Pixar Animation Studios has officially locked in a 2028 release for The Incredibles 3, the highly anticipated third chapter in the beloved superhero franchise. Announced during Pixar’s slate presentation at Destination D23 in late 2025, the film joins a growing lineup of sequels, following the massive success of Incredibles 2 in 2018, which grossed over $1.2 billion worldwide. With production ramping up—voice recording set to begin in March 2026—this installment promises to deliver the family-focused action, humor, and heart that made the series a Pixar standout, while introducing a significant narrative leap forward.
The biggest revelation shaking up fans is the confirmed 15-year time jump from the events of Incredibles 2. This bold structural choice ages the Parr family dramatically, shifting the spotlight from Mr. Incredible (Bob Parr, voiced by Craig T. Nelson) and Elastigirl (Helen Parr, voiced by Holly Hunter) to their now-teen and young-adult children. Violet Parr (Sarah Vowell), once the shy, force-field-wielding teen, will be in her late 20s, navigating independence and perhaps her own heroic legacy. Dash Parr (Huck Milner), the speedy middle child, will be a teenager dealing with the pressures of growing powers and teenage life. But the true star of the show is Jack-Jack Parr, the youngest sibling, who was an unpredictable infant in the previous films. After the time jump, Jack-Jack emerges as a young child—around 15 or 16 years old—whose extraordinary abilities have evolved into something far more complex and dangerous.
Jack-Jack’s journey forms the emotional core of the story. In Incredibles 2, audiences discovered his staggering array of powers—teleportation, laser vision, shapeshifting, intangibility, self-duplication, elemental transformations, and even brief glimpses of dimensional travel. These manifested chaotically, often triggered by his baby emotions like hunger, anger, or excitement. Now, as he grows, Jack-Jack gains mastery over these abilities, but at a profound cost. The plot centers on him learning to control a brand-new power tied to his development: the ability to open and manipulate dimensional portals. This emerging gift allows him to breach realities, creating gateways that could connect worlds or unleash threats from beyond.
However, this breakthrough comes with a heartbreaking twist. As Jack-Jack’s powers expand with each new milestone in his growth, he begins losing aspects of his personality and emotions. Every unlocked ability strips away a piece of his humanity—his joy, his empathy, his curiosity—until he risks becoming a hollow shell, a being of pure, uncontrollable power without feeling. This theme explores the double-edged sword of superhuman potential: immense strength paired with the fear of losing what makes one truly alive. It’s a poignant metaphor for adolescence itself—gaining independence and skills while grappling with identity and emotional maturity.
The family rallies to protect Jack-Jack and prevent this emotional erosion. A new antagonist emerges, a cunning villain who sees Jack-Jack’s portal abilities as the key to their own ambitions. This foe aims to exploit the young Parr by forcing him to create stable dimensional gateways, perhaps for conquest, escape, or accessing forbidden realms. The stakes escalate as the villain manipulates Jack-Jack’s instability, pushing him toward emotional detachment to harness the portals fully. The Incredibles—parents included—must confront not just external threats but the internal battle within their son: saving the world while saving Jack-Jack’s soul.
Despite the darker emotional undercurrents, the film remains firmly aimed at a family audience. Pixar’s signature blend of high-energy action sequences, witty banter, and heartfelt moments will keep it accessible and uplifting. Expect thrilling set pieces involving portal-hopping chases, family teamwork against interdimensional chaos, and humorous callbacks to Jack-Jack’s baby antics, now reimagined with his older, more controlled (yet still volatile) powers. The retro-futuristic world of supers—where heroes are celebrated but scrutinized—continues to evolve, with societal debates about power regulation adding layers to the conflict.
Behind the scenes, the project has seen some shifts. While Brad Bird, the visionary behind the first two films, returns to write the screenplay and executive produce, Peter Sohn (Elemental) steps in as director. This change allows fresh energy while preserving the franchise’s core. The voice cast is expected to return largely intact, with the Parr family voices reprising their iconic roles. Samuel L. Jackson may also return as Frozone, adding his cool charisma to the mix.
The 15-year gap between Incredibles 2 and this sequel mirrors the real-world wait fans have endured—nearly a decade since the last film. Yet the time jump cleverly addresses aging concerns for the child characters, whose voices and designs needed updating anyway. It opens doors for deeper storytelling: Violet and Dash as young adults balancing normal lives with heroism, Bob and Helen as supportive (and perhaps slightly overwhelmed) parents of teens, and Jack-Jack as the wildcard whose growth drives the narrative.
As Pixar continues its streak of emotionally resonant sequels, The Incredibles 3 stands poised to explore timely themes of identity, family bonds, and the cost of power—all wrapped in vibrant animation, explosive action, and plenty of heart. With a summer 2028 theatrical release likely targeted (aligning with Pixar’s prime slots), anticipation is building for what could be the franchise’s most ambitious and moving chapter yet. The Parrs are back, older, wiser, and facing their greatest challenge: keeping their youngest from losing himself in the pursuit of greatness.
