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Disney Branded Television has pulled back the curtain on a robust new lineup of animated content for Disney+, Disney Jr. and Disney Channel ahead of its showcase at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival.
From greenlighting new series like “Sam Witch” to revealing first looks at genre-bending projects like “Dragon Striker,” Disney’s latest slate doubles down on magic, music and multicultural storytelling.
“Annecy is the perfect backdrop to showcase the creative ambition and global strength of our kids’ animation slate,” Ayo Davis, president of Disney Branded Television, tells Variety. “From bold new originals like ‘Sam Witch’ to fresh seasons of beloved hits like ‘Marvel’s Spidey and his Amazing Friends’ and ‘SuperKitties’ to our growing lineup of original shorts, we’re building a strong lineup anchored by the world’s most beloved characters and designed for how kids watch today.”
“Sam Witch” Leads New Originals
Leading the pack of greenlit titles is “Sam Witch,” a new animated series from creator Mia Resella and Brown Bag Films. Aimed at preschoolers, the series follows a young girl learning the ropes of witchcraft with the help of her magical pets and a supportive community. With its inclusive themes and whimsical tone, “Sam Witch” aims to cast a spell over families when it launches on Disney Jr. and Disney+.
Another standout among the fresh offerings is “Dasher,” a CG-animated holiday special based on Matt Tavares’ bestselling picture book, “Dasher: How a Brave Little Doe Changed Christmas Forever.” Produced by Trustbridge Entertainment and 9 Story Media Group and Brown Bag Films in association with Disney Branded Television, the special follows the origin story of one of Santa’s most iconic reindeer and is expected to debut in the 2026 holiday season.
On the acquisition front, Disney Branded Television is bringing “Miraculous Stellar Force” into the fold, the first original spin-off from Zag’s global hit Miraculous franchise. The 2D hand-drawn anime-style series transports fans to a Tokyo-set international school, where 12 students must protect the remnants of a shattered cosmic weapon, the Stellar Matrix. With an all-new cast and an ambitious, serialized plot, the series will debut in 2027 following a high-octane special premiering later this year. Created by Thomas Astruc, the series is produced by Miraculous Corp, a joint venture between Mediawan and Zag.
Franchise Returns
Disney is doubling down on some of its most-watched franchises. “Marvel’s Spidey and his Amazing Friends,” currently the number 2 streaming series for kids and boys 2-5 in the U.S., has not only been renewed for season five but also for a sixth. The hit preschool superhero series continues to feature Peter Parker, Gwen Stacy and Miles Morales in action-packed, teamwork-driven adventures.
Other major renewals include “SuperKitties” (Season 4), “Disney Jr. Ariel – The Little Mermaid” (season two) and “RoboGobo” (Season 2). The latter, a heartfelt series about a team of rescue pets in high-tech suits, features a star-studded voice cast including Cynthia Erivo, Alan Cumming and Susan Kelechi Watson.
Meanwhile, “SuperKitties” is set to expand its purr-suit of kindness with a new “Su-Purr Wild” story arc in the upcoming third season, with the newly confirmed fourth season promising more jungle escapades and new characters.
Shorts and YouTube Content Expand Footprint
As viewing habits shift more toward bite-sized and mobile-first experiences, Disney is expanding its short-form universe. “Chibiverse,” the animated mash-up of chibi-styled characters from Disney’s animated canon, returns for a fourth season. Other returning shorts include “Playdate with Winnie the Pooh” and “Me & Mickey,” now evolving into a new series titled “Me & Mickey: In the Clubhouse+,” with fresh vlogs and clubhouse adventures for preschoolers.
Ariel also returns to the small screen in “Songs from the Crystal Cavern,” a music-driven series of shorts that feature original tunes sung by characters from “Disney Jr. Ariel.” Two seasonal stop-motion sing-alongs, “Mickey & Minnie’s Holiday Songs: Halloween” and “Mickey & Minnie’s Holiday Songs: Christmas,” round out the year-round celebration of Disney Jr. holiday content.
First Looks: “Dragon Striker” and “Su-Purr Adventures”
The Annecy crowd will be treated to exclusive previews of two highly anticipated projects: “Dragon Striker” and the second season of “SuperKitties: Su-Purr Adventures.”
Produced by La Chouette Compagnie, “Dragon Striker” blends sports, fantasy and magic in a story centered on Key, a farm boy with a mysterious power, and Ssyelle, a fierce goalkeeper. Together, they form an underdog team at an elite sports-magic academy. With a visual style influenced by European fantasy and shonen anime, the series promises high-stakes action and emotional resonance as its heroes confront an ancient evil. It will also get its own more detailed presentation during a Studio Focus session on Tuesday evening.
Meanwhile, “SuperKitties: Su-Purr Adventures” returns with Bitsy, Ginny, Sparks and Buddy exploring the Kittydale Wild Jungle with new cat-tastic gadgets and foes. A new music video previewing the “Su-Purr Wild” theme was unveiled ahead of the series’ summer debut.
A Strategy for Every Screen
Across its streaming platforms, linear networks and YouTube channels, Disney Branded Television continues to adapt its strategies for how young audiences discover and engage with content. With a mix of long-form storytelling, short-form engagement, music-centric vignettes and seasonal tentpoles, the 2025-26 slate reflects an understanding that kids are consuming content everywhere, and that legacy brands need to meet them there.
Whether it’s reimagining classic characters like Mickey and Winnie the Pooh, expanding franchises like Miraculous and Marvel or launching ambitious new universes like “Dragon Striker,” the company’s annual Annecy presence reaffirms its dedication to the French festival and its continued status as one of the industry’s leading players.
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