Disney Jr. today unveiled its upcoming slate, which includes the greenlight of two new series, Cars: Lightning Racers, inspired by Disney and Pixar’s Oscar-winning Cars films, with the films’ original cast returning to reprise their roles, and Marvel’s Avengers: Mightiest Friends, the first-ever preschool Avengers series.
Additionally, the network handed an early two-season renewal to Mickey Mouse Clubhouse+ (seasons 2 and 3). The series — a revival of the 2000s animated staple — debuted July 22 on Disney+ as the biggest original Disney Jr. launch on the platform to date and was also the #1 streaming series in average audience for Kids 2-5 in its premiere week, per Nielsen.
The announcements were made by Ayo Davis, President, Disney Branded Television, at the “Disney Jr. Let’s Play!” fan event at Disney California Adventure Park, which will also be taking place at Downtown Disney District in Anaheim, California, throughout the weekend.
New series Cars: Lightning Racers follows Lightning McQueen as he gears up for new adventures in Radiator Springs alongside his hilarious best friend Mater and new friends, thrill-seeking drag car Pipes and mud-loving monster truck Miles. The films’ original cast members returning to reprise their roles include Owen Wilson as Lightning McQueen, Larry the Cable Guy as Mater, Tony Shalhoub as Luigi, Cheech Marin as Ramone, Bob Peterson as Chick Hicks and John Ratzenberger as Mack. Leah Lewis (Elemental) and Yuri Lowenthal (Marvel Rivals video game) join the cast as Pipes and Miles, respectively. Sheryl Lee Ralph (Abbott Elementary) will also voice a new character, Ms. Blinker.
The series is produced by Disney Television Animation in association with Pixar. Travis Braun and Frank Montagna executive produce. Dana Stafield serves as Story Editor and Nathan Chew is Supervising Director.
Marvel’s Avengers: Mightiest Friends evolves from the new Marvel’s Iron Man and his Awesome Friends, which premieres Aug. 11 on Disney Jr., next day on Disney+. The new series introduces kid versions of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes: Iron Man (Tony Stark), Captain America (Steve Rogers), Hulk (Bruce Banner), Black Panther (T’Challa), Black Widow (Natasha Romanoff) and Thor. Together, the young Avengers strive to be their best selves while facing off against classic Super Baddies.
Marvel’s Avengers: Mightiest Friends is produced by Disney Jr. and Marvel Studios in association with Atomic Cartoons. Sean Coyle, Bart Jennett and Harrison Wilcox executive produce.
Also from Disney Jr. and Marvel Studios in association with Atomic Cartoons come two 22-minute Marvel’s Spidey and Iron Man: Avengers Team Up! specials to debut Oct. 16 and 2026 on Disney Jr., then Disney+. You can see first look below.
MARVEL’S SPIDEY AND HIS AMAZING FRIENDS – “A Ribbiting Rescue” (Disney) CAPTAIN AMERICA, HULK, IRON MAN, SPIDERMAN, MS. MARVEL, BLACK PANTHER
Both Cars: Lightning Racers and Marvel’s Avengers: Mightiest Friends will premiere in 2027 on Disney Jr., then Disney+.
Disney Jr. also announced premiere dates for Disney Junior Ariel- The Little Mermaid special (Aug, 22 on Disney Jr. and Disney+); Firebuds Season 3 (Sept. 15 on Disney Jr., Oct. 29 on Disney+) and Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures Season 3, which will debut this fall on Disney Jr., then Disney+.
New castings also were revealed for upcoming series Sofia The First: Royal Magic and Hey A.J.!.
As previously announced, Ariel Winter (Modern Family) will return in the titular role as the voice of Sofia in the Royal Magic spinoff. Additionally, cast members returning from the original series to reprise their roles include Wayne Brady as Clover, Tim Gunn as Baileywick, Eric Stonestreet as Minimus, Sara Ramirez as Queen Miranda and Travis Willingham as King Roland.
Sofia The First: Royal Magic is set to debut in 2026 on Disney Jr., then Disney+.
New family comedy series Hey A.J.! will feature Amari McCoy (Marvel’s Spidey and his Amazing Friends) as lead character A.J., Martellus Bennett as her father, Marty, and Grammy-nominated Jhené Aiko as her mom, Siggi. Rounding out the cast is Juliet Donenfeld (Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures) as A.J.’s best friend Jessie, Innocent Ekakitie (Bunk’d) as Jazz, and David Mitchell (Phineas and Ferb) as A.J.’s bunny sidekick Theo. Grammy winner Meghan Trainor will recur as A.J.’ s best friend Jessie’s mom.
Hey A.J.! premieres in 2026 on Disney Jr., then Disney+.
“Disney Jr. is where preschool magic begins — and no one does it bigger or better,” Davis said. “Our shows are often a child’s very first connection to the world of Disney, sparking the songs they sing, the characters they adore, and the adventures they want to live again and again. Today’s announcements build on that leadership, expanding the worlds kids already love and introducing new multi-platform stories that will capture the hearts of the next generation.”
