BREAKING: New Disney Villains Show Replacing Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Shannen Ace

Updated on:

A purple and green theater mask floats amid shattered picture frames containing Disney villains in an eerie, smoke-filled room, evoking the chilling vibe of Disney's Villains Show.

BREAKING: New Disney Villains Show Replacing Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Disney announced a new live show starring Disney Villains will debut at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in the summer of 2025.

Disney Villains Show

A purple and green theater mask floats amid shattered picture frames containing Disney villains in an eerie, smoke-filled room, evoking the chilling vibe of Disney's Villains Show.

The show will replace Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy at Sunset Showcase on Sunset Boulevard. The “Cars” show will close permanently on October 7.

Disney Parks Blog said of the new show:

The creative minds at Disney Live Entertainment will transform Sunset Showcase into the mysterious, reflective realm of the Magic Mirror. The show will feature appearances by dozens of the most infamous evildoers, with fiendish foes Cruella de Vil, Captain Hook and Maleficent each breaking through the glass to take the stage in live production numbers.  

A vibrant stage show at Disney's Hollywood Studios features various characters in colorful costumes and dynamic poses against a backdrop of framed images. An audience watches the performance, reminiscent of a Disney Villains Show, under dramatic lighting.

Disney released two pieces of concept art. One features Maleficent, Captain Hook, Hades, and Cruella breaking out of mirrors around the Magic Mirror. In the second piece, Cruella is seen on a stage surrounded by her fashion designs.

The reveal comes on the heels of Disney’s announcement of a Disney Villains Land coming to Magic Kingdom.

In years past, the same location where this new show will be presented was the home of Club Villain, a ticketed event that allowed guests to join Dr. Facilier and other Disney Villains to enjoy musical numbers and DJ-spun tunes alongside a Potions Bar, New Orleans fare, and dancing. Club Villain debuted in January 2016 and ran through March of that year before closing. It returned for the Halloween season in 2017 due to its popularity before closing for good on October 31.

Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy opened in 2019 as part of the 30th anniversary of Disney’s Hollywood Studios. It uses the large screen as the racing simulator used by McQueen and Cruz Ramirez in “Cars 3.”

Watch our full video of the attraction below.

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