Most powerful people in Hollywood 2025: Variety has officially released a list of the 120 most powerful production houses in Hollywood. From the biggest studios and labels to streamers and game publishers, this list has it all. Ranking all the top executives who run some of the world’s biggest shows, these individuals belong to some of the top institutions, including Netflix, Apple, and Disney.
At the top is undoubtedly the OTT mogul Netflix, while on the 120th lies Indonesia’s largest media conglomerate. Produced by Variety, this list features some of the most notable trendsetters of 2025 and offers a glimpse into what the global entertainment industry will look like in 2026. Interestingly, executives from India have not made the cut.
10 most powerful people in Hollywood
- Ted Sarandos – Netflix
Co-CEO of Netflix since 2023, Ted Sarandos has driven the OTT giant’s biggest feat so far. On its way to sign one of the biggest media deals in history, Netflix is set to buy out Warner Bros/HBO Max with debt, for over $80 billion. This millionaire CEO is one of the highest-paid executives in media and has some of the most popular shows and movies from Hollywood. From Stranger Things to several Netflix films, it facilitates original content and paves the way for independent makers.
- Donna Langley – NBC
Chairman at NBCUniversal Entertainment, she often rubs elbows with filmmakers and talented professionals. Headlining the comeback of cult-classics like ‘Fast and the Furious’ and the ‘Jurassic’ franchise, Langley’s NBCU has a vast control over mainstream broadcasting. Hosting the late-night staple ‘Saturday Night Live’, Langley works across marketing, distribution, acquisitions and operations for the film and TV studios, the linear network, Peacock and Bravo.
- David Ellison – Paramount
Backed by the second-richest man in the world, David Ellison is the son of Oracle’s Larry Ellison. Chairman CEO of Paramount Skydance, he is one of the top contenders opposing Netflix in its deal with Warner Bros. After soaring high as a millionaire film producer, David Ellison went on to become one of the most powerful executives in media. Leading the $8 billion acquisition of Skudance Media, he is one of the dominant voices in all of Hollywood.
- Neal Mohan – YouTube
The CEO of the largest video-streaming platform, Neal Mohan, headlines YouTube. With a historic feat for the platform, he just snared exclusive streaming rights for the Oscars 2029. The Indian-original Silicon Valley-based CEO gives stiff competition to Disney and other leading giants.
- Dana Walden – Disney
The second female exec on the list, Walden, has been a long-established TV hit maker. Next in line to become Disney Entertainment’s CEO, she took the reins of TV after the Disney and 21st Century Fox merger in 2019. She has overseen unparalleled hit shows such as 24,” “Glee,” “Modern Family,” “Homeland,” “This Is Us” and more recently, “Abbott Elementary,” “High Potential,” “Paradise,” “Only Murders in the Building,” “The Kardashians” and more.
- Bob Iger – Disney
The CEO of Disney who ruled the giant from 2005-20, had overseen several notable deals with Hulu, Pixar, Marvel, and Lucasfilm. The 74-year-old is set to step down in December 2026, as the global entertainment conglomerate will choose its next leader. Iger’s tenure is also marked by the landmark $8.5 billion merger between Reliance Industries and Disney’s India assets, to form JioStar.
- Brian Roberts – Comcast
Brian Roberts, the family heir to Comcast is the longest-standing contender among big mergers, happening across the entertainment industry. With large revenue driven by sports rights and exclusive streaming deals, Roberts’ planned Versant Media venture is set to be completed early 2026.
- Lucian Grainge – Universal Music Group
The Chairman and CEO for over a decade, he is set to complete 15 years at the world’s largest music company. With artists like Taylor Swift and the Beatles, the company’s labels have over a 35% market share in the US each year. This precedes the historic release of Swift’s new album ‘Life of a Showgirl’ which sold over 2 million copies on its opening day. Taking a stand in the AI debate, UMG has steered through multiple lawsuits against major AI companies.
- David Zaslav – Warner Bros Discovery
Caught in the middle of Netflix and Paramount, the production giant is yet to make history. Having led the communications leader for 15 years, Zaslav restructured the market with the WarnerMedia and Discovery merger in 2022. He got an early start when cable was still dominating in the 1980s. He had a long tenure at NBC, where he helped launch CNBC, and became one of the most favourite CEOs.
- Eddy Cue – Apple
Overseeing all of the iPhone maker’s entertainment efforts, he spearheaded the launch of Apple’s iTunes Store in 2003. It was followed by the App Store in 2008. Cue has headlined the launch of Apple in Hollywood with Apple TV. His leadership was reflected in Apple’s biggest Hollywood deal with the production of Brad Pitt’s F1: The Movie.
