Disney+ is heading into January 2026 with a change that many subscribers won’t see coming until it’s already underway. The platform is preparing to slim down its library in a noticeable way, and this isn’t about one or two forgotten titles quietly vanishing overnight. A sizable wave of content is set to leave shortly after the new year begins, reshaping what viewers see when they open the app.
That shift feels jarring precisely because Disney+ has become such a default option. It’s the service people open without hesitation, whether they’re revisiting an old favorite or checking out something new. When that sense of permanence starts to crack, it naturally raises questions about what’s changing and why now.
Before breaking down what’s leaving, it’s worth looking at how Disney+ built this sense of reliability in the first place.
How Disney+ Became an All-in-One Destination
From the beginning, Disney+ worked to feel bigger than a single-brand streamer. It blended Disney+ originals with massive franchises like Marvel and Star Wars, while bundled subscribers could also watch Hulu and ESPN content directly inside the same app. Over time, those boundaries blurred.
That blended experience made the platform feel “safe.” Animated classics, family-friendly series, superhero stories, and even more adult-leaning Hulu titles appeared side by side. Without obvious distinctions, many viewers assumed availability was long-term. Once something showed up on Disney+, it felt like it would stay.
January 2026 disrupts that assumption, as a group of Hulu titles currently viewable through Disney+ is scheduled to disappear.
Holiday Movies Exit First
The changes begin early in the month with the removal of several holiday-themed films. Titles like All I Want For Christmas (2022), Christmas on Repeat (2022), Menorah In The Middle (2022), My Christmas Fiancé (2022), and Santa Games (2022) all leave at once.
While none of these films dominated pop culture, they quietly filled seasonal watchlists year after year. Their departure sends a clear message: even relatively recent holiday releases aren’t guaranteed long-term placement.
Early January Keeps the Momentum Going
A few days later, the removals continue. House of Darkness (2022) exits on January 6, followed by True Things (2021) on January 7. These titles helped flesh out the platform’s more mature side, offering something different from Disney’s traditional family focus.
By spacing removals across multiple days, the platform reinforces that this is an intentional, ongoing reduction rather than a single cleanup.
Mid-Month Losses Add Variety
The middle of January brings a different tone. On January 11, Riotsville, USA (2022) leaves the service, taking a well-regarded documentary out of the nonfiction mix. Later, on January 20, Dig (2022) and The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry (2022) depart together.
For viewers who gravitate toward quieter, character-driven stories, A.J. Fikry’s exit may hit hardest, especially for those who discovered it late.
Horror Titles Close Out the Month
As January winds down, darker content continues to rotate out. Jeepers Creepers: Reborn (2022) exits on January 26, followed by The Inhabitant (2022) on January 29. The month wraps up with Aileen Wuornos: American Boogeywoman (2021), leaving on January 31.
By the end of the month, the cumulative impact becomes hard to ignore.
New Additions Balance the Losses
Even with these removals, Disney+ isn’t slowing down on new content. January brings the arrival of the Indiana Jones collection starring Harrison Ford, along with new episodes of Marvel’s Spidey and His Amazing Friends (Season 4).
The platform also continues rolling out episodes of Percy Jackson and the Olympians (Season 2), adds new installments of Phineas and Ferb (Season 5), and welcomes Venom: Let There Be Carnage (2021) alongside the debut of Wonder Man (2026).
Why This Moment Matters
Together, these changes signal a shift in how Disney+ manages availability. Titles now move more fluidly, even ones that haven’t been around long.
January 2026 doesn’t mean Disney+ is shrinking. It means the rules are changing, and viewers may need to watch sooner rather than later.
you are an unprofessional and awful person. I’m going to be reporting your article to the major searches as misinformation. shame on you. you know what you were doing
Hello! Would you please clarify what you mean? I would like to know what’s incorrect
This was the must ridiculous article
Ai
Oh look, Disney is removing a underwhelming amount of uninteresting garbage – time to write an article.
How is 12 things a “huge-scale” content purge.
This is why Disney+ is so disappointing and I cancel every few months. I thought Disney was going to finally open up the vault and put everything online. But no, they have this small curated library they keep changing. Why? Its all digital. Just throw it on a server.
How much did Disney pay you to write this article to try and make them seem relevant anymore?
Oh yes, these are certainly large scale 😐😐
Nice slam piece. How about “Disney+ Set to Remove a Few Unpopular Titles in Favor of Those with Much Greater Demand”… There, I fixed it for you… Get a real job.