Netflix and Sony Pictures Entertainment have struck a landmark global Pay-1 licensing deal that will see Sony Picture Entertainment's feature films stream on Netflix worldwide following their full theatrical and home entertainment windows. While Netflix already has Pay-1 rights to SPE's feature films in select territories, including the United States, this new deal expands these rights globally.
As a result, Netflix will now be the global streaming home for many upcoming Sony titles, including Nintendo's live-action The Legend of Zelda movie, Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse, and The Nightingale. Older Sony movies and television shows will also stream on Netflix, including Uncharted, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, It Ends With Us, Anyone But You, and Venom: The Last Dance.
“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.”
“Our partnership with Netflix has always been incredibly valuable,” added Paul Littmann, EVP of Global Distribution, Sony Pictures Television. “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 Legend of Zelda movie is currently in production with filming underway. Shooting is expected to run through April with the film slated to release in theaters on May 7, 2027.
A live-action adaptation of Nintendo's beloved video game franchise, specific plot details are still under wraps though the film is expected to echo classic themes from the games. Nintendo legend Shigeru Miyamoto is producing the movie alongside Avi Arad, chairman of Arad Productions and former CEO of Marvel Studios. Wes Ball, best known for directing The Maze Runner series and Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, is directed and producing. Full casting details have not been announced, though we do know that Link will be played by Benjamin Evan Ainsworth (The Haunting of Bly Manor), while Princess Zelda will be brought to life on the big screen by Bo Bragason (Three Girls).
Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse, the highly anticipated conclusion to the animated Spider-Verse trilogy, will also stream on Netflix first. It is scheduled to be released in theaters on June 18, 2027. For most big animated films, Sony has a theatrical-exclusive release window that runs between 12 and 18 months, so we can probably expect the film to arrive on streaming between June and December 2028.