Latest news with #Pixar
Time Business News
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Time Business News
Disney+ vs. Netflix: Is Disney Plus Better than Netflix?
Netflix boasts over 17,000 titles globally across movies, TV series, documentaries, anime, and international originals. Its library is diverse, constantly evolving, and highly localized depending on your country. Netflix is also known for licensing third-party content alongside its own originals. Disney+ focuses on quality over quantity, offering around 7,000 TV episodes and 500+ movies, but with some of the most iconic and beloved brands in entertainment. From the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe to Pixar classics and every Star Wars installment, Disney+ appeals strongly to families and franchise lovers. Verdict: Netflix wins for variety and volume. Disney+ wins for nostalgic and family-friendly content. Standard with Ads : $6.99/month : $6.99/month Standard (no ads) : $15.49/month : $15.49/month Premium (4K + extra members): $22.99/month Netflix also offers extra member add-ons at a fee, making account sharing more limited. With Ads : $7.99/month : $7.99/month Ad-Free : $13.99/month : $13.99/month Disney Bundle (Hulu + ESPN+): Starting at $14.99/month Disney+ also allows unlimited downloads for ad-free users, making it easy to download on Disney Plus and watch offline. Verdict: Disney+ is more affordable, especially when bundled. Netflix is pricier but offers broader content. Netflix sets the gold standard for user experience. It's available on virtually every device—smart TVs, game consoles, phones, tablets, web browsers, and streaming boxes. Its AI-driven recommendation engine and easy-to-navigate interface are fan favorites. Disney+ supports most major devices, though it may lag behind Netflix in terms of smart TV app optimization and user personalization. Still, it offers up to 7 user profiles and 4 simultaneous streams on its standard plan. Verdict: Netflix wins for refined UX and broader device support. Disney+ is close but still playing catch-up. With hits like Stranger Things , The Crown , Wednesday , Squid Game , and The Witcher , Netflix revolutionized streaming with its originals. It spends billions annually to develop fresh, exclusive content across genres and languages. Disney+ offers premium originals, but they lean heavily on existing franchises. The Mandalorian , Loki , WandaVision , and The Imagineering Story are hits—but fewer in number compared to Netflix's catalog. Verdict: Netflix takes the lead in volume and diversity. Disney+ wins for franchise continuity and cinematic quality. Netflix is available in over 190 countries, with regional content libraries and subtitles in dozens of languages. It's optimized for low-bandwidth usage in regions with slower internet. As of 2025, Disney+ is available in around 130+ countries, with steady expansion. However, content availability varies more than Netflix, especially in Europe and parts of Asia. Downloads are supported, but some users prefer third-party tools like a Disney Plus downloader to get around geo-restrictions or keep content permanently. Verdict: Netflix wins in global reach and localization. Disney+ is improving, but still behind. The final verdict depends entirely on your needs and preferences: You want a wide variety of genres and languages You're into international and adult-targeted content You care about cutting-edge original productions You want the best tech features and personalization You love Disney, Marvel, Star Wars, Pixar, and Nat Geo You're looking for family-friendly programming You want a budget-friendly bundle with Hulu and ESPN+ You want to download on Disney Plus and watch without Wi-Fi The Disney Plus vs Netflix battle is far from over. While Netflix maintains its global dominance in size and scope, Disney+ continues to rise with unmatched franchise power and a more affordable price point. If you're a family user or franchise fanatic, Disney+ delivers enormous value. If you're into cutting-edge, genre-diverse entertainment, Netflix is still the one to beat. Looking at Disney Plus subscribers vs Netflix, Netflix still leads with over 250 million global users, but Disney+ is catching up fast, with over 165 million and growing. Whichever you choose, both platforms are evolving fast—and the good news? You don't necessarily have to choose. Many users are opting to subscribe to both, taking advantage of the best from each world. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Can Disney's Streaming Boom Unlock Room for More Subscriber Growth?
