Disney has finally acknowledged its dwindling male audience, a demographic it had largely ignored for the past decade. The studio is now seeking films that can appeal to young men aged 13-28, who have been drifting away from traditional Marvel and Star Wars fare in favor of video games and viral content.
The irony is striking, given Disney’s acquisition of Marvel and Lucasfilm, which were bought with the promise of attracting a male audience. However, Marvel fatigue has set in, and the Star Wars franchise has struggled under Kathleen Kennedy’s leadership. Meanwhile, live-action Disney has focused on remakes and female-centric IPs, leaving a void for “guy movies” since “Pirates of the Caribbean” or “Indiana Jones.”
With this shift, David Greenbaum and Daria Cercek are leading the charge, seeking pitches ranging from globe-trotting adventures to horror. This move signals that Disney is willing to adapt its formula, acknowledging that their tried-and-true approach may not be working for younger audiences.
The task of winning back Gen Z men has fallen on Disney’s shoulders, and it’s a challenging one. The studio must now create original content that resonates with this hard-to-crack demographic, rather than relying on established IPs. This shift marks a significant departure from Disney’s previous strategy, highlighting the shaky foundations of Marvel and Lucasfilm in the process.
Source: https://www.worldofreel.com/blog/2025/8/21/report-disney-is-suddenly-worried-about-losing-its-male-gen-z-audience