Tag: Disney

Disney Gives Greenlight to ‘Zombies 5’ for Disney+, Disney Channel

A fifth installment of the “Zombies” Disney movie franchise has been greenlit for Disney+ and the Disney Channel with Malachi Barton and Freya Skye set to return to their roles as Victor and Nova.

Zombies 5 will begin production this spring in New Zealand and an official title will be announced at a later date. Franchise stars Milo Manheim and Meg Donnelly will not return to their roles as Zed and Addison while Trevor Tordjman is slated to return as Bucky, the cheer captain and cousin of Addison from the original trilogy.

In the fifth installment, following the events of Zombies 4: Dawn of the Vampires, the newfound peace between the Daywalkers and Vampires is put to the test when a band of fierce mermaids arrives in Rayburn. Nova and Victor must unite their groups once more to discover what the mermaids are really after in order to protect the fragile harmony they worked so hard to build.

The returning cast also includes Julian Lerner as Ray. New to the franchise are a trio of mysterious mermaids: Diaana Babnicova as Pearl, Taylor Oliver as bad-boy Fin, and Olive Mortimer as tech-wiz Sandy.

“‘Zombies’ has become a defining franchise for the current generation,” Ayo Davis, president, Disney Branded Television, said in a statement. “With each movie, we intentionally push the story somewhere new. Introducing mermaids in Zombies 5 opens up a completely different dynamic, while staying true to the music, characters and themes of unity and acceptance that are at the heart of these films.”

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Zootopia 2

BLU-RAY DISC REVIEW:

Street Date 3/3/26;
Disney;
Animated;
Box Office $425.8 million;
$34.99 DVD, $40.99 Blu-ray, $ UHD BD Steelbook;
Rated ‘PG’ for action/violence and rude humor.
Voices of Ginnifer Goodwin, Jason Bateman, Ke Huy Quan, Fortune Feimster, Andy Samberg, David Strathairn, Idris Elba, Patrick Warburton, Danny Trejo, Jenny Slate, Bonnie Hunt, Don Lake, Alan Tudyk, Shakira.

A deft blend of silly humor that should appeal to kids and adult-friendly sophisticated storytelling, the sequel to 2016’s Zootopia delves into a Chinatown-esque conspiracy involving the history of the animal-populated title city and why there aren’t many reptiles around.

Picking up from the events of the first movie, Zootopia 2 finds rabbit Judy Hopps (Ginnifer Goodwin) and former con artist fox Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman) now partners in the Zootopia Police Department. When their attempt to bust a big smuggling case goes awry, they get assigned to counseling to work out their differences, but Judy recovers evidence that a reptile might be involved.

She and Nick go undercover at a gala celebrating the 100th anniversary of the technology that regulates the city’s weather so all the different species can live comfortably together. They soon encounter a snake, the first one seen in the city in a century, who steals the original notebook containing the plans for the weather regulator, running afoul of the lynx family descendants of the inventor who patented the device.

When the snake, Gary (Ke Huy Quan), claims the journal holds the key to reversing a great injustice involving the snakes, Judy and Nick decide to help him, disobeying orders in their effort to uncover the truth while being branded fugitives.

While pursuing another message of togetherness similar to the first film, the lively Zootopia 2 is also loaded with crazy action sequnces and filled with fun references to previous Disney animal-related classics.

 

As to a 4K home release of Zootopia 2, while Disney made it available on 4K through digital retailers, the studio announced the only way to get the film on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray disc is through a limited-edition Steelbook release that is apparently in such low supply that Amazon took down its listing page for it, and other online retailers offering it have preorders listed as sold out.

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Nielsen: Disney Ups January Household TV Market Share Thanks to Football, News

In a month where television viewing reached a 12-month high, Disney captured the largest month-over-month gain in Nielsen’s January Media Distributor Gauge report, a monthly view of total household TV consumption aggregated by parent company.

