What Happened to 20th Century Studios?
20th Century Studios, originally founded in 1935 as 20th Century-Fox, is a venerable American film production and distribution company. After decades of independent operation and a period under Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation and later 21st Century Fox, it was acquired by The Walt Disney Company in 2019. The studio was subsequently rebranded in 2020, dropping 'Fox' from its name, and continues to operate as a key production label within Disney's extensive entertainment portfolio, contributing significantly to both theatrical and streaming releases as of 2026.
Quick Answer
20th Century Studios is an American film production company that was formerly known as 20th Century Fox. It was acquired by The Walt Disney Company in March 2019 as part of a larger $71.3 billion deal for 21st Century Fox's entertainment assets. In January 2020, Disney officially rebranded the studio to 20th Century Studios to differentiate it from Fox Corporation. As of August 2026, it operates as a production label under Walt Disney Studios, producing films for theatrical release and streaming platforms like Disney+ and Hulu, and has relocated its headquarters to Burbank, California.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline15 events
Formation of Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation
Fox Film Corporation and Twentieth Century Pictures merge to form Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation, becoming one of Hollywood's major studios.
Acquired by News Corporation
Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation acquires Twentieth Century-Fox, marking a new era of ownership for the studio.
Becomes part of 21st Century Fox
News Corporation spins off its publishing assets and renames its entertainment division 21st Century Fox, with 20th Century Fox as a key component.
Disney Announces Acquisition Plans
The Walt Disney Company announces its intent to purchase most of 21st Century Fox's entertainment assets, including 20th Century Fox, for $52.4 billion.
Disney Raises Bid Amidst Competition
After a counterbid from Comcast, Disney increases its offer to acquire 21st Century Fox to $71.3 billion in cash and stock.
Disney Completes Acquisition
The Walt Disney Company officially closes its $71.3 billion acquisition of 21st Century Fox's entertainment assets, including 20th Century Fox.
Rebranded as 20th Century Studios
Disney officially renames 20th Century Fox to 20th Century Studios to distinguish it from Fox Corporation. Fox Searchlight Pictures is also rebranded to Searchlight Pictures.
20th Century Fox Television Rebranded
The television studio, 20th Century Fox Television, is rebranded as 20th Television, further removing the 'Fox' name from Disney-owned assets.
Leadership Changes within Disney Studios
David Greenbaum is appointed President, Disney Live Action and 20th Century Studios, with Steve Asbell continuing as President of 20th Century Studios, reporting to Greenbaum.
Disney Announces Fox Studio Lot Vacate
Disney announces it will not renew its lease for the Fox Studio Lot in Century City, planning to relocate 20th Century Studios and other operations to Burbank by the end of 2025.
Release of 'Avatar: Fire and Ash'
20th Century Studios releases 'Avatar: Fire and Ash', a co-production with Lightstorm Entertainment, continuing a major franchise.
Relocation to Burbank and Shift in Distribution Role
Following the end of its lease, 20th Century Studios officially relocates its headquarters to the Walt Disney Studios in Burbank. It continues as a production label, with Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures handling distribution.
Release of 'The Devil Wears Prada 2'
20th Century Studios releases 'The Devil Wears Prada 2', which becomes a significant box office success, contributing to Disney's overall 2026 earnings.
D23 Disney Entertainment Showcase Announcements
At the D23 event, Disney confirms upcoming 20th Century Studios films, including 'The New Simpsons Movie' (2027) and 'Ice Age: Boiling Point' (2027), showcasing its future slate.
Contribution to Disney's Box Office Milestone
As of this date, 20th Century Studios films, notably 'The Devil Wears Prada 2', have been key contributors to Disney crossing $4 billion at the global box office in 2026.
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🔍Deep Dive Analysis
20th Century Studios boasts a rich history dating back to May 31, 1935, when Fox Film Corporation merged with Twentieth Century Pictures, forming Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation. This merger established one of Hollywood's original 'Big Five' studios, known for its innovative contributions like CinemaScope.
The studio maintained its prominence for decades before being acquired by Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation in 1985. Under News Corporation, and later its spin-off 21st Century Fox in 2013, the studio continued to produce major franchises and critically acclaimed films.
A pivotal turning point occurred on March 20, 2019, when The Walt Disney Company completed its acquisition of most of 21st Century Fox's assets, including 20th Century Fox, in a deal valued at $71.3 billion. This acquisition was driven by Disney's strategic ambition to bolster its content library for its nascent streaming services, Disney+ and Hulu, and to consolidate valuable intellectual properties.
Following the acquisition, Disney initiated a rebranding effort to avoid confusion with the separate Fox Corporation. On January 17, 2020, the film studio was officially renamed 20th Century Studios, and its specialty unit, Fox Searchlight Pictures, became Searchlight Pictures. This change extended to its television counterpart, 20th Century Fox Television, which was rebranded as 20th Television in August 2020.
As of 2026, 20th Century Studios operates as one of five live-action film studios within The Walt Disney Studios, alongside Walt Disney Pictures, Marvel Studios, Lucasfilm, and Searchlight Pictures. The studio relocated its headquarters from the Fox Studio Lot in Century City to the Walt Disney Studios in Burbank by the end of 2025, following the expiration of its lease with Fox Corporation. Steve Asbell continues as President of 20th Century Studios, reporting to David Greenbaum, President of Disney Live Action and 20th Century Studios. The studio's strategy involves producing films for both traditional theatrical release and direct-to-streaming platforms, adapting to the evolving entertainment landscape. Recent successes, such as "The Devil Wears Prada 2" in 2026, have significantly contributed to Disney's global box office achievements.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if 20th Century Studios made different choices?