Disney Jr. has ordered several new series and specials to age down some of its biggest franchises for the youngest demo. 

The broadcaster is tapping into the popularity of Disney and Pixar’s Cars brand with Cars: Lightning Racers. Disney Television Animation, in association with Pixar, is producing the series for a 2027 debut on Disney Jr. before releasing it on Disney+. The series follows racecar Lightning McQueen and his friends as they speed off on adventures in the small town of Radiator Springs. Many of the cast members of the original three Cars feature films are returning to the series, including star Owen Wilson. 

The three original feature-length Cars films have collectively earned more than US$1.4 billion at the global box office, and the movies’ success has spawned an enduring franchise, especially among preschool children. Cars has inspired spinoff films, video games, a billion-dollar merchandising business and attractions in theme parks. 

Disney Jr. is also doubling down on the popularity of Marvel and Mickey Mouse, after the ratings firm Nielson found that the top three streaming shows for young viewers in Q1 2025 were all part of Disney Jr.’s catalogue: Bluey, Marvel’s Spidey and his Amazing Friends and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.

With that in mind, the channel has ordered Marvel’s Avengers: Mightiest Friends (pictured) for a 2027 premiere on Disney Jr. and then Disney+. Disney Jr. and Marvel Studios are producing the show in association with Atomic Cartoons. Marvel’s Avengers is a spin-off featuring the preschool-friendly versions of well-known superheroes, such as Hulk, Black Panther and Captain America, that appeared in Spidey and His Amazing Friends and the upcoming Marvel’s Iron Man and his Awesome Friends, which premieres August 11.

The broadcaster has also greenlit two 22-minute specials, Marvel’s Spidey and Iron Man: Avengers Team Up! (pictured), which premiere on October 16 and sometime in 2026, respectively. Disney Jr., Marvel Studios and Atomic are producing those, too. 

There are also two batches of stop-motion shorts focused on Mickey and Minnie Mouse on the way. The shorts, Mickey & Minnie’s Holiday Songs: Halloween and Mickey & Minnie’s Holiday Songs: Christmas, from Stoopid Buddy Stoodios and Disney Jr., are sing-along videos featuring Mickey and his friends singing seasonal tunes. 

And Disney Jr. has renewed the series Mickey Mouse Clubhouse+ for two more seasons. Season two (2027) and season three (2028) are produced by Disney Television Animation. This recently rebooted series has been a hit for the channel, taking the spot as the top streaming series for kids aged two to five during its premiere week in July, according to Nielsen.

Image courtesy of Disney Jr.