Oscar-winning actress Anne Hathaway officially became a Disney Legend on Sunday, August 16, 2026, during the D23 ceremony at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California. The honor came 25 years after she first appeared as Mia Thermopolis in “The Princess Diaries”. Hathaway, who is pregnant with her third child, received the award during Disney’s weekend-long fan event.
The 43-year-old actress had a busy weekend at D23. She made a surprise appearance at the Disney Entertainment Showcase on Friday night before returning Sunday for the Legends ceremony. Her husband Adam Shulman and their two sons, Jonathan and Jack, joined her at the event.
A Star-Studded Disney Legends Class of 2026
Anne Hathaway was one of 11 honorees inducted into the Disney Legends hall of fame this year. The 2026 class includes former Disney CEO Bob Iger, Dwayne Johnson, the Jonas Brothers, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Alan Tudyk, producer Jerry Bruckheimer, sportscaster Chris Berman, animator Eric Goldberg, Imagineer Kim Irvine, and stage and voice actress Susan Egan.
The Disney Legends Awards program started in 1987. Fred MacMurray was the first person to receive the honor. With the 2026 class, 329 people have now been named Disney Legends. Previous honorees include Julie Andrews, James Cameron, George Lucas, and Robin Williams. The 2024 class included Miley Cyrus, Kelly Ripa, Angela Bassett, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Harrison Ford. Ryan Seacrest hosted the ceremony.
Hathaway’s Emotional Acceptance Speech
Anne Hathaway became emotional as she took the stage. Her “The Devil Wears Prada” director David Frankel and Vogue editor Anna Wintour introduced her. The crowd gave her a big round of applause.
“I am here today because I’m one of the most insanely lucky people in the world,” Hathaway said.
She thanked her family during the speech. “How lucky am I that I was born into a family where acting, storytelling and imagination were valued and celebrated,” she said while pointing to her parents in the audience.
Hathaway also thanked the late Garry Marshall, who chose her to play the Genovian princess in “The Princess Diaries.” She thanked producers Debra Martin Chase and the late Whitney Houston as well.
“I’m so lucky that my first booking led to so many opportunities when I was still so young,” Hathaway continued.
She joked about working with her “The Devil Wears Prada” co-stars. “I got to be with Stanley Tucci. I got to be with Emily Blunt. I got to be with um…oh what’s her name,” she said, pretending to forget Meryl Streep’s name.
“I’ve gotten to spend my life so far, doing what I love, having so many adventures along the way, knowing joy and valuing the extraordinary good fortune that allows me to share my life with my greatest blessing — a family I couldn’t love more,” Hathaway said.
David Frankel shared a story about how Meryl Streep helped Hathaway get the role in “The Devil Wears Prada.” The studio originally wanted another actress. “Thank God for Meryl Streep,” Frankel said. “She saw Annie’s performance in ‘Brokeback Mountain’ and said ‘Yeah, this girl.’ Game recognizes game”.
2026 Box Office Crosses $2 Billion Milestone
The Disney Legend honor came during a huge year for Anne Hathaway at the box office. Her movies crossed the $2 billion mark in 2026. “The Devil Wears Prada 2,” which released earlier this year, grossed more than $690 million worldwide. The franchise total is now above $1 billion.
Hathaway’s 2026 film “Mother Mary” also performed well at the box office. Her continued success shows why Disney chose to honor her this year.
A 25-Year Disney Journey
Anne Hathaway’s connection with Disney started in 2001. She made her big-screen debut as Mia Thermopolis in “The Princess Diaries” on August 3, 2001. The movie became a hit and launched her career.
She continued her Disney journey with “The Devil Wears Prada” in 2004, where she played Andy Sachs, an assistant to a demanding fashion magazine editor. The movie became a cultural phenomenon. Fans still quote lines from the film today.
Hathaway also starred in Disney’s “Alice in Wonderland” as the White Queen. She joined her onscreen grandmother Julie Andrews as a Disney Legend. Andrews, who played Queen Clarisse Renaldi in “The Princess Diaries,” received the honor in 1991.
Surprise Appearance and Princess Diaries 3 Update
Anne Hathaway made a surprise appearance at the Disney Entertainment Showcase on Friday night. She shared an update on “The Princess Diaries 3,” the long-awaited threequel. The actress confirmed that production on the film is moving forward.
She also told fans to “never stop” reciting dialogues from her movies “The Princess Diaries” and “The Devil Wears Prada”. Hathaway enjoys when fans quote her famous lines.
Related:
Full List of 2026 Disney Legends Honorees
The complete list of 2026 Disney Legends inductees:
- Anne Hathaway – Film (“The Princess Diaries,” “The Devil Wears Prada,” “Alice in Wonderland”)
- Bob Iger – Former Disney CEO
- Dwayne Johnson – Film and television
- Jonas Brothers (Kevin, Joe, and Nick) – Music and film
- Lin-Manuel Miranda – Music, film, and theater
- Alan Tudyk – Voice acting and film
- Jerry Bruckheimer – Producer
- Chris Berman – Sportscaster
- Eric Goldberg – Animation (Genie animator in “Aladdin”)
- Kim Irvine – Imagineer
- Susan Egan – Stage and voice actress
The ceremony took place during D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, which happens every two years. Disney uses the event to preview upcoming movies, shows, and experiences while honoring its history.
Anne Hathaway now joins the ranks of Disney’s most celebrated figures. Her 25 years of work with the company, from playing a princess to becoming a box office powerhouse, made her a deserving choice for this honor.
Also Read: Anne Hathaway Says Movies That Kill Dogs Deserve R Rating, Reassures Fans About New Film
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