Netflix Customers will be able to add even more Universal films to their queue, with the studio’s live-action titles coming to the streamer in the US, starting with the 2027 slate.

Netflix and NBCUniversal’s Universal Filmed Entertainment Group have announced an agreement to renew their existing licensing agreement for animated films from Illumination and DreamWorks Animation. Now, starting with the 2027 slate, Netflix will have US rights to live-action films from both Universal Pictures and Focus Features “no later than eight months” after their theatrical release.

After the initial premiere of Universal films on NBCU’s Peacock, Netflix will have a 10-month window where these films are only available on Netflix – before returning to Peacock. Netflix will also license rights to Universal’s full-length animation and live-action films for additional windows in future years, as well as rights to select titles from Universal’s film library, the companies said.

“We have always valued our partnership with NBCUniversal and are excited to expand it to bring even more entertainment to our members in the US starting in 2027,” Bela Bajaria, Netflix’s chief content officer, said in a statement. “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 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 movies to enjoy.”

In the first six months of 2024, eight of the top 10 animated movies on Netflix were from Illumination and DWA — including “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” from Illumination/Nintendo, which spent a record 38 weeks in the US Netflix Top 10 and “Sing 2” after 32 weeks. Recent films from the existing animation partnership include “The Super Mario Bros. Movie’, ‘Minions: The Rise of Gru’, ‘Migration’ and ‘Trolls Band Together’.

Currently, “Sing,” “The Secret Life of Pets” and “Kung Fu Panda 4” are currently on Netflix’s daily US Top 10 Movies list. Upcoming films from the existing animation partnership include “Despicable Me 4” and “The Wild Robot.”

Peter Levinsohn, president of global distribution for NBCUniversal Studio Group, commented, “Through this expanded partnership, we are delivering an optimal experience for today’s consumer with a direct-to-consumer strategy that is beneficial to both NBCUniversal and Netflix. We are always looking to bring together our diverse range of films and innovative showcase strategy with the right partners, and the unparalleled support provided by Netflix allows us to ensure that our films are enjoyed in theaters and at home by the widest possible audience.”

UFEG claims to maintain “the largest theater slate in the industry.” Studio partners include Jason Blum’s Blumhouse, Jordan Peele’s Monkeypaw, Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Partners, Will Packer Productions, Lord Miller and Elizabeth Banks and Max Handelman’s Brownstone Prods.