Pixar is eliminating 108 positions, with most affected employees expected to depart by September 26. The layoffs, part of a broader restructuring at The Walt Disney Company, have drawn significant attention online due to the official letterhead used for the notices.
The stationery featured Pixar branding with Mrs. Incredible, also known as Elastigirl from "The Incredibles," replacing the "i" in the studio's logo. Social media users widely criticized the choice as tone-deaf, especially given that the film "The Incredibles" begins with the protagonist being fired from his office job.
![Pixar letterhead dated July 21, 2026, announcing "Workforce Reductions" to various California officials.]( "Pixar letterhead dated July 21, 2026, announcing "Workforce Reductions" to various California officials.")
A spokesperson for Disney stated that the reductions are part of the company's ongoing efforts to "continually evaluate how we manage resources and reinvest across the company as our industry continues to evolve." These changes are occurring as part of Disney's "One Disney" strategy, aimed at streamlining operations and adapting to industry shifts.
The timing of the layoffs has also been noted, occurring shortly after Pixar's recent box office success with "Toy Story 5," which has earned approximately $957 million globally. However, industry reports suggest that not all recent Pixar releases have met financial expectations. Some layoffs are reportedly linked to the performance of "Hoppers," which, despite positive reviews and a worldwide gross of nearly $390 million against a $150 million budget, fell short of anticipated profits. The film "Elio" also struggled commercially, earning about $154 million worldwide against an estimated $200 million production budget.
This marks Disney's third round of company-wide layoffs this year. In April, Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro mentioned in a memo that the company was reviewing operations to foster a more agile and technologically enabled workforce.