Disney DIS is riding high as its direct-to-consumer (DTC) streaming platforms — Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+ — reshape its growth trajectory. The integration of ESPN into the Disney+ app, followed by a full standalone launch later in 2025, is expected to capture a wider sports audience, giving Disney a unique edge in an increasingly competitive streaming market. This strategic initiative is already paying off; its streaming segment delivered $336 million in operating income in the second quarter, up dramatically from $47 million a year earlier. The turnaround builds on momentum gained last August, when ESPN+ helped propel Disney's entire streaming business into sustained streaming operations are enabling Disney to reinvest in blockbuster content like Moana 2 and Inside Out 2, which drive both streaming engagement and theatrical success. This content, in turn, amplifies revenues across merchandise, parks and cruises, leveraging the strength of the company's core brands like Marvel, Pixar and Star profitability assured, Disney is in a position to shift from mere volume growth to building a sustainable, loyal customer base. Through bundles, international expansion, local content and its sports-driven strategy, its streaming boom seems the second quarter of fiscal 2025, Disney+ added 1.4 million subscribers, bringing its total to 126 million, while Hulu reached 54.7 million subscribers. Together, Disney closed the quarter with 180.7 million total streaming subscribers, representing a 2.5% sequential increase. This momentum signals that the company's transition from conventional media to streaming is yielding real Competition in the Streaming Space Netflix Inc. NFLX, the streaming pioneer, dominates the U.S. market with more than $11 billion in the second quarter of 2025 and 45% earnings growth. Netflix's dominant scale, AI-driven recommendations and fast-growing ad-supported tier, nearly half of U.S. sign-ups, bolster its edge over Disney. With exclusive NFL and FIFA rights, plus unmatched success in weekly streaming charts through diverse, original content, Netflix's expanding global subscriber base and accelerating ad business solidify its leadership and growth Global PARA, through Paramount+ and Pluto TV, leverages its extensive CBS, Nickelodeon and Star Trek content to compete with Disney+ in family programming, live TV and classics. Paramount's subscription revenues climbed 16% in the first quarter of 2025, fueled by growing subscribers, though streaming remains unprofitable due to debt and operating losses. Paramount's rich content, cable networks and multi-revenue streams drive global viewership, keeping it positioned for growth despite profitability hurdles. DIS' Share Price Performance, Valuation & Estimates DIS shares have gained 9.1% in the year-to-date period, underperforming both the Zacks Consumer Discretionary sector's return of 10.6% and the Zacks Media Conglomerates industry's appreciation of 13.5%. DIS' YTD Price Performance Image Source: Zacks Investment Research From a valuation standpoint, DIS stock is currently trading at a forward 12-month Price/Earnings ratio of 19.46X compared with the industry's 21.1X. DIS has a Value Score of B. DIS's Valuation Image Source: Zacks Investment Research The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Disney's 2025 earnings is pegged at $5.78 per share, up a couple of cents over the past 30 days. This indicates a 16.3% increase from the figure reported in the year-ago quarter. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research DIS stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Netflix, Inc. (NFLX) : Free Stock Analysis Report The Walt Disney Company (DIS) : Free Stock Analysis Report Paramount Global (PARA) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research ( Zacks Investment Research Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Geek Tyrant
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Geek Tyrant
Pixar's TOY STORY Will Return to Theaters For its 30th Anniversary Celebration — GeekTyrant
Pixar is taking fans back to where it all started. Nearly 30 years after its release, Toy Story is heading back to theaters for one night only. The beloved animated classic that changed cinema forever will return to the big screen on September 12, giving audiences, especially younger fans, a rare chance to experience the film on the big screen as it was originally intended back in 1995. The announcement came from Pixar's official Instagram, complete with a new poster marking the milestone. The original Toy Story, directed by John Lasseter and co-written by Pete Docter and Andrew Stanton, was the world's first fully computer-animated feature film and launched Pixar into the stratosphere of animation greatness. When it premiered on November 22, 1995, Toy Story earned a solid $244.6 million globally, which was a strong debut for a groundbreaking film. What followed was nothing short of historic. The franchise grew into a cultural phenomenon, with Toy Story 2 grossing $487 million in 1999, Toy Story 3 hitting $1.06 billion in 2010, and Toy Story 4 topping that with $1.07 billion in 2019. This isn't the film's first theatrical comeback. It returned to theaters in 2009, adding $41.2 million to its box office, and again in 2020 with a smaller re-release that brought in $767,913. This new one-night-only event comes as Pixar works on Toy Story 5 , scheduled to hit theaters on June 19, 2026. The fifth installment will be directed by Andrew Stanton and co-directed by McKenna Harris. Returning cast members include Tom Hanks as Woody, Tim Allen as Buzz, and Joan Cusack as Jessie, joined by Conan O'Brien as a new character named Smarty Pants and Ernie Hudson, who will voice Combat Carl. The original film follows Woody as his status as Andy's favorite toy is threatened by the flashy new space ranger, Buzz Lightyear, leading to an adventure that tests friendship and loyalty. If you can't make it to the theater, Toy Story and its sequels are available to stream on Disney+, as well as on Blu-ray and DVD. But if you want that nostalgic magic of the big screen, or to share it with a new generation, this is a great opportiunity!
