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Netflix VP Doug Belgrad Laid Off in Major Restructuring
Confirmed
In Short: Doug Belgrad, who served as Vice President of Film at Netflix, has been laid off as part of the company's major restructuring announced Wednesday.
Doug Belgrad, who served as Vice President of Film at Netflix, has been laid off as part of the company's major restructuring announced Wednesday. The move comes as Netflix cuts around 1,000 employees, or about 6% of its workforce.
Belgrad had previously spent over 25 years at Sony Pictures, where he was ultimately co-president under Amy Pascal. He left Sony in 2016 to form 2.0 Entertainment, which produced several successful films including 'Bad Boys for Life' and 'Gran Turismo'.
At Netflix, Belgrad managed a team of 35 production executives and was responsible for overseeing the company's slate of original films, excluding animation and acquisition titles.
Belgrad's departure is particularly notable given that he had recently celebrated the world premiere of Ben Affleck's crime thriller 'Animals' in Los Angeles.
The restructuring, announced by co-chiefs Ted Sarandos and Greg Peters, aims to streamline operations and adapt to the rapidly changing entertainment landscape.
In a memo to staff, Netflix emphasized the need to stay focused and united during this period of change.
Belgrad's exit underscores the significant impact of the layoffs on the company's leadership and operations.
Netflix's last major layoffs occurred in 2022, when approximately 450 employees were let go following a challenging quarter.
What this adds
Belgrad's departure highlights the extent of the restructuring, which affects key executives and long-term employees.
What's confirmed
- By Borys Kit, Erik Hayden October 14, 2026 7:26am As part of Netflix ‘s largest restructuring in four years, film division executive Doug Belgrad has been laid off, sources tell The Hollywood Reporter.
What's still developing
- Ironically, Belgrad was Head of Film Dan Lin‘s first hire after a round of layoffs when Lin replaced Scott Stuber and restructured Netflix’s film department.
- Upon stepping down from Sony as President of the Motion Picture Group in 2016, he formed 2.0 Entertainment, which was key in producing and co-financing such Sony movies as Gran Turismo and the last two Bad Boys, 2024’s Bad Boys: Ride Or Die and Bad Boys for Life, the latter a massive pre-Covid hit grossing $426.5M and the highest in the franchise.
- “We know changes like this are tough, but let’s stay focused,” the memo read.
- Lin had structured Netflix’s film division into silos by genre.
- Netflix is laying off around 1,000 employees, around 6% of its workforce, in what marks the company’s largest axing to date.
- Belgrad was hired in May 2024 and marked the first major executive appointment by film chairman Dan Lin after he succeeded Scott Stuber.
- Before joining the streamer, Belgrad was an executive at Sony for over 25 years and most recently held the title of president of the Sony Pictures Entertainment Motion Picture Group.