Netflix Film Chief Dan Lin Exits Days After a 6% Staff Cut and Bela Bajaria's Replacement

Netflix has removed film chief Dan Lin, the Los Angeles Times reported on 19 October 2026, days after the streamer cut 6% of its workforce and replaced chief content officer Bela Bajaria with former Disney executive Peter Rice.

No successor has been named. Rice will oversee the film team until a new head is appointed, the Los Angeles Times said, and Storyboard18 reported that a successor is not expected until Rice has taken charge.

What Lin oversaw

Lin replaced Scott Stuber as head of Netflix's film division in 2024, with a brief to make fewer, bigger and better films. His tenure included The Rip and the animated hit KPop Demon Hunters, while The Electric State was widely seen as a costly misfire, the Los Angeles Times said. Before Netflix, he ran his own production company, Rideback.

Co-CEO Ted Sarandos praised Lin's work in a statement. "I started working with Dan well before he joined us in 2024," Sarandos said.

A wider shake-up

Lin's exit follows a week of upheaval at the company:

• Netflix announced it would cut about 1,000 jobs, roughly 6% of its global workforce, Storyboard18 reported.
• Bajaria is leaving after nearly a decade, and Rice becomes chief content officer on 26 October, according to Storyboard18. PressRoom reported the Bajaria change earlier.
• Doug Belgrad, who co-ran film with Lin, was among last week's job cuts, Storyboard18 said.

Netflix has not publicly explained Lin's exit. Storyboard18 said the company is reviewing film budgets, theatrical distribution and the balance between volume and hits as its growth slows.

What to watch

The next film chief's view on cinema releases will matter to studios that license or co-produce with Netflix. The streamer has already widened its film pipeline through deals such as its global agreement with Sony for movies after their theatrical run.