Disney is hoping for a box office rebound built on sequels, prequels and pixie dust

When Disney CEO Bob Iger stepped onto the stage at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California on Friday night, the crowd erupted. Some 12,000 Disney fans rose to their feet and cheered, leaving the 73 year-old executive grinning wide as he tried to quiet them back down.

"I was going to say good evening and thank you for that warm welcome, but that was more than a warm welcome," Iger said to those gathered for Disney's first showcase at its biannual D23 Expo.

It's the first time in five years that Iger has attended the exposition event for Disney's biggest fans, as he briefly retired from his position as chief executive for nearly two years before returning to the helm in November 2022.

His absence coincided with a downturn in Disney's theatrical business which, like other studios was disrupted by pandemic shutdowns and dual Hollywood labor strikes. Yet, the company's post-pandemic box office was also beset by executive decisions to increase content production to pad its fledgling streaming service Disney+. Iger himself has admitted on numerous occasions that Disney sacrificed quality for quantity and it was his goal upon returning to right the ship.

On Friday, he opened an explosive — sometimes literally, as Disney loves to use pyrotechnics — three-hour long presentation that detailed a host of theatrical films, television series and stage productions coming over the next few years.

As the company seeks to rebuild its reputation and recapture magic at the box office, it is relying heavily on existing, and beloved, franchises. And, when it does venture into new territory, it is tapping tried-and-true talent in front of and behind the camera.

Heading into D23, Disney had two major box office successes under its belt from two major