obsession with screens — a theme that feels timely and relatable for families today. 

Toy Story 5 is set to premiere in theaters on June 19, 2026. 

Trailer: The Mandalorian and Grogu

After months of teasers and speculation, Disney and Lucasfilm finally released the official full trailer for The Mandalorian and Grogu, and the internet has been buzzing ever since. The trailer gives us our best look yet at the upcoming Star Wars theatrical release. This marks the first Star Wars movie in nearly seven years and takes our favorite duo — bounty hunter Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) and his Force-sensitive apprentice Grogu, from Disney+ screens into a full cinematic universe adventure.

The Mandalorian and Grogu is set to hit theaters and IMAX on May 22, 2026. 

Movie and Film Profile: Eight Below (2006)

Eight Below was generally released theatrically on February 17, 2006. Produced by Walt Disney Pictures in association with Spyglass Entertainment, Mandeville Films, The Kennedy/Marshall Company, and Vertigo Entertainment, and distributed by Buena Vista Pictures Distribution. Based on the 1983 Japanese film Nankyoku Monogatari (Antarctica), directed by Koreyoshi Kurahara, which was based on an ill-fated Japanese scientific expedition to the South Pole in 1958. This film is “Dedicated to the Antarctic explorers and their dogs, whose courage and spirit inspired this film.”

DMFE Rating: ★★★½☆ (3.50 out of 5 stars)

CAUTION: Possible Spoilers Ahead!

Movie and Film Profile: Muppet Treasure Island (1996)

Muppet Treasure Island was generally released theatrically on February 16, 1996. Produced by Walt Disney Pictures in association with Jim Henson Productions and distributed by Buena Vista Pictures Distribution. Inspired by Robert Louis Stevenson’s 1883 novel, Treasure Island. 

DMFE Rating: ★★★¾☆ (3.75 out of 5 stars)

Caution: Possible Spoilers Ahead!

Movie and Film Profile: Recess: School's Out (2001)

Recess: School's Out premiered on February 10, 2001. Generally released theatrically on February 16, 2001. Produced by Walt Disney Television Animation in association with Paul and Joe Productions and distributed by Buena Vista Pictures Distribution. Based on the animated television series Recess, which ran from September 13, 1997, through November 5, 2001.

DMFE Rating: ★★★½☆ (3.50 out of 5 Stars)

Caution: Possible Spoilers Ahead

Movie and Film Profile: No Deposit, No Return (1976)

No Deposit, No Return was generally released theatrically on February 11, 1976. Produced by Walt Disney Productions and distributed by Buena Vista Distribution. Inspired by the 1903 short story “A Retrieved Reformation” and the 1907 short story “The Ransom of Red Chief” by William Sydney Porter, better known by his pen name O. Henry. It was accompanied in theaters by a reissue of the animated feature film Dumbo.

DMFE Rating: ★★½☆☆ (2.50 out of 5 stars)

Caution: Possible Spoilers Ahead!