Pixar Announces First-Ever Ghost Movie with Teaser for ‘Ghost Market’

Pixar has explored nearly every facet of imaginative storytelling over the years, from animated toys to personified emotions and even the afterlife. However, the studio has never produced a film specifically centered on ghosts, a gap that will finally be filled with its latest original project.

D23 has become a key event for Pixar to unveil its most daring new concepts, and this year’s presentation was no different. Alongside significant updates on existing franchises, the studio introduced fans to something completely fresh, revealing a project that had previously only been rumored.

The teaser officially unveiled ‘Ghost Market,’ Pixar’s inaugural film focused on ghosts, set to hit theaters on March 10, 2028. Previously known by the working title ‘Ono Ghost Market’ following an earlier report by the Wall Street Journal, the studio has now simplified the name for its official announcement.

During the panel, Pixar’s chief content officer Pete Docter introduced the film’s premise, detailing the main character. “Kyle is a fast-talking teenager and content creator from Chicago,” Docter explained. “His life takes a turn when his mom insists he go on vacation to Hawaii.”

Docter elaborated that Kyle’s quest for a late-night snack quickly transforms into a bizarre adventure. “He stumbles upon a mysterious hidden market in the middle of nowhere,” Docter continued. “What begins as a search for food evolves into a discovery of the crossroads between the living and the dead.”

The storyline draws inspiration from Asian folklore about hungry ghosts—restless spirits driven by unquenchable hunger—and supernatural markets where the living and the dead intersect. The teaser embraced this theme, showcasing ravenous spirits, disappearing food, and an unexpectedly ominous bowl of soup.

Visually, the teaser adopted a found-footage style reminiscent of films like ‘The Blair Witch Project,’ following Kyle as he speaks directly to the camera while navigating dimly lit streets with just a flashlight. Despite the horror-like visuals, the tone appears to lean more toward comedy and adventure rather than pure scares.

Trevor Jimenez, a Pixar veteran recognized for directing the Oscar-nominated short film ‘Weekends,’ is both writing and directing ‘Ghost Market.’ Jimenez previously worked as a story supervisor on 2020’s ‘Soul’ and co-directed an episode of the Disney+ Pixar series ‘Win or Lose,’ establishing a solid foundation for his feature directorial debut.

This announcement arrives at a crucial time for Pixar’s original storytelling, which has faced challenges in recent years compared to the studio’s more successful sequel projects. ‘Elio’ notably had the lowest opening weekend in Pixar history last summer, while ‘Toy Story 5’ has already surpassed $1 billion this year, highlighting the pressure on original films like ‘Ghost Market’ to succeed.

The timing of ‘Ghost Market’s release, set for spring 2028 just months before ‘Incredibles 3’ on June 16, adds to the stakes, giving Pixar two distinct opportunities at the box office within a short period—one rooted in established franchise nostalgia and the other in a brand-new concept.

As of now, Pixar has not provided an official synopsis or confirmed any voice cast members for the film, leaving many details still undisclosed ahead of its 2028 debut. Initial reports suggested that the idea was originally conceived as a streaming series before evolving into a full theatrical feature.

Fan reactions to the teaser have been overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing excitement over Pixar finally venturing into ghost stories after years of exploring nearly every other aspect of imaginative filmmaking.

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