Disney’s Expanding Empire: 10 Things It Owns or Essentially Runs

Disney’s influence goes far beyond its iconic movies and theme parks. Over the years, the company has built a vast empire by acquiring or controlling a range of businesses across entertainment, media, and consumer markets. From beloved film studios and TV networks to streaming services, merchandise lines, and even sports broadcasting, Disney’s reach touches nearly every corner of popular culture. This list reveals 10 surprising companies and brands that Disney fully owns or essentially runs worldwide.

From superhero blockbusters to primetime football, Disney’s gradual march toward global dominance is no longer a far-fetched idea, it’s unfolding like a calculated corporate blueprint.

Its deepening ties with the NFL might have seemed like just another broadcasting agreement, but that’s not the full story. Instead of simply renewing Monday Night Football for another decade or picking up a few postseason games, Disney also secured an ownership slice of the league itself. That’s a leap from being a media vendor to becoming part of the decision-making circle.

Really, is this surprising? This is Disney, a company that has spent decades quietly, and sometimes boldly, collecting the cultural, sporting, and storytelling assets that shape popular life. What began with a cartoon mouse now resembles a vast empire, wrapped in themed snacks and backed by billion-dollar development projects.

Here’s what’s already under Disney’s control, influence, or significant investment.

The NFL connection isn’t total ownership, but it’s substantial. In 2025, Disney became the sole entertainment company with a 10% stake in the NFL’s new streaming platform. ESPN will exclusively operate the league’s direct-to-consumer service starting in 2026, securing a long-term, influential position.

ESPN began as a wholly owned Disney property, but its role has grown more ambitious. Rights agreements, sports betting integrations, a subscriber base of 24 million for ESPN+, and the NFL partnership have cemented its place as the centerpiece of Disney’s sports ambitions and a potential streaming powerhouse in its own right. Marvel, bought in 2009 for $4 billion, has since transformed into Disney’s most prolific storytelling and merchandise engine. The Marvel Cinematic Universe now spans dozens of films, streaming series, theme park attractions, and even cruise experiences, making the purchase a masterclass in content expansion.

Lucasfilm, acquired in 2012 for another $4 billion, brought Star Wars, Indiana Jones, and an entire galaxy of stories into Disney’s fold. The payoff has been a revitalized franchise, hit spin-offs like The Mandalorian, immersive park lands, and dedicated hotel experiences. Pixar joined the Disney family in 2006, already a powerhouse of animation. Since then, it has delivered critical and commercial hits like Inside Out 2, Coco, and Toy Story sequels, securing its place as a pillar of Disney’s multigenerational appeal.

The 2019 $71 billion acquisition of 20th Century Studios gave Disney control over franchises like Avatar, Deadpool, The Simpsons, and Alien. It significantly expanded Disney’s library and temporarily solidified its box office dominance. Hulu is now entirely owned by Disney after the 2023 purchase of Comcast’s remaining share. The platform is being integrated more closely with Disney+, offering adult-oriented programming, live TV, and a broader subscription base. ational Geographic, part of the Fox deal, strengthens Disney’s documentary and exploration credentials. It’s a respected brand that now fuels content across streaming platforms and cross-promotions, including links to Avatar.

ABC and FX extend Disney’s reach into network and cable television. ABC offers national news, live events, and mainstream programming, while FX delivers critically acclaimed, edgier series like The Bear and Fargo. On the experiential front, Disney operates 12 theme parks in four countries, with more underway, including the first Middle East resort in Abu Dhabi, announced for 2025. The company is investing $60 billion over a decade in parks, cruises, and immersive themed lands.

Of course, the company’s size and influence have sparked scrutiny. Yet Disney continues to weave itself into nearly every aspect of entertainment, from childhood classics to sports broadcasts to the shows recommended on your streaming apps. This is less about corporate synergy and more about cultural saturation.

At this point, it’s fair to say, it’s Disney’s world, and we’re all living in it.

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Source: thedrum‍