Disney
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Disney

Disney
Disney
The Walt Disney Co was founded by Walter Disney, who is best known for creating such cartoon characters as Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck and for pioneering theme parks. The group has theme parks in the US, Europe, Japan, China and Hong Kong.
Mickey and Minnie perform during Disney on Ice, which is returning to Hong Kong at Kai Tak Arena. Photo: courtesy Disney on Ice
Your Perfect Week

Our cheat sheet for what to do in Hong Kong, January 11-17

Disney on Ice skates into town, the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon takes over, and Cristal Room hosts a star Beijing chef.

United States

Warner Bros prefers Netflix, snubs Paramount’s updated takeover bid

American cinema

Hollywood in 2026: what to expect, from movies and China focus to ‘Dunesday’

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Horoscopes

Horoscopes: what’s your luck like in January 2026, Earth Ox month?

It’s going to be smooth sailing for the Dragon, Horse and Dog, but those under the Ox sign need to be careful while on the road.

The Chinese zodiac is comprised of 12 animals. Illustration: SCMP Graphics
India

Netflix-Warner deal sparks concern in India’s entertainment sector

Films in Indian cinemas could be screened for a shorter period before they move to Netflix’s streaming platform, an association warns.

Robotics

How a Chinese start-up is scaling 3D printing from sneakers to robots

Materials expert Wang Wenbin founded PollyPolymer in 2017 and developed a mature 3D-printing technology for footwear two years later.

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United States

Paramount vs Netflix: Ellison guarantees US$40 billion for son’s Warner Bros bid

Pledge from Oracle’s co-founder is designed to quell financing fears as Paramount fights Netflix for control of Warner Bros Discovery assets.

Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison has agreed to personally guarantee US$40.4 billion in equity financing for Paramount’s US$108.4 billion bid for Warner Bros. Photo: TNS
Taylor Swift

All about the Taylor Swift-approved book, The God of the Woods by Liz Moore

In an episode of her new Disney+ docuseries, Swift listened to this Barack Obama-recommended book by Liz Moore – now it’s coming to Netflix.

Fame and celebrity

Oscars will move to YouTube in 2029, leaving US network ABC

Landmark deal with Google’s video giant ends a 50-year TV broadcast era and takes Hollywood’s biggest night fully online.

Fame and celebrity

Meet Malachi Barton, the second most Googled actor in the US in 2025

Barton was most recently in Disney’s Zombies 4: Dawn of the Vampires, is set to star in the Jonas Brothers’ Camp Rock 3 – and he’s BFFs with Ariana Greenblatt.

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Malachi Barton modelling for his clothing brand J1:9. Photo: @MalachiDBarton/Instagram
Fame and celebrity

Dick Van Dyke turns 100: 5 things to know about the Mary Poppins star

We look back on what the actor – best known as chimney sweep Bert in Mary Poppins – has said about Walt Disney, James Bond and the key to ageing gracefully.

Dick Van Dyke has written the book 100 Rules for Living to 100: An Optimist’s Guide to a Happy Life. Photo: @paradigmtalentagency/Instagram
United States

Paramount counters Netflix with US$108 billion hostile bid for Warner Bros

Paramount’s offer came days after Netflix won a weeks-long bidding war to acquire Hollywood giant Warner Bros Discovery.

Japan

One-Punch Man and the human cost of Japan and South Korea’s soft power

Behind the multibillion-dollar export boom lies a hidden crisis of low wages, 60-hour work weeks and unliveable pressure on invisible staff.

United States

Netflix’s US$72 billion Warner Bros deal to reshape streaming landscape

Netflix’s acquisition gives it control of HBO Max, Harry Potter, and Game of Thrones, reshaping Hollywood and raising antitrust concerns.

Netflix is set to acquire Warner Bros Discoveryin a bold move set to redefine global entertainment. Photo: Shutterstock
American cinema

Review | Zootopia 2: Disney’s formulaic sequel delights with visual wit

Full of puns, visual gags and a song written by Shakira and Ed Sheeran seemingly on constant play, Zootopia 2 is a fun if predictable watch.

