Netflix Secures Exclusive Pay 1 Deal with Sony Pictures

Jan 16, 2026, 2:41 AM
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Netflix and Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) have entered into a groundbreaking exclusive worldwide Pay 1 licensing deal, announced on January 15. This agreement grants Netflix the sole rights to stream Sony Pictures movies globally after their theatrical and transactional home entertainment windows, marking a significant expansion of their partnership.
The deal is described as an industry-first and will be implemented gradually, with individual territory rights becoming available throughout the year. Full global availability on Netflix is anticipated by early 2029.
Under the terms of this agreement, Netflix will also license rights to select titles from SPE's extensive film and television library. Currently, Netflix holds Pay 1 rights to SPE's feature films in specific territories, including the United States, Germany, and Southeast Asia.
Notable films included in the current deal are "Uncharted," "Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse," "It Ends With Us," "Anyone But You," and "Venom: The Last Dance." These titles have proven popular among Netflix subscribers, and the new deal aims to enhance the streaming service's offerings further.
Lauren Smith, VP of licensing and programming strategy at Netflix, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, "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." She highlighted the appeal of Sony's iconic film franchises and original content to Netflix's global audience.
Paul Littmann, EVP of global distribution for Sony Pictures Television, echoed this sentiment, noting that the new Pay 1 deal elevates their partnership and underscores the enduring appeal of Sony's theatrical releases to Netflix's audience. He emphasized the importance of creating opportunities that benefit both creative stakeholders and consumers.
Some of the first titles expected to stream on Netflix as part of this new agreement include "The Nightingale," an adaptation of Kristin Hannah's novel featuring Dakota and Elle Fanning, as well as Sony Pictures Animation's "Buds," the live-action adaptation of "The Legend of Zelda," and "Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse," which will conclude the Spider-Verse trilogy.
The financial terms of the deal have not been disclosed, but reports suggest that Netflix will pay Sony over $7 billion for this multi-year agreement, which is expected to solidify their relationship for years to come.
This new licensing deal builds on a previous agreement between Netflix and Sony, which began in 2021 and focused on US rights for SPE's theatrical releases. The earlier deal included major titles such as "Morbius," "Where the Crawdads Sing," and sequels to popular franchises like "Spider-Man" and "Jumanji.".
As streaming services continue to compete for high-quality content, this partnership between Netflix and Sony Pictures highlights the ongoing trend of major studios forming exclusive agreements with streaming platforms. Such deals are becoming increasingly common as studios seek to maximize the reach and profitability of their film libraries in the digital age.
In conclusion, the exclusive Pay 1 licensing deal between Netflix and Sony Pictures Entertainment represents a significant step forward in the streaming landscape, promising to deliver a wealth of popular films to audiences worldwide while enhancing Netflix's content library.

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