Illumination films have grossed over $11 billion, while DreamWorks Animation has earned more than $17 billion, highlighting the commercial success of these franchises.

Netflix has renewed and expanded its licensing deal with Universal, acquiring rights to both animated and live-action films from Illumination and DreamWorks.

Starting in 2027, Netflix will stream Universal Pictures and Focus Features' live-action films exclusively for 10 months after their theatrical release, following an initial four-month window on Peacock.

This partnership aims to enhance Netflix's content offerings, which already include popular animated films like Minions: The Rise of Gru and Trolls Band Together.

In the first half of 2024, eight of the top ten animated films on Netflix were produced by Illumination or DreamWorks, showcasing the effectiveness of the current licensing arrangement.

The Super Mario Bros. Movie was particularly successful, remaining on Netflix's US Top 10 list for a record 38 weeks.

Currently, Netflix boasts 283 million paid subscribers across more than 190 countries, underscoring its global reach.

This deal comes as both Netflix and Universal look to enhance their content offerings, including live NFL games and WWE programming transitioning to Netflix.

The agreement will impact Prime Video, as it replaces Amazon's previous deal with Universal, which began in 2022.

In contrast, Peacock has recently faced challenges, including a price increase and a loss of 500,000 subscribers.

Bela Bajaria, Netflix's Chief Content Officer, expressed enthusiasm for the expanded partnership, noting the popularity of Illumination and DreamWorks films on the platform.

Upcoming releases on Netflix will include Despicable Me 4 and The Wild Robot, further solidifying the platform's commitment to animated content.