Disney prepares its biggest layoffs of 2026, with thousands expected

Disney has already cut about 1,000 jobs in April and several hundred more in July and September. Now it is preparing a round expected to affect thousands of employees, according to Bloomberg reporting cited by Variety.

The number that matters: Some Disney managers were reportedly told to reduce expenses by 20% on an annualized basis. Bloomberg’s report did not identify the divisions facing the deepest cuts, though it said some operations would be affected disproportionately. If the plan proceeds as described, it would be Disney’s fourth round of job reductions this year and its biggest by employee count under CEO Josh D’Amaro.

Where the money goes: D’Amaro plans to put part of the savings into film and television programming, technology, theme parks and cruise ships, Bloomberg reported. That is the corporate version of trying to spend more in the places customers see while making fewer people do the work behind them.

Disney had already been planning a major restructuring of its television operations that could eliminate hundreds of jobs and consolidate divisions, according to a Wall Street Journal report cited by Variety. In late September, the company cut a few hundred employees, mainly in human resources and IT across corporate and division operations. July cuts reached corporate functions at Pixar, ESPN, Disney Entertainment Television and the studios.

What Disney has said: D’Amaro and Chief Financial Officer Hugh Johnston wrote in an Aug. 5 shareholder letter that Disney was focused on lowering enterprise costs and evaluating labor and administrative-expense reductions. Dana Walden, Disney’s president and chief creative officer, said last month that companies need to keep evaluating how they are structured.

Disney also offered early-retirement buyouts in August to eligible U.S. employees from director through executive vice president in Disney Entertainment, ESPN and corporate divisions. The offer required workers to be at least 50 and have at least 10 years with the company. Disney reports its September-quarter results on Nov. 17, when the scale and shape of the cuts may get more attention.