Sony Pictures and Netflix has announced a new multiyear, exclusive first pay window licensing deal in the U.S. for theatrically released Sony feature films, beginning with their 2022 film slate.

This new agreement builds upon Netflix’s pre-existing output deal with Sony Pictures Animation films to now include all Sony Pictures film labels and genres.

Under the deal, Netflix will obtain first pay window rights to Sony titles following their theatrical and home entertainment windows. Tentpoles such as Morbius, Uncharted, Where the Crawdads Sing, and Bullet Train will be among the initial 2022 offerings. They will be followed by continued entries in Sony Pictures’ rejuvenated slate of IP, including the sequel to Oscar-winning Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse and several more Sony films featuring Marvel characters, including future installments of Venom and Spider-Man; and expected follow-ups for the Jumanji and Bad Boys franchises. Netflix will also license rights to select titles from Sony’s vast movie library.

This confirms Disney+ won’t be getting access to any of Sony’s new Marvel films any time soon in the United States. Sony has the rights to make movies featuring Spider-Man and many other characters from the Spider-Man comics including Venom, Carnage, Spider-Woman and more. This deal was made before Disney purchased Marvel. Disney and Sony made a deal in 2015 in which Spider-Man could appear in Disney’s Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Because of the new deal with Netflix starting in 2022, it won’t include “Spider-Man: No Way Home” or “Venom: Let There Be Carnage” because they will be released in 2021.

As part of the new partnership, Sony Pictures’ Motion Picture Group will offer Netflix a first look at any films it intends to make directly for streaming or decides later to license for streaming, and Netflix has committed to make a number of those films over the course of the deal. Any such direct-to-streaming projects will be additive to Sony’s full theatrical film slate, which will continue at its current volume.

“Sony Pictures is a great partner and we are thrilled to expand our relationship through this forward-thinking agreement,” said Scott Stuber, Head of Global Films at Netflix. “This not only allows us to bring their impressive slate of beloved film franchises and new IP to Netflix in the U.S., but it also establishes a new source of first run films for Netflix movie lovers worldwide.”

“Netflix has been a terrific partner as we continue to expand our relationship,” said Keith Le Goy, President, Worldwide Distribution and Networks, Sony Pictures Entertainment. “At Sony Pictures, we produce some of the biggest blockbusters and the most creative, original films in the industry. This exciting agreement further demonstrates the importance of that content to our distribution partners as they grow their audiences and deliver the very best in entertainment.”

Do you think of Netflix signing this deal with Sony?

Roger Palmer

Roger has been a Disney fan since he was a kid and this interest has grown over the years. He has visited Disney Parks around the globe and has a vast collection of Disney movies and collectibles. He is the owner of What's On Disney Plus & DisKingdom. Email: Roger@WhatsOnDisneyPlus.com Twitter: Twitter.com/RogPalmerUK Facebook: Facebook.com/rogpalmeruk

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