Who Owns Pixar?
Pixar is owned by The Walt Disney Company, a publicly traded American multinational entertainment conglomerate. Pixar operates as Disney's computer animation film studio. Disney is headquartered in Burbank, California, USA and trades on NYSE under DIS.
Parent Company
The Walt Disney Company
Acquired
2006
Status
Publicly Traded
Headquarters
Emeryville, California, USA
Who Owns Pixar?
- Parent Company: The Walt Disney Company
- Ownership Type: Wholly owned
- Acquisition Year: 2006
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock Ticker: NYSE: DIS
| Brand | Parent Company | Ownership Type |
|---|---|---|
| Pixar | The Walt Disney Company | Wholly owned |
History of Pixar
- Founded: 1986
- Founders: Edwin Catmull, Alvy Ray Smith, Steve Jobs
- Acquired by The Walt Disney Company: 2006
Pixar was founded in 1986 as the Graphics Group, a division of Lucasfilm. This founding vision demonstrated exceptional insight into the growing demand for media entertainment solutions while establishing a distinctive approach that would define the media entertainment category for generations. The company was spun off and became Pixar Animation Studios in 1986, with Steve Jobs as the majority shareholder. This strategic positioning demonstrated Pixar's exceptional ability to create differentiated media entertainment solutions while maintaining consistent brand positioning and quality standards that would define the brand for decades. Throughout the late 1980s and 1990s, Pixar pioneered computer animation technology and produced groundbreaking short films and visual effects.
Pixar achieved major success with the release of "Toy Story" in 1995, the first feature-length computer-animated film. This period of excellence demonstrated Pixar's exceptional ability to scale operations while maintaining consistent brand positioning and quality standards across multiple media entertainment segments. The film was a critical and commercial success, establishing Pixar as a leader in computer animation. This strategic diversification demonstrated Pixar's exceptional ability to serve multiple consumer segments while maintaining its core brand identity and market leadership in the media entertainment industry. The studio continued to produce acclaimed films including "A Bug's Life," "Toy Story 2," "Monsters, Inc.," and "Finding Nemo."
In 2006, The Walt Disney Company acquired Pixar for $7.4 billion, bringing the animation studio under Disney's ownership. This continued evolution demonstrated Pixar's exceptional ability to maintain market relevance while adapting to changing media entertainment requirements and corporate dynamics. Under Disney ownership, Pixar has continued to produce acclaimed and commercially successful films including "Up," "Inside Out," "Coco," and "Soul," while maintaining its creative independence and reputation for quality animation. This continued excellence demonstrates Pixar's exceptional ability to maintain market leadership while adapting to changing media entertainment dynamics and regulatory requirements. This strategic integration demonstrated Pixar's exceptional ability to integrate into larger media entertainment corporations while maintaining its core brand identity and cultural significance in the animation industry. This continued success represents a significant milestone in the evolution of animation and consumer-focused media entertainment solutions. This strategic partnership demonstrated Pixar's exceptional ability to leverage corporate resources while maintaining its distinct media entertainment identity and market leadership. This continued excellence demonstrates Pixar's exceptional ability to maintain market leadership while adapting to changing media entertainment dynamics and regulatory requirements. This strategic integration demonstrated Pixar's exceptional ability to integrate into larger media entertainment corporations while maintaining its core brand identity and cultural significance in the animation industry. This continued success represents a significant milestone in the evolution of animation and consumer-focused media entertainment solutions. This strategic partnership demonstrated Pixar's exceptional ability to leverage corporate resources while maintaining its distinct media entertainment identity and market leadership. This continued excellence demonstrates Pixar's exceptional ability to maintain market leadership while adapting to changing media entertainment dynamics and regulatory requirements. This strategic integration demonstrated Pixar's exceptional ability to integrate into larger media entertainment corporations while maintaining its core brand identity and cultural significance in the animation industry.
About The Walt Disney Company
Who owns The Walt Disney Company?
Disney is a publicly traded company with no parent company and no controlling shareholder. The company trades on the NYSE under DIS. The largest shareholders are institutional investors including Vanguard and BlackRock, holding shares on behalf of their own clients.
Is Disney publicly traded?
Yes. Disney trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol DIS. The company has been publicly traded since 1957 and is a component of the Dow Jones Industrial Average.
What were Disney's Q1 FY2026 results?
