It looks like we haven’t seen the last of Tiana and the magical world of New Orleans just yet!
After years of waiting to see what the next chapter might hold for one of Disney’s most beloved princesses, there is finally some exciting news for fans of The Princess and the Frog. And considering everything that has happened with the previously announced Tiana series, this is certainly a welcome development for those who have been hoping to return to the world of the 2009 animated film.
That’s right, Disney is officially bringing The Princess and the Frog back with an all-new animated musical special for Disney+!
During a recent interview with Collider at the SCAD Savannah Film Festival, Walt Disney Animation Studios Chief Creative Officer Jared Bush confirmed that a new project set within the world of The Princess and the Frog is currently in active production, featuring original cast members, new songs and a complete story.
And while there are still plenty of questions surrounding what exactly this new adventure will look like, the confirmation offers something fans have been waiting quite some time to hear.
Especially following the cancellation of the previously announced Tiana animated series.
Originally revealed as part of Disney’s plans to expand some of its beloved animated properties through Disney+, Tiana was intended to continue the story of the ambitious young princess following the events of The Princess and the Frog. With Anika Noni Rose expected to reprise her role as Tiana, the project represented an opportunity to explore the character’s life beyond the original film and introduce audiences to another chapter of her story.
However, in March 2025, Disney shelved the series as part of a larger shift away from producing long-form animated programming specifically for streaming.
And for fans who had spent years looking forward to seeing Tiana return in her own animated series, the news was understandably disappointing.
But even at the time of that announcement, there were indications that Disney wasn’t entirely finished exploring the world of The Princess and the Frog, with a separate special reportedly being considered.
Now, we finally have confirmation that the project is moving forward.
Speaking with Collider, Bush revealed that Disney has been developing a special set within the world of the original film and that production is actively underway. More importantly, he confirmed that the project will feature new music and returning members of the original cast, something that should be especially exciting for audiences who have continued to hold the film close to their hearts.
And it sounds like this will be more than simply a collection of short animated adventures.
According to Bush, the upcoming project is being developed as a complete musical story, with its format expected to resemble a television special rather than an ongoing series. While he wasn’t ready to share specific details surrounding its length or release date, he emphasized that the production will feature plenty of songs as part of the experience.
Something that feels particularly important when discussing The Princess and the Frog.
After all, music has always been such an essential part of what makes the original film memorable. From Tiana’s determination to achieve her dreams to the lively atmosphere of New Orleans and the emotional journeys of the characters, the film’s musical identity helped establish a world that felt distinct within Disney’s larger animated catalog.
And while there are certainly plenty of directions a new story could explore, returning to that musical foundation feels like an important part of maintaining the identity of the original film.
But beyond the music, there is also the question of Tiana herself.
One of the things that has always made her such an interesting Disney princess is that her story wasn’t simply about discovering a magical world or finding her happily ever after. It was also about determination, responsibility and learning how to balance the dreams she had worked toward for so long with the people and experiences that became important along the way.
By the conclusion of The Princess and the Frog, Tiana had achieved something she had spent much of her life working toward, opening the restaurant that represented both her own ambitions and the dreams she shared with her father.
And while that provided a satisfying conclusion to the original story, it also left plenty of possibilities for what could come next.
What does life look like for Tiana after achieving her dream? How does she navigate the responsibilities that come with everything she has built? And what new adventures might be waiting for her and Naveen as they continue their lives together?
Those are the kinds of questions that make the possibility of returning to this world so interesting, even if Disney hasn’t yet revealed whether the new special will explore any of them.
There is also something encouraging about the decision to approach the project as a complete story rather than abandoning the property following the cancellation of its planned series.
While a special certainly won’t offer the same amount of storytelling time as an ongoing animated series, it can still provide an opportunity to revisit familiar characters, explore a new conflict and give audiences another meaningful chapter within a world they already love.
And depending on how Disney approaches the story, it could also offer a different way to expand some of its animated properties without committing to the production demands of a full television series.
Bush indicated that Disney is exploring other projects in similar formats, suggesting that these kinds of specials could become another way for the studio to revisit established worlds and characters.
For The Princess and the Frog, however, the biggest news is simply that the project is moving forward and that some of the people who helped bring the original film to life will be returning.
Disney has not yet announced which original cast members will participate, and there are currently no confirmed details regarding the story, running time or premiere date.
But with production officially underway, it looks like fans of Tiana and the world of The Princess and the Frog finally have another adventure to look forward to.
And after all these years, there is something rather wonderful about knowing that the music of New Orleans will be welcoming us back once again.
The upcoming The Princess and the Frog animated musical special is currently in active production for Disney+, with additional details expected to be announced at a later date.
In the meantime, the original The Princess and the Frog is available to stream on Disney+.