Attention Disney Fans: Producer/Director Leslie Iwerks’ new feature-length documentary “Disneyland Handcraft” will premiere and stream on Disney+ and Disney YouTube on January 22nd. Created from rare archival footage and original audio recordings, the film will give viewers an inside look into the magic of Walt Disney’s dreams and the extraordinary artistry and grit it took to create the Happiest Place on Earth.
Disneyland has been operating for over 70 years. But Disney wasn’t built in a day, and Disneyland Handcrafts tells the story of how the park became the iconic spot it is today, prior to its opening on July 17, 1955. Through newly unearthed materials from the Walt Disney Archives, Iwerks and her team discovered forgotten reels of 16mm film and audio recordings. These materials are intended to transport audiences through the tumultuous year that preceded the park’s construction, and are intended to document both heritage and history. Nostalgia leading up to the birth of Disneyland Resort.
First-hand accounts from the artists, craftsmen, and Imagineers who were there also provide insight into the park’s construction, creating an above-the-wall perspective aimed at capturing what was really going on behind the scenes.
Iwerks himself has a special connection to Disney. She is the daughter of former Disney executive Don Iwerks and the granddaughter of animator and Mickey Mouse co-creator Ubu Iwerks. Her previous projects include “The Imagineering Story,” “The Pixar Story,” and “League of Legends: Origins.”
special
ABC News’ year-end special “What You Need to Know: 2025” premiered exclusively on Disney+.
This special episode, hosted by correspondents James Longman and Rachel Scott, explores the memorable stories that defined this year.
“In less than 15 minutes, we’ve taken the stories people can’t escape and uniquely distilled them into what you need to know,” Longman and Scott said in a joint statement. “As we end, our hope is that viewers will be a little more informed, a little more hopeful, and reminded that even amidst the headlines, we all share this story.”
From global coverage and politics to pop culture headlines and viral videos, ‘Need to Know: 2025’ reveals the biggest moments in under 15 minutes.
“What You Need to Know” launched in July 2025 with morning episodes streaming exclusively on Disney+ and expanded to twice-daily episodes in July. This allows viewers to keep up with the top stories and news as they unfold. This is ABC News’ first daily streaming news series exclusively on Disney+.
programming
Turner Classic Movies will celebrate the life and career of filmmaker Rob Reiner on January 28, 2026, with a program that will pay tribute to his most popular films.
“The deep sense of loss we all feel is compounded by Rob’s stature in Hollywood. He was widely loved within the entertainment industry,” TCM host Ben Mankiewicz said in a statement.
“I didn’t know him as well as I thought I would, but he always made me feel like we’d been friends for decades. Rob’s character was defined by the qualities you see in those movies: kindness, civility, humor, compassion, and above all, his belief in humanity.”
The memorial will be headlined by a special premiere of The Princess Bride, followed by When Harry Met Sally, Stand By Me and This Is Spinal Tap.
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The documentary Roads of Fire has a TVOD release date and will be available on Amazon, Apple TV, and Fandango at Home starting January 6th.
Directed by Nathaniel Rezra, Roads of Fire depicts human smuggling and migration, following three distinct stories of individuals and groups making perilous journeys toward future freedom.
The film won Best Documentary at the 2025 Santa Barbara International Film Festival, Audience Award at the Brooklyn Film Festival, and Best Cinematography at the Pacific Northwest Documentary Showcase.
The TVOD release marks the first time the film will be available digitally nationwide, following limited theatrical and festival screenings.
partnership
Fox-owned Los Angeles duopoly KTTV Fox 11 and KCOP Fox 11+ have been named official media partners of the Los Angeles Sports and Entertainment Commission, the company announced Thursday. As official partners, both stations and their digital property, Fox Local, will provide coverage of high-profile events focused on the upcoming 26th FIFA World Cup and Super Bowl XI in 2027.
“We are proud to welcome Fox 11 as our official media partner at a time when Los Angeles is preparing to host one of the most iconic events in the world,” Kathryn Schlossman, president and CEO of the Los Angeles Sports & Entertainment Commission, said in a statement. “With their support, we can recognize the organizations that make it all possible and celebrate the unique opportunities our region has over the next three years.”
Through exclusive access, in-depth reporting and behind-the-scenes content from events, Fox 11 will provide Los Angeles residents with engaging content across digital, broadcast and social platforms, with a special focus on showcasing ways Los Angeles locals can participate in major Los Angeles events.
“During this historic and thrilling year for Los Angeles, we are honored to partner with LASEC and provide Angelenos with backstage passes to the most prestigious events and sports taking place on the local and global stages,” added Amber Eichel, executive vice president and regional general manager of the Fox Los Angeles and San Francisco joint venture, in a statement. “We are ready to focus on our community as well as celebrate each significant occasion during and after, from the World Cup to the Super Bowl.”
