Disney Books That Release In 2023 That I Look Forward To Reading
Every year is filled with new books from the world of Disney and beyond. Here are the ones that I’m looking forward to reading!
This column is coming out much later than my usual January posting! I am so sorry about that. I’ve been juggling a lot of different aspects of Boardwalk Times lately, and this article kept getting pushed back.
I love reading Disney, theme park, Disney-adjacent, and theme park-adjacent books. There are a lot of new books coming out in 2023, but I’m sure I’ve missed a couple. If you have a Disney-related or theme park-related book coming out this year, and you want me to check it out. Drop me a line at boardwalktimes@yahoo.com.
You can check out 2022’s list here:
The Art of Elemental
As you’ll see on this list I am a sucker for any style of “The Art of” books. This is no different for Pixar’s Elemental. These books are littered with concept art and they also give us a peek behind the curtains at the process of our favorite films. I especially like behind-the-scenes books and documentaries on anything Pixar so I’m specifically looking forward to this.
These books are perfect for aspiring animators, students, film buffs, and fans alike. I’m excited to dive into this one and I’m pumped to watch Elemental in June.
The Art of Elemental will release on May 16, 2023. Elemental releases in theaters on June 16, 2023. Maybe this book will get delayed to come out after the film premieres?
Look Out For The Little Guy
Yes, Scott Lang’s book from Quantumania is actually coming out as a real book. It’s written in an in-universe style. Rob Kutner, who has written on Conan and The Daily Show wrote the book.
I love the Ant-Man franchise so I can’t wait to read this. I’m fascinated to see how the book weaves together Scott Lang’s MCU story and if it will address some of the post-Endgame fallout. Maybe they can add a new epilogue to this book in-universe-wise, post-Quantumania as well? I’m sure this book will be full of laughs and details.
Look Out for the Little Guy releases on September 5th, 2023.
The Story of Disney: 100 Years of Wonder
The whole Disney100 collection should be great to read. The Story of Disney: 100 Years of Wonder is actually a companion piece to the touring exhibition by Walt Disney Archives and SC Exhibitions.
The coffee table book showcases the company’s history and rich legacy — past, present, and future — through vibrant voices and rare Disney concept art and photographs.
The book was written by John Baxter, Bruce C. Steele, and the Staff of The Walt Disney Archives.
The Official Walt Disney Quote Book
The Staff of The Walt Disney Archives have put together an official Walt Disney quote book in honor of Disney’s 100th anniversary. Walt Disney is one of the most quoted icons in history. Now there is this book that showcases insights from Walt Disney, along with rare Disney photographs.
The Official Walt Disney Quote Book will give readers the chance to learn even more about the legend himself, Walt Disney.
The People Behind the Disney Parks
People Behind the Disney Parks showcases rare Disney theme park concept art and photographs, more than 280 biographies, and features more than 50 pages on the evolution and behind-the-scenes of the Main Street, U.S.A. areas across the globe.
This surely will be an informative and interesting book. Plus it features an introduction from Disney Legend Marty Sklar.
Worlds to Conquer: The Art & Making of Walt Disney’s Fantasia
The book will chronicle one of Walt Disney’s most ambitious and monumental films. Worlds to Conquer will tell the story of how Fantasia came to be, and the challenges it faced during production.
The book will dive into Fantasia’s technical achievements and its uniqueness of being the first Disney film meant not only for children. The book is written by J.B. Kaufman.
Worlds to Conquer: The Art & Making of Walt Disney’s Fantasia releases on October 17, 2023.
Superheroes!: The History of a Pop-Culture Phenomenon from Ant-Man to Zorro
This isn’t a Disney book or even a theme park book but it definitely caught my eye. I love the superhero genre and this book seems to go into the entire phenomenon. The book is written by Brian R. Solomon and it will dive into the origin of superheroes from the Golden, Silver, and Bronze Ages of heroes to the modern day.
Superheroes!: The History of a Pop-Culture Phenomenon from Ant-Man to Zorro releases May 1, 2023.
Star Wars Timelines
“Chart the history of Star Wars in this stunning guide, from the time before the High Republic to the end of the First Order.”
Sold.
This book is right up my alley, and sure the internet exists but I love the feeling of it all being in a book in chronological order. I’m also curious to see if this book ends up accidentally revealing new information about future Star Wars projects. Star Wars Timelines explores the Early History, The High Republic, The Fall of the Jedi, The Reign of the Empire, The Age of Rebellion, The New Republic, and The Rise of the First Order.
Star Wars Timelines releases on April 25, 2023.
