Netflix’s Animation division had a big 2022, winning a best animated feature award for Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio among other plaudits. But now the division is facing some big cutbacks, making it the latest animation department to face layoffs and cancellations.
Variety reports that two movies are being shut down as Netflix seeks to downsize the division. They include the prveviously unannounced Escape from Beverly Hills, which will return to the open market, and Tunga, a film based on Zimbabwe’s Shona culture that will return to development.
The cuts are part of an overall move to downsize the division, though Netflix is reportedly still committed to a “robust slate,” according to Variety’s report. The downsizing is expected to include layoffs in the “coming weeks” as the streamer seeks to hand work to our external producers. A final headcount has not been revealed.
Netflix isn’t the only studio to cut back its animation plans. Layoffs and cancellations have sparked concern across the animation industry, further fueled by worries about AI technology. Warner Bros. and Dreamworks are among the studio to cut back on animation in recent years. Despite the cutbacks, animation continues to enjoy success in areas like adult animation and anime.
The cutbacks follow the news that Netflix is saving Star Trek: Prodigy, which had been canceled in a reversal from its second-season renewal on Paramount+. Netflix is also planning to release Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget, which is slated for October 14.
In our recent review of Netflix we wrote, “While it is the original, Netflix is struggling to hold on to its crown as the best streamer around. It still has a great library and enjoyable originals that represent some of the most popular TV shows around. But the rising prices, content churn, and struggles with the UI put Netflix in our Great category rather than our Excellent one. All of that said, Netflix still offers great entertainment, and for many is likely their go-to platform – which is understandable, because without Netflix, the streaming landscape that we’re reviewing wouldn’t exist at all.”
Check out the rest of our in-depth coverage of the streaming landscape as part of our recent State of Streaming series.
Kat Bailey is IGN’s News Director as well as co-host of Nintendo Voice Chat. Have a tip? Send her a DM at @the_katbot.
