Netflix has secured the rights to the upcoming Sesame Street feature film, adding another major project to its expanding partnership with Sesame Workshop. The streaming platform reportedly beat out Universal Pictures after months of competition to bring the beloved children’s franchise to its growing family entertainment lineup.
According to industry reports, Universal had also been pursuing the project and was developing its own version with Oscar winning filmmakers Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, collectively known as The Daniels. Producers Phil Lord and Christopher Miller were also attached to the project. However, Netflix ultimately secured the film rights, marking another significant investment in children’s and family programming.
The deal further strengthens Netflix’s relationship with Sesame Street. In May 2025, the company announced that it would become the global streaming home for new episodes of the iconic educational series while continuing its partnership with PBS, ensuring the show remains free to watch for children across the United States. Netflix also added an extensive collection of classic Sesame Street episodes to its library.
Very little has been revealed about the new film. The story remains under wraps and no director, cast or release date has been announced. The project is expected to be produced by Rideback, the production company known for Disney’s live action films Aladdin and Lilo & Stitch.
Netflix’s latest acquisition reflects its continued focus on expanding its family content portfolio at a time when major streaming platforms are competing for established global franchises. With both the television series and the upcoming feature film now under its banner, Netflix is positioning itself as the primary home for Sesame Street content.
Created by Joan Ganz Cooney and Lloyd Morrisett, Sesame Street first premiered in 1969 and has remained one of the most influential children’s television programmes in history. Through a mix of live action, puppetry, animation and music, the series has educated and entertained generations of children around the world. Characters including Elmo, Cookie Monster, Big Bird, Bert and Ernie have become household names and cultural icons over the past five decades.
The journey to bringing Sesame Street back to the big screen has not been straightforward. Previous attempts to develop a theatrical feature moved between different studios before eventually stalling. With Netflix now taking charge of the project, the long awaited film has found a new home and a renewed opportunity to introduce the timeless franchise to a fresh generation of audiences.
For Netflix, the agreement is about more than adding another family film to its catalogue. It strengthens the platform’s long term relationship with one of the world’s most beloved children’s brands and creates a unified home for Sesame Street across both television and film.