May 18, 2025 By Kelly Walker
Disney is one of the most recognizable companies in the world and has come to symbolize childhood, adventure, and dreams. However, many people don't know that Disney's reach extends far beyond its iconic movies, theme parks, and characters—in fact, they have their hands in a huge variety of different businesses.
In this blog post, we will uncover all of the companies owned by Disney, from media and film production corporations to sports teams and cruise lines! So buckle up for an epic journey through all things Disney-owned as we explore each unique business ventured into by The House of Mouse.
Disney is one of the most iconic and recognizable companies in the world. It has come to symbolize childhood, adventure, dreams, and more.
Many people are familiar with Disney movies, theme parks, and beloved characters, but there is so much more to this entertainment giant!
Many people need to learn that Disney has its hands in various businesses. From media and film production corporations to sports teams and cruise lines, the reach of Disney extends far beyond its classic movies and theme parks.
In this blog post, we will dive deep into the different companies owned by Disney. From Marvel Studios to ESPN and everything in between, let's take an epic journey through all things Disney-owned!
Disney is a truly massive company, with many subsidiaries and affiliates. It all started in 1923 with Disney Brothers Studio (later known as The Walt Disney Company), but since then, the empire has grown to include some of the biggest names in media and entertainment.
In this blog post, we will look at some of the major companies that Disney has acquired over the years and how they are integrated into its portfolio.
From media and film production to sports teams, theme parks, and cruise lines, here is an overview of the major companies that are now part of The House of Mouse.
Pixar Animation Studios was founded in 1986 and acquired by Disney in 2006. They are most well-known for creating popular animated movies such as Toy Story, Finding Nemo, The Incredibles, and Monsters Inc.
Pixar has since become one of Hollywood's most successful and profitable film studios in Hollywood with their films grossing over $5 billion at the global box office.
Pixar is also a leader in technological advances in animation, making them an invaluable asset to Disney’s entertainment empire.
The American Broadcasting Company (ABC) was founded in 1943 and quickly became one of the most popular television networks in the US. In 1995, Disney purchased a major stake in ABC and eventually acquired full ownership rights in 1996.
The network is home to many popular shows such as Grey's Anatomy, Modern Family, The Bachelor, and Dancing with the Stars. ABC also runs a successful daytime talk show, The View, which has been on air since 1997.
ABC is one of Disney’s most important media assets, giving them a huge reach in television and helping promote its films, shows, and other products.
The Entertainment and Sports Programming Network (ESPN) was founded in 1979 and acquired by Disney in 1996. ESPN is now the world's largest sports media company, boasting a portfolio of over 60 channels worldwide and broadcasting to more than 200 countries in 21 languages.
ESPN is home to some of the biggest names in sports, including SportsCenter (the world's most popular sports news show), College Gameday, and Monday Night Football.
As one of Disney’s largest investments, ESPN helps to promote its other subsidiaries, such as ABC Network and Disney+, while giving them a huge foothold in the sports world.
Marvel Comics was founded in 1939 and acquired by Disney in 2009. Since then, they have become one of the most successful movie franchises in history with the release of films like The Avengers, Iron Man, Captain America, and Black Panther.
They are also behind many popular television shows, such as Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D and Daredevil, as well as several video games and comic books.
Marvel has become an integral part of Disney’s portfolio. Its popular characters promote other products, such as theme parks and merchandise, while bringing in huge profits for the company.
Lucasfilm was founded in 1971 and acquired by Disney in 2012. They are most famous for creating the renowned Star Wars universe, which has become one of the biggest franchises in history, with films, video games, books, and TV shows all based on characters and storylines.
As well as Star Wars, Lucasfilm also created the Indiana Jones series and is behind some of the most successful animated films, such as The Land Before Time and The Brave Little Toaster.
Lucasfilm is an incredibly valuable asset to Disney, providing them with a huge library of characters and storylines to draw from for future projects. Not only that, but it also helps to strengthen Disney’s foothold in the sci-fi/fantasy genre, which is incredibly popular with audiences.
The Muppets Studio was founded in 1979 and acquired by Disney in 2004. It is home to some of the most beloved characters in pop culture, including Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, and Fozzie Bear.
The studio produces films, TV shows, and other media featuring these characters and licensing out their image to promote merchandise and other products.
The Muppets Studio has become an integral part of Disney’s brand identity, with its beloved characters helping promote other Disney products while bringing lighthearted fun and whimsy to the company.
Pixar Animation Studios was founded in 1986 and acquired by Disney in 2006.
The studio has become one of the most successful animation companies in history, producing some of the most beloved films, such as Toy Story, Finding Nemo, and Up. Pixar also produces TV shows, video games, and other media based on their characters and stories.
Pixar has become an invaluable asset to Disney, providing them with award-winning animated films that have helped boost their overall portfolio while bringing in huge profits.
Pixar’s films are also often used to help promote other products and services related to Disney, such as theme parks or merchandise.
Yes, Disney owns the Star Wars franchise. After acquiring Lucasfilm in 2012, Disney produced and distributed two new films: The Force Awakens (2015) and The Last Jedi (2017).
In addition to these movies, Disney also owns an enormous library of Star Wars spin-off content such as books, video games, television shows, and theme park attractions.
The company sold to Disney for $4 billion was Pixar Animation Studios. Founded by computer scientist and entrepreneur Steve Jobs, Pixar is responsible for producing some of the most beloved animated films in history, such as Toy Story, Monsters Inc., Finding Nemo, and many more.
With the purchase of Pixar, Disney gained access to an impressive library of feature-length films and countless awards. Pixar has since become one of the most successful divisions within Disney, raking in billions of dollars every year.
In addition to Lucasfilm and Pixar, Disney owns several other businesses, including Marvel Entertainment, ESPN Networks, ABC Television Group, A&E Networks, Hulu, and various other media-related companies.
Disney also owns several theme parks, cruise lines, resorts worldwide, and retail stores such as The Disney Store. Finally, they also own two professional sports teams: the NBA's Orlando Magic and the NHL's Anaheim Ducks.
Disney is a company that transcends far beyond the imagination. With its incredible reach spanning media and film production to sports teams and cruise lines, the House of Mouse has something for everyone.
So whether you’re an avid theme park fan or just looking to explore something new, there’s no shortage of amazing opportunities available when it comes to experiencing all that Disney has to offer!
The possibilities are endless, from investing in stocks and shares to visiting a theme park. So what are you waiting for? Get out there and explore something new today with Disney!