Leslie Iwerks takes viewers behind the scenes as Disney's biggest films become unforgettable experiences in the company's parks around the world.
Earlier this year, Disney released a one-hour-and-eighteen-minute documentary by Leslie Iwerks (The Imagineering Story) called Disney Handcrafted. The daughter and granddaughter of Disney legends Don and Ub Iwerks, respectively, Leslie grew up around Disneyland and has been immersed in Disney her entire life. It is no surprise, then, that when she decided to become a filmmaker, many of her projects would focus on the famed mouse and the empire he inspired. If Disney Handcrafted was a look back at Disney's past, then Disney Worldbuilders focuses on Disney's present while offering intriguing glimpses of its future.
There can be no doubt that Disney is, in fact, an entertainment empire with its hands in almost every corner of the industry. There can also be no doubt that the Disney name has become synonymous with excellence and quality, and it shows in everything the company produces. The same could be said of Iwerks as she chronicles Disney's evolution from its earliest beginnings to theme parks around the world and its dominance within the film industry. Her documentaries are thorough while remaining concise, entertaining, and informative. Disney Worldbuilders is simply the latest documentary to showcase her talent while also highlighting the dedication of Disney employees who strive to make every guest experience unforgettable.
Disney Worldbuilders reminds viewers that Disney's greatest strength has always been the people behind the magic.
In this hour-long look at Disney's present and future, Iwerks takes audiences through the many properties under the Disney umbrella and shows not only what reaches movie theaters, but also how those stories eventually become attractions inside Disney parks around the world. The documentary begins with Bob Iger, former President, Chairman, and CEO of The Walt Disney Company. Iger offers behind-the-scenes insight into Disney during his tenure, discussing many of the company's acquisitions over the years. He emphasizes that while Disney remains grounded in the foundation Walt Disney built, the company continues looking toward innovation and future growth.
Throughout the documentary, we hear from Jon Favreau (Iron Man), Kevin Feige (Avengers: Endgame), Pete Docter (Inside Out), James Cameron (Titanic), and Jennifer Lee (Frozen), among others. During each of their appearances, several common themes emerge, including collaboration, creative support, and constantly pushing the boundaries of innovation. Each filmmaker seems genuinely grateful to be part of the Disney family, and viewers can easily sense what remains unspoken—that they likely would not be where they are today without Disney's backing.
Each creative discusses the projects they helped bring to life. Favreau talks about Star Wars and The Mandalorian & Grogu, Feige discusses the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Docter revisits films including Monsters, Inc. and Inside Out, Cameron explores the Avatar franchise, and Lee reflects on Frozen. The documentary then shows how Disney worked alongside these creators to transform their stories into theme park attractions and immersive lands. Their emotional reactions to seeing those worlds come to life are genuine and heartfelt, allowing viewers to share in the excitement of watching imagination become reality. We see Arendelle come to life, Pandora with its floating mountains, and the Millennium Falcon standing proudly inside Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge.
Disney Worldbuilders also offers viewers a glimpse of what lies ahead, including a look at Avengers Campus, currently under construction, while hinting at several other projects Disney has planned for the future.
The first screening of Disney Worldbuilders, presented by Visa, will take place on August 16, 2026, during D23 in Anaheim, California. It will then debut on Disney+ later in the month.
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