5 Crucial Dates for Disney Investors in May 2025: Earnings, Star Wars, and Theme Park Revamps

Disney investors in May 2025 will face a month packed with strategic milestones that could shape the company’s stock trajectory. From blockbuster streaming releases to theme park updates and critical financial updates, these five dates are essential for gauging Disney’s performance and future prospects.

1. May 1: Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Premieres on Disney+

The highly anticipated sequel to the Oscar-winning Spider-Verse franchise debuts on Disney+, marking one of the year’s most significant content drops. The film’s success could drive a surge in streaming subscriptions and engagement metrics. Historically, major Marvel releases have boosted Disney+ growth: WandaVision and The Falcon and the Winter Soldier added 8.7 million and 1.6 million subscribers, respectively, in 2021. Investors will watch for signs of similar momentum in Q2’s subscriber numbers.

2. May 4: Star Wars Day Celebrations and Content Drops

Disney’s Star Wars: Tales of the Underworld series (a six-episode anthology) and themed Disneyland Resort specials drop on May 4, aligning with global “May the Fourth” celebrations. This event tests the enduring appeal of the Star Wars franchise, which generated $3.7 billion in 2023 for Disney. The series’ performance will indicate whether Disney+ can sustain subscriber growth through niche content. Additionally, the event’s promotional tie-ins with theme park attractions like Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance could boost park attendance and merchandise sales.

3. May 7: Q2 FY2025 Earnings Report

The earnings call on May 7 will be the month’s most critical event. Investors will scrutinize:
- Disney+ metrics: Subscriber growth, retention rates, and revenue contributions.
- Theme park recovery: Attendance and pricing trends, especially as summer 2025 sees new shows and discounts (e.g., 50% off kids’ tickets starting May 27).
- Content ROI: Whether hits like Across the Spider-Verse offset losses from underperforming films.

Analysts expect Disney to report diluted EPS of $1.21 for Q2, with revenue growth driven by parks and streaming. A miss on these figures could pressure the stock, which has underperformed peers like Netflix (-12% YTD) amid concerns over streaming competition.

4. May 13: Andor Season 2 Finale

The conclusion of Andor, a Star Wars prequel to Rogue One, arrives on May 13. The series’ finale could influence Disney+’s Q2 engagement metrics. Prequel series like The Mandalorian have been streaming anchors, averaging 10 million viewers per episode. Strong viewership here might reassure investors about Disney’s ability to sustain premium content-driven growth.

5. May 27: “Cool Kid Summer” Theme Park Event Launches

Disney’s summer initiative, Cool Kid Summer, begins on May 27, featuring new shows (e.g., The Little Mermaid stage play), ticket discounts, and hotel deals. The 50% off kids’ tickets and Florida Resident discounts could boost attendance, which fell 11% in Q1 2025 compared to 2019 levels. The event’s success will signal demand for Disney’s parks amid rising competition from Universal Epic Universe (opening May 22) and economic headwinds.

Conclusion: Why These Dates Matter

May 2025 is a litmus test for Disney’s dual engines—streaming and theme parks.

• Streaming: With Spider-Man and Star Wars releases, Disney aims to replicate the success of 2022’s Obi-Wan Kenobi, which added 2.1 million subscribers. If Q2 earnings show Disney+ subscriber growth above 5% (target: 200 million by 2026), the stock could rally.
• Parks: The “Cool Kid Summer” could lift park revenue by 8–10%, reversing Q1’s 2% decline. Strong performance here might offset risks from Universal’s new park.

Investors should also monitor broader trends: Disney’s $33 billion in debt, rising content costs, and competition from Apple TV+ and HBO Max. However, with $27 billion in cash and strategic bets on AI-driven content (e.g., Lilo & Stitch reboot), Disney remains a long-term play for those willing to endure short-term volatility. May’s events will clarify whether the company’s twin pillars can deliver growth—or if it’s time to reassess the bet.