Disney just gave audiences their fullest look yet at Hexed, its upcoming animated feature, and the reaction has been surprisingly warm. After years of online skepticism toward the studio’s animated output — amplified by a run of unpopular live-action remakes and divided responses to its acquired Star Wars and Marvel slates — expectations for a new original Disney Animation film were not exactly sky-high. The new trailer, released this week, may be changing that.
The trailer shows Billie Doe as an infant, using magic in front of her mother for the first time, before her mother gives her a bracelet that limits her powers. Years later, Billie takes the bracelet off as a teenager and throws herself into a magical realm called Hexe. The storyline pairs a star-studded voice cast — Hailee Steinfeld as Billie, Rashida Jones as her mother, plus Walton Goggins, Alan Tudyk and Jodie Foster — with richly colored animation and world-building that had viewers calling the film “something special.”
Trailer highlights
- The bracelet mystery: The opening beat is the trailer’s emotional hook — a mother limiting her daughter’s powers raises immediate questions about what she is afraid of and what family secrets are buried.
- Hexe revealed: The magical realm is rendered in vivid color, with Disney’s animation team clearly leaning into spectacle and scale for the studio’s 65th animated feature.
- Billie’s transformation: Removing the bracelet marks Billie’s turn from sheltered teen to adventurer, framing the film as a coming-of-age story with high fantasy stakes.
- Family mysteries: The trailer hints that Billie’s journey uncovers long-buried secrets that could change the magical world of witches forever.
The cast and the stakes
Steinfeld leading as Billie is a statement of intent — the studio is anchoring its Thanksgiving release around a recognizable voice and a fresh original story. Jones, Goggins, Tudyk and Foster round out a bench deep enough to signal confidence, and the trailer’s comment sections have noticed: reactions have been overwhelmingly positive, with viewers praising the visuals and locking in November 25 plans.
Not every reaction glows, of course. Some viewers found the premise generic, and one recurring note is worth taking seriously: Laika Studios’ Wildwood — a teenage girl discovering magic and entering a fantastical realm — is arriving first and has debuted to excellent reviews. If audiences feel Wildwood did it better, Hexed could face a direct comparison problem.
What it means and what’s next
For Disney, Hexed is a chance to reset the narrative around its original animation after years of remake fatigue and franchise noise. A strong trailer response does not guarantee a hit — Wildwood looms as real competition — but it suggests the studio still knows how to make audiences curious. The next milestone is the final trailer and early tracking numbers as the November 25 release approaches.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Disney’s Hexed release?
Hexed hits theaters on November 25, positioning it as Disney’s Thanksgiving animated release.
Who voices Billie in Hexed?
Hailee Steinfeld voices Billie, with Rashida Jones as her mother. Walton Goggins, Alan Tudyk and Jodie Foster are also attached.
What is Hexed about?
Billie, a teenage girl with hidden magical abilities, removes the bracelet her mother used to limit her powers and ventures into Hexe, a magical realm — uncovering long-buried family mysteries along the way.
Is Hexed a Disney Animation film?
Yes — Hexed is Disney’s 65th animated feature, an original story rather than a remake or sequel.