The Walt Disney Company

The Walt Disney Company was founded in 1923 by Walt Disney and Roy O. Disney. It has become one of the most famous entertainment companies in the world.

Walt and Roy Disney founded The Disney Brothers Cartoon Studios, which later evolved into The Walt Disney Company, one of the largest media empires in the world.

On November 18, 1928, Steamboat Willie, the first Mickey Mouse cartoon with fully synchronized sound, premiered at the Colony Theater in New York, marking the birth of the iconic cartoon character Mickey Mouse.

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs premiered on December 12, 1937, and became an immediate critical and commercial success, grossing $8 million at that time and becoming the highest-grossing film of all time up to that point.

The first feature-length animated film, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, was released at the Carthay Circle Theater. It marked a significant milestone in the history of animated films.

Walt Disney Productions issued its first stock, marking a significant step in the company's financial history.

The Disney studio completed its move to Burbank, signifying a new chapter in the company's operations and growth.

The iconic film Fantasia was released, showcasing the innovative blend of animation and classical music.

The Academy Award-winning film Der Fuehrer’s Face was released, making a significant contribution to the wartime propaganda efforts.

The film Song of the South was released, adding to the diverse collection of Disney movies.

The first True-Life Adventure film, Seal Island, was released, marking a new genre in Disney's filmmaking.

WED Enterprises, founded by Walt Disney, laid the foundation for the creation of iconic Disney theme parks and attractions.

The classic film Peter Pan was released, captivating audiences with its timeless story and characters.

The first People and Places film, The Alaskan Eskimo, was released, showcasing Disney's exploration of diverse cultures and locations.

Disneyland opened on July 17, 1955, becoming a major media event and the most-watched live broadcast to that date.

Walt Disney, the visionary behind the Disney empire, passed away on December 15, 1966, marking the end of an era for the company.

The opening of Walt Disney World on October 1, 1971, marked the expansion of Disney's magical experiences to a new location, captivating visitors with its enchanting attractions.

Roy O. Disney, co-founder of The Walt Disney Company and brother of Walt Disney, died of cerebral hemorrhage at St. Joseph Hospital on December 21, 1971.

EPCOT Center, a combination of Future World and World Showcase, opened to great acclaim on October 1, 1982.

Walt Disney Productions officially changed its name to The Walt Disney Company, reflecting its diversified entertainment ventures and global presence. The rebranding signified a new era for the company's identity and operations.

The Lion King was released and became a massive success, achieving the status of the second-highest-grossing film of all time at that point. It received critical acclaim and won two Academy Awards.

On July 31, 1995, an agreement was made to purchase Capital Cities/ABC for $19 billion.

Disney's Animal Kingdom, the largest theme park in the world at the time, covering 580 acres and featuring over 2,000 animals, was opened on Earth Day, marking a significant milestone in the company's theme park portfolio.

Robert A. Iger became the new president of The Walt Disney Company as the company reached the $25 billion revenue threshold for the first time.

The 'Happiest Celebration on Earth' begins at all Disney theme parks to commemorate 50 years of Disneyland, marking a major milestone in Disney's history.

Robert A. Iger assumes the role of Chief Executive Officer of The Walt Disney Company, marking a significant leadership change in the company.

Avatar: The Way of Water was released on December 18, 2009, and achieved the milestone of surpassing $2 billion at the global box office, contributing to Disney's success during Bergman's tenure.

'Toy Story 3,' a collaboration between Disney and Pixar, is released, achieving critical acclaim, winning two Oscars, and becoming the highest-grossing animated film at that time.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens was released on December 18, 2015, and became one of the films that surpassed the $2 billion mark at the global box office during Bergman's tenure at Disney.

Hugh Johnston is the Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of The Walt Disney Company. He oversees the company’s worldwide finance organization, including corporate real estate, corporate strategy and business development, enterprise controllership, enterprise technology, financial planning and analysis, global product and labor standards, global security, investor relations, risk management, tax and treasury.

The Walt Disney Company announces plans to purchase 21st Century Fox for $52.4 billion, including key entertainment assets and international operations.

Disneyland Paris announces an expansion, including the addition of Marvel, Frozen, and Star Wars areas.

Avengers: Infinity War was released on April 27, 2018, and achieved great success by surpassing the $2 billion mark at the global box office under Bergman's leadership at Disney.

Disney acquired 21st Century Fox's assets for $71.3 billion from Rupert Murdoch, making it the biggest acquisition in Disney's history. The acquisition included various media and entertainment assets such as 20th Century Fox, Fox Searchlight Pictures, National Geographic Partners, and a 30% stake in Hulu.

Avengers: Endgame was released on April 26, 2019, and became one of the highest-grossing films in history, surpassing the $2 billion mark at the global box office.

The live-action version of The Lion King was released on July 19, 2019, and became one of the films that surpassed $1 billion at the global box office during Bergman's tenure at Disney.

The D23 Expo is held in Anaheim, California, bringing together Disney fans and showcasing exciting announcements and presentations related to Disney's entertainment offerings.

Disney launched its subscription video on-demand over-the-top streaming service Disney+, offering a wide range of movies and television shows from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic, and other brands. The platform gained over 10 million subscriptions within the first day and reached over 135 million subscribers by 2022.

Bob Chapek, previously chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products, became CEO of Disney after the resignation of Iger. Iger continued as Executive chairman until December 31, 2021, to assist with the company's creative strategy.

The COVID-19 pandemic leads to the temporary closure of Disney sites globally, including Parks and Resorts locations, as a precautionary measure to ensure public safety.

On October 2, 2023, it was reported that Disney's side business with Elsa Dolls & Lego Star Wars reached $5 billion.