Disney plans thousands of layoffs, its biggest cuts this year, as managers are told to find 20% savings

Disney is considering cutting thousands of jobs in what would be its largest round of layoffs this year, Bloomberg News reported, according to Business Recorder and Reuters. Variety also reported that thousands of cuts are expected.

What we know about the Disney layoffs

• How many: thousands of jobs; no exact figure has been given.
• Savings target: some managers have been asked to aim for 20% in annual cost savings.
• Where: the report did not name the divisions, but said some businesses would take a bigger share of the cuts than others.
• Why: pressures listed include the spread of AI, weaker box office takings, competition in streaming and slowing attendance at international theme parks.
• Where the money goes: chief executive Josh D'Amaro plans to put part of the savings back into film and TV programming, technology, the theme parks and cruise ships.

Disney did not immediately respond to Reuters' request for comment. It had about 231,000 employees at the end of fiscal 2025.

Disney's earlier rounds of cuts

The company is not alone. Netflix cut 1,000 jobs last month, as we reported, and Skydance, which bought Warner Bros Discovery this year, has also reduced staff.

What it means for viewers

According to the Bloomberg report, D'Amaro plans to put part of the savings back into films and series, the Disney, Marvel and Pixar titles that also reach cinemas in Pakistan. How the cuts change the release slate has not been said. Disney's recent deal to take on most of Character.AI's staff shows where some of the money is heading: AI and technology.