Disney announces several hundred layoffs affecting Pixar and other units

Disney said on Tuesday that it is eliminating several hundred positions across corporate functions, including ESPN, the NFL Network integration, Disney Entertainment Television and its studio divisions. The bulk of the studio layoffs will occur at Pixar, while most of the television-group cuts target National Geographic.

Employees were notified of the job losses on Tuesday morning. The company previously reduced about 1,000 staff in April, mainly in marketing, product, technology and corporate roles. In a memo at that time, newly appointed CEO Josh D’Amaro said the company must "streamline our operations" and build a more "agile and technologically-enabled workforce" to meet industry demands.

At Pixar, the cuts focus on production and operations, reflecting the studio’s shifting needs based on current project volume. Over the past three years, Walt Disney Studios has adjusted its production strategy to lower overall output and emphasize theatrical releases that support its broader entertainment ecosystem, including streaming.

Pixar released two films in 2026: the spring adventure "Hoppers," which opened strongly but fell short of earlier hits, and the summer sequel "Toy Story 5," which is on track to become the franchise’s highest-grossing title. The studio’s recent sequels, such as 2024’s "Inside Out 2," have performed well at the box office, but the company notes challenges in launching new original properties since the pandemic, when several releases were sent directly to Disney+.