Disney+ is launching vertical movies this yr

Disney+ will add vertical movies to its service within the US someday this yr, in hopes that they’ll entice viewers to interact with its app daily. The corporate has made the announcement at its Tech + Information Showcase occasion at CES 2026. Disney first dabbled in vertical content material with Verts, which launched for the ESPN app in August 2025, giving it the perception it wanted on how its customers reply to the video format.

Erin Teague, Disney Leisure’s EVP of Product Administration, advised Deadline that the corporate will use the format for all types of content material. The service isn’t simply planning to make use of it as a automobile for film and sequence teasers, but additionally for unique short-form programming. She didn’t say what sorts of unique programming Disney+ will probably be including as vertical movies to its app, however vertical micro-dramas have develop into extremely well-liked over the previous yr.

“We’re clearly interested by integrating vertical video in methods which are native to core consumer behaviors,” Teague stated. “So, it received’t be a sort of a disjointed, random expertise.” The corporate is focusing on Gen Z and Gen Alpha customers, particularly, since they’re not inclined to sit down and watch long-form content material on their telephones for hours. Disney stated in an announcement that the expertise will “evolve because it expands throughout information and leisure” and will probably be customized for customers, with making the service “a must-visit every day vacation spot” as its aim. In spite of everything, if a consumer is already within the app, they’re extra prone to discover and watch the service’s programming.