The global deal is the first of its kind, according to Netflix, who will get not only new films from Sony Pictures, but also to some films and series from the studio's back catalog.
Spider-Man, Ghostbusters, Jumanji, Venom, Hotel Transylvania, Bad Boys, Karate Kid, Smurfs and Men in Black.
These are just some of the franchises from Sony Pictures. The studio's titles have been available on Netflix in the US for some time, but the two have now signed a global agreement, Netflix announced in a press release.
- "Our members all over the world love movies and giving them exclusive access to Sony’s much loved films adds incredible value to their subscriptions," said Lauren Smith, VP of Licensing & Programming at Netflix. "Sony’s impressive slate of iconic film franchises like Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse and originals like Anyone But You have been popular with our U.S. audience and now we’re excited to expand that offering to our members all around the world."
Largest deal of its kind
Netflix describes the deal as the first of its kind because it is global. According to Deadline, it is also the largest deal of its kind to date. Sources estimate it to be worth over $7 billion, with Netflix beating Amazon to secure the deal.
It covers global rights to new Sony Pictures films after their theatrical window and subsequent sales/rental window on VOD services such as Apple TV and FandangoNow. It will roll out gradually toward early 2029 as existing rights agreements expire country by country, and run through 2032.
Netflix said that some of the first new titles will be the animated feature Buds, Nintendo's The Legend of Zelda and Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse.
Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse is one of the titles included in the deal. Photo: Sony PicturesGoodbye fragmentation
The agreement also marks an end to the fragmentation that has defined Sony Pictures' film catalog for years. Sony's titles have continuously shifted between streaming services on country-by-country agreements.
Sony Pictures films will still be available via Sony Pictures Core, the streaming service exclusive to Sony TVs and PlayStation consoles. They will also continue to be offered on VOD platforms, where titles can be purchased or rented individually.
The deal strengthens Netflix at a time when the company is in the process of acquiring Warner Bros and HBO Max.
- Source: Netflix, Deadline
