Disney licensing deal sends Ice Age, Will Trent to Netflix

Disney has struck a sweeping licensing deal with Netflix that will bring all five Ice Age movies, Will Trent and Pixar’s Elio to the rival streamer, according to Variety. The titles begin rolling out starting Oct. 4.

The deal covers movies and series from 20th Century Studios, 20th Television, Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar and Disney Entertainment’s library. It marks another case of Disney renting out content to Netflix while keeping its flagship franchises largely exclusive to Disney+ and Hulu.

What’s in the Disney licensing deal

The five Ice Age films, released in 2002, 2006, 2009, 2012 and 2016, land on Netflix worldwide Oct. 4 for a three-month promotional window. The timing sets up the franchise’s sixth film, “Ice Age: Boiling Point,” which hits theaters Feb. 5, 2027.

Disney+ original series Percy Jackson and the Olympians seasons 1 and 2 arrive on Netflix globally the same day, also for a three-month run, ahead of its Season 3 premiere on Disney+ on Nov. 20.

Three current 20th Television series join the lineup as well. Will Trent seasons 1 through 4 hit Netflix globally Nov. 3, ahead of its Season 5 premiere on ABC in early 2027. Sitcom Shifting Gears seasons 1 and 2 arrive Dec. 1 in the U.S. and in January internationally, ahead of its Season 3 premiere on ABC on Jan. 7, 2027. Action-drama Tracker seasons 1 through 3 become available on Netflix internationally, outside the U.S., starting Feb. 26, 2027, as part of a multiyear licensing term, per Deadline.

The agreement also includes a batch of non-franchise Disney and Pixar films. Soul, Elio, Raya and the Last Dragon and other titles begin streaming on Netflix globally starting in early 2027, with exact availability and launch dates varying by region.

Several library series round out the deal: Felicity arrives in the U.S. on Oct. 7 with international dates to follow, while Revenge, Army Wives, Fresh Off the Boat and This Is Us are also included, each with different regional availability.

What it means for fans and customers

Nothing is leaving Disney+ or Hulu. All titles currently streaming on those platforms, including the Ice Age films and Percy Jackson and the Olympians, will remain available there even as they also stream on Netflix.

For subscribers, the deal means Netflix’s library keeps expanding with recognizable Disney titles without the company giving up its core strategy of keeping its biggest franchises exclusive. The promotional windows for Ice Age and Percy Jackson look designed to build buzz ahead of new installments rather than permanently relocate the franchises.

Context

These new titles join other Disney-owned shows already licensed to Netflix, including Grey’s Anatomy, Arrested Development, Scandal and Black-ish. Netflix continues to pair that licensed content with a heavy slate of originals, including animated hits KPop Demon Hunters and Swapped, plus upcoming releases Steps on Nov. 20 and Guillermo del Toro’s The Buried Giant.

Shawn Levy exits Netflix for Disney

The deal coincides with a major creative shift: director and executive producer Shawn Levy, who spent more than a decade at Netflix building 21 Laps with the streamer, has signed an overall television deal with Disney’s 20th Television. Levy brings credits including Stranger Things, Free Guy and the Night at the Museum franchise, and will continue collaborating with Netflix on the Stranger Things universe.

What’s next

The rollout begins Oct. 4 with Ice Age and Percy Jackson and the Olympians hitting Netflix, followed by Felicity on Oct. 7 and Will Trent on Nov. 3. Shifting Gears follows Dec. 1, with the Pixar and Disney Animation titles and Tracker arriving in early 2027.

Reporting from Variety, Deadline and Polygon contributed to this story.