Netflix buys Warner Bros., potentially upgrading its gaming ambitions with new studios and IP

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Netflix announced today that it’s buying Warner Bros., the company behind the popular streaming service HBO. This deal combines two of the biggest players in movies and TV, and importantly, significantly expands Netflix’s presence in the gaming world. Warner Bros. Games has seen both successes, like the blockbuster Hogwarts Legacy, and failures, such as the disappointing Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League. Netflix has been trying to establish itself in gaming – recently adding Red Dead Redemption and reportedly working with the studio behind Life is Strange on a new project. However, Netflix previously scaled back its ambitions for big-budget games by closing a development studio last year.

Netflix is set to acquire Warner Bros., which could dramatically shift Netflix’s gaming plans

The agreement still needs to be approved by regulators in the US and other countries, so it could take several months to become official, and it’s not certain to happen. If it does, Netflix would gain access to a huge library of content from Warner Bros., including popular franchises like Batman, Superman, and other DC heroes, as well as Harry Potter and Game of Thrones. In addition, Netflix would also acquire several well-known video game developers. This includes Rocksteady (known for the Batman: Arkham series), NetherRealm Studios (Mortal Kombat), TT Games (LEGO games), and Avalanche Software (Hogwarts Legacy). If Netflix and Warner Bros. work together effectively, they could build a successful gaming business in the coming years.

Just because these studios are currently with Netflix doesn’t mean they’ll stay there permanently. Big company deals like this often lead to job cuts and organizational changes for everyone involved. For example, after Microsoft bought Activision Blizzard in 2023, thousands of people lost their jobs at both companies.

Netflix and Warner Bros. Discovery announced a new partnership, with Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav stating that it will bring even more beloved entertainment to audiences worldwide. Despite this collaboration, Warner Bros. Discovery still intends to separate its Warner Bros. and Discovery brands, now anticipated to be finalized in the third quarter of 2026. Importantly, this deal does not involve Netflix acquiring Discovery.

If this deal is finalized, it’s expected to significantly change the entertainment industry. Combining Netflix and HBO Max’s streaming viewers with Warner Bros.’ strong performance in movie theaters will create a very powerful competitor. A recent Variety article noted that Warner Bros. had seven films in a row that opened with over $40 million in ticket sales, including titles like A Minecraft Movie, Sinners, and Superman. The big question now is what will happen to these movies – will they stream on Netflix, stay in theaters, or be available in both places? We’ll have to wait and see how things unfold.

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2025-12-06 00:32