- Netflix and Sony signed a reported $7 billion global streaming rights deal
- Sony movies will stream on Netflix first after theaters in a Pay 1 window
- Full worldwide rollout is expected by early 2029
- Several major Sony titles are already confirmed for the coming years
Netflix has just landed one of its biggest licensing wins in years, locking in a global first look streaming arrangement with Sony Pictures.
The reported price tag is enormous, roughly $7 billion, and the impact is simple to understand even if the contract details are complicated. Sony’s future theatrical movies will head to Netflix first once their cinema run ends, and this time it is not limited to a handful of regions.
If that sounds familiar, it is because Netflix already had a similar setup in a few key markets, including the US and parts of Europe. The difference now is scale. This agreement is designed to roll out worldwide, meaning Sony’s film slate will arrive on Netflix across nearly every territory where the service operates.
It is a major move for Netflix’s movie pipeline and a smart play for Sony, which continues to thrive without needing its own in house streaming platform.
Netflix describes this as a Pay 1 deal, which refers to the first premium streaming window after a film leaves cinemas. The exact length of that exclusive window has not been officially confirmed, but in the industry it often lands around 18 months.
After that, the same titles may eventually appear on other platforms depending on local licensing arrangements.
The rollout will not be instant, though. Existing regional deals, legacy contracts, and local distribution agreements take time to unwind. Netflix is already setting expectations that full global availability will not be complete until early 2029.
In streaming terms, that is both a long wait and a clear signal that Netflix is planning for the next decade, not just the next quarter.
Why this deal matters more than it looks
Sony is one of the most valuable studios in the world because it owns crowd-pleasing franchises and it knows how to keep audiences coming back.
Netflix, meanwhile, is constantly looking for reliable movie events that can anchor its calendar and justify subscription value. Put those two goals together and the logic becomes obvious.
For Netflix, this deal strengthens its position at a time when streaming competition is less about who has the biggest catalog and more about who can guarantee must watch premieres. It also boosts Netflix’s international appeal, as the same Sony titles are expected to eventually be available in more countries under a unified strategy.
For Sony, the benefits are equally clear. The studio keeps its theatrical business intact while securing a massive licensing payday and a high visibility streaming home for its films.
It is a win that avoids the cost and risk of building a standalone Sony streaming service, which would require constant investment and a steady flow of exclusive content.
5 confirmed Sony movies to get excited about on Netflix
The biggest takeaway here is not just that Sony movies are coming to Netflix. It is that several headline titles are already on the horizon, with release dates attached.
KPop Demon Hunters 2
Sony and Netflix have confirmed a sequel to KPop Demon Hunters, and that is no surprise given how well the first film performed. The catch is timing. The sequel is expected to arrive in 2029, which lines up with the later stages of the global rollout. It is one of the clearest examples of how long this transition period may take, even for projects that feel like obvious Netflix staples.
The Legend of Zelda Movie
Nintendo and Sony’s live action The Legend of Zelda movie is now in production, with a theatrical release set for May 7, 2027. Once its cinema run is over, it should be heading to Netflix under the new agreement.
Casting details already have fans paying attention. Benjamin Evan Ainsworth will play Link, while Bo Bragason takes on Zelda. With decades of lore to draw from, the big question is which era and which storyline the film chooses to adapt. Whether it leans into classic fantasy adventure or goes darker and stranger, it is shaping up to be one of Sony’s most watched releases of the decade.
Spider Man Beyond the Spider Verse
The Spider Verse trilogy is heading toward its conclusion with Spider Man Beyond the Spider Verse, scheduled to hit theaters on June 18, 2027. After that, Netflix subscribers will be next in line.
This one is not just another superhero sequel. The Spider Verse films have become a creative benchmark for animation, style, and emotional storytelling. Expectations are sky high, and if Sony sticks the landing, this could easily become the kind of movie that dominates streaming conversation for months.
Buds
Netflix and Sony also name Buds as part of the upcoming slate, with a premiere date set for March 12, 2027. Details are still scarce, but it is confirmed as an animated project. For now, it sits in the intriguing category of films that could either surprise everyone or quietly become a sleeper hit.
Sam Mendes’ four Beatles movies
The final entry is the most ambitious, because it is not one movie. It is four. Director Sam Mendes is filming a quartet of Beatles films that will arrive simultaneously in theaters on April 7, 2028.
Each film tells the story through the eyes of a different band member, with Harris Dickinson as John Lennon, Paul Mescal as Paul McCartney, Joseph Quinn as George Harrison, and Barry Keoghan as Ringo Starr. It is a bold concept that could redefine music biopics if it works. And if it does, Netflix will eventually have a huge streaming moment on its hands once the theatrical window closes.
What to expect next
The real test of this partnership will be consistency. If Netflix can deliver Sony’s biggest theatrical hits to global audiences with minimal delays, it strengthens the platform’s reputation as the place where blockbuster movies land after cinemas.
If the rollout is uneven across regions for too long, it may feel messy in the short term.
Still, the direction is clear. Netflix is stacking its future slate with recognizable names, big franchises, and globally marketable stories. Sony is securing premium distribution without taking on streaming platform risk. And viewers get a clearer answer to the question, where will this movie stream next.
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