Disney+ signals a new interest in controlling its own online distribution, setting aside decades of licensing partnerships. Follow along with <em>The Verge</em> as we look at Disney’s new films and shows, and its strategies for dominating the box office and the streaming dollar."/>Disney+ signals a new interest in controlling its own online distribution, setting aside decades of licensing partnerships. Follow along with <em>The Verge</em> as we look at Disney’s new films and shows, and its strategies for dominating the box office and the streaming dollar."/>
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Once the public face of squeaky-clean, harmless family entertainment, the Walt Disney Corporation has evolved into a widespread conglomerate known as much for the properties it controls as the films it produces. With subsidiaries including Marvel Studios, Lucasfilm, National Geographic, A&E, 20th Century Fox, ESPN, Hulu, and Pixar, Disney has a commanding control of some of the world’s most lucrative franchises, plus an extensive library of film and TV classics. Its streaming service Disney+ signals a new interest in controlling its own online distribution, setting aside decades of licensing partnerships. Follow along with The Verge as we look at Disney’s new films and shows, and its strategies for dominating the box office and the streaming dollar.

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The Doctor is bringing Joy to the world(s) this Christmas.

Most everyone’s feeling festive in the new trailer for Doctor Who’s latest Christmas special, but the Doctor (Ncuti Gatwa) himself seems to be dealing with an existential crisis.

Neither he nor his new buddy Joy (Nicola Coughlan) seem to know why there are two of him at the same place and time. But they’ll probably have a blast figuring it out when the epidode debuts on December 25th.


Skeleton Crew is a kid-friendly reminder of who Star Wars is for

Disney Plus’ latest Star Wars series is trying to speak directly to a new generation of young fans.

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The Skeleton Crew kids are living the dream.

Even if Star Wars: Skeleton Crew’sThe Goonies, but in space” premise doesn’t sound like it’s up your alley, you gotta admit that this kid’s all-terrain hover bike is sick as hell. If this is the kind of heat the show’s bringing when it premieres tomorrow, it might be something really special.


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Remember Elio from Pixar’s upcoming film Elio?

Feels like it’s been ages since we heard anything about Pixar’s Elio from co-directors Domee Shi, Madeline Sharafian, and Adrian Molina. But the studio has just dropped another trailer teasing how an alien bathroom is one of the most beautiful things young Elio (Yonas Kibreab) will see on his space adventure when the film hits theaters on June 13th.


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Deadpool & Wolverine already got 19.4 million views on Disney Plus.

The film surpassed Black Panther: Wakanda Forever as the most-viewed live-action title on Disney Plus and Hulu, Variety reports. Deadpool & Wolverine made its debut on Disney Plus on November 12th.


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Warner Bros. Discovery is ending its NBA lawsuit.

The company is dropping its legal battle in favor of an 11-year settlement for domestic and global rights to “a significant amount of NBA content,” reports The Wall Street Journal.

WBD’s TNT will still lose NBA games to Disney, Amazon, and NBCUniversal next year, but got one consolation:

In addition, these people said, ESPN will sublicense Big 12 conference college football and basketball games to Warner Bros. Discovery that it can air on TNT, as well as on its Max streaming service.


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He’s in the game.

Disney is searching for potential CEO candidates outside of the company, and one person being considered is EA CEO Andrew Wilson, Variety and The Wall Street Journal report. The company plans to announce Bob Iger’s successor in early 2026.


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Did Disney get CGI Stitch right?

To me, his blue fur looks a little dull. But I really can’t complain — especially when the creepy live-action Minecraft animals and a photorealistic Simba exist.


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Disney reportedly created a team for AI and mixed reality.

Disney co-chairman Alan Bergman announced the Office of Technology Enablement in an email seen by Reuters:

The pace and scope of the advances in AI and XR (extended reality) are profound and will continue to impact consumer experiences, creative endeavors and our businesses for years to come - making it critical that Disney explore the exciting opportunities and navigate the potential risks.

Disney CTO Jamie Voris, who helped create the Disney Plus Vision Pro app, will reportedly helm the new division. The company eliminated its metaverse unit last year.


A former Disney employee is accused of hacking a menu system and altering allergy info.

As outlined in a federal complaint spotted by 404 Media, the former employee also allegedly locked 14 staff members out of their Disney accounts using a script to perform thousands of login attempts. He’s also accused of having a “dox” folder on his computer containing personal information about the workers he targeted.


Sony wants its next live-action Spider-Man movie to hit theaters in 2026.

Variety is reporting that the next live-action Spider-Man movie has been given a tentative July 24, 2026 premiere date. That isn’t necessarily when the movie will end up coming out, but it definitely tells us that Marvel and Sony are bullish about getting the Destin Daniel Cretton-directed feature into theaters.


An unmasked Spider-Man crouching down.
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Even more Disney Plus shows are getting a physical release.

Following the first wave of Disney Plus series coming out on 4K UHD and Blu-ray last year, physical copies of The Mandalorian’s third season, Ahsoka’s first season, Hawkeye’s first season, and Loki’s second season are set to hit stores on October 31st.


DVD steelbooks featuring art from The Mandalorian, Ahsoka, Hawkeye, and Loki.
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There’s a new Tron game in the works.

Disney Tron: Catalyst, a new title from Devolver Digital’s new Big Fan indie label, is an “all-new story-driven, isometric action adventure game.” The game is being developed by Bithell Games, the team behind the visual novel Tron: Identity.

Catalyst is set to launch in 2025 on Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation, and Xbox.


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Shams Charania takes over for Adrian Wojnarowski as ESPN’s senior NBA insider.

There’s white smoke from ESPN’s HQ in Bristol, CT, today, as Shams Charania broke the news of his own free agent signing, saying:

I am honored to join ESPN as the company’s Senior NBA Insider.

He will take over the spot from his one-time mentor and longtime rival, Wojnarowski, who announced his retirement last month.


Picture of Shams Charania in profile, with the words “Shams Charania joins ESPN as Senior NBA Insider.”
Image: Shams Charania (Threads)

Epic and Disney want to make ‘what every Disney fan has ever wanted’

Even though the ‘persistent universe’ from the two companies will connect to Fortnite, you probably won’t be playing as Mickey Mouse with a gun.