Sure, Disney and Netflix are competing for streaming subscribers — but the Mouse House also sees its rival’s massive customer base of more than 325 million as a way to monetize and promote its own content, and Netflix is happy to write the cheques.
Disney Entertainment and Netflix have signed a comprehensive new content licensing agreement; This deal will bring an eclectic mix of library titles and current season TV shows to Netflix on a non-exclusive basis for varying periods of time.
In some cases, part of Disney’s strategy is to increase interest in future releases. Episodes 1-2 of the Disney+ original series “Percy Jackson and the Olympians”. Its seasons will be available to watch globally on Netflix starting October 4 as part of a three-month promotional period before the Season 3 premiere on Disney+ on November 20.
Similarly, all five of 20th Century Studios’ “Ice Age” films will be available on Netflix worldwide starting October 4, with a separate three-month promotional period before the sixth film in the series, “Ice Age: Boiling Point,” hits theaters on February 5, 2027. The films are: “Ice Age” (2002), “Ice Age: The Meltdown” (2006), “Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs” (2009), “Ice Age: Continental Drift” (2012) and “Ice Age: Collision Course” (2016).
All three current series from 20th Television are coming to Netflix: Crime drama “Will Trent” 1-4. Seasons and sitcom “Shifting Gears” 1-2. The seasons will be available to watch on Netflix worldwide. Action-drama “Tracker” 1-3. Seasons will be available to watch on Netflix internationally outside the US for a multi-year period.
“Will Trent” (S1-4) will be available on Netflix globally starting November 3, ahead of its Season 5 premiere on ABC in early 2027. “Shifting Gears” (S1-2) is coming to Netflix in January in the US starting December 1st and internationally in January, ahead of the Season 3 premiere on ABC January 7, 2027. “Tracker” (S1-3) will be released internationally on Netflix starting February 26. 2027; Season 4 will premiere on CBS on October 4.
The deal includes a selection of non-franchise Disney-branded films from Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pixar. Starting in early 2027, Oscar-winning “Soul,” “Elio,” “Raya and the Last Dragon” and other films will be available to stream on Netflix worldwide (film availability and launch dates will vary by region).
A selection of Disney Entertainment’s library series will also be available on Netflix. These include “Felicity” (on Netflix in the US on October 7, available internationally at later dates), “Revenge” (global), “Army Wives” (global), “Fresh Off the Boat” (US and select territories), and “This Is Us” (internationally outside the US; previously licensed to Netflix in the US in 2024-25).
The new Disney-owned TV shows and movies will join the media conglomerate’s other licensed content on Netflix, including “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Arrested Development,” “Scandal” and “Black-ish.”
From Disney’s perspective, the expanded licensing deal is a win-win situation: Disney is bringing its book collection to a wider audience to increase its visibility (while also generating millions in incremental revenue), and Netflix is adding more content offerings.
And Disney isn’t deviating from its general strategy that Disney-branded games remain largely exclusive to its platforms and TV channels. All games currently available on Disney+ (including the “Ice Age” movies and “Percy Jackson”) and Hulu will continue to be available.
In addition to a wide range of licensed content, Netflix also spends a lot of money on originals. These include the hit animated films “KPop Demon Hunters” and “Swapped.” Upcoming original films include “Steps” (Nov. 20), “Charlie vs. the Chocolate Factory” and Guillermo del Toro’s “The Buried Giant”; Sequels to “Leo” and “KPop Demon Hunters” are also in production.