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Box Office Milestone: ‘Lilo & Stitch' Becomes First Title of 2025 to Cross $1 Billion Globally
At last. Disney's live-action Lilo & Stitch has cleared the $1 billion mark at the worldwide box office, becoming the first Hollywood pic of 2025 to achieve the milestone and cementing its status as the year's top-grossing Western movie both globally and internationally, the studio announced Thursday. More from The Hollywood Reporter AMC's Lincoln Square Theatre in NY Reopens After Flooding Monday Night During Torrential Downfall Eminem Documentary 'Stans' Books Limited August Run in AMC Theatres Box Office: 'Superman' Saves the Day for DC Studios With $125M Domestic Opening, $220M Globally It finished Wednesday with a domestic tally of $416.2 million and $584.8 million overseas for a worldwide haul of $1.001 billion. China's Ne Za 2 is the 2025 record-holder overall, with more than $1.899 billion in ticket sales. The vast majority of that film's earnings, or $1.832 billion, are coming from the Chinese box office. (It has earned $20 million in North America.) Lilo & Stitch, an adaptation of Walt Disney Animation Studios's popular 2002 animated film, has exceeded expectations all along the way since opening over Memorial Day, thanks to families and Gen Zers who grew up on the original title. The milestone means Disney's film empire has released four billion-dollar films in the past 13 months alone. In addition to Lilo, produced by Rideback, and the Moana sequel, the roster includes 2024 summer tentpoles Marvel Studios' Deadpool & Wolverine ($1.328 billion), and Pixar's Inside Out 2 ($1.698 billion), not adjusted for inflation. 'We knew there was a lot of love for Lilo & Stitch with audiences around the world, yet we never take that for granted, and we're proud of how this new film has connected with people,' Disney Entertainment co-chairman Alan Bergman said in a statement. 'I'm thankful to our filmmakers, our cast, and all on our Studio team who have made this film such a success, and we look forward to more adventures with these characters ahead.' Domestically, Lilo & Stitch opened May 23 to a record-breaking $183 million over the four-day holiday, helping to fuel the biggest Memorial Day weekend in history alongside Tom Cruise-starrer Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning, from Paramount. Lilo & Stitch is one of only two films this year to surpass $400 million at the domestic box office, behind Warner Bros.' A Minecraft Movie, which has earned a stellar $955.1 million globally to date, but fell short of gaining membership to the billion-dollar club. It is still ahead of Lilo in North America with total ticket sales north of $423 million. Overseas, Lilo & Stitch ranks as the top-grossing international Hollywood release of the year, and is the highest-grossing Disney live-action film of all time in Mexico. It is also the highest-grossing film of 2025 across a range of key international markets in Europe (France, Italy, Spain) and Latin America (Brazil), in addition to several smaller markets. Lilo & Stitch is stiil playing in theaters worldwide, with a sequel already in development. The new live-action film's box office success has reignited global interest in the franchise, driving record viewership of the original animated classic and related content on Disney+, which have been viewed more than 640 million hours on the platform globally. The all-audience crowd pleaser is the 58th film in history to cross the $1 billion mark globally. Among Disney's other live-action pics, 2019's The Lion King tops the list of best earners at $1.662 billion, not adjusted for inflation. Best of The Hollywood Reporter The 40 Greatest Needle Drops in Film History The 40 Best Films About the Immigrant Experience Wes Anderson's Movies Ranked From Worst to Best Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Pixar's Newest Film ‘Hoppers' Asks, ‘What if You Could Talk to Animals?'
