Given the success that Universal’s animated films have had on Netflix, the two companies have reached an agreement to extend the license for animated films, including those from Illumination and DreamWorks Animation (DWA), to live-action films from both Universal Pictures and Focus Features.
Currently, Universal’s live-action films arrive on Amazon Prime Video, while under the new deal, starting in 2027 they will arrive on Netflix within eight months of their theatrical release.
As part of the new agreement, Netflix will continue to have exclusive rights to UFEG’s animated films and, starting in 2027, will add live-action films within eight months of their sales release.
Universal films after their premiere on Peacock, the streaming service owned by NBCUniversal, already 45 days after their debut on the big screen,
will spend a 10-month exclusivity window on Netflix before returning to Peacock.
Netflix will also license the rights to Universal’s entire slate of animated and live-action films for additional windows in subsequent years, as well as the rights to select titles from Universal’s extensive library.
Bela Bajaria, Chief Content Officer at Netflix explained: “By combining these licensed titles with our Netflix original programming, we can offer our subscribers an exceptional entertainment package with an even broader selection of films to enjoy.”
Ph: Pxhere
