How to pitch a movie idea to Walt Disney Studios

In its own words

“Our long-standing company policy does not allow us to accept or consider unsolicited creative ideas, suggestions or materials.”

What you agree to by sending something

“In connection with anything you submit to us – whether or not solicited by us – you agree that creative ideas, suggestions or other materials you submit are not being made in confidence or trust and that no confidential or fiduciary relationship is intended or created between you and us in any way, and that you have no expectation of review, compensation or consideration of any type.”

What it has bought from outside

1. 2006

   Pixar from Steve Jobs and Pixar shareholders $7.4 billion

   “After extended negotiations, Disney ultimately agreed on January 24, 2006, to buy Pixar for approximately $7.4 billion in an all-stock deal.” en.wikipedia.org

2. 2009

   Marvel Entertainment and its characters from Marvel Entertainment shareholders $4 billion

   “Disney bought Marvel Entertainment and its assets for $4 billion in August, adding Marvel's comic-book characters to its merchandising line-up.” en.wikipedia.org

3. 2012

   Lucasfilm (Star Wars, Indiana Jones) from George Lucas $4.05 billion

   “On October 30, 2012, Disney announced it would buy Lucasfilm for $4.05 billion from George Lucas.” en.wikipedia.org

4. 1961

   Film rights to Mary Poppins from P. L. Travers

   “He finally succeeded in 1961, although Travers demanded and obtained script-approval rights.” en.wikipedia.org

Other companies that take a movie idea

• Angel StudiosHas a submission portalAngel Studios takes projects only as a Torch, filmed work its Angel Guild streams to gauge interest.

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  NetflixOnly through an agentNetflix reads nothing it did not ask for.

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  Apple TV+Does not take outside ideasApple does not accept, review or consider ideas or creative material it did not request, and anything sent anyway becomes Apple’s property…

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  DreamWorks AnimationDoes not take outside ideasDreamWorks Animation falls under NBCUniversal’s terms, which will not review story or character ideas it did not ask for.

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  LucasfilmDoes not take outside ideasLucasfilm accepts no unsolicited product, artwork, story idea or other creative material, and returns what is sent.

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  ParamountDoes not take outside ideasParamount accepts no unsolicited scripts, story lines, characters or ideas, and deletes them unread.

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  PixarDoes not take outside ideasPixar takes no creative submission of any kind.

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  SkydanceDoes not take outside ideasSkydance accepts no unsolicited scripts, story lines, characters or ideas, and deletes them unread.

All of them, open doors first