Dan Lin no longer head of Netflix’s film industry, sources say The Hollywood Reporter.
The news comes as the streamer cuts its top positions and implements layoffs that will affect about 1,000 people, the company’s largest cut since 2022. Before Lin, chief content officer Bela Bajaria was removed, along with vice president of film Doug Belgrade and a series of top television executives.
It is unclear who will take on Lin’s role, but it is understood that Peter Rice, who has taken over the role of head of content, will be tasked with finding new leadership. Netflix did not immediately respond for comment.
Lin joined Netflix in 2024, succeeding then-film chief Scott Stuber. Under Stuber, Netflix became known as the place where big-name filmmakers could land big budgets and big salaries, as traditional studios implemented more cost-conscious spending practices. During this period, the streamer has regularly found itself with the best film nominations, but the most prestigious awards have notoriously eluded Netflix films.
Lin, who was hired by Bajaria, was brought in to reduce expenses while (ideally) increasing the quality of the entire film slate, not just titles from big directors.
Under Lin, the streamer’s film division was reorganized by genre, with deputies like Kira Goldberg, Ori Marmur and Jason Young handling films falling into categories like sci-fi, romantic comedies and family films. Netflix has started offering more mid-sized films that have been ignored by mainstream moviegoers, including adaptations of big books like Remarkably Brilliant Creatures And People we meet on vacationas well as low-budget action films like Summit And The RIP.
(This is not to say that Lin’s tenure at Netflix has been without major fluctuations – see: Greta Gerwig’s tenure Narnia film which will be released next year or that of David Fincher The Misadventures of Cliff Booth— but the offers have undoubtedly slowed down.)
Lin came from his billion-dollar production company Rideback. Aladdin and was involved in the coup He films as well as The Lego movies. He left the company when he joined Netflix, leaving behind partners who found another billion dollars with last summer’s live-action. Lilo and Stitch.
Lately, the streamer hasn’t been able to capture audience interest, at least at the rate co-CEO Ted Sarandos wants, with viewer and subscriber growth stagnating. Under Rice’s leadership, Netflix will focus on “creating big, buzzy hits,” as Sarandos wrote in his memo to staff.
After the first news broke, Netflix confirmed the news and shared statements from Lin and Sarandos. Lin said: “It has been a great privilege to lead this incredible team and work with incredible filmmakers and talent to bring their films to the world. Thank you to Ted, Greg (Peters) and Bela for this opportunity.”
Sarandos added: “I began working with Dan long before he joined us in 2024 and his strength as a producer has always been evident. Once he joined Netflix, I saw up close how his dedication to making quality films, his rigor in negotiations and strategy, and his collaborative spirit elevated our film business. I am grateful to Dan for everything he has done for Netflix films.”
October 19, 10:16 a.m. Updated with statements from Lin and Sarandos.
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