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Nick Wilde (left, voiced by Jason Bateman) and Judy Hopps (Ginnifer Goodwin) in a still from Zootopia 2 (category I), directed by Jared Bush and Byron Howard. Photo: Disney
China's economic recovery

Why China’s film industry is banking on Zootopia 2 being a smash hit

After a tough few months, Chinese cinemas are hoping that a string of imported animated releases can offer some relief.

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Fame and celebrity

Who is Corey Fogelmanis, the former Disney star in I Wish You All the Best?

The 26-year-old LGBTQ actor starred in Girl Meets World with Sabrina Carpenter and is BFFs with Conan Gray – so what else has he been in?

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TV shows and streaming video

As Disney and Fox bet on micro dramas, what are they and why are they a hit?

They’re short, theatrical and shot ‘vertically’ for smartphones like TikTok videos. Micro dramas are on the rise – and Hollywood is watching.

A crew member watches a screen during the filming of a micro drama in Burbank, California. The emerging format is cheaper to produce than traditional dramas and movies, and is beginning to attract investment from big players. Photo: Los Angeles Times/TNS
TV shows and streaming video

K-dramas, anime and more to come from Disney+ in the year ahead

Disney+‘s bold 2026 line-up, revealed at Hong Kong Disneyland, features a host of new and returning K-dramas, anime hits, reality shows and more.

American cinema

How Unbreakable redefined the superhero movie 25 years ago

Unbreakable, starring Bruce Willis and Samuel L. Jackson, was not a hit at the box office upon release, but is now considered a masterpiece.

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Asian cinema

Can’t get enough of Another World? 10 animated films set in the afterlife

If you liked Another World, you will love these 10 afterlife animations, with subjects from rabbits and dogs to a pianist and a corpse bride.

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A screen grab from Soul, starring Jamie Foxx and Tina Fey, one of 10 animated films focusing on the afterlife. Photo: Disney/Pixar
Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong Disneyland Resort appoints operations veteran Tim Sypko as new head

Sypko, senior vice-president of operations for the past five years, will take the helm on November 23, following Michael Moriarty’s promotion.

Hong Kong Disneyland’s senior vice-president of operations Tim Sypko will be appointed president and managing director, effective January 2026. Photo: Jonathan Wong
Netflix

KPop Demon Hunters headed to toy stores as Netflix taps Mattel, Hasbro

Streamer bets its most-watched original film and smaller, non-franchise movies can scale into lucrative intellectual property.

International Cricket Council

Indian cricket league’s valuation shrinks for second year in a row

Drop in value of Indian Premier League by almost 11 per cent in 2025 due to ‘twin shocks’, says report by consulting firm.

Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong Disneyland seeks new head after Michael Moriarty assumes global role

‘We are now preparing for Michael Moriarty’s transition and plan to announce his successor in the near future,’ park says.

Hong Kong Disneyland Resort head Michael Moriarty has been appointed executive vice-president and chief financial officer for Disney Experiences. Photo: Handout
Obituaries

British author Jilly Cooper, famous for novels of sex and snobbery, dies at 88

Cooper’s raunchy bestsellers include Riders and Rivals, which was adapted into a Disney+ series last year.

British author Jilly Cooper at The Queen’s Reading Room Festival, a literary event celebrating the power and benefits of reading. Cooper has died at the age of 88. Photo: Lucy Ray Media Assignments / PA Wire / dpa
Pop Mart

A Labubu theme park? How Pop Mart is looking to build on the toy’s success

Pop Mart is learning from Disney’s ability to operate IP over the long term and aims to capitalise on Labubu’s popularity, an executive says.

Selena Gomez

Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco’s fairy tale wedding

The actress wed her musician partner this past weekend – and it was a star-studded affair with guests including Paul Rudd, Paris Hilton, SZA and Cara Delevingne.

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