Netflix and Sony Pictures Entertainment have signed a multi-year, global Pay-1 agreement that will see Sony films stream on Netflix after their theatrical and home entertainment windows.
The deal is considered landmark because it marks the first time Netflix has acquired global Pay-1 rights to Sony films. Since Sony already holds Pay-1 agreements in different countries, the global rollout will take place gradually as existing deals expire.
The platform aims to make Sony films available worldwide by early 2029. Under the agreement, the platform will also be able to license select titles from Sony’s film library.
The first films to launch on Netflix include The Nightingale, The Legend of Zelda (live-action), Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse, Buds and Sam Mendes’ Beatles film quartet.
Both parties have expressed satisfaction with the agreement. Netflix’s VP of Licensing and Programming Strategy Lauren Smith said: “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.”
While Sony Pictures Television Executive VP of Global Distribution Paul Littmann commented: “Our partnership with them 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 the platform’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.”