For Q1 fiscal 2026 (quarter ended December 27, 2025), Disney reported revenue of $26.0 billion, up 5% year over year. Streaming revenue was $5.35 billion, up 11%, with streaming earnings up over 50%. Sports segment revenue was $4.91 billion, up 1%.
Does Disney own Marvel and Star Wars?
Yes. Disney acquired Marvel Entertainment in 2009 for $4 billion, gaining the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Disney acquired Lucasfilm in 2012 for $4 billion, gaining the Star Wars and Indiana Jones franchises.
What streaming services does Disney own?
Disney owns Disney+ (flagship streaming service), Hulu (general entertainment streaming, now integrated with Disney+), ESPN+ (sports streaming), and the new ESPN direct-to-consumer streaming platform launched in 2025.
How many Disney theme parks are there?
Disney operates 12 theme parks across three continents: Disneyland and Disney California Adventure in California; Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World in Florida; two parks at Disneyland Paris; Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea in Japan; Hong Kong Disneyland; and Shanghai Disneyland in China.
- Founded: 1923
- Headquarters: Burbank, California, USA
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock: NYSE: DIS
Where Is Pixar Made / Based?
- Headquarters: Emeryville, California, USA
- Manufacturing / Operations: United States, California
Brands Owned by The Walt Disney Company
- Disney+ - American subscription streaming service owned by The Walt Disney Company, provid...
- Disney - American entertainment company and core brand of The Walt Disney Company, known ...
- ESPN - American sports multimedia giant and key driver for Disney's streaming strategy,...
- Hulu - American subscription streaming media service offering on-demand video and live ...
- Lucasfilm - American film and entertainment company owned by The Walt Disney Company, known ...
- Marvel - American entertainment company owned by The Walt Disney Company, known for super...
- National Geographic - American media and entertainment company owned by The Walt Disney Company, known...
Pixar Ownership: Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +Acclaimed computer animation studio with award-winning films
- +Strong reputation for creative excellence and innovation
- +Access to Disney's global distribution network and resources
- +Extensive intellectual property portfolio with beloved characters
- +Backed by Disney's financial resources and technology infrastructure
Considerations
- -Competition from other animation studios and streaming platforms
- -High production costs for computer-animated films
- -Pressure to maintain creative quality while meeting commercial expectations
- -Dependence on hit-driven success and franchise performance
- -Balance between artistic vision and commercial viability
Frequently Asked Questions About Pixar
Where to Buy
Disclosure: We may earn commission from purchasesCompetitors to Pixar
These competing brands operate in the same categories and provide similar products or services. Compare key attributes to understand market positioning and competitive landscape.
| Brand | Parent Company | Country | Founded | Market Position | Primary Market | Gender Target |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Itv | United Kingdom | 2017 | Mass Market | Global | Male | |
| Warner Bros Discovery | USA | 2020 | Mass Market | North America | All Genders | |
| Warner Bros Discovery | USA | 2020 | Mass Market | North America | All Genders | |
| Paramount Global | USA | 2021 | Mass Market | North America | All Genders | |
| Amazon | USA | 2006 | Mass Market | North America | All Genders | |
| Apple | USA | 2007 | Mass Market | North America | All Genders |
Learn More About Competitors

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HBO Max
Owned by Warner Bros. Discovery
American subscription video on-demand streaming service offering content from HBO, Warner Bros, and other Warner Bros Discovery properties.

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Owned by Warner Bros. Discovery
American subscription video on-demand streaming service offering content from HBO, Discovery, Warner Bros., and other Warner Bros. Discovery properties.

Paramount+
Owned by Paramount Global
American subscription video on-demand streaming service offering content from Paramount Global's extensive library including Paramount Pictures, CBS, MTV, and Nickelodeon.

Prime Video
Owned by Amazon.com Inc.
Subscription-based video streaming service offering movies, TV shows, and original content as part of Amazon Prime membership.

Apple TV
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Digital media player and streaming service developed by Apple Inc., offering access to movies, TV shows, and original content through Apple TV+ and other streaming apps.
Competitive Analysis
Market Positioning: Pixar competes with 6 brands in the same categories, ranging from mass market to luxury positioning.
Geographic Distribution: Competitors are headquartered across multiple regions, indicating global competition in this market segment.
Brand Heritage: Competitor brands range from established heritage brands to newer market entrants, with founding years spanning several decades.
The Walt Disney Company Stock Information
Jobs at The Walt Disney Company
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