Kingdom Hearts Is Getting Its Own Series, and 2026 Just Became the Best Year to Be a Fan

Twenty five years ago, a kid named Sora picked up a Keyblade and turned Disney and Final Fantasy into one of the most unforgettable crossovers in gaming. Now the story is breaking out of the controller. At D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, Disney officially announced that Kingdom Hearts is getting its own original series, and it's coming to Disney Channel and Disney+.

And that's not even the whole story. The KINGDOM HEARTS Collection [I~III] launches today, October 8, and KINGDOM HEARTS IV is locked in for late 2027. If you've ever waited in the dark for this franchise to move, this is your moment. The light is finally on.

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The Big One: Kingdom Hearts: The Series

On August 14, 2026, during the Disney Entertainment Showcase at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Disney revealed that an original series based on Kingdom Hearts has been greenlit. The working title is simply Kingdom Hearts, and the official key art reads exactly what fans have been dreaming about for two decades: "Kingdom Hearts: The Series. Coming Soon."

Here's what makes this so exciting. It isn't a straight retelling of the games. Disney says the series reimagines the iconic adventure with a brand new story that expands the universe while celebrating the characters we already love. Even better, it's being developed with series creator Tetsuya Nomura and the SQUARE ENIX creative team. That means the person who dreamed up Sora, Riku, Kairi and the whole tangled web of hearts and Nobodies is right there in the room.

Ayo Davis, president of Disney Kids & Family, put it perfectly:

"There's something really exciting about taking a world fans have spent years exploring through the games and bringing it to life in a completely new way. And with a creative team that is working closely with the legendary Tetsuya Nomura, our new series will be unmistakably Kingdom Hearts, while giving fans a whole new way to experience the world they love."

Read the official announcement: Disney greenlights an original Kingdom Hearts series

What we know (and what we don't)

Right now, Disney has confirmed the essentials: it's an original story, it's built with Nomura's involvement, and it's headed to Disney Channel and Disney+. It joins a Disney+ animated lineup that includes Phineas and Ferb, Big City Greens, Dragon Striker and the upcoming Messi and the Giants, Warrior Cats and Journey.

What we don't have yet: a release date, an official trailer, a cast list or even a look at the animation style. No footage has been shown, so for now the key art is all we've got. We'll update this post the moment Disney drops more.

Our take: A brand new story is the smartest move here. The games are famously complex (we love them, but explaining Kingdom Hearts lore to a newcomer is a sport of its own). An original series gives Disney the freedom to welcome a whole new generation of fans without rewriting what longtime players already treasure. And with Nomura involved, it should still feel like home.

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A 25th Anniversary Celebration at D23

The series reveal was only part of a huge weekend for the franchise. Over at the Anaheim Convention Center, the DEEP DIVE into KINGDOM HEARTS panel celebrated the series' 25th anniversary, and it was a fan's dream lineup.

Tetsuya Nomura and co-director Tai Yasue joined Nana Gadd from Disney & Pixar Games and Renée Johnson from Disney Character Voices on stage. Then came the moment that had the room losing it: Haley Joel Osment (Sora) and David Gallagher (Riku) reenacted a scene live. Miyu Irino, the Japanese voice of Sora, even sent in a video message. Twenty five years later, these voices still give us chills.

For the full recap, check out D23's coverage: Deep Dive into Kingdom Hearts at D23.

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Out Today: KINGDOM HEARTS Collection [I~III]

If the series announcement has you itching to jump back in (or start for the first time), the timing could not be better. The KINGDOM HEARTS Collection [I~III] launches today, October 8, 2026 on Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and PC (Microsoft Store). First announced at the June 2026 Nintendo Direct, it brings the entire saga up through Kingdom Hearts III together in one place, and it runs natively on Switch 2, not through the cloud.

Here's everything inside:

• KINGDOM HEARTS HD 1.5+2.5 ReMIX: Kingdom Hearts FINAL MIX, Re:Chain of Memories, Kingdom Hearts II FINAL MIX and Birth by Sleep FINAL MIX, plus HD cinematic versions of 358/2 Days and Re:coded
• KINGDOM HEARTS HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue: Dream Drop Distance HD, the χ Back Cover movie and 0.2 Birth by Sleep: A fragmentary passage
• KINGDOM HEARTS III + Re Mind: the full Kingdom Hearts III adventure plus the Re Mind expansion

You can grab the full bundle or buy the games individually. Switch 2 players can also try a free Kingdom Hearts III + Re Mind demo before diving in.

There's never been an easier way to catch up before Kingdom Hearts IV. From Destiny Islands and Hollow Bastion all the way to San Fransokyo and the Toy Box, this is the whole journey, ready to go.

Watch the official announce trailer:

And the official launch trailer:

Official announcement: SQUARE ENIX unveils new Kingdom Hearts announcements

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KINGDOM HEARTS IV: Late 2027 and Heading to the Land of the Dead

D23 also gave us the update we've been waiting years for. KINGDOM HEARTS IV is officially releasing in late 2027 on Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and PC, and you can wishlist it right now.

The new trailer revealed a world based on Disney and Pixar's Coco, and it looks absolutely stunning. Sora runs through the glowing, marigold covered Land of the Dead alongside Miguel and Héctor, and the colors are unreal. Square Enix says Sora's journey takes him through the mysterious city of Quadratum, where the Heartless are causing chaos.

Here's the twist that has fans buzzing: players will also get to control Mickey, Donald and Goofy as they search for Sora. After two decades of fighting alongside them, we finally get to take the lead as the trio themselves.

Nomura and Yasue said development is going smoothly and the late 2027 window is right on track. Some outlets also report a Keyblade that transforms into a guitar in the Coco world, which honestly feels like the most Coco thing possible.

Watch the official extended D23 Coco trailer:

The D23 Showcase trailer:

And the June 2026 teaser that kicked off this whole year:

Official announcement: KINGDOM HEARTS IV releasing in late 2027

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Why This Is the Best Time to Be a Kingdom Hearts Fan

Think about it. A brand new series on Disney+. The entire saga in one collection, out today. And Kingdom Hearts IV with a real release window and a world that looks like a painting come to life. For 25 years, this franchise has been about one simple idea: our hearts connect us. Right now, it feels like the whole fandom is connected again.

We've got one question for you: what world do you want to see in the series? Should it follow Sora from Destiny Islands, or go somewhere totally new? Come tell us in our Discord and let's talk Keyblades.

May your heart be your guiding key.