Disney+ Is About to Drop a July Lineup That Has Something for Literally Everyone

There are months on the Disney+ content calendar that feel like a steady trickle of releases, slow but still effective. Then there are some months when the platform seems to empty the entire warehouse at once. July 2026 is shaping up to be the second kind. Between a Descendants sequel, a new season of one of the most acclaimed animated revivals in recent memory, a Simpsons exclusive that takes the franchise somewhere it has never gone before, a full day of Nat Geo shark programming, and a 24-hour ABC News tribute to America’s 250th anniversary, Disney+ is covering an extraordinary amount of ground this month, and there is something on this calendar for nearly every kind of viewer in the house.

July offers something for everyone in the family, from a Descendants premiere for kids to a deep dive documentary for history enthusiasts, and even competitive reality programming for guests looking for entertainment after the parks close.

The Movies and Specials Worth Circling

Descendants: Wicked Wonderland premieres July 17, picking up after the Queen of Hearts has been redeemed and Cinderella has been saved, only for a new villain named Maddox Hatter to emerge from the consequences of that altered timeline. Red and Chloe must team up with an expanded cast that includes Red’s new sister Pink, Luisa Madrigal’s son Luis, Captain Hook’s daughter Hazel, and Maddox’s own son Max to rescue the Queen of Hearts and save Wonderland.

The Simpsons takes a genuinely unexpected turn on July 3 with Simpsley, a Disney+ exclusive described as Simpsons noir. The plot follows con-artist Marge Bouvier as she travels to Italy to lure wealthy Seymour Skinner home, only to find her plans complicated by Skinner’s clingy houseguest, Homer Simpsley. It is a sharp departure from the franchise’s usual format and one of the more inventive Disney+ exclusives the show has produced.

On the Fourth of July, ABC News Live presents Disney Celebrates America, a 24-hour programming event anchored by David Muir and featuring an extensive lineup of ABC News talent, including Diane Sawyer, Robin Roberts, George Stephanopoulos, Michael Strahan, and the hosts of The View. The broadcast travels across all 50 states to explore the people, places, and defining moments of the nation’s 250-year history, combining live celebrations, immersive storytelling, and reporting from across the country into a comprehensive tribute to America’s past, present, and future.

The TV Shows Returning This Month to Disney+

July brings the highly anticipated second season of X-Men ’97, premiering with three episodes on July 1 and continuing with new episodes weekly on July 8, 15, 22, and 29. The second season follows the X-Men scattered across different eras of time as they fight to find their way home, while back in the 1990s, new strains of mutant intolerance rise in their absence.

Project Runway, a beloved show, returns for its 22nd season on July 10 with new episodes following on July 17, 24, and 31. Heidi Klum hosts the show’s biggest season yet, featuring 22 designers from different backgrounds competing for a career-defining opportunity, with Law Roach and Nina Garcia returning as judges and Christian Siriano back as mentor.

National Geographic, better known as Nat Geo, will contribute two standout specials this month. Hammerhead Sharks Up Close with Bertie Gregory premieres July 5, following Gregory into Mexico’s Pacific waters in search of the increasingly rare hammerhead shark, working alongside scientists to investigate the species’ decline. Pompeii: Out of Time with Tom Hiddleston arrives July 23, reuniting Hiddleston with Loki executive producer Kevin R. Wright for a blend of scripted drama and investigative documentary that transports viewers to ancient Rome in the hours leading up to the eruption of Mount Vesuvius.

The Broader Library Additions Worth Knowing

Beyond the headline releases, July is packed with additional programming across the month for you to enjoy:

• July 1 brings the Hulu Original Abandoned, new King and Prince episodes, and new Magicampers episodes.
• July 5 kicks off the annual SHARKFEST event with seven new premieres, alongside new Chibiverse episodes and WNBA coverage through the Women’s Sports Sundays programming block.
• July 14 introduces Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro alongside new Marvel’s Spidey and His Amazing Friends episodes.
• July 16 features The 2026 ESPYS presented by Capital One.
• July 24 brings the premiere of Soy Luna: Let’s Roll Again, with all episodes streaming, alongside NFL Flag Championships coverage.
• July 30 and 31 close the month with the Lollapalooza Livestream across two days.

Sports programming runs heavily throughout the entire month as well, with WNBA games airing nearly every Sunday, Banana Ball matchups appearing regularly on ESPN platforms, and the WNBA All-Star Game taking place on July 25.

With this much variety landing across in just a single month. July 2026. It is proving that Disney+ is shaping up to be one of the more genuinely well-rounded content slates the platform has delivered in recent memory.