Disney Licenses Ice Age and Percy Jackson to Netflix
Disney has licensed a substantial catalog of its films and television series to Netflix, expanding the reach of titles including the five Ice Age movies and the first two seasons of Percy Jackson and the Olympians, according to Variety.
The Tech TL;DR:
- Disney+ and Hulu retain all existing titles while Disney expands licensing to Netflix’s subscriber base exceeding 325 million users.
- Global rollout begins October 4 with specific three-month promotional windows ahead of upcoming franchise releases.
- Expanded catalog additions span animated features, scripted dramas, and multiyear television licensing agreements.
Global Rollout Schedule for Percy Jackson and Ice Age
Streaming availability shifts on October 4, bringing the first two seasons of Percy Jackson and the Olympians and all five Ice Age films to Netflix globally for a three-month promotional window, variety.com reported. This deployment strategically precedes the November 20 Season 3 premiere of Percy Jackson on Disney+, alongside the theatrical release of Ice Age: Boiling Point scheduled for February 5, 2027. The 20th Century Studios animated library moving to Netflix includes the 2002 original alongside The Meltdown (2006), Dawn of the Dinosaurs (2009), Continental Drift (2012), and Collision Course (2016).
Expanded Licensing Terms for Television and Animation Catalogs
Beyond seasonal promotional windows, the content agreement incorporates multiyear licensing terms for serialized television and library films. Three current series from 20th Television join the platform: Will Trent Seasons 1 through 4 arrive globally on November 3 ahead of the Season 5 ABC premiere in early 2027, while Shifting Gears Seasons 1 and 2 land in the U.S. on December 1 and internationally in January ahead of its Season 3 debut. Additionally, Tracker Seasons 1 through 3 deploy internationally outside the U.S. on February 26, 2027.
Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios films enter the rotation in early 2027, bringing titles such as Soul, Elio, and Raya and the Last Dragon to global subscribers. Library television series including Felicity, Revenge, Army Wives, Fresh Off the Boat, and This Is Us round out the distribution updates across regional markets.
Disney Keeps Licensed Titles on Its Own Platforms
Disney maintains its core distribution architecture by keeping all licensed titles accessible on Disney+ and Hulu, ensuring the expanded Netflix partnership operates strictly as an additive revenue and promotional channel. While Netflix continues heavy investment in original animated and live-action projects—such as KPop Demon Hunters and upcoming features like Steps—the current licensing agreement remains strictly one-directional, with no Netflix original content transitioning over to Disney platforms.
