The Walt Disney Company has confirmed another wave of layoffs, cutting several hundred jobs across its global operations. This move marks the latest step in Disney’s ongoing efforts to streamline its business and adapt to the evolving entertainment landscape.
Layoffs Hit Key Departments Worldwide
The job cuts affect multiple divisions, including marketing for both film and television, TV publicity, casting and development, and corporate finance. A Disney spokesperson emphasized that while the layoffs are significant, no entire teams will be dissolved.
“We have been surgical in our approach to minimize the number of impacted employees,” the company stated. Despite the layoffs, Disney assured that it remains focused on innovation and creativity — key pillars of its brand.
A Strategic Move Amid Industry Transformation
Disney cited the rapid changes within the entertainment industry as the main reason behind the latest workforce reductions. As audiences increasingly shift from traditional cable subscriptions to streaming platforms, the company continues to reevaluate its strategies to remain competitive.
“As our industry transforms at a rapid pace, we continue to evaluate ways to efficiently manage our businesses while fueling the state-of-the-art creativity and innovation that consumers value and expect from Disney,” a spokesperson said.
Follow-Up to 2023 Major Layoffs
This development follows Disney’s massive layoff campaign in 2023, when CEO Bob Iger announced the elimination of around 7,000 positions. That move aimed to achieve $5.5 billion in cost savings through a company-wide reorganization. The latest cuts reflect an extension of that strategy, targeting efficiency without completely dismantling departments.
Streaming and Box Office Drive Revenue Growth
Despite the layoffs, Disney reported stronger-than-expected earnings in May 2025. The company generated $23.6 billion in revenue in the first quarter of the year — a 7% increase compared to the same period in 2024. A significant part of this growth came from its Disney+ streaming service, which added more than a million new subscribers.
Disney’s film division also saw a mix of results. While Captain America: Brave New World and Thunderbolts added momentum, the live-action Snow White underperformed due to critical reviews. However, the animated Lilo & Stitch remake shattered expectations, grossing over $610 million globally and $280.1 million in domestic sales, making it the second-highest grossing film of the year.
Global Workforce and Market Reaction
With a global workforce of approximately 233,000 employees — over 60,000 based outside the U.S. — the latest cuts reflect Disney’s intention to balance operational efficiency with creative output. Following the announcement, Disney’s stock showed a modest increase in midday trading, suggesting investor confidence in the company’s long-term strategy.
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