Disney added 1.2 share points and finished with 11.9% of total television viewing in January, nearly tying its Media Distributor Gauge best (12% in January 2025), and bringing it within 0.6 share points of YouTube’s 12.5% market lead.

Disney’s momentum was primarily fueled by ESPN’s coverage of the College Football Playoffs and Championship games, which drove an 82% monthly viewing increase on the network and contributed nearly a full share point to Disney’s total.

Disney also got a boost from its ABC affiliates, with viewing up 10% on the strength of multiple NFL games, the Citrus Bowl, the return of broadcast dramas, and seasonal staples such as “New Year’s Rockin’ Eve” and “The Rose Bowl Parade.” ABC’s “High Potential” and “ABC World News Tonight” were notably the top broadcast programs in each of their respective genres in January.

Netflix represented 8.8% of TV usage in January and maintained the No. 3 rank among distributors. Netflix’s overall usage was up slightly at 1%, and its original series “Stranger Things” claimed the top streaming program for a second consecutive month.

NFL games carried on NBC, plus streaming simulcasts on Peacock, were a key factor in the 5% overall increase to NBCU-Versant. Peacock also benefited from a new season of its original series “The Traitors.” Additionally, Telemundo affiliates saw a 13% jump in viewership powered by the sports reality hit “Exatlón,” bringing the network’s monthly share contribution to 0.7 points. Overall, NBCU-Versant represented 8.5% of TV viewership, up 0.3 points vs. December.

Fox climbed to 7.4% of TV viewership (+0.4 points). This growth was largely underscored by a 17% jump in viewing on the Fox News Channel, which accounted for more than half (+0.25 points) of Fox’s monthly share increase.

Led by increases on FYI (+46%) and Lifetime (+14%), A&E’s combined viewership climbed 8% (+0.1 point) and moved up one slot in the distributor rankings.

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‘Predator: Badlands’ Hulu, Disc Release Celebration

This month, “Predator” fans enjoyed a hunt of their own, as they visited local Los Angeles horror venues — Slasher World, Horror Vibes Coffee and Killer Fitness — for photo opps, custom beverages, and a Yautja-themed workout during the week leading up to the Feb. 12 Hulu streaming and Feb. 17 DVD, Blu-ray and 4K Ultra HD disc release of Predator: Badlands.

Each venue gave away movie merchandise, along with pairs of tickets to an exclusive screening event featuring Predator: Killer of Killers and Predator: Badlands on Feb. 11, with a “Father Predator” meet and greet, followed by a Q&A with director Dan Trachtenberg, “Dek” actor Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi, and special FX supervisor Alec Gillis.

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Disney’s ‘Zootopia 2’ Remains Atop Weekly U.K. Home Entertainment Sales Chart Through Feb. 11

Disney’s box office hit Zootopia 2 remained No. 1 on the Official Film Chart, the U.K. home entertainment the weekly sales chart through Feb. 11. The sequel has earned $1.8 billion in worldwide revenue.

Disney-owned 20th Century Studios’ sci-fi thriller Predator: Badlands moved up five spots to No. 2 in its fifth week on the chart, followed by Warner’s awards darling Sinners, which dropped to No. 3 in the movie’s 35th week of retail release.

Director Kevin Smith’s 1999 film Dogma, starring Ben Affleck and Matt Damon and distributed by Lionsgate, returned to the top 10 at No. 4, followed by Columbia/Sony Pictures’ horror sequel 28 Years Later — down one spot to No. 5 in its 23rd week on the chart.

Signature Entertainment’s Dracula, starring Caleb Landry Jones, Christoph Waltz, Zoë Bleu and Guillaume de Tonquédec, rose two spots to No. 6 in its 10th week on the chart.

Universal’s Wicked follow-up Wicked: For Good dropped two spots to No. 7 in its sixth week on the chart.

Warner’s Oscar-nominated One Battle After Another dropped five spots to No. 8 in its 13th week on the chart.

