Netflix and Universal Extend Animated Film Licensing Agreement, Add Live-Action Films

Universal Filmed Entertainment Group has signed a new licensing agreement with Netflix, extending the studio’s animated film deal and adding U.S. rights to live-action films from Universal Pictures and Focus Features.

The two companies have expanded an existing deal that will include Illumination and DreamWorks Animation titles such as Movie “Super Mario Brothers” And Minions movies are streaming on Netflix.

In addition, starting in 2027, U.S. rights to the studio’s live-action films will also be licensed on the service no later than eight months after theatrical release following the premium video-on-demand window and after an initial four-month streaming video release on the service. Peacock. Such deals are very profitable for older studios.

Netflix will have a 10-month window during which Uni and Focus films will be available exclusively on Netflix before they return to Peacock, after which Netflix will also license titles from the Uni film slate for additional windows in subsequent years.

Uni games will be available on premium video on demand before streaming on Peacock or Netflix. Pacts with Netflix are concluded every five years, says the source who made the deal.

“We have always valued our partnership with NBCUniversal and are excited to expand it to bring even more entertainment to our U.S. members starting in 2027,” said Netflix Chief Content Officer Bela Bajaria. “Illumination and DWA animated films have always been incredibly popular on Netflix, and we look forward to adding live-action films from Universal Pictures and Focus Features in the coming years. By combining these licensed films with Netflix original programming, we can offer our members an exceptional entertainment package with even more choice of films to watch.”

“Through this expanded partnership, we are delivering the optimal experience for today’s consumer through a direct-to-consumer strategy that benefits both NBCUniversal and Netflix,” said Peter Levinson, chairman of global distribution, NBCUniversal Studio Group. We’re always looking to pair our diverse film slate and innovative windowing strategy with the right partners, and Netflix’s unprecedented support for our lineup allows us to ensure our films are seen in theaters and at home by as wide an audience as possible.”

Universal’s animated offerings have proven popular on Netflix with films like Boss Baby, Sing, and various Minions consistently appear in the streamer’s most-watched films. In terms of live-action films, Universal previously signed a deal with Amazon that will bring films to Prime Video starting in 2022, followed by PVOD and Peacock.