Pixar and National Geographic hit in latest round of Disney layoffs

Walt Disney Co. is moving forward with a new round of workforce reductions impacting several hundred employees. These cuts specifically affect operations within Pixar Animation Studios and National Geographic. This latest action follows a broader strategy aimed at corporate restructuring across the Burbank media giant.

At Pixar, the layoffs account for less than 10% of the total staff. The focus is primarily on production and operations teams. Pixar previously experienced a layoff cycle in 2024 when 175 positions were removed. Despite recent box office performance from titles like Toy Story 5, the studio remains under pressure to prioritize theatrical quality and reduce total volume.

National Geographic is also facing significant changes. Dozens of notices went out to employees across their television, editorial, and digital departments. Some of these individuals may transition into alternative roles within the company, though the reduction in force is widespread.

These personnel moves are part of a wider effort by Disney to remain agile in a changing entertainment industry. Earlier this year, the company began consolidating marketing and adjusting operations across its movie and television studios. ESPN was also affected in this current round of cuts, partly tied to the recent acquisition of the NFL Network.

This marks the third wave of layoffs for Disney in recent months. Management cites the need for a more technologically-enabled structure as the primary driver behind these ongoing decisions. The company continues to shift its focus toward theatrical projects to support its long-term streaming strategy.