Universal’s Oscar-nominated biographical musical Song Sung Blue bowed at No. 9. Starring Kate Hudson and Hugh Jackman as a real-life Milwaukee couple who formed a popular Neil Diamond tribute act called Lightning & Thunder, the film generated $55.4 million at the global box office.

Universal’s Bugonia, starring Emma Stone and Jesse Plemons, moved up three spots to No. 6. The Oscar-nominated film generated $41.6 million at the global box office, including $17.7 million across North American screens.

Finally, Lionsgate’s Now You See Me: Now You Don’t surged 13 spots to No. 10 in its seventh week on the chart.

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The Official Film Chart Top 10 – Feb. 11, 2026

Rank Previous Week Movie Distributor
1 1 ZOOTOPIA 2 DISNEY
2 7 PREDATOR: BADLANDS 20TH CENTURY
3 2 SINNERS WARNER
4 36 DOGMA LIONSGATE
5 4 28 YEARS LATER SONY
6 8 DRACULA SIGNATURE
7 5 WICKED: FOR GOOD UNIVERSAL
8 3 ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER WARNER
9 NEW SONG SUNG BLUE UNIVERSAL
10 23 NOW YOU SEE ME: NOW YOU DON’T LIONSGATE

© Official Charts Company 2026

Searchlight’s ‘Is This Thing On?’ Available Digitally Feb. 10, on Disc March 17

Disney-owned Searchlight Pictures’ Is This Thing On? will be available for digital purchase and rental starting Feb. 10, followed by a release on DVD and as a 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc combo March 17.

The film stars Will Arnett and Laura Dern as a couple who have reached the end of their marriage and are dealing with an impending divorce. He seeks new purpose in New York’s comedy clubs, where his stand-up act serves as a form of therapy, while she confronts the sacrifices she made for their family, forcing them to navigate co-parenting, identity, and whether love can take a new form.

Is This Thing On? was directed by Bradley Cooper, who also appears in the film, and was co-written by Cooper, Arnett and Mark Chappell, based on the life of English comedian John Bishop, who shares a story credit. The cast also includes Andra Day, Christine Ebersole, Ciarán Hinds, Amy Sedaris, Sean Hayes and Scott Icenogle.

The film earned $6.1 million at the domestic box office, $10.9 million worldwide.

The home entertainment release includes the behind-the-scenes featurette “Mic Drop: Making Is This Thing On?”

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This Week’s MPN Video Podcast: Disney’s Leadership Change Isn’t Just About Succession — It’s About Where the Money Is Going Next

In this episode of Next TMT Talks, hosts David Bloom and Daniel Frankel, in partnership with Media Play News, unpack what Disney’s pivot toward experiences, parks and live events says about the declining economics of traditional content — and the future of Hollywood itself. With Josh D’Amaro rising from Disney’s Experiences division and Dana Walden sidelined, the conversation explores why live, premium, out-of-home experiences now matter more than scripted content.

Topics covered:

  • Why Disney’s profits now come primarily from parks, resorts and cruises
  • What the CEO shift says about the declining value of film and TV content
  • How AI is changing the cost, speed and value of content creation
  • Why streaming economics no longer resemble the golden age of cable
  • ESPN, live sports, and the last remaining content fortress
  • Why studios must give audiences a reason to put down their phones
  • What Disney’s strategy signals for Netflix, Warner Bros. Discovery, and Hollywood at large

 

Next TMT Talks delivers insider analysis on the intersection of media, technology, telecom, streaming, and entertainment economics — built for decision-makers.

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Bob Iger Touts Righting Disney Streaming Ship Without Addressing Possible Early CEO Transition

Walt Disney CEO Bob Iger declined addressing his probable transition from the chief executive position later this year, while at the same time taking credit for what he says was a money-losing streaming business when he unexpectedly returned to the CEO position three years ago, replacing his short-lived successor Bob Chapek.

