Disney Celebrates 100 Years of Winnie the Pooh

Disney Celebrates 100 Years of Winnie the Pooh

New brand campaign, products, publishing titles and content will spotlight Pooh and his legacy

Disney is commemorating 100 years of Winnie the Pooh by honoring the gentle humor, timeless wisdom, and boundless imagination that have made the 'hunny'-loving bear beloved for generations. This centennial milestone marks the 1926 publication of A.A. Milne's original Winnie-the-Pooh book and will be celebrated throughout 2026 with new product collaborations, storytelling moments, and publishing releases inspired by Pooh's century-long legacy.

A Legacy Rooted in Storytelling and Animation

Pooh's relationship with Disney began nearly 60 years ago, when Walt Disney introduced the Hundred Acre Wood to audiences through animation. Since those early featurettes, generations of Disney animators have shaped Pooh's on-screen personality with warmth, simplicity, and storybook-inspired artistry. Disney Legend Mark Henn served as supervising animator for Pooh in the 2011 Walt Disney Animation Studios feature Winnie the Pooh, helping further define the gentle charm that continues to resonate with fans.

"Animating Winnie the Pooh has been one of the greatest joys of my career. His warmth, curiosity, and subtle expressions allow animators to explore some of the most heartfelt storytelling in the Disney tradition," said Mark Henn, Disney Legend and animator.

This animation legacy remains central to Pooh's identity, reinforcing his place as one of Disney's most heartfelt and enduring characters.

The Walt Disney Archives Celebrates Pooh's Century of Stories

As part of the centennial, the Walt Disney Archives is highlighting its extensive Winnie the Pooh collection, which preserves artwork, documents, animation materials, consumer products, and one-of-a-kind artifacts chronicling Pooh's evolution since the 1960s.

Among the collection are early 1960s plush toys created by Gund, one of the longest-running Pooh licensees. Gund's plush characters, treasured by generations of fans, remain a significant part of the archival product story. Its legacy continues today, as Gund still brings new Pooh items to market, building on decades of craftsmanship and emotional connection for fans of all ages. Some of Gund's latest Winnie the Pooh-inspired items include the Oh So Sunggly Winnie the Pooh plush, the Peek-a-Boo Winnie the Pooh Animated Plush,and their Disney Winnie the Pooh Collection.

From publication artwork to vintage merchandise and production ephemera, the Archives offers a unique window into the creativity that has defined Pooh's journey.

"This collection gives fans a rare opportunity to see some materials that would shape Winnie the Pooh's on-screen and consumer-products legacy, from early merchandise to early studio production documentation that reflects the craft behind his charm," said Kevin M. Kern, Sr. Manager, Research, Walt Disney Archives.

The Archives' ongoing work ensures future generations can continue to explore the artistry that has helped define Pooh's journey.

A New Brand Campaign Brings Fans into the Hundred Acre Wood

To celebrate Pooh's 100th anniversary, Disney is launching a new global brand campaign inviting fans to revisit Pooh's gentle wisdom and lighthearted worldview. The campaign brings audiences into the Hundred Acre Wood through new content, experiential events, creator-led storytelling, and reimagined "Pooh-isms" - inspired by the gentle, reflective sayings and simple truths Pooh is known for - that spotlight Pooh's timeless wisdom through a modern lens.

At the heart of the campaign is a new brand spot - available now on Disney's YouTube channel - offering a warm, heartfelt tribute to the ways Pooh encourages fans to slow down, imagine, and savor life's simple joys.

Celebrating Pooh Through New Global Product Collaborations

All year, Disney is working with global leading brands to introduce new collections inspired by Pooh and his friends. Early launches include apparel, accessories, collectibles, home goods, and lifestyle products available at major retailers worldwide, with additional items rolling out throughout the year.

"Winnie the Pooh's 100th anniversary gives us an incredible opportunity to celebrate the products that have shaped his legacy," said Amanda Dhalluin, VP Global Brand Commercialization, Disney Consumer Products. "From classic storybook-inspired collections to modern lifestyle lines, every item we create is designed to connect fans with Pooh Bear in a way that feels personal and joyfully nostalgic."

Early Launch Highlights

• Carter's debuted baby apparel inspired by Winnie the Pooh and friends, bringing the cozy Hundred Acre Wood charm to little fans.

• Disney Store launched several collections inspired by Winnie the Pooh, including mini and large versions of the Winnie the Pooh and Pals Disney Store Est. 1987 Canvas Tote.

• Funko expanded their popular Pop Nooks line with new Winnie the Pooh collectibles celebrating some of his most iconic moments from across the Hundred Acre Wood, with charming figures like Pop! Nooks Winnie the Pooh in Honey Tree, Pop! Pooh with Balloon, and Pop! Sleeping Winnie the Pooh

• GAP introduced new baby apparel featuring timeless Pooh designs for seamless outfit pairing.

• Old Navy rolled out playful adultfemale, kids, toddler, and baby apparel inspired by Winnie the Pooh and friends.

• Primark dropped a 100th anniversary collection that channels the wonder of the Hundred Acre Wood and leans into cozy nostalgia.

• Vera Bradley launched iconic bags and accessories adorned with whimsical Hundred Acre Wood patterns, giving fans an early way to join the centennial celebration.

New Drops Spanning More Categories This Month

• Newly available, two LEGO Disney Winnie the Pooh sets celebrate the centennial: a detailed brick-built Pooh with a honey pot with movable features, and the Piglet's Birthday Fun set featuring a posable Piglet and a birthday cake that opens to reveal Pooh's house and the Hundred Acre Wood.

• The new Happy Haul line from Just Play, which debuted at New York Toy Fair and launches this month, brings Winnie the Pooh to life with the blind-box Hunny Crew figures and Hunny Hugs Capsule Plush, inviting fans to unbox surprises and build their own collections.

• Additional highlights this month include a robust assortment of baby apparel from Kyte Baby, new adult apparel and accessories from Cakeworthy, tech accessories from PopSockets, and statement bags from Loungefly. Yogi Tea joins the celebration as well with a comforting honey chamomile tea inspired by Pooh's love of slowing down and savoring simple pleasures.

• Beauty essentials, including new Winnie the Pooh collections from Wet Brush, Wet n Wild, and Mad Beauty, will follow these top product drops, bringing Pooh-inspired charm to personal-care routines around the world.

Products Still to Come

The celebration will continue throughout the year with additional Winnie the Pooh-inspired launches across retail and lifestyle categories worldwide. Upcoming releases include a new kids' footwear collection from adidas this June, infused with whimsical design touches and everyday comfort, a new addition to the popular Disney Darlings line from JAKKS Pacific, as well as special collections from Squishmallows, Steiff, Little Words Project, and Pandora.

New Publishing Launches Explore Pooh's Themes of Kindness and Wonder

This year's publishing lineup invites readers to connect with Pooh through books celebrating friendship, creativity, keepsakes, and reflective moments.

Upcoming titles include:

• Winnie the Pooh: Wonders of the Hundred-Acre Wood Treasury from Random House Children's Books

• Disney: Winnie the Pooh: The Hundred-Acre Wood Cookbook from Insight Editions

• The Winnie the Pooh Book: A Centenary Celebration from DK

And this fall, Disney will honor the anniversary of A.A. Milne's original publication with the release of Winnie the Pooh: 100 Mindful Moments from Penguin Random House, arriving September 22. This newest addition to the Pooh literary tradition invites readers to explore the art of living simply, joyfully, and thoughtfully through Pooh's perspective while finding balance in the everyday.

Inviting Fans Everywhere to "Live the Hunny Life"

The campaign will continue to roll out with regional experiential activations from April to May across LA, Japan, Singapore, London, Paris, and Poland, supporting new product collections from LEGO, Just Play and Funko, alongside new publishing titles.

As Disney celebrates 100 years of Winnie the Pooh, fans everywhere are invited to rediscover the timeless charm, imagination, and gentle wisdom that have defined Pooh for a century. Through storytelling, animation, publishing, and new product offerings, the Hundred Acre Wood will continue to inspire meaningful moments around the world in 2026, and beyond

Discover additional product news and centennial collections on the Disney Parks Blog.