Picture Credit: Sony Pictures
Is there a franchise that Sony Pictures isn’t willing to reboot? We still don’t know the answer to that, with Anaconda – the new Paul Rudd and Jack Black reboot (even though Sony really doesn’t want anyone calling it that) – is landing in cinemas over Christmas, bringing a meta-twist to the creature feature franchise. When will the movie hit Netflix? That answer depends on where you live, but if you’re in the United States, you’ll be able to watch in 2026.
“THIS IS NOT A REBOOT,” reads the official synopsis, continuing, “It is an entirely original comedy, inspired by the cinematic ‘classic’ “Anaconda”, that features Doug (Jack Black) and Griff (Paul Rudd), who have been best friends since they were kids and always dreamed of remaking their all-time favorite movie. When a midlife crisis pushes them to finally go for it, they head deep into the Amazon to start filming. But things get real when an actual giant anaconda appears, turning their comically chaotic movie set into a deadly situation.”
Directed by Tom Gormican, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Kevin Etten, the film is based on Anaconda, written by Hans Bauer and Jim Cash and Jack Epps, Jr. It is produced by Brad Fuller, Andrew Form, Kevin Etten, and Tom Gormican, with Samson Mücke serving as executive producer. The cast includes Black and Rudd alongside Steve Zahn, Thandiwe Newton, Daniela Melchior, and Selton Mello.
And we can use that exclusive streaming window to determine precisely when the movie will debut. So here’s when to expect Anaconda to land on Netflix if you don’t fancy a trip to the theaters over the festive period.
When will Anaconda be on Netflix?
As mentioned above, Anaconda does not yet have a confirmed Netflix release date at the time of writing, but we know that we’ll be waiting a while.
Unlike other studios, Sony Pictures does not have its own dedicated streaming service. Instead, it has a Pay 1 window deal with Netflix in the US and a few other regions, meaning its movies go exclusively to Netflix after their theatrical and digital runs. That’s active through to the end of 2026.
Based on the current agreement, this window typically opens 120 days after the cinema release. With the movie hitting cinemas on December 25, it means the earliest we can expect to watch Anaconda on Netflix is in late April.
Calculating the 120-day window from Christmas Day yields a release date of Friday, April 24. That date may shift a little earlier or later based on prior additions, but it’s a good guide point for now. It’ll then stream on Netflix for 18 months before heading to Hulu.
That date also applies to Netflix India, although in other international regions, Netflix holds different windows for Sony movies. Sometimes it’s within a year of release, whereas in some regions, like the United Kingdom, it can take 2-3 years to stream.
Are any of the older Anaconda movies on Netflix?
Yes, the first movie starring Jennifer Lopez and Ice Cube, which was released in 1997, is available in multiple regions right now, including the United States, where the license currently runs through February 1st, 2026. Worth noting that, like most other Sony releases, it’s unavailable on Netflix’s ad tier. Other regions currently streaming, according to Unogs, include the United Kingdom, Canada, France, Malaysia, Israel, Sweden, the Philippines, Thailand, and Sweden.
The follow-ups to Anaconda, Anaconda: The Hunt for the Blood Orchid, and 2014’s Anaconda – Silent Killer, also stream on Netflix in select international territories, including the United Kingdom, though not in the US.
