Disney sets movie release dates

The Walt Disney Studios unveiled the release dates of several highly anticipated movies to hit theaters this year and 2014.

“Saving Mr. Banks,” starring Tom Hanks, Emma Thompson and Colin Farrell, will be widely released on Dec. 20. The movie is about how “Mary Poppins” was created and the challenging relationship Walt Disney had with the book’s author P.L. Travers and how Disney struggled to make the movie. Hanks is playing Walt Disney.

Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy and other members of the Muppets gang come back next year in the “Muppets Most Wanted,” a sequel to the 2011 movie “The Muppets.” It will arrive in theaters March 21. The movie stars Tina Fey, Ricky Gervais and Ty Burrell.

PHOTOS: Summer Sneaks 2013

Disney also announced the release of “Planes: Fire & Rescue,” which will hit theaters in 3D on July 18, 2014, followed by DreamWorks’ “The Hundred-Foot Journey,” expected to open Aug. 8, 2014.

Later in the year, “Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day” will arrive in theaters in October. The movie stars Steve Carrell and Jennifer Garner and is based on a children’s book that focuses on all the bad things that happen to a family after a child wishes his family would experience all the terrible things he does.

“Tomorrowland” was pushed up to be released Dec. 12, 2014. The much-anticipated “Into the Woods,” based on the hit Broadway musical, arrives Christmas Day 2014.

Disney also announced dates for two Marvel films that remain untitled. The first comes out May 6, 2016, followed by another on May 5, 2017. “Avengers 2” is expected to hit theaters May 1, 2015.

ALSO:

Rupert Murdoch files for divorce from Wendi Deng

Fox Searchlight loses key ruling in intern labor lawsuit

News Corp. CFO David DeVoe to retire; John Nallen to succeed him

Twitter:@DiangeleaMillar