Netflix and Warner Bros. reached an agreement on Friday that brings the two companies under one structure, combining Netflix’s streaming platform with Warner Bros.’ catalogue, studios and rights portfolio.
The combined group will hold a wide range of film, television and games for future development and distribution.
The acquisition brings the two entities together and combines Netflix’s distribution platform with Warner Bros.’ catalogue, production units and rights holdings.
Warner Bros. holds rights to a range of well-known film and television properties, including:
- DC titles such as Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Joker and the Justice League
- Wizarding World, including Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts
- Rights to produce films based on The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit (under existing arrangements)
- The Matrix
- Mad Max
- Dune
- The Conjuring
- Godzilla x Kong (in partnership arrangements)
- IT
The historic film library includes titles such as Casablanca, The Wizard of Oz, Citizen Kane and a large archive of catalogue films.
The transaction includes the company’s film and television studios and related operations:
- Warner Bros. Pictures
- New Line Cinema
- DC Studios
- Warner Bros. Television
- Warner Bros. Animation
- Hanna-Barbera library
- Adult Swim production units
- Cartoon Network Studios
Warner Bros. Television produces series including Friends, The Big Bang Theory, The Sopranos, Game of Thrones, The West Wing, The Bachelor and others. Netflix plans to retain Warner Bros.’ operating structure, including theatrical releases.
The acquisition includes HBO and HBO Max. HBO’s programmes include:
- Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon
- The Last of Us
- Euphoria
- True Detective
- Succession
- The Wire
These services will continue within Netflix’s wider platform.
Warner Bros. adds a range of animation catalogues:
- Looney Tunes (Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Tweety, Road Runner and others)
- Hanna-Barbera series such as Scooby-Doo, The Flintstones and The Jetsons
- Cartoon Network series including Adventure Time, The Powerpuff Girls, Regular Show and Ben 10
- Adult Swim titles under existing arrangements
The acquisition includes Warner Bros. Games, which operates several game studios:
- Rocksteady Studios (Batman: Arkham)
- NetherRealm Studios (Mortal Kombat)
- Avalanche Software (Hogwarts Legacy)
- Monolith Productions (Middle-earth, Wonder Woman in development)
These studios hold and develop games linked to Warner Bros.’ film and television rights.
