Disney strikes TikTok deal to let creators use its films and TV shows

TikTokers will be able to make videos using official clips from Disney films and shows under an international partnership deal struck with the streaming giant, with some of that fan-made content set to appear on Disney+ itself.

The programme will launch in the US in the coming months before expanding internationally.

TikTok said creators will gain access to clips from hundreds of Disney films and series, including titles from Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars and FX. Participating videos will appear on both TikTok and Verts, Disney+'s dedicated short-form video hub, with Disney saying the library will be refreshed regularly to keep fan conversations current.

"The best storytellers are fans first," said Asad Ayaz, chief marketing and brand officer at The Walt Disney Company.

"That has always been true at Disney, and today, fans are celebrating our stories in entirely new ways. This collaboration creates a new bridge between the stories we tell and the creativity they inspire, giving creators a bigger stage to share what they've made, and audiences more to discover on Disney+ every day."

"Together with Disney, we're bringing the authentic creator expression of the TikTok community to Disney+, inviting audiences to experience the shared creativity that makes fandom so powerful," said Dawn Yang, TikTok's global head of entertainment.

The agreement also includes a Disney Creator Ambassador Program, giving selected creators greater visibility, access to exclusive events, rewards and career development opportunities.

Disney also cited internal TikTok data showing fans shared an average of 6.5 million film and television-related posts on the platform each day last year. A separate Ipsos survey commissioned by TikTok found almost half of respondents went on to watch a film or television programme after discovering related content on the platform.

The deal is the latest sign of the broader convergence between streaming platforms and creator-led content that The Daily Influence has tracked in recent months, from Netflix bringing creator-led shows such as On Purpose to its platform to YouTube's partnership with NBCUniversal's Peacock last week.