Netflix and Universal Filmed Entertainment Group have officially renewed their licensing agreement, enhancing their collaboration by including live-action films in the U.S. starting with the 2027 release slate. This deal builds upon their existing partnership for animated titles from Illumination and DreamWorks Animation, which has proven immensely popular with Netflix subscribers.
Under the new terms, Netflix will gain access to live-action films from both Universal Pictures and Focus Features within eight months after their theatrical debut. This follows an initial streaming period on NBCUniversal’s Peacock, after which Netflix will enjoy a 10-month exclusive window before the films return to Peacock.
Bela Bajaria, Netflix’s chief content officer, expressed enthusiasm for the expanded partnership, emphasizing the strong performance of animated films from Illumination and DreamWorks Animation on the platform. In the first half of 2024, eight of the top ten animated films on Netflix were from these studios, including the record-breaking “The Super Mario Bros. Movie,” which remained on Netflix’s Top 10 list for an impressive 38 weeks. Other successful titles include “Sing 2,” “Minions: The Rise of Gru,” “Migration,” and “Trolls Band Together.”
The agreement also includes licensing rights for Universal’s complete slate of animated and live-action films for additional viewing windows in future years. Moreover, Netflix will obtain rights to select titles from Universal’s film library, significantly broadening the content available to its subscribers.
Peter Levinsohn, chairman of global distribution for NBCUniversal Studio Group, noted the importance of this partnership in delivering a robust consumer experience. He highlighted the strategic advantage of marrying Universal’s diverse film slate with Netflix’s extensive reach, allowing both theatrical releases and home-viewing options for audiences.
This collaboration positions both companies to maximize their impact in the streaming and theatrical markets, with Universal claiming to have the largest theatrical slate in the industry. Their partnership encompasses a variety of acclaimed production houses, including Jason Blum’s Blumhouse Productions, Jordan Peele’s Monkeypaw Productions, and Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Partners, among others.
As streaming continues to evolve, this renewed partnership between Netflix and Universal promises to deliver an even wider array of films, enhancing the viewing experience for subscribers while solidifying their competitive stance in the industry.