Disney triples creation of local films and series at international level

“ O that we want to tell stories to the local audiences and be hyperlocal ", said the responsible, in a panel for the international press at the start of the D23. “And we will increase this significantly.”. 

Schrier revealed that the brand produces originals in 17 markets and this year the production will be 60 to 70 films and series, something that will increase greatly.

“ We will triple the programming for the next three years”, he said. “Having more local content consistently will not only involve local users, but also make them return more often to consume other content.”. 

The reinforcement of investment comes in pursuit of various international successes, including the series spoken in Portuguese “Love of My Life” (Brazil). The second season will premiere in October following a debut that reached popularity in several markets in 2024. 

“ Telling stories is something really global and is connecting global audiences,” said Eric Schrier. “I never thought Korean content would work so well in Brazil,” he exemplified.

Several non-English content are reaching other markets and this has led Disney to strengthen the strategy. 

The company has four regions of international content production, which are divided into the EMEA (Europe, the Middle East and Africa), where Portugal is integrated, Latin America, Asia-Pacific and Canada & Australia. 

These regions depend on local experts, as Eric Schrier's team in Burbank, California, has no specific knowledge of markets such as Poland, Spain or Portugal. “What we do is we support local storytellers,” he stressed. 

In addition to these films and series, Disney is also looking for creativity outside the traditional industry. 

“ Content creation is an area that we will also grow internationally,” Schrier explained. “We are looking for creators in these markets not only for short-term content, but also for longer formats,” he added. 

Among the new local content that will be released soon includes the documentary on the return of the British band Oasis, “Don’t Look Back in Anger”, which has the premiere scheduled for September 11 in the theaters and later will go to Disney+. 

Also in Europe, there will be the French comedy “Surveillant!”, which Schrier described as a kind of “The Office” but centered on prison officials. It's opening at Disney+ on September 16th. 

Another novelty is the South Korean series “The Remarried Empress”, which intends to continue the success of the programming from the country, worldwide: Schrier said the most successful international series this year was the South Korean “Perfect Crown”, released in April. 

The executive also mentioned “Rivais”, the English series whose action takes place in the eighties and which already has green light for the third season. 

The D23 Expo is the event that brings together the biggest Disney fans in the world and happens every two years. The 2026 edition takes place in Anaheim, Southern California, until Sunday, August 16.