We spoke with director Daniel Chong about his debut feature-length film releasing in spring of 2026, and how he compares the process to parenting. As Pixar has built a reputation on writing its own rulebook for crafting stories that are both relevant and timeless, the question, "What if?" has been a guiding light in many of their on-screen ventures. That question looms large in the idea behind their upcoming feature film, Hoppers, releasing in theaters March 6, 2026. The premise reads: What if you could talk to animals and understand what they're saying? In Disney and Pixar's all-new feature film Hoppers, scientists have discovered how to 'hop' human consciousness into lifelike robotic animals, allowing people to communicate with animals as animals! The adventure introduces Mabel, a college student and animal lover who seizes an opportunity to use the technology, uncovering mysteries within the animal world that are beyond anything she could have imagined. Have a look at the brand new teaser trailer: Now, if you're thinking that's giving some big James Cameron's Avatar vibes, you're not wrong. In fact, Daniel Chong, the director of Hoppers openly acknowledges the influence–though he calls it just a "soft jumping-off point" for where the movie is really headed. In addition, he mentions another big film franchise that he drew inspiration from. "One of the other biggest influences for us was Mission: Impossible," Chong tells Parents. "The movie becomes a bit of an espionage movie, where Mabel is going undercover. It will lead to a lot of crazy thrills that you did not expect." Chong goes on to describe the character of Mabel as being just as unpredictable as the adventure she's on, and how viewers who are animal lovers and rule-breakers (for a good cause) should get a lot of enjoyment from Hoppers. Character and Narrative Connections As with many of the directors in Pixar's filmography, Chong's relationship to his first feature film is a personal one. Having been a story artist at Pixar before becoming a director, he says it's only natural that a lot of himself would be sprinkled throughout the story. He points to his love for animals and his fascination with how they coexist with humans as the original thematic spark behind the movie. He also reveals how he leaned on his own close relationship with his mother to inform Mabel's relationship with her grandmother in the film. "I channeled a lot of that into the movie, because that's the relationship that grounds [Mabel] in her love of nature and why she wants to protect it so desperately," says Chong. "Mabel is also a bit unhinged, and a little chaotic, and unpredictable. She's led by her passions, so [viewers] can expect some unpredictability from her." As seen in the trailer, Mabel's protective instinct should serve her well at some points and not so well at others, as she navigates a world very different from her own. Chong speaks to how the characters treading into scientific innovation leads to them crossing wires with some established rules of nature. And while the two don't always mix, there are some lessons that can come from it. "A lot of the movie is about how [Mabel] coexists, not just with other animals, but with other people," Chong notes. "[It's about] how she relates to them, and the consequences of decisions she makes, good and bad. She's learning to navigate connection more than anything; and as she does, she'll learn how to build them over the process of the story." Research and Mystery As for how he chose a beaver to be the avatar animal for Mabel's experience, Chong says it came after a lot of trial and error, but it was a decision that made a ton of sense after doing research. "They call [beavers] one of the 'ecosystem engineers'", says Chong. "During the rewinding of Yellowstone National Park, wolves were a big part of that equation, but beavers played a big role also. Once the beavers set up their ponds and lodges, all these other animals began to return to the area because the ecosystem [they helped build] restored the habitat." Chong explains how the knowledge that these "little rodents can do engineering" inspired him to make them the focal point in the movie, highlighting that even the smallest among us can make a big impact. Diving a little deeper into the research Chong and the team did for Hoppers, he talks about a trip they took to Yellowstone where they immersed themselves in the wild with the animals, just like Mabel will be. "One of the cool things they tell you as you enter Yellowstone is, 'You are now entering the animals' world. This is not your place, so you need to respect it,'" Chong recalls. "It was a really grounding experience for all of us to recontextualize our place." The film's art team also went to Colorado to actually swim in beaver ponds, with the guidance of Emily Fairfax. Ph.D, Assistant Professor of Geography at the University of Minnesota and beaver expert. While there, they took photos and learned everything they could about beaver habitats. Chong laughs, saying, "I'm glad I didn't go because I have a feeling I would not have survived. But they went the extra mile for the research, and I hope it shows in the movie." Regarding Mabel's journey in the movie, Chong teases how she may get a rude awakening when it comes to respecting animals' habitats as well. "That's the thing about the animal world–there's still so much we don't understand. There's so much mystery; and we may not ever understand animal intelligence totally. But that's the fun of the movie–seeing how that all plays out." How the 'Village' Brings Everything to Life While Chong does not have kids, and doesn't profess to understand all that the parenting journey entails, he is a "parent" to this movie. And he draws a very clear connection to both processes needing a village. "Making a movie (especially one at Pixar) is a tough journey," he acknowledges. "It takes a long time, and you're basically iterating the same story over and over and over again [to the point that] you can lose your way and lose perspective so easily." Sound familiar? "The only thing that really helps me survive this process is the support of the people around me," Chong continues. "I felt very luck to have a great team–some of them I've known for quite a long time. Having a support system I can rely on really made it more plausible, so I didn't have to cary the burden of making the movie every day." Chong says he hopes the work this village put in on Hoppers will ultimately shine through next spring. Read the original article on Parents Solve the daily Crossword
