Picture Credit: Sony Pictures

Riding the commercial momentum of The Super Mario Bros. Movie, Nintendo is pushing further into Hollywood with a live-action adaptation of The Legend of Zelda. Once its theatrical run wraps, will the film land on Netflix — and will that release be truly global? There's been plenty of confusion on both fronts, but a landmark new Sony deal has made the picture considerably clearer.

Here is everything you need to know about The Legend of Zelda movie: the latest 2026 production updates, cast announcements, and a detailed breakdown of its upcoming global streaming release.

What is The Legend of Zelda movie?

For the uninitiated, The Legend of Zelda is one of Nintendo's most celebrated and enduring franchises, first launched in 1986. The games follow a courageous Hylian hero named Link on a quest to rescue Princess Zelda and protect the magical kingdom of Hyrule from the dark lord Ganon.

Unlike Illumination's animated approach with Mario, Nintendo is giving Zelda a full-scale live-action treatment. The film is a co-production between Nintendo and Sony Pictures Entertainment, with series creator Shigeru Miyamoto closely overseeing the project alongside veteran Hollywood producer Avi Arad.

At the helm is director Wes Ball (Maze Runner, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes). Benjamin Evan Ainsworth (The Haunting of Bly Manor) plays Link, while Bo Bragason (Renegade Nell) stars as Princess Zelda. Principal photography began in late 2025, wrapped recently, and was shot primarily in New Zealand.

When is The Legend of Zelda releasing in theaters?

Sony Pictures has officially set May 7, 2027 as the film's worldwide theatrical premiere date.

Will The Legend of Zelda be coming to Netflix?

Yes — and it will be a largely global release.

Historically, Netflix's "Pay-1 window" deal with Sony Pictures was a US-only arrangement, with limited exceptions in markets like Germany and Southeast Asia. Streaming rights elsewhere were fragmented, and international subscribers could face waits of several years.

That has changed significantly. As we reported earlier this year, Netflix and Sony Pictures Entertainment have expanded their agreement into a worldwide exclusive partnership. Running from 2027 through 2032, the deal means that once a Sony film completes its theatrical and VOD window, Netflix becomes its exclusive first streaming destination — globally.

When will it stream on Netflix?

Under the new global Pay-1 arrangement, Sony films typically arrive on Netflix approximately 100 days after their theatrical debut.

If The Legend of Zelda holds to its May 7, 2027 release date, expect the film to hit Netflix in the US and worldwide sometime in mid-to-late August 2027, or early September 2027. Rollout timing may vary slightly in territories with pre-existing localized deals, but Netflix's global availability is expected to be in full effect well before the film arrives.

The Pay-1 window lasts 18 months, after which the film becomes available to other streaming services.

Will The Legend of Zelda be on the Netflix ad-supported tier?

Yes. Major Sony theatrical releases were previously restricted to Premium and Standard ad-free subscribers. However, in an unexpected move this April, Netflix quietly unlocked its entire Sony Pictures library for Standard with Ads subscribers — ahead of the timeline many had anticipated.

That means when The Legend of Zelda arrives on Netflix, no plan upgrade will be required. It will be available from day one on the ad-supported tier.

What other Sony movies are coming to Netflix?

The Legend of Zelda is just one title in a deep pipeline of Sony blockbusters heading to Netflix globally over the next several years. Subscribers have plenty to look forward to under the expanded deal, including:

• Spider-Man: Brand New Day (Estimated Netflix US Release: November 2026)
• Resident Evil (Estimated Netflix US Release: January 2027)
• Jumanji: The Next Level Sequel (Estimated Netflix US Release: April 2027)
• The Beatles – A Four-Film Cinematic Event (Estimated Netflix Global Release: August 2028)

Are you excited to stream The Legend of Zelda globally on Netflix? Let us know in the comments below!