Disney Plans Several Thousand More Layoffs in 2026

What Disney Has Announced

Disney is planning to cut several thousand jobs globally, CNBC reported on 3 November 2026, citing people familiar with the matter who were not authorised to speak publicly. Some managers at the entertainment company have been asked to reduce their departmental costs by as much as 20%, according to the same sources.

The Numbers Behind the Cuts

The latest planned round follows two earlier waves of reductions under CEO Josh D'Amaro, who took the role earlier in 2026. In April, Disney announced plans to cut as many as 1,000 employees, predominantly in its marketing department. In September, a further roughly 300 roles were targeted, many in human resources and technology divisions. Disney reported a total workforce of approximately 231,000 employees at the close of its fiscal year 2025, which ended in September 2025, according to the company's annual financial report.

Broader Context in Entertainment

Disney is not alone in cutting costs across the entertainment sector. According to CNBC, Netflix said in a memo that it would lay off roughly 6% of its workforce, and Skydance — the newly combined entity of Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery — is also expected to reduce staff as it targets around 6 billion US dollars in cost savings over three years. Disney executives flagged the possibility of further reductions in the company's August 2026 earnings report, and the company introduced an early retirement programme for some employees in August. Chief People Officer Sonia Coleman wrote in a letter to employees that involuntary staff reductions had already begun in some areas and would continue into the following year.

Why It Matters for Job Seekers

• If you work in entertainment, marketing, human resources or technology, be aware that cost-cutting pressure is affecting multiple major studios and streaming companies simultaneously, which may reduce the number of open roles across the sector.
• If you are an experienced hire targeting media or entertainment companies, the wave of early retirement programmes and voluntary exits can sometimes open mid-level positions, but overall headcount targets suggest net job losses in the near term.
• If you are a fresher considering a career in media or streaming, the sector-wide focus on cost reduction reported by CNBC suggests that entry-level hiring may also face pressure while restructuring continues.
• If you are currently employed at Disney or a peer company, the CNBC report indicates that further updates on reductions are expected, so monitoring official company communications is advisable.

Audience note: This story affects current and prospective employees in the global entertainment and media industry, particularly those in marketing, human resources, and technology roles.