'No Time To Die'

Source: Universal

‘No Time To Die’

In a surprise development, Amazon MGM Studios has struck a deal to licence the entire James Bond catalogue to Netflix for a limited time.

Starting on January 15, 2026, Die Another Day, No Time To Die, Quantum Of Solace and Skyfall will stream on Netflix for three months in the United States, German-speaking Europe, France, Benelux, Italy, the Nordics, and Latin America. 

Amazon needs ways to monetise its MGM inventory and even though Bond films stream on Prime Video in October and November each year (in honour of Global James Bond Day on October 5) and there is programming throughout the year in the United States on MGM+, executives see the value in licencing to a rival streamer – in this case the industry leader with more than 300m global subscribers.

They want to use Netflix’s wider reach to grow and maintain interest in the British superspy property until producers David Heyman and Amy Pascal deliver the next feature. That could take another few years: Denis Villeneuve is on board to direct Bond 26 yet at time of writing it was still unknown who will replace Daniel Craig as 007.

The deal includes select Rocky and Creed films and the Legally Blonde titles from the storied MGM library, as well as six series, among them Amazon Originals Hunters and The Man In The High Castle. Hunters is already streaming on Netflix in the US, German-speaking Europe, France, Benelux, Italy, the Nordics, and Latin America for 12 months.

Chris Ottinger, head of worldwide distribution at Amazon MGM Studios, said: “When Amazon acquired MGM, Amazon’s plan was to continue licensing MGM’s iconic library to streaming and television partners around the world. Bringing these iconic films and shows to Netflix is part of that continued strategy.”

Ottinger continued: “James Bond remains one of the most enduring and influential franchises in cinematic history, and alongside other beloved titles in our library like Hunters among other series, this agreement reflects the continued global appetite for premium storytelling and the strong working relationship we’ve built with Netflix.”

2026 will be a big test of Amazon MGM Studio’s theatrical ambitions and the studio has lined up exclusive theatrical releases for its slate of originals under head of film, streaming and theatrical Courtenay Valenti, much to the delight of exhibitors. Former Paramount executive Helen Moss is the head of international theatrical distribution, while Kevin Wilson is her North American counterpart.

Among the earliest releases on the slate are Timur Bekmambetov’s Mercy starring Chris Pratt on January 23, 2026, followed by sci-fi adventure Project Hail Mary from Phil Lord and Chris Miller starring Ryan Gosling on March 20, 2026.

Streamers have been making the headlines in Hollywood of late. Netflix is asserting itself as the winner in the battle to acquire the studio and streaming assets of Warner Bros Discovery (WBD) after agreeing a deal with WBD last month, despite ongoing efforts by Paramount to gobble up all of WBD; and YouTube, which boasts more global viewers than any other platform on around 2.5bn, struck a deal with the Academy to stream the Oscars starting in 2029.

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