It’s a good day to be a Netflix subscriber, as the streaming platform will be adding even more Universal films to its massive library of titles. The top streaming service has extended its deal with Universal Filmed Entertainment Group, allowing Netflix to stream the studio’s animated films, according to reports The Hollywood Reporter.
In addition, the two companies have signed a new deal that will see live-action films from Universal Pictures and Focus Features appear on Netflix no later than eight months after their theatrical release, starting in 2027. These new live-action films will initially still appear on Netflix. debut on Peacock, but after four months the titles will move to Netflix, which will exclusively stream Universal’s live-action films for ten months before returning to Peacock at the end of this period.
Netflix will also renew its existing licensing agreement for Universal’s entire animated and live-action film catalog from Illumination and DreamWorks Animation (DWA), as well as the rights to select titles from Universal’s vast film library.
However, it’s bad news for Prime Video’s existing deal with Universal. Since 2022, Universal titles have landed on Prime Video after a brief run on Peacock, now Netflix’s new deal with the studio will eventually replace this.
Netflix and Universal sensation
Thanks to the current partnership between Netflix and Universal, The Super Mario Bros. Movie became one of the streaming giant’s most watched films of 2024, meanwhile spending 38 weeks in Netflix’s Top 10 list in the US Sing 2 stayed in the Top 10 for 32 weeks. Other popular Universal films such as The The secret life of pets, Kung Fu Panda 4 And Minions: The Rise of Gru have also been a huge success for the platform, with each achieving a place in the Top 10.
With the deal being extended, it means we’ll see a number of highly anticipated animations released in the future that could end up on the list of the best Netflix movies, including The Super Mario Bros. Movie 2, minions 3, and what I’m most excited about: Shrek 5.
Bela Bajaria, Chief Content Officer, Netflix said in a Netflix press release: “We have always valued our partnership with NBCUniversal, and we are excited to expand it to bring even more entertainment to our US members starting in 2027. Illumination and DWA animated films have always been incredibly popular on Netflix, and we look forward to adding Universal Pictures and Focus Features live-action films in the coming years. 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.”