Netflix expands Sony partnership with exclusive rights to The Legend of Zelda movie
The 2027 Nintendo adaptation headlines a massive new global Pay-1 streaming deal
Netflix has secured the exclusive global streaming rights to the upcoming live-action The Legend of Zelda movie. The announcement is part of a major, “first-of-its-kind” agreement between Netflix and Sony Pictures Entertainment that establishes a new global Pay-1 window. Once the film completes its theatrical and home video run, Netflix will become its sole streaming destination worldwide.
While similar Pay-1 arrangements already existed in select territories such as the United States and Germany, this new deal expands the partnership to a global scale. According to Sony Pictures, the rollout will begin gradually throughout 2026, with full worldwide availability on Netflix expected by early 2029.
“The new global Pay-1 arrangement will roll out gradually starting later this year as individual territory rights become available, with full global availability on Netflix in early 2029,” Sony Pictures said. “As part of this deal, Netflix will also license rights to select SPE feature film and television library titles.”
Among the many upcoming films covered by the agreement, The Legend of Zelda stands out as one of the most anticipated. The movie is scheduled to hit theaters on May 7, 2027, and is being directed by Wes Ball (Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes), with Shigeru Miyamoto producing alongside Avi Arad. The cast includes Benjamin Evan Ainsworth as Link and Bo Bragason as Zelda. Production began in New Zealand in late 2025, with the goal of delivering a grounded, epic fantasy that stays true to the spirit of the games.
What does this mean for the home video experience?
Despite Netflix securing streaming exclusivity, the deal does not replace traditional home media releases. Fans seeking the highest possible audiovisual quality will still be able to purchase the film on 4K Blu-ray and DVD before it arrives on the streaming platform.
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Beyond The Legend of Zelda, the agreement also covers other major Sony releases, including Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse and Sam Mendes’ four upcoming Beatles biopics.
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