Disney Hexed Earns Early Reviews Ahead of Launch
Critics posted first reactions to Hexed, Disney's upcoming original animated film starring Hailee Steinfeld.
Updated on Nov. 13, 2026 in Animation
Disney released early reviews of Hexed, its upcoming original animated film, after the film premiered at the El Capitan Theater. Critics shared their reactions on the social media platform X.
Why it matters
Early reviews offer the first public signal of how the film may be received before its November 25 release. The film is tracking to be one of the largest domestic opening weekends for an original animated title this decade.
Hexed is projected to earn $35 million to $45 million over its three-day North American opening weekend, and $50 million to $70 million over a five-day holiday opening. These figures are forecasts, and actual box office results will not be known until the film opens on November 25.
The players
Disney
The Walt Disney Company is a major American entertainment conglomerate known for its animated feature films, theme parks and streaming services.
Hailee Steinfeld
Hailee Steinfeld is an American actress and singer who earned Academy Award nominations early in her career and has voiced animated characters in major film franchises.
The details
Critics posted their reviews of Hexed on X following the film's premiere at the El Capitan Theater. The story follows Billie, a teenage girl who discovers magical abilities after being expelled from school, and who teams up with her mother, Alice, to uncover family secrets tied to the magical world of Hexe.
Timeline
Hexed premiered at the El Capitan Theater before critics posted their reviews.
The first look of Hexed was revealed at CinemaCon earlier this year.
Hexed is scheduled for theatrical release on November 25, 2026.
The projected opening weekend falls over the Thanksgiving holiday in 2026.
Industry Dynamics
Hexed is an original animated film rather than a sequel or franchise entry, which places it within a smaller group of studio animation releases that depend on theatrical opening weekends to establish audience interest. Its projected box office performance will be read against recent original animated titles as a measure of whether theatrical demand for non-franchise animation remains strong.
Hexed will be released in theaters on November 25, 2026, so moviegoers who want to see it on the big screen will need to plan around that date. Families planning Thanksgiving holiday outings may find it an option during the projected opening weekend.
The takeaway
Early reviews and box office projections are useful signals, but final reception will only be clear after the November 25 release. Readers interested in the film can track opening weekend results once they are reported.
What happens next
Hexed is scheduled for theatrical release on November 25, 2026, and its opening weekend box office results will be reported after the film opens.
Further reading
Explore more on Animation to see how original animated films are performing at the box office.
