Pixar Animation Studios Reportedly Headed for Layoffs in 2024 Due to Overstaffing

Brit Tuttle

Pixar Animation Studios Reportedly Headed for Layoffs in 2024 Due to Overstaffing

A new report from Reuters claims that Pixar Animation Studios is set to cut jobs this year, as the studio has more staffing than needed after production has been completed on some shows.

Pixar Reportedly Poised to Cut Staffing This Year

A scene from Pixar's "Toy Story 3," in which an adult Andy is holding his Buzz Lightyear and Woody toys.
Image Source: IMDB

While a report from TechCrunch claims that Pixar was set to lay off as high as 20 percent of their workforce this year, a source close to Reuters disputes that claim, stating that Pixar had not yet determined how many would lose their jobs, and that the layoffs were “not imminent.” The source did not share an estimate of how many jobs the studio expects to cut, but that the cuts would “not impact Pixar’s theatrical output.”

Pixar’s campus is based in Emeryville, California, and hired new staff to complete the production of a series for streaming. Now that production is reportedly complete, the studio has more staff than needed.

A promotional screengrab from the upcoming Pixar animated series, "Win or Lose."

It’s possible that this series in question is “Win or Lose,” a long-form animated series from Pixar that would mark its first foray into television. The series was reportedly delayed to 2024 back in November of last year.

Disney did not immediately return Reuters’ request for comment.

Disney CEO Bob Iger has previously said that one of the “four key building opportunities” that will be central to the company’s success is “achieving significant and sustained profitability in our streaming business.”

Per Reuters, the studio cut 75 roles in June 2023, including two executives behind “Lightyear.” This was reportedly its first significant job cuts in 10 years.

Pixar Animation Studios was purchased by The Walt Disney Company in 2006. Since its inception, the studio has produced 27 feature films, the most recent being “Elemental.” The studio’s films that premiered directly on Disney+ as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic — “Soul,” “Luca,” and “Turning Red” — will get a second chance at a theatrical run this year.

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