Disney continues to face significant challenges with its Disney+ original programming, as expensive scripted series fail to attract meaningful audiences according to Nielsen measurements. Recent weekly and half-year streaming charts show no original Disney+ series cracking the top ranks, with the platform relying heavily on acquired content like the children's series Bluey for any visibility.

Nielsen's first-half 2026 report highlighted Stranger Things on Netflix as the most-streamed title overall, while Bluey placed second but as acquired programming rather than new originals. Disney+ originals have consistently missed the top 10 originals charts in multiple weeks throughout 2026, including high-profile Marvel entries that underperformed relative to their production costs.

The streaming service's original output has drawn criticism for high budgets paired with low engagement. Reports indicate that Disney+ viewing consists overwhelmingly of catalog titles, with new originals accounting for a small fraction of total minutes watched. This pattern has persisted despite substantial investments in Marvel, Star Wars, and other franchises.

Theatrical releases have also shown mixed results, with several projects missing expectations. The live-action Moana remake reportedly lost hundreds of millions, and other titles like Tron: Ares faced commercial disappointments. While some animated and franchise films performed better, the overall creative direction has drawn scrutiny for prioritizing certain messaging over broad audience appeal.

Industry observers note that these trends reflect broader issues at the company, where costly productions struggle to connect with viewers amid competition from more focused streamers. Disney has not released official viewership figures for many originals, leaving Nielsen data as a primary public benchmark.

The combination of theatrical shortfalls and streaming underperformance underscores ongoing financial pressures, even as the company maintains a large content library. Future releases will test whether adjustments can reverse the pattern of expensive projects failing to deliver proportional returns.