Disney and Netflix have signed a new, extensive licensing agreement that will bring a wide selection of content owned by the Mouse House to the streaming platform, ranging from film franchises to current and classic television series. The move, initially revealed by Variety, confirms that Disney will once again rely on Netflix's massive global subscriber base to provide visibility for its catalog and promote its upcoming releases.
The arrival of these titles does not mean they will disappear from Disney+ or Hulu. This is a licensing agreement, so the series and films will coexist on both platforms, each with its own availability windows and duration depending on the title.
What the new Disney and Netflix agreement includes
The agreement covers several distinct content blocks: titles intended as a promotional window for future releases, recent seasons of 20th Television series, a selection of Pixar and Walt Disney Animation films, and a group of classic series returning to the Netflix catalog in various countries.
Background: The tense relationship between Disney and Netflix
This new pact marks a notable turn in a relationship that was marked by distrust for years. In the late 2010s, Netflix held the coveted first-window rights for Disney's theatrical releases. However, with the launch of Disney+ on the horizon, the company bought back those rights for its own catalog and removed its entire line of Marvel series known as The Defenders from Netflix, including Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, and The Punisher.
At the peak of that rivalry, Disney CEO Bob Iger famously compared licensing content to Netflix to selling nuclear weapons technology to a third-world country that then uses it against you.
This new agreement follows another pact signed in December 2023, which brought series like Scandal and Black-ish to Netflix for a limited 18-month window, though both have since left the catalog. Netflix also maintains longer-term contracts for titles such as Grey's Anatomy, from ABC, and Arrested Development, from 20th Century.
Promotional franchises: Percy Jackson and the Olympians and Ice Age
Part of the agreement is designed as a short-term marketing strategy. Disney will license some of its most popular titles for three months to generate buzz ahead of upcoming releases.
Percy Jackson and the Olympians arrives on Netflix in October
Seasons 1 and 2 of Percy Jackson and the Olympians will arrive on Netflix globally on October 4. This three-month window is intended to allow audiences to catch up before the premiere of season 3 on Disney+, scheduled for November 20.
The entire Ice Age franchise lands on Netflix
The five original films in the Ice Age franchise produced by 20th Century Studios—Ice Age, The Meltdown, Dawn of the Dinosaurs, Continental Drift, and Collision Course—will also arrive on Netflix globally on October 4. The goal is to build anticipation for the sixth installment, Ice Age: Boiling Point, which will hit theaters in February 2027.
Current 20th Television series: Will Trent, Shifting Gears, and Tracker
Several of 20th Television's current hits will also be part of the agreement, allowing international audiences to catch up before new seasons premiere on traditional television networks.
Will Trent adds its four seasons to Netflix
The crime drama Will Trent will arrive on Netflix globally on November 3 with its first four seasons, just before the premiere of the fifth season on ABC, scheduled for early 2027.
Shifting Gears and Tracker complete the block
The comedy Shifting Gears will arrive on Netflix in the United States on December 1, with other international regions joining on January 7, 2027. Its third season will premiere on ABC in early 2027. Meanwhile, the action series Tracker will arrive on Netflix internationally, excluding the United States, on February 26, 2027, with its first three seasons.
Pixar and Walt Disney Animation films on Netflix
Although Disney usually reserves its family animated films for Disney+, this agreement includes a selection of titles not tied to major franchises. Starting in early 2027, Netflix will offer a global rotation of Pixar and Walt Disney Animation films, with availability and exact dates varying by region. The titles confirmed so far are the Oscar-winning Soul, Elio, and Raya and the Last Dragon.
Classic series returning to Netflix
The agreement also includes a group of classic Disney Entertainment series returning to the Netflix catalog in various markets.
Felicity will arrive on Netflix in the United States on October 7, with international dates to be announced soon. Revenge and Army Wives will be available globally. Fresh Off the Boat will arrive in the United States and select regions. Finally, This Is Us will be added internationally, outside of the United States, where it was previously available under license before being removed from the catalog.
Frequently asked questions about the Disney and Netflix agreement
When do Percy Jackson and the Olympians and Ice Age arrive on Netflix?
Seasons 1 and 2 of Percy Jackson and the Olympians and the five films of the Ice Age franchise will arrive on Netflix globally on October 4, as part of a three-month promotional window.
Will Will Trent stop being available on Disney+ or ABC?
No. The agreement is for shared licensing, so Will Trent will remain available on its usual platforms while its first four seasons also arrive on Netflix globally on November 3.
Which Pixar and Walt Disney Animation films will arrive on Netflix?
So far, Soul, Elio, and Raya and the Last Dragon have been confirmed, which will arrive on a rotating basis on Netflix starting in early 2027, with dates varying by region.
Is This Is Us returning to Netflix in the United States?
No. This Is Us will arrive on Netflix only internationally, outside of the United States, where it had previously been available under a prior licensing agreement before being removed.
Is this the first time Disney has licensed content to Netflix?
No. In December 2023, Disney already licensed series like Scandal and Black-ish to Netflix for a limited 18-month window, in addition to maintaining longer-term contracts for titles such as Grey's Anatomy and Arrested Development.
