At CES 2026, Disney sent a clear message to the entertainment industry: the future of storytelling is no longer limited to movie theaters, television screens, or even traditional streaming platforms. Instead, it now lives inside the palms of viewers’ hands.
The entertainment giant announced a bold new initiative introducing TikTok-style vertical videos across its digital ecosystem, signaling a major shift in how Disney plans to engage younger, mobile-first audiences. The move reflects changing viewer behavior and positions Disney to compete in the fast-growing world of short-form, scrollable video.
From Marvel and Star Wars to Pixar and Disney classics, the company is preparing to bring its iconic franchises into a format designed for quick, immersive, and highly shareable experiences.
Why Disney Is Embracing Vertical Video Now
Over the past decade, how people consume video has changed dramatically. Smartphones have become the primary screen for millions of users, especially among Gen Z and Gen Alpha. These audiences prefer content that fits their lifestyle—short, fast, visually engaging, and easy to watch on the go.
Vertical video has become the dominant format on platforms like TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts. Users spend hours scrolling through endless streams of bite-sized clips, often consuming more content in minutes than traditional television delivers in an entire evening.
Disney’s leadership understands that if the company wants to remain culturally relevant, it must adapt to this reality.
By launching a vertical video experience, Disney is not abandoning long-form storytelling—it is expanding its reach into the digital spaces where audiences already spend most of their time.
What Disney Announced at CES 2026
Disney’s CES presentation outlined a comprehensive strategy for integrating vertical video into its content ecosystem. The initiative will include:
Short-Form Clips From Major Franchises
Disney plans to release vertical videos drawn from:
- Marvel movies and series
- Star Wars content
- Pixar animations
- Disney animated classics
- ESPN highlights
- Disney Channel originals
These clips may include iconic scenes, character moments, action highlights, musical segments, and emotional story beats.
Original Vertical Content
In addition to repurposed material, Disney will produce new short-form videos created specifically for vertical viewing. These could include:
- Character-focused mini stories
- Creator interviews
- Behind-the-scenes moments
- Interactive challenges
- Fan-driven content
Mobile-Optimized Storytelling
Vertical videos require a different creative approach. Disney is designing content that works in portrait orientation with:
- Fast-paced editing
- Big visual focus
- On-screen captions
- Immediate hooks
This ensures videos are engaging even when watched without sound.
Where Disney’s Vertical Videos Will Appear
Disney is not building a standalone app. Instead, it plans to integrate vertical video across multiple platforms.
Disney+
A new vertical feed is expected inside the Disney+ app, where users can scroll through trending and recommended clips. These videos may appear:
- On the home screen
- In discovery sections
- Before or after full episodes
- As previews for new releases
Social Media
Disney will also distribute vertical clips across TikTok, Instagram, YouTube Shorts, and other social platforms, helping drive traffic back to Disney+ and other Disney services.
Theme Parks and Merchandise
Vertical videos may be used to promote:
- Theme park attractions
- Upcoming movie releases
- Limited-edition merchandise
- Live events
This creates a powerful connection between digital engagement and real-world experiences.
Why Short-Form Video Is So Powerful
Short-form video isn’t just a trend—it’s a new attention economy. Algorithms on social platforms reward content that is watched, shared, and replayed. Vertical videos fit perfectly into this model because they are:
- Quick to consume
- Easy to share
- Highly visual
- Addictive by design
For Disney, this means:
- More brand visibility
- More audience engagement
- More opportunities to promote major releases
A 30-second Marvel clip can now reach millions of viewers who might never watch a full trailer on YouTube.
How Disney Gains an Advantage Over TikTok
While TikTok thrives on user-generated content, Disney brings something different: premium storytelling and iconic characters.
Disney owns some of the most valuable entertainment brands in history:
- Marvel
- Star Wars
- Pixar
- National Geographic
- ESPN
- Disney Animation
A vertical clip featuring Iron Man, Elsa, or Darth Vader carries instant recognition and emotional connection—something most creators can’t match.
This allows Disney to stand out in a sea of casual, user-generated videos.
Targeting Gen Z and Gen Alpha
Young audiences have grown up with smartphones. For them:
- Vertical video is normal
- Long TV episodes feel slow
- Social discovery matters more than TV schedules
Disney’s new strategy directly targets these behaviors.
By delivering fast, entertaining, mobile-friendly Disney content, the company hopes to:
- Keep younger fans engaged
- Introduce franchises to new generations
- Build loyalty that lasts into adulthood
How Vertical Video Supports Disney+
Disney has made it clear that vertical video is meant to complement its streaming service, not replace it.
Short clips act as:
- Trailers for shows and movies
- Highlights that spark curiosity
- Social buzz generators
A fan who sees a powerful Star Wars clip in vertical format is more likely to open Disney+ and watch the full episode.
This creates a discovery funnel from short-form to long-form content.
A New Chapter in Disney’s Digital Evolution
Disney’s move into vertical video represents one of its most important digital shifts since launching Disney+.
The company is recognizing that:
- The future is mobile
- Attention is fragmented
- Discovery is algorithm-driven
By blending its legendary storytelling with modern content formats, Disney is ensuring its characters and stories remain part of daily digital life.
What This Means for the Entertainment Industry
Disney’s announcement will likely push other studios to follow. When the world’s biggest entertainment company embraces vertical video, it signals a permanent change.
Hollywood is no longer competing only with other studios—it is competing with social media platforms for attention.
Vertical video is now a core battleground.
The Future of Disney Storytelling
As 2026 unfolds, Disney’s vertical video strategy could become one of its most powerful growth engines.
If executed well, it will:
- Drive streaming subscriptions
- Boost franchise popularity
- Increase social engagement
- Attract younger audiences
Disney has always been a master of storytelling. Now, it is learning how to tell those stories in the language of the mobile generation.
And in today’s digital world, that may be the most important evolution yet.