Speaking on the company’s Feb. 2 fiscal webcast, the 74-year-old Iger, who first became Disney CEO in 2005, replacing Michael Eisner, said that when he returned to the job Nov. 20, 2022, there was a “tremendous amount” that needed fixing, specifically in the streaming business.

Iger said the former direct-to-consumer business (now called SVOD) was hemorrhaging money to the tune of about $1 billion a quarter. He believed that since the streaming business was largely driven by Disney’s movies and TV shows, senior executives responsible for that content, i.e., Alan Bergman and Dana Walden, now co-chairman of Disney Entertainment, should be in control of streaming.

“Anyone who runs a company also knows that it can’t just be about fixing, it has to be about preparing a company for its future,” Iger said.

At the same time, the DTC business did not achieve profitability for almost two years after Iger’s return. This achievement, in the third quarter of the 2024 fiscal year, occurred one quarter ahead of Disney’s original goal, which aimed for profitability by the fourth quarter.

Much of that turnaround, according to Iger, involved bundling Disney+ with Hulu, and later ESPN, offering a consumers discounted access. He says bundled subscribers cancel (or churn) less than standalone subscribers.

“The good news is that the company is in much better shape than it was three years ago because we have done a lot of fixing,” Iger added.

Disney plans to further integrate Hulu with Disney+ to create the so-called “one app” experience this year, while still affording consumers the ability to subscribe to each platform separately.

“By and large, the great majority of consumers will buy both,” Iger said. “I also believe that in the world that changes as much as it does, trying to preserve the status quo is a mistake, and I’m certain my successor will not do that.”

Media reports last week claimed that Iger would step down early before his employment contract is set to expire on Dec. 31.

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Disney Ups Quarterly Content Revenue 22% to $1.9 Billion

The Walt Disney Co. Feb. 2 reported content revenue of $1.94 billion in the first quarter ended Dec. 27, 2025, up 22% from revenue of $1.6 billion in the previous-year period.

Content revenue, which includes theatrical and home entertainment distribution, saw revenue rise due to an increase of 25% from theatrical distribution, partially offset by a decrease of 6% from home entertainment
distribution.

Higher theatrical distribution revenue was attributable to more significant titles released in the current quarter compared to the prior-year quarter.

The current quarter included Zootopia 2, Avatar: Fire and Ash, Predator: Badlands and Tron: Ares. The prior-year quarter included Moana 2 and Mufasa: The Lion King.

Zootopia 2 has generated almost $1.8 billion in global ticket sales, while Avatar: Fire and Ash has picked up $1.41 billion in global revenue.

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Disney CEO Bob Iger Reportedly Set to Retire Before Year Ends

The Walt Disney Co. CEO Bob Iger is reportedly set to retire before the end of this year, prior to his employment contract expiration on Dec. 31.

The 74-year-old executive first became CEO of Disney in 2005, becoming executive chairman in 2020 before retiring for the first time on Dec. 31, 2021. He returned as CEO on Nov. 20, 2022, following the dismissal of successor Bob Chapek.

Iger, according to the Wall Street Journal, has told associates he intends to step down and reduce daily involvement before the year’s end, wanting to give his successor a “fresh start.”

Neither Disney nor Iger has publicly commented on the media reports, but the move aligns with prior signals of an “early 2026” successor reveal. If confirmed, this would end Iger’s second stint after overseeing significant major shifts in the industry, including the rise of direct-to-consumer streaming.

The Disney board is reportedly set to meet in February to vote on a successor. Iger may stay on for several months after the announcement to mentor the new CEO and could retain a board or advisory role.

The frontrunner is considered Josh D’Amaro, chairman of Disney Experiences (parks, cruises, consumer products), with another possible successor being Dana Walden, co-chairman of Disney Entertainment with a TV/streaming focus.

Disney reports quarterly fiscal results Feb. 2.

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