Netflix and Sony Strike Landmark Global Deal for Movie Streaming Rights

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Netflix and Sony Pictures Entertainment have made a groundbreaking deal: Netflix will be the only streaming service to offer Sony’s new movies immediately after they’re released in theaters, globally.

The companies announced a new, long-term agreement on Thursday that significantly expands their existing relationship.

Netflix currently has the first pay-window rights to Sony movies in important areas like the U.S., Germany, and Southeast Asia. This new deal extends those rights to all of Netflix’s operating markets, which is a first for this type of agreement.

The launch will start later this year and expand to more countries as we secure the necessary permissions, aiming for worldwide availability by the beginning of 2029.

This agreement means that after playing in theaters and becoming available for home viewing, Sony’s latest movies will stream on Netflix. Select older movies and TV shows from Sony’s collection will also be added to Netflix.

Global Access to Major Franchises

Upcoming movies covered by the new deal include:

  • Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse – the highly anticipated conclusion to the animated Spider-Verse trilogy.
  • The Nightingale – based on the bestselling novel by Kristin Hannah, starring real-life sisters Dakota and Elle Fanning.
  • The Legend of Zelda – Nintendo’s live-action adaptation of its legendary video game franchise.
  • Buds – a new animated feature from Sony Pictures Animation.
  • Sam Mendes’ Beatles Films – a bold new cinematic project telling the story of the Beatles in four separate films.

I’m so excited that Netflix is adding a ton of great Sony movies! I’ll finally be able to stream hits like Uncharted, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, It Ends With Us, Anyone But You, and Venom: The Last Dance. They’ve already been really popular in other places, so I know I’m in for a treat!

Execs Tout Strategic Win

Lauren Smith, who leads licensing and programming strategy at Netflix, highlighted how this agreement will benefit viewers.

Netflix subscribers worldwide will soon have access to a wider range of Sony films, a benefit that enhances their membership, according to Lauren Smith, Vice President of Licensing and Programming Strategy at Netflix. Popular franchises such as Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse and recent hits like Anyone But You have already proven successful with U.S. viewers, and Netflix is now pleased to make these titles available to its international audience.

Paul Littmann, a senior executive at Sony Pictures Television, stated that their relationship with Netflix has been very successful. This new agreement, allowing Netflix to show their films shortly after they’re released in theaters, strengthens that partnership and proves that people around the world still enjoy seeing Sony’s movies. Littmann also emphasized that this deal highlights Sony’s ability to remain independent and create beneficial outcomes for everyone involved – including filmmakers, viewers, and partners like Netflix.

This agreement demonstrates Sony’s continued approach of avoiding a full-scale, independent streaming service. Instead, they’re focusing on licensing their content to various platforms, which is becoming a very profitable strategy.

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2026-01-16 17:31