Disney’s Encanto Gets Sequel Update 5 Years Later

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As a longtime moviegoer, it’s clear Disney dominates the entertainment world with franchises like Marvel and Star Wars, but for me, their animated classics are what truly set them apart. I was really excited by their 2021 release, and I’m still hoping we get a follow-up – it definitely deserves one!

Despite not being a blockbuster in theaters, the film was a massive success on streaming and even won an Academy Award. Recently, five years after its release, director Byron Howard hinted to ScreenRant that we might see the Madrigal family return in a future installment.

Encanto 2 Gets New Update

Howard pointed out that making a movie typically takes around five years. When asked about Encanto 2, he explained that he, producer Yvette Merino, co-director Jared Bush, and the entire team collaborate closely, with many of the same people working on different projects.

Howard described their approach as figuring out how to seamlessly transition between projects. He fondly remembered working on Encanto, saying the cast and crew, including their Colombian collaborators, became like family and that the experience was truly wonderful and insightful.

Creating Encanto was difficult because it was made during the COVID-19 pandemic, when many movie theaters were still facing challenges. It’s ironic that the film focuses on a large family living together, as it was released at a time when people were restricted by lockdowns and quarantines. Despite these difficulties, the filmmakers have a strong affection for Encanto.

Encanto’s Box Office Failure Didn’t Impact Its Success

Disney’s Encanto is a delightful animated musical. Directed by Byron Howard and Jared Bush—with Bush also co-writing the screenplay alongside Charise Castro Smith—the film tells the story of the extraordinary Madrigal family in Colombia. Each member of the family has been blessed with a magical gift… except for Mirabel.

The animated musical fantasy film was released in theaters on November 24, 2021, but it didn’t perform well at the box office, earning just $261.3 million worldwide. This was despite costing an estimated $120 to $150 million to make.

However, Encanto was even more popular, earning high praise from both critics (92% on Rotten Tomatoes) and audiences (93%). It also won the Academy Award for Best Animated Film and quickly became a favorite on Disney+.

After the film’s release, talk of a sequel quickly began. In 2023, Stephanie Beatriz, the voice of Mirabel, mentioned she’d be happy to collaborate with the team again, but didn’t have any news about a potential follow-up. Then, in March 2025, John Leguizamo, who voiced Bruno, revealed that they were actively working on it.

Although it hasn’t been officially confirmed, rumors suggest the story might explore the magical universe further, with a focus on Bruno and the unique abilities of his family.

Encanto is streaming on Disney+.

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2026-02-26 19:08