It's Officially The Start Of A New Era For Netflix Subscribers

Published Oct 8, 2026, 2:00 PM EDT

Cathal Gunning has been writing about movies, television, culture, and politics online and in print since 2017. He worked as a Senior Editor in Adbusters Media Foundation from 2018-2019 and wrote for WhatCulture in early 2020. He has been a Senior Features Writer for ScreenRant since 2020.

The news that Netflix was starting to stream Disney shows was always going to be massive, but the immediate breakout success of one major series proves just how huge this streaming deal could become. Netflix has always been one of the biggest names in the streaming industry, but all the service’s competitors have been trying to catch up with the service for years now.

After Netflix’s Stranger Things proved a massive mainstream success, it was not long before viewers got Prime Video’s Tales from the Loop, Apple TV’s Invasion, and Hulu’s Goosebumps. Similarly, after Jenna Ortega’s Addams Family spinoff Wednesday succeeded, Disney+ responded with the suspiciously similar magic school show Coven Academy. The battle for dominance between streaming services has only intensified over the years, but two industry titans appear to have reached a temporary détente in October 2026.

Netflix and Disney recently announced a deal that would allow Netflix to license Disney+ shows and movies. This deal also means that shows made under the Disney umbrella could be released on Netflix, and the two companies haven’t wasted any time in making the most of this licensing agreement. As if to prove its potential, Percy Jackson & the Olympians immediately jumped to the number 2 spot on Netflix the day the show began streaming on the service.

Netflix Is Now Streaming Disney+ Original Shows

Image courtesy of MovieStillsDb

The announcement of this deal was huge, industry-shaking news. However, as surprising as it might have seemed at this time, taking a look at how successful the strategy has already been within days of implementation is striking. Even though Coven Academy earned 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, the YA supernatural mystery did not immediately become a breakout mainstream crossover hit the way that Wednesday did for Netflix.

In contrast, Disney's existing hit Percy Jackson & the Olympians, which was a massively expensive investment, immediately arrived at Netflix’s number 2 spot worldwide when the show became available on the streaming service. Already, Disney’s decision is paying off with more eyeballs on its content, while Netflix’s choice to license big-budget, high-profile shows made by one of its biggest competitors proves that the streaming service’s selection is only getting bigger in 2026.

This could also prove to be worrying news for the rest of the streaming services that are trying to maintain relevance, and spending a pretty penny to do so, this year. HBO’s Game of Thrones franchise ensures that the streaming service will always have a few major series in its back catalog, but high-profile missteps like 2023’s Scooby-Doo reboot Velma simultaneously show that the streaming service's reputation isn’t bulletproof.

The Netflix Success of Percy Jackson & the Olympians Proves Disney’s Strategy Paid Off

Image courtesy of Everett Collection

Similarly, while Apple TV’s sci-fi masterpieces Foundation and Silo might be critically adored, these shows are hardly as big as massive Netflix and Disney franchises like Percy Jackson & the Olympians or Stranger Things. The streaming service does have the dark sci-fi satire Severance, but it remains to be seen whether any show is relevant and popular enough to keep Disney and Netflix’s competitors afloat as the two streaming giants join forces.

Admittedly, franchises like the Reacher shows and The Boys ensure that Prime Video seems set to take on Netflix and Disney, even if the family-friendly appeal of shows like Percy Jackson & the Olympians and Wednesday make them even bigger mainstream successes. However, services like Peacock might be wise to worry as this licensing agreement threatens to turn Netflix into an even bigger player in the streaming space.

While all of these companies scramble to keep up in the melee, one thing is for certain. For viewers who want to watch big releases like Percy Jackson & the Olympians but struggle with justifying monthly subscriptions to both Netflix and Disney, this new licensing agreement could be a blessing.

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  Walker Scobell

  Percy Jackson

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  Leah Sava Jeffries

  Annabeth Chase