Netflix & Sony Strike Historic Global Pay-1 Deal

Netflix announces on its official website that it will become the exclusive Pay-1 streaming home for Sony Pictures films following their theatrical and home entertainment releases.

HOLLYWOOD, Calif., January 15, 2026 — Netflix and Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) announced today a milestone global Pay-1 licensing agreement. Under this exclusive, multi-year partnership, SPE’s feature films will stream on Netflix worldwide following their theatrical and home entertainment windows—a first in the history of Pay-1 licensing.

This new global Pay-1 partnership will roll out starting later this year as licensing rights in various regions become available, with full global coverage on Netflix expected by early 2029. As part of the agreement, Netflix will also acquire licensing rights to a select portion of SPE’s motion picture and television library.

Currently, Netflix holds Pay-1 rights for SPE feature films in specific territories, including the United States, Germany, and across Southeast Asia. Popular titles under the existing partnership include Uncharted, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, It Ends with Us, Anyone But You, and Venom: The Last Dance.

Lauren Smith, Vice President of Licensing and Program Strategy at Netflix, said: "Our members around the world love movies, and being able to offer them exclusive access to Sony’s beloved slate brings tremendous value to our service. Sony has established hit franchises like Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse and original favorites like Anyone But You that have resonated deeply with US audiences, and we are thrilled to expand this offering to our members globally."

Paul Littmann, Executive Vice President of Global Distribution at Sony Pictures Television, added: "Our collaboration with Netflix has always been incredibly valuable. This new Pay-1 agreement takes our partnership to a new level and reaffirms the enduring appeal of our theatrical slate to Netflix’s global audience. It also further highlights our advantage as an independent company and our unique ability to create meaningful opportunities for creators, consumers, and world-class partners."

As part of this new agreement, the initial slate of Sony Pictures Entertainment films to premiere on Netflix includes:

• The Nightingale (Adapted from Kristin Hannah’s global bestseller, starring Dakota Fanning and Elle Fanning in their first on-screen performance together)

• Buds (From Sony Pictures Animation)

• The live-action The Legend of Zelda (Nintendo)

• Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse (The conclusion to the groundbreaking "Spider-Verse" trilogy)

• The four-part Beatles film project (A bold conception by Oscar winner Sam Mendes)Netflix & Sony Strike Historic Global Pay-1 Deal