Disney Animation Studios’ chief creative officer Jennifer Lee had not yet written the script for “Wish” when Grammy nominated songwriter Julia Michaels wrote the demo for “This Wish” in 2020. But that demo, Lee says, “defined the whole movie; it became our North Star.”

Celebrating 100 years of storytelling at Disney, “Wish” pays homage to the celestial entity so many have wished upon. Ariana DeBose voices Asha, its main protagonist and heroine, a 17-year-old who lives in the magical kingdom of Rosas, ruled by Disney’s newest villain, King Magnifico, voiced by Chris Pine. Rosas is built on people’s wishes and hopes. When Asha makes a wish one night, she accidentally summons Star, an energetic character from the sky. An adventurous journey capturing hope, joy and the power of dreams follows.

Chris Buck and Fawn Veerasunthorn direct, while Lee, Allison Moore and Buck penned the screenplay; Michaels and songwriting partner Benjamin Rice...