Universal Is Moving Its Licensing Deal for Live-Action Films from Amazon to Netflix

Universal’s animated movies have been massive hits for Netflix, and now the streamer is looking to replicate that success story with Universal Pictures and Focus Features live-action films.

Netflix and Universal Filmed Entertainment Group have renewed their existing licensing deal for animated films, including those from Illumination and DreamWorks Animation. Beginning with the 2027 slate, Universal’s live-action movies will join the cartoon and CGI films on Netflix no later than eight months after their theatrical release.

Currently, Universal’s live-action films head to Amazon Prime Video in that window.

Here’s how the Netflix/Universal pact works: A few months after a Universal movie is released in theaters, it heads to Peacock. After four months on the actual NBCUniversal streaming service, Netflix gets the movie a 10-month exclusivity window — it then returns to Peacock for the final four months of the outlined 18-month window. And then a new window begins.

Netflix will also license the rights to Universal’s full animation and live-action film slate in some of those future windows over subsequent years. It will also get some older movies from Universal’s library.

“We have always valued our partnership with NBCUniversal, and we are excited to expand it to bring even more entertainment to our U.S. members starting in 2027,” Bela Bajaria, Netflix’s chief content officer, said in a statement shared with IndieWire. “Illumination and DWA animated films have always been incredibly popular on Netflix, and we are looking forward to adding Universal Pictures and Focus Features live-action films in the years to come.  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.”

“With this expanded partnership, we’re providing an optimal experience for today’s consumer with a direct-to-consumer strategy that is advantageous to both NBCUniversal and Netflix,” Peter Levinsohn, the chairman of Global Distribution for NBCUniversal Studio Group, said. “We’re always trying to marry our diverse Film slate and innovative windowing strategy with the right partners, and Netflix’s unparalleled support of our slate allows us to make sure our films are enjoyed in the theater and at home by the broadest possible audience.”

Universal (as a whole) is partners with studios like Blumhouse, Jordan Peele’s Monkeypaw, Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Partners, Will Packer Productions, Lord Miller, Elizabeth Banks and Max Handelman’s Brownstone Productions, and others.