Disney just dropped a first glimpse of its new animated film Hexed, and it already feels like one of those quirky, slightly weird stories that could turn into something special if done right.
The film, directed by Josie Trinidad and Jason Hand, is set for a November 25 release. And instead of going big on fantasy battles or kingdoms, it starts small — with a teenage girl who doesn’t quite fit in.
That girl, Billie Doe, is voiced by Hailee Steinfeld. From what was shown at CinemaCon, her life takes a strange turn when she’s pulled into a magical world after a very unusual “test” — imagine being judged by a talking book and quill with British accents. Yeah, it’s that kind of vibe.
Her mother, voiced by Rashida Jones, plays the strict, organised Type-A parent — which sets up that classic clash. One trying to control everything, the other discovering she might not be “normal” at all… but something else entirely.
And that’s where Hexed seems to find its core.
It’s not just about magic, it’s about identity. That awkward phase where you feel different, and suddenly, that “difference” might actually be power. The story hints that Billie’s unusual traits could flip both her own life and an entire hidden magical world upside down.
The tone, at least from early footage, feels a bit playful, a bit chaotic. Not super dark, not overly childish either — somewhere in that middle space Disney has been trying to hit lately.
Behind the scenes, the film is being produced by Roy Conli and Juan Pablo Reyes Lancaster-Jones, with Jared Bush on board as executive producer — a name that’s been tied to some of Disney’s recent animated successes.
Right now, it’s just a first look. Not much plot detail, no full trailer yet.
But there’s enough here to say this — Hexed isn’t trying to repeat old Disney formulas exactly. It’s leaning more into weird, character-driven storytelling with a magical twist.
If the writing lands and the humor doesn’t feel forced, this could end up being one of those surprise hits rather than a predictable blockbuster.
For now, it’s one to keep an eye on — especially if you like your fantasy a little messy, a little different.
