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- Major celebrities who appeared at D23 Expo 2026
- Marvel, Star Wars and franchise power players
- New faces and rising stars who made a splash
- Memorable pairings and group moments
- Directors, producers and behind-the-scenes talent
- Standout red-carpet looks and press moments
- Fan energy, panels and live reveals
- Photo highlights and notable pairings to remember
- Who else showed up — a fuller attendee list
- How the event shaped Disney’s year ahead
- Media response and viral moments
The 2026 D23 fan celebration arrived in Anaheim on August 14 and turned the convention center into a magnet for Hollywood. Big names from Disney films, TV, and streaming took the stage to tease new releases, strike photo-ready poses, and meet cheering fans. The lineup mixed veterans, breakout stars, directors, and producers in a single, star-studded weekend.
Major celebrities who appeared at D23 Expo 2026
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Attendees spanned eras and franchises. Below is a snapshot of the most talked-about faces on the show floor and stage.
- Legendary film stars: Anne Hathaway, Jodie Foster, Kevin Jonas, Joe Jonas, Nick Jonas.
- Leading men: Ryan Gosling, Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Hayden Christensen, Benjamin Bratt.
- Prominent women: Hailee Steinfeld, Kristen Bell, Idina Menzel, Kathryn Hahn, Ming-Na Wen.
- Veteran performers: Lisa Kudrow, Mira Sorvino, Queen Latifah, Denis Leary.
- Voice and musical talent: Josh Gad, Andra Day, Jonas Brothers.
Marvel, Star Wars and franchise power players
Franchise names dominated headline panels. Fans flocked to see familiar faces linked to the biggest studio brands.
- Marvel mainstays: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Paul Bettany, James Spader, Kevin Feige.
- Star Wars connections: Hayden Christensen and other creatives linked to galaxy-spanning projects.
- Creators and showrunners: Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni were on hand to talk craft and future plans.
New faces and rising stars who made a splash
The expo also highlighted emerging talent and fresh casts built for Disney’s next wave.
- Sadie Sink, Samara Weaving, Inde Navarrette, Maya Boyd.
- Kit Connor, Walker Scobell, Maia Kealoha.
- Christopher Abbott, Jake Schreier and other recently attached names.
These performers joined bigger names on panels and red carpets to promote upcoming films and series.
Memorable pairings and group moments
Several duos and ensembles stole headlines with candid chemistry and surprise reunions.
- Ryan Gosling appeared alongside director Shawn Levy.
- Kristen Bell and Idina Menzel reunited for a warm photo moment.
- Kevin, Joe and Nick Jonas represented music in motion for Disney projects.
- Ke Huy Quan and Ginnifer Goodwin shared the stage and photos.
- Rosario Dawson and Ming-Na Wen posed together for franchise support.
Group photos and shared panels amplified buzz across social feeds all weekend.
Directors, producers and behind-the-scenes talent
Fans didn’t just see actors. The event included the creatives shaping stories.
- Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni — producers and directors central to Disney’s TV slate.
- Shawn Levy — director-producer promoting new tentpoles.
- Kevin Feige — Marvel chief appearing with cast members.
These figures answered questions about development, casting, and release plans.
Standout red-carpet looks and press moments
Stylists and stars turned red carpets into mini fashion shows. Photographers captured dozens of polished arrivals.
- Anne Hathaway drew early attention with a classic Hollywood look.
- Hailee Steinfeld, Jodie Foster and Walton Goggins shared press moments with high visibility.
- Groups like the Frozen ensemble — Kristen Bell, Idina Menzel, Josh Gad — staged memorable photo ops.
Outfits, smiles and quick interviews fed real-time coverage across entertainment outlets.
Fan energy, panels and live reveals
The Anaheim crowd kept panels lively. Producers used the stage to drop teasers and announce release windows.
- Panels featured cast conversations, exclusive footage, and Q&A segments.
- Fans reacted loudly to surprise appearances and trailer debuts.
- Photo lines and meet-and-greets provided plenty of close-up moments.
Photo highlights and notable pairings to remember
Photographers documented dozens of pairings that quickly circulated online. A few images dominated feeds.
- Robert Downey Jr., Hayley Atwell and Chris Evans reunited in a high-profile snapshot.
- Kevin Feige and Hailee Steinfeld were photographed together during promotions.
- Paul Bettany and James Spader posed side-by-side for a franchise moment.
- Ke Huy Quan, Ginnifer Goodwin and Rosario Dawson each generated strong photo interest.
Who else showed up — a fuller attendee list
Beyond headliners, dozens of cast members and creative contributors joined the weekend. The list included:
- Samara Weaving
- Inde Navarrette
- Maya Boyd
- Jake Schreier
- Christopher Abbott
- Kit Connor
- Walton Goggins
- Kathryn Hahn
- Ming-Na Wen
- Benjamin Bratt
- Andra Day
- Ginnifer Goodwin
- Rosario Dawson
- Hayden Christensen
- Eman Esfandi
- Samantha Barks and Oliver Tompsett
- Maia Kealoha
- Walker Scobell
How the event shaped Disney’s year ahead
D23 doubled as a marketing stage and community moment. Executives used the platform to set expectations.
- Trailers and teasers gave fans first looks at new films and series.
- Talent appearances helped cement release buzz.
- Announcements clarified future creative direction across franchises.
Media response and viral moments
Press coverage amplified standout images and quotes. Clips and photos spread quickly.
- Social platforms favored close-up red-carpet shots and surprise reunions.
- Reporters highlighted panels that revealed new casting and release dates.
- Fan videos captured autograph lines, backstage energy, and live reactions.
