Sony Pictures' upcoming comedy Anaconda, starring Jack Black and Paul Rudd, arrives in cinemas on December 25. The film, inspired by the 1997 creature feature but not a reboot, follows two friends attempting to remake their favorite movie in the Amazon. It will stream exclusively on Netflix in the United States starting late April 2026.
The new Anaconda film marks another revival effort from Sony Pictures, featuring a meta twist on the original 1997 horror movie. Directed by Tom Gormican, who co-wrote the screenplay with Kevin Etten, the story centers on lifelong friends Doug (Jack Black) and Griff (Paul Rudd). As the official synopsis states, “THIS IS NOT A REBOOT. It is an entirely original comedy, inspired by the cinematic ‘classic’ Anaconda, that features Doug and Griff, 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.”
The cast also includes Steve Zahn, Thandiwe Newton, Daniela Melchior, and Selton Mello. Production credits go to Brad Fuller, Andrew Form, Kevin Etten, and Tom Gormican, with Samson Mücke as executive producer. The screenplay draws from the original Anaconda, written by Hans Bauer, Jim Cash, and Jack Epps, Jr.
Unlike studios with their own streaming platforms, Sony relies on a Pay-1 deal with Netflix for the United States and select regions, extending through the end of 2026. This agreement provides an exclusive window typically 120 days after theatrical release. With Anaconda opening in cinemