Netflix has signed a first-of-its-kind global agreement with Sony Pictures Entertainment that makes Netflix the exclusive Pay-1 streaming home for Sony’s theatrical movies worldwide.
Announced Thursday, the multi-year deal marks a major evolution in the existing partnership between the two companies.
While Netflix already holds Pay-1 rights for Sony films in key regions such as the U.S., Germany, and Southeast Asia, this new agreement dramatically expands that reach to include every market where Netflix operates — a first for the Pay-1 window.
The global rollout will begin later this year and continue as local rights become available, with full global coverage expected by early 2029.
The deal ensures that Sony’s new theatrical releases will arrive on Netflix after their full run in cinemas and home entertainment, followed by select titles from the Sony film and TV library.
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.
Netflix will also gain streaming rights to past Sony hits such as Uncharted, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, It Ends With Us, Anyone But You, and Venom: The Last Dance — all of which have proven to be top performers on the platform in existing territories.
Execs Tout Strategic Win
Netflix’s Vice President of Licensing and Programming Strategy, Lauren Smith, emphasized the value this deal brings to subscribers:
“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, Vice President of Licensing and Programming Strategy 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.”
Paul Littmann, EVP of Global Distribution at Sony Pictures Television, added, “Our partnership with Netflix has always been incredibly valuable. This new Pay-1 deal takes that partnership to the next level and reinforces the enduring appeal of our theatrical releases to Netflix’s global audience. It also further underscores the strength of our independence and unique ability to create meaningful opportunities that benefit our creative stakeholders, consumers, and world-class partners.”
The deal also reflects Sony’s ongoing strategy to remain independent from launching its own global streaming platform, allowing it to license content across the industry — a move that’s proving increasingly lucrative.
