Sony Pictures’ new first window deal comes with an added feature for Netflix subscribers.
Image: Sony Pictures
For the past few years, subscribers to Netflix’s ad tier have been unable to watch first-window Sony movies or older titles from the studio’s vast library. However, thanks to a recently announced global deal, What’s on Netflix has learned that this blockade will finally begin to lift.
As we’ve covered since the rollout of Netflix’s ad tier, Sony Pictures has been the primary stumbling block in allowing its content to be streamed with ads. The reason for the exclusion is complex licensing agreements that are often negotiated in advance and must take into account pre-existing deals. Although there has never been a definitive public reason for not including Sony Pictures films at the advertising level, this may soon be changing.
In case you missed it, Netflix and Sony Pictures yesterday announced the expansion of their first-window deal in the United States, along with news that the partnership will expand globally in the coming years. The new deal will begin in 2027 and run for five years until 2032. Essentially, this means that all of Sony Pictures’ theatrically released films – such as the upcoming Spider-Man movies – will stream on Netflix approximately four months after their theatrical release. After this they will remain on service for 18 months.
Importantly, What’s on Netflix has learned that ad-level inclusion will apply to newly released Sony Pictures films starting in 2027. This means that any remaining releases coming during 2026, such as 28 years later: Bone TempleWill probably be excluded from the advertising plan.
Once these Sony Pictures movies become available at the ad tier, it will significantly reduce the number of blocked titles, which currently stands at 142 (about 1.8% of Netflix’s total library). While this figure varies from week to week, we estimate that the number of blocked titles will eventually be halved, leaving mostly Universal TV shows, select AMC series, and a few others as the remaining holdouts. Of course, the long-term goal is to reach full parity between ad-supported and premium libraries.
We’ll have more coverage of Sony Pictures movies coming to Netflix in 2026 and beyond, so stay tuned.