The streaming giant reportedly emerged victorious after competition from several major studios, adding the movie rights to a franchise it has already been investing in through its television partnership with Sesame Workshop.
The upcoming film will be produced by Rideback, the production company led by Jonathan Eirich and Michael LoFaso. Rideback is known for producing major family-friendly titles, including Disney’s live-action adaptations of Aladdin and Lilo & Stitch. Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit organization behind Sesame Street, will also be involved in the project as a producer.
Netflix has not publicly commented on the acquisition.
The deal further strengthens Netflix’s relationship with Sesame Street. In 2025, the streamer secured television rights to the iconic children’s series, bringing new episodes and library content to its platform. By acquiring the feature film rights as well, Netflix is positioning itself as the primary home for one of the most influential educational entertainment brands in television history.
Created in 1969, Sesame Street has become a cultural institution over the past five decades. The long-running series combines entertainment and education through a cast of beloved characters, including Big Bird, Elmo, Cookie Monster, Bert, Ernie, Grover, and Oscar the Grouch. The program has reached generations of children worldwide and remains one of the most recognizable family brands in media.
According to reports, the bidding process lasted for approximately a year. Sesame Workshop signed with Creative Artists Agency (CAA) to explore opportunities for the property, leading to interest from several major Hollywood players.
At various stages, Netflix, Universal Pictures, Warner Bros., and Paramount were all linked to the project.
Warner Bros. had previously controlled the feature film rights for nearly a decade and spent years attempting to develop a Sesame Street movie. However, despite multiple development efforts, the studio was ultimately unable to bring a film to theaters.
Universal reportedly emerged as one of Netflix’s strongest competitors during the bidding process. The studio’s package was said to include involvement from Academy Award-winning filmmakers Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, collectively known as Daniels, as well as producers Phil Lord and Christopher Miller. However, no director was formally attached to the project.
In the end, Netflix’s proposal, combined with Rideback’s creative approach, reportedly won the support of Sesame Workshop.
At present, filmmakers have not yet been attached to direct the movie, and plot details remain under wraps.
The upcoming project will mark the third feature-length adaptation of Sesame Street. Previous films include 1985’s Follow That Bird and 1999’s The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland. Both movies brought the beloved television characters to the big screen and helped expand the franchise beyond its television roots.
With Netflix now controlling both the television and feature film rights, the company appears committed to expanding the Sesame Street universe for a new generation of viewers. While development remains in the early stages, the acquisition represents a significant move in the increasingly competitive market for established family entertainment brands.
No release date, casting announcements, or additional creative details have been revealed.