Disney+ has released the official teaser for Disney Worldbuilders, a new feature documentary exploring the creative minds responsible for transforming some of Disney’s most celebrated stories into fully realised worlds.
Directed by Academy Award- and Emmy-nominated filmmaker Leslie Iwerks, the documentary brings together leading figures from across Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm and the company’s theme park division for a series of intimate conversations about creativity, inspiration and worldbuilding.
The film examines the early experiences and formative Disney memories that influenced these creators, before exploring how their ideas eventually developed into films, characters, attractions and immersive destinations experienced by audiences around the world.
Among the contributors featured in the documentary are Bob Iger, James Cameron, Kevin Feige, Jon Favreau, Dave Filoni, Jared Bush, Jennifer Lee, Pete Docter and Disney CEO Josh D’Amaro.
Rather than focusing only on Disney’s existing attractions, Disney Worldbuilders also looks towards the future. The documentary promises rare behind-the-scenes access to new lands, themed areas and experiences currently taking shape at Disney destinations around the world.
The project is particularly personal for Leslie Iwerks. She is the granddaughter of Disney Legend Ub Iwerks, Walt Disney’s early creative partner and one of the artists responsible for the development of Mickey Mouse. Her father, Disney Legend Don Iwerks, also helped advance cinematic and theme park technology through innovations including the Circle-Vision 360° camera system.
Leslie Iwerks previously explored the history and creative process behind Disney’s theme parks in the acclaimed Disney+ documentary series The Imagineering Story. Her other Disney projects include Disneyland Handcrafted, which examined the extraordinary construction of the original Disneyland park.
The teaser combines archive footage, concept artwork, filmmaking technology and glimpses behind the walls of projects still under development. Together, these images demonstrate how Disney’s fictional universes move from individual ideas to enormous collaborative productions and, eventually, physical environments that guests can enter.
An advance screening of Disney Worldbuilders will take place during D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event in Anaheim on August 16, 2026. The feature documentary will then arrive on Disney+ later in August.
Watch the official teaser below.