Marvel Studios The Marvel Cinematic Universe An Official Timeline
This book will be a guide to the different worlds and different timelines that make up the Marvel Cinematic Universe. This book will be quite helpful as there have been 31 films and a ton of Disney+ series. Not to mention with the Multiverse Saga raging on it would be nice to have a book to clarify some things. The book will take readers from before the Big Bang to the Blip and beyond. It will also be filled with exclusive infographics, illuminating timelines, and amazing movie stills.
Marvel Studios The Marvel Cinematic Universe An Official Timeline releases on September 5, 2023.
MARVEL STUDIOS’ WEREWOLF BY NIGHT: THE ART OF THE SPECIAL
I just wanted to specifically highlight Werewolf by Night getting its own “The Art of” book. The special wasn’t promoted as much as it should’ve been. I’m actually quite shocked it’s even getting a book like this but I’m happy about it. The book will feature exclusive concept artwork and in-depth interviews with the creative team, along with insider details about the making of the highly anticipated special.
MARVEL STUDIOS’ WEREWOLF BY NIGHT: THE ART OF THE SPECIAL releases on October 3, 2023.
SPIDER-MAN: NO WAY HOME — THE ART OF THE MOVIE
Another one I specifically wanted to point out just because of how impactful No Way Home was. Before Top Gun: Maverick. Before Avatar: The Way of Water. No Way Home was the movie event that got people back to theaters. I’m curious to see more concept art from No Way Home. I know a previous version of the film was going to take place after Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness and feature America Chavez. It was an iconic film and I’d just love to learn more about it in this book.
SPIDER-MAN: NO WAY HOME — THE ART OF THE MOVIE releases on July 11, 2023.
Marvel “The Art of” Books
Now let’s do a clump that all came out in 2023 or are coming out in 2023.
The Art of Hawkeye (September 12, 2023), The Art of Thor: Love and Thunder (August 22, 2023), The Art of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (August 1, 2023), The Art of Moon Knight (October 24, 2023), The Art of Shang-Chi, The Art of Black Widow, and The Art of Eternals (June 20, 2023).
I want to read them all. Will I buy all of these or read all of them in 2023? Likely not, but I’m going to attempt!
Lilo & Stitch: The Official Cookbook
This is the first cookbook to make this list. Usually, Disney releases more of these and I really enjoy cookbooks. This cookbook is themed to Lilo & Stitch and will include a lot of Hawaiian-inspired recipes, and honestly, the cookbook and the recipes look great.
Lilo & Stitch: The Official Cookbook releases on May 23, 2023.
WHAT IF?: INTO THE MULTIVERSE OMNIBUS VOL. 1
We are now in the Multiverse Saga of the MCU, and with two more seasons of What If…? on the way this omnibus is the perfect read for more What If…? and multiverse shenanigans. The omnibus features stories such as What if the new X-Men died on their first mission? What if the Fantastic Four all had the same power? Along with many more What If questions.
WHAT IF?: INTO THE MULTIVERSE OMNIBUS VOL. 1 releases on July 11, 2023.
Disney: Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas (Disney Scripted Classics)
Disney is starting to do this Disney Scripted Classics run of books. The first two were The Lion King and The Little Mermaid. Now the next one up is The Nightmare Before Christmas.
I love reading scripts so I’m pumped to eventually get my hands on this book and read through it. The book also includes production art, directors’ commentary, and song lyrics.
I hope Disney continues this Disney Scripted Classics run of books. There are so many they can do. It seems like they are just starting to scratch the surface.
Disney: Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas (Disney Scripted Classics) releases on August 15, 2023.
From A Certain Point of View: Return of the Jedi
This book tells the story of Return of the Jedi from new perspectives from forty contributors. The book will feature the perspectives of Emperor Palpatine, the rancor trainer, the Sarlaac, Mon Mothma, Wicket the Ewok, Anakin Skywalker, and more!
The book features contributions from Tom Angleberger, Kristin Baver, Akemi Dawn Bowman, Emma Mieko Candon, Olivia Chadha, Gloria Chao, Adam Christopher, Paul Crilley, Amal El-Mohtar, M. K. England, Jason Fry, Adam Lance Garcia, Lamar Giles, Max Gladstone, Thea Guanzon, Ali Hazelwood, Patricia A. Jackson, Alex Jennings, Jarrett Krosoczka, Sarah Kuhn, Danny Lore, Sarah Glenn Marsh, Kwame Mbalia, Marieke Nijkamp, Danielle Paige, Laura Pohl, K. Arsenault Rivera, Dana Schwartz, Tara Sim, Phil Szostak, Suzanne Walker, Hannah Whitten, Sean Williams, and Alyssa Wong.
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Zach Perilstein is the Editor-in-Chief of the Boardwalk Times
