Netflix swoops to bag Sony Animation movies

Streaming service Netflix has scored a licensing agreement for Sony Pictures Animation movies, and will now offer feature films from the studio in the US.

Netflix is to offer Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs 2 and Smurfs 2 this year following the agreement with Sony Pictures Television. The deal is for exclusive first-window pay TV rights and runs for multiple years.

Premium cable channel Starz will remain the exclusive first window pay TV rights to Sony’s live-action films until 2021, as per an agreement struck last year.

The deal is the latest major movie agreement with a Hollywood studio Netflix has scored. It will replace Starz as the exclusive home of Disney films from 2016, and also has an exclusive deal with DreamWorks Animation.