Sony Pictures movies will transition to Netflix under a new global Pay-1 licensing deal running from 2027 through 2032, expanding the streaming home for theatrical releases worldwide.
Sony Global Deal Terms
- Netflix becomes the first streaming home worldwide for Sony theatrical releases starting in January 2027.
- The agreement runs through 2032 and will roll out globally as existing regional contracts expire.
- Standard with Ads subscribers gained access to Sony titles earlier than expected in April 2026.
Global Pay-1 Streaming Rollout
Netflix has served as the initial streaming home in the United States for Sony Pictures theatrical films since 2022. Under the expanded agreement announced in January 2026, that arrangement extends internationally.
Full global availability is expected by early 2029 as regional commitments phase out. Meanwhile, anime titles distributed by Sony are excluded from the arrangement and route directly to Crunchyroll.
Films Move from Theaters to Digital Platforms and Netflix
The standard model places films on digital rental and purchase platforms roughly 120 days after theatrical runs, though underperforming titles move faster. Netflix maintains an exclusive 18-month streaming window before titles transfer to subsequent platforms such as Disney+ and Hulu in the US.
| Movie Title | Theatrical Date | Predicted Netflix Window | Streaming Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| Resident Evil | September 18, 2026 | Late December 2026 – Mid-January 2027 | Netflix US only |
| The Social Reckoning | October 9, 2026 | Early January – Early February 2027 | Netflix US only |
| Jumanji: Open World | December 25, 2026 | Late March – Late April 2027 | Netflix US only |
| The Nightingale | March 19, 2027 | Mid-June – Mid-July 2027 | Netflix globally |
| The Legend of Zelda | April 30, 2027 | Late July – Late August 2027 | Netflix globally |
| Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse | June 18, 2027 | Mid-September – Mid-October 2027 | Netflix globally |
Upcoming 2027 Slate Highlights
Films arriving in theaters during late 2026 remain restricted to the US-only window. These include Zach Cregger’s Resident Evil, Aaron Sorkin’s The Social Reckoning, and Jake Kasdan’s Jumanji: Open World.
Starting with Michael Morris’s adaptation of Kristin Hannah’s The Nightingale in March 2027, titles transition to worldwide Netflix availability. Nintendo’s live-action The Legend of Zelda adaptation directed by Wes Ball follows on April 30, 2027.
Animated projects such as the KPop Demon Hunters sequel and Ghostbusters animated features operate outside this agreement through direct studio partnerships.
