Netflix Strikes Unexpected Deal With Disney+ — 17 Movies and Shows Crossing the Streaming Divide

In a surprising move that crosses the traditional streaming divide, Netflix and Disney+ have announced an expansive content licensing agreement. This unexpected partnership will bring a curated selection of 17 Disney movies and shows to Netflix, reshaping the current streaming landscape between now and early 2027.

The Streaming Divide Crossed

While Disney+ and Netflix are fierce competitors in the monthly subscription battle—with Disney boasting roughly 130 million subscribers and Netflix leading with 325 million paying accounts—the two entertainment giants have forged a strategic alliance. According to reports from Variety, Disney Entertainment and Netflix have entered into an expansive new content licensing agreement that brings an eclectic mix of library titles and current-season TV shows to Netflix for varying periods of time.

However, subscribers should not expect the entire Disney+ library to migrate. Core crown jewels like Marvel and Star Wars series remain strictly on Disney+, and the Disney+ service itself is completely unaffected, with all licensed shows and movies remaining available on the platform.

What’s Coming to Netflix: Movies and Shows

The rollout has already begun. Over the first weekend of October 2026, the first two seasons of the Disney+ original series Percy Jackson and the Olympians debuted on Netflix. Simultaneously, all five Ice Age movies distributed by 20th Century Studios were added to the platform.

Over the remainder of 2026 and into 2027, the lineup features a mix of library classics and upcoming franchise tie-ins:

Disney+ Movies Coming to Netflix:

• Ice Age (2002) - Streaming now
• Ice Age: The Meltdown (2006) - Streaming now
• Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs (2009) - Streaming now
• Ice Age: Continental Drift (2012) - Streaming now
• Ice Age: Collision Course (2016) - Streaming now
• Soul (2020) - Streaming in 2027
• Elio (2025) - Streaming in 2027
• Raya and the Last Dragon (2021) - Streaming in 2027

Disney Shows Coming to Netflix:

• Percy Jackson and the Olympians (Seasons 1-2) - Streaming now
• Felicity (Seasons 1-4) - Streaming October 7
• Will Trent (Seasons 1-4) - Streaming November 3
• Shifting Gears (Seasons 1-2) - Streaming December 1
• Tracker (Seasons 1-3) - Streaming February 26
• Additional completed series such as Revenge, Army Wives, Fresh Off the Boat, and This Is Us are slated for rollout at unspecified dates.

Why Disney Is Playing Nice with Netflix

At first glance, it might seem counterintuitive for Disney to supply content to its biggest competitor. However, a closer look reveals a calculated strategy. Disney is primarily offering ongoing shows with new seasons in the pipeline or movies tied to active theatrical franchises.

For example, the third season of Percy Jackson and the Olympians premieres on Disney+ on November 20. The first two seasons landing on Netflix act as a massive teaser, designed to hook mainstream viewers and drive them to subscribe to Disney+ to watch the continuation.

Similarly, with Ice Age: Boiling Point slated for a theatrical release in February 2027, introducing the franchise to Netflix's massive audience primes a new generation of young viewers. Meanwhile, back-catalog titles and standalone movies like Pixar's Soul and Elio allow Disney to maximize revenue through lucrative licensing fees.

Ultimately, this unexpected partnership proves to be a win-win: Netflix enriches its content library for its massive subscriber base, while Disney successfully promotes its ongoing franchises and monetizes its extensive back catalog.