Image Credit: MRC
When Netflix first launched its ad-supported tier in late 2022, subscribers immediately discovered a problem: A notable portion of the platform’s library was locked behind a digital padlock. Due to legacy licensing agreements made long before commercial breaks were even considered for the streaming giant, Netflix has struggled to renegotiate rights with major studios to include their content in the “standard with ads” plan.
For a long time, Sony Pictures was one of the biggest obstacles. However, after recent success, Netflix has officially unlocked Sony Pictures movies for its ad-tier subscribers.
Finally, with Sony’s involvement, the number of unavailable titles has reduced. Today, only 0.74% of Netflix’s entire library is blocked for ad-tier users (60 titles out of 8,107). He is in the United States; Elsewhere, this number is even lower (even if the library is larger), for example, only 0.41% of titles on Netflix UK’s library are blocked.
This is a significant advancement because when Netflix’s ad tier launched in 2022, 5.1% of Netflix’s library was blocked (326 out of 6,324 available). This was to fall to 2% by the end of 2024 and 1.85% by the beginning of 2026. Many titles left the library that were blocked, while the rights to some titles were quietly renegotiated. a good example of this peaky blindersWhich quietly became available on an ad level sometime in 2025.
Just before the deal went into effect, 140 titles were blocked, meaning the new Sony deal, which was originally expected to start in 2027, lifted the lock on 80 films.
But if Sony is no longer the disruptor, who is? Looking at the final ~60 titles still restricted to the ad-supported plan, a clear pattern emerges. Even titles with the famous red “Netflix Original” [N] Badges are not completely secure, as the keys are ultimately held by third party production companies.
Here are the details of the last major holdout, holding off 0.74%.
1. DreamWorks Animation Television
Surprisingly, the largest share of locked titles is from DreamWorks Animation Television. Despite Netflix serving as the exclusive global home for these “Netflix Originals” series, the underlying streaming rights for the ad-supported tiers have apparently not been decided yet. The parent company of this category is also the next company we will include in this list…
example title: The Boss Baby series (Back in the Crib, Christmas Bonus), The Bad Guys series and specials, Kung Fu Panda: The Dragon Knight, Tales of Arcadia (3Below, Wizards), Fast & Furious Spy Racers, Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts, Dragons: Rescue Riders (various specials), Rhyme Time Town, and Team Zenko Go.
2. NBCUniversal (UCP) and Telemundo
A handful of recreational dramas and telenovelas produced under the NBCUniversal umbrella (including UCP and Telemundo Studios) are still in production. Interestingly, while Comcast’s TV titles are still blocked, all of their movie output from Universal has never been blocked.
example title: Queen of the South (leaving the library immediately), Dirty John, Diary of a Gigolo, and El Marginal.
3. AMC Studios
Image Credit: AMC
AMC recently partnered with Netflix to bring a huge wave of its programming to the streamer. While some are available at Netflix’s ad tier, some others are not. interesting thing the walking dead At one time it was part of the blocked list, but it is no longer so.
example title:Turn: Washington’s Spies, 61st Street, Dispatches from Elsewhere, Moonhaven, Sanctuary: A Witch’s Tale, and Sundance Channel’s The Red Road.
4. The Weinstein Company (Legacy Title)
When the original distributor goes bankrupt, and its assets are scattered, rights negotiations can be a legal nightmare. Many titles produced or distributed by the now-defunct Weinstein Company are completely unavailable to ad-tier users.
example title:Lion, The Founder, Tulip Fever, Hands of Stone, and Time: The Kalief Browder Story.
5. Media Rights Capital (MRC) and Netflix’s first flagship full original
Perhaps the most ironic title on the blocked list is the one that put Netflix Originals on the map: House of cards. Because the series was produced by and is ultimately owned by MRC (Media Rights Capital) under a contract signed a decade ago, Netflix does not have blanket rights to run advertisements against it without MRC’s sign-off.
6. Independent Distributors and One-Off Holdouts
Image Credit: Voltage Pictures/Wild Bunch
The remainder of the blocked list consists of a mix of critically acclaimed indies, foreign films, and smaller studio releases. Without a massive, overarching studio deal to end these in one fell swoop (like the Sony deal did), Netflix will have to negotiate these on a tough case-by-case basis.
Notable titles:
- Boyhood (IFC Productions)
- Francis Ha (Scott Rudin Productions/RT Features)
- Blue is the hottest color (Wild Bunch)
- Wind River (Voltage Pictures/Wild Bunch)
- Joker and Viral (Dimension Films)
bottom line
If you’re on Netflix’s ad-supported plan, the recent Sony Pictures deal is a big win. While missing House of Cards, some beloved indie darlings, and a range of DreamWorks Kids shows may be a bit of a bummer for some, the ad tier now offers 99.26% parity with the premium, ad-free experience.
We will update our list of the full 60 titles still blocked at the ad level tomorrow and will continue to update it as long as a title remains blocked.
