Netflix Snags 007 as James Bond Movies Arrive in New Amazon Deal

Well, this is interesting. After dropping serious cash to buy MGM and, by extension, the James Bond machine, Amazon is letting a handful of 007 movies pop up on Netflix. It sounds counterintuitive, but there is a strategy here.

What Netflix is getting (and when)

Starting January 15, Netflix will stream a curated batch of Bond titles, plus a few other recognizable properties from Amazon MGM Studios. It is a short-term window, but it is wide geographically.

• James Bond on Netflix: 'Die Another Day', 'Quantum of Solace', 'Skyfall', 'No Time to Die' (available for three months starting Jan 15)
• Also coming via the same deal: 'Rocky', 'Creed', 'Legally Blonde', and the Prime Video series 'The Man in the High Castle'
• Related note: another Amazon original, 'Hunters', already started streaming on Netflix earlier this month
• Availability for the Bond titles spans the U.S., Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France, Benelux, Italy, Nordics, and Latin America

Why Amazon is doing this (and yes, it makes sense)

Amazon has been clear about one thing since it bought MGM: the company is not going to lock the entire library behind Prime Video forever. Licensing is still part of the playbook, even for marquee brands like Bond. Translation: if Netflix wants to cut a check for a few months of 007 and friends, Amazon will take it.

"When Amazon acquired MGM, Amazon's plan was to continue licensing MGM's iconic library to streaming and television partners around the world. Bringing these iconic films and shows to Netflix is part of that continued strategy. James Bond remains one of the most enduring and influential franchises in cinematic history, and alongside other beloved titles in our library like Hunters among other series, this agreement reflects the continued global appetite for premium storytelling and the strong working relationship we've built with Netflix."

— Chris Ottinger, Head of Worldwide Distribution, Amazon MGM Studios

Behind the scenes, insiders frame this as a straightforward business move: broaden the footprint and reengage audiences. In other words, get Bond in front of people who might not be browsing Prime, remind them he exists, and everyone shares the upside.

The fine print

The Bond batch is a sampler, not a full catalogue dump, and the window is tight: three months across the listed regions. If you want a quick Brosnan-to-Craig refresher, the clock starts January 15. And if you raise an eyebrow at Amazon putting its own originals like 'Hunters' and 'The Man in the High Castle' on Netflix, you are not wrong to notice. That is a notable shift — and a clear sign Amazon is happy to let high-profile titles do some traveling if it grows the audience.