Netflix, Universal Extend Streaming Pact to Include Live-Action Films

Netflix customers will be able to add even more Universal movies to their queue with the studio’s live-action titles coming to the streamer in the U.S. starting with the 2027 slate.

Netflix and NBCUniversal’s Universal Filmed Entertainment Group announced a deal to renew their existing licensing deal for animated films from Illumination and DreamWorks Animation. Now, beginning with the 2027 slate, Netflix will have U.S. rights to live-action films from both Universal Pictures and Focus Features “no later than eight months” following their theatrical release.

After the Universal films’ initial premiere on NBCU’s Peacock, Netflix will have a 10-month window during which these films are available only on Netflix — before they return to Peacock. Netflix will also license rights to Universal’s full animation and live-action film slate for additional windows in subsequent years as well as rights to select titles from Universal’s film library, the companies said.

“We have always valued our partnership with NBCUniversal, and we are excited to expand it to bring even more entertainment to our U.S. members starting in 2027,” said Bela Bajaria, Netflix’s chief content officer, in a statement. “Illumination and DWA animated films have always been incredibly popular on Netflix, and we are looking forward to adding Universal Pictures and Focus Features live-action films in the years to come. By combining these licensed titles with our Netflix original programming, we can offer our members an exceptional entertainment package with an even greater selection of films to enjoy.”

In the first six months of 2024, eight of the top 10 animated films on Netflix were from Illumination and DWA — including Illumination/Nintendo’s “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” which spent a record-setting 38 weeks on Netflix’s Top 10 list in the U.S., and “Sing 2” following at 32 weeks. Recent films from the existing animation partnership include “The Super Mario Bros. Movie,” “Minions: The Rise of Gru,” “Migration” and “Trolls Band Together.”

Currently, “Sing,” “The Secret Life of Pets” and “Kung Fu Panda 4” are currently in the daily Netflix U.S. Top 10 film list. Upcoming films from the existing animation partnership include “Despicable Me 4” and “The Wild Robot.”

Peter Levinsohn, chairman of global distribution for NBCUniversal Studio Group, commented: “With this expanded partnership, we’re providing an optimal experience for today’s consumer with a direct-to-consumer strategy that is advantageous to both NBCUniversal and Netflix. We’re always trying to marry our diverse film slate and innovative windowing strategy with the right partners, and Netflix’s unparalleled support of our slate allows us to make sure our films are enjoyed in the theater and at home by the broadest possible audience.”

UFEG claims that it maintains the “largest theatrical slate in the industry.” The studio’s partners include Jason Blum’s Blumhouse, Jordan Peele’s Monkeypaw, Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Partners, Will Packer Productions, Lord Miller, and Elizabeth Banks and Max Handelman’s Brownstone Prods.