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!

Hoppers and The Mandalorian and Grogu Big Game Spots During Super Bowl LX

This year's Super Bowl delivered more than a football game and halftime show; it gave movie fans a look at some upcoming films. For the upcoming Disney films, we got a spot from Pixar with Hoppers and one from Lucasfilm with The Mandalorian and Grogu. 

Pixar gave us our third and likely last trailer for their brand new film, Hoppers, set to release in theaters in less than a month on March 6, 2026. The Super Bowl Big Game Spot expands on the earlier teasers and trailers by showing more of the animal society that the main character, Mebel, encounters. Check out the trailer below - 

Star Wars and Lucasfilm returned to the Big Game with a trailer for The Mandalorian and Grogu, set to release in theaters on May 22, 2026. Instead of an action-packed trailer, Disney unveiled a 30-second cinematic ad that doubles as a creative homage to classic Super Bowl commercials, complete with Tauntauns pulling a sleigh-like wagon across a snowy landscape and iconic narration (by Sam Elliott) underscoring the duo's enduring bond. The spot does not reveal any plot details, but sets the tone for the Mandalorian and Grogu's big screen debut. Check out the trailer below - 

We did not get a trailer for Toy Story 5 (Pixar), Spider-Man: Brand New Day (Marvel / Sony), Hexed (Walt Disney Animation Studios), or Avengers: Doomsday like I hoped or thought we might. 

Movie and Film Profile: The Ugly Dachshund (1966)

The Ugly Dachshund premiered on February 4, 1966. Generally released theatrically on February 16, 1966. Produced by Walt Disney Productions and distributed by Buena Vista Distribution. The animated featurette Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree was released along with the film. Based on the 1938 novel "The Ugly Dachshund" by Gladys Bronwyn Stern.

DMFE Rating: ★★★¼☆ (3.25 out of 5 stars)

Caution: Possible Spoilers Ahead!

Movie and Film Profile: The Finest Hours (2016)

The Finest Hours premiered on January 26, 2016, at TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, California. Generally released theatrically on January 29, 2016. Produced by Walt Disney Pictures in association with Whitaker Entertainment and Red Hawk Entertainment and distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures. Based on “The Finest Hours: The True Story of the U.S. Coast Guard’s Most Daring Sea Rescue” by Michael J. Tougias and Casey Sherman. 

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

CAUTION: Possible Spoilers Ahead!