Netflix Wins the Exclusive Streaming Rights to New Sony Movies

Netflix has tamed the lion in the bidding wars for exclusive Sony Pictures rights, fending off the Starz network (owned by Lionsgate) to win streaming rights for Sony's movies, going forward.

Netflix to Stream Sony Pictures Movie Exclusives

After a bidding war almost two years in duration, a victor has finally emerged holding the exclusivity rights to Sony Pictures' movies. That victor is Netflix and it will stream Sony's theatrical releases as of 2022.

As a Sony Pictures press release states, Netflix has won first pay window rights on all of Sony's movies, plus any it has slated for the direct-to-streaming market. Not only that, but Netflix also gets a selection of Sony Pictures' existing titles.

What Does the Netflix/Sony Pictures Deal Involve?

As mentioned, it grants Netflix exclusive rights to stream Sony Pictures movies. The deal also means that Netflix can take a first look at any new series' Sony in planning to premiere via streaming.

However, to clarify, this is only a first look. Netflix can then decide whether it wants to sign the movie as an exclusive or not; the deal states Netflix has to sign a certain number of Sony Pictures releases.

Because this is only a "first look," this means Sony Pictures isn't contractually obliged to sell the rights to any given movie to Netflix.

That might sound confusing, but essentially it means that while Netflix can review a movie first, Sony Pictures is still free to offer the movie to rivals should it wish to. Netflix must still uphold its agreement to sign a minimum quota of Sony's movies.

What Sony Pictures Movies Will Netflix Get?

Right now, we don't have any confirmation of the Sony Pictures movies that Netflix will win rights to. We know it will get some existing titles under the deal, but we don't know what these will be.

We already know that Netflix has exclusive rights to Sony Pictures' animated releases, so those are safe. However, according to the press release, Netflix will also win rights to movies from:

Columbia Pictures, Screen Gems, TriStar Pictures, 3000 Pictures, Sony Pictures Animation, Stage 6 Films, AFFIRM Films, Sony Pictures International Productions, and Sony Pictures Classics.

All the above fall under the Sony Pictures Entertainment banner, so this is excellent news for Netflix.

Are You a Netflix Subscriber?

If you already subscribe to Netflix, you should be pretty stoked about this news. Given that Sony Pictures handles the Ghostbusters, Spider-Man, and Venom movies, among many others, you've got plenty of visual treats in store in the coming years.

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