The weeks after D23 Expo are always interesting, as other bits of news always seems to trickle out. Maybe they didn’t feel like that announcement held as much weight, maybe they needed to save something for good press or maybe other plans became firm leading to a domino effect. Whatever the case, it’s to Disney Parks fans benefit and in this case it comes in the way of new entertainment at Hollywood Studios! In this post, we’ll share the news of a villains themed show coming to the park before adding our own commentary. Let’s get to the news!

Deep in the shadows of Sunset Boulevard at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, something delightfully wicked is about to take the stage. It’s an all-new live production starring your favorite Disney Villains – debuting summer 2025! 

The creative minds at Disney Live Entertainment will transform Sunset Showcase into the mysterious, reflective realm of the Magic Mirror. The show will feature appearances by dozens of the most infamous evildoers, with fiendish foes Cruella de Vil, Captain Hook and Maleficent each breaking through the glass to take the stage in live production numbers.  

Before these villainous fiends take the spotlight at Sunset Showcase, guests should speed on over for another lap around the track at Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy before October 7. 

Commentary

A few thoughts come to mind when I saw this announcement but, before diving into those, my general feeling toward it is excitement. I’ve been pounding the drum for new entertainment at Hollywood Studios for 6 or 7 years. Honestly, I’ve been hoping for more changes since before Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy even debuted. I think that show is decent but has lived a proper shelf life of 5+ years and now it’s time to change that out.

The concept of the villains show fits the stage in Sunset Showcase perfectly, with a nice mix of screens and space for live performers. In the concept art above, there’s a lot going on. If those are all screens then that’s a lot to look at! But whatever the case, I think this could be a fun showcase of Disney’s most dastardly personalities. I’ll be interested to see if they have a happy resolution or if they just let evil go wild! Give me the chaos.

I feel like I should mention the show’s potential fit in the area because that’s something I always write about and does mean a lot to me. But fit in Hollywood Studios hasn’t really mattered in quite some time. In reality, this probably makes more sense than the predecessor because Lightning McQueen, Aerosmith and the Twilight Zone have as much in common as me and the stray cat living in our neighborhood – we’re both living and in the same area.

At the very least, the villains show should add to the spooky vibe that Tower of Terror has. Hopefully they will dress up Sunset Showcase nicely (and by nicely I mean scarily) and there will be some continuity in color design and architecture. Either way, that back corner of Hollywood Studios is a hard place to make sense of and a new show there isn’t going to diminish from the existing park, it can only help.

When I first opened the news, I was hoping this was a Beauty and the Beast – Live on Stage replacement. Alas, that show lives to fight another day. If you haven’t read my take before, I think the show is fine it is just so old and tired. Call me a fool, but I’m optimistic that this villains show will lead to a windfall of new entertainment coming to Hollywood Studios. I may have to delete that take in 7 years as I settle in for the 40th anniversary of Beauty and the Beast – Live on Stage. For now, I remain positive!

My last thought on this news is that they’re announcing this show very early and then closing Lightning McQueen Racing Academy much sooner than needed. Maybe they use this place for Jollywood Nights and then will begin work after the new year? That seems most plausible to me and is my working theory. Even if that’s not correct and this is just a cost cutting move for half a year, I’m excited for a new show coming. Hopefully that’s just the start of an entertainment overhaul at Hollywood Studios!

Are you excited for a villains show at Hollywood Studios? Let us know your thoughts or any questions you might have in the comments below. Planning a trip to Walt Disney World? Check out our Disney World Trip Planning Guide to help you out. Looking for Disney World discount tickets? You can find them here! If you enjoy what you are reading here on Wandering in Disney please share this post with your friends, as well as like our social media pages. You can also subscribe to the blog via WordPress or email. All of those links are on the right side of this page. Thank you for reading, we really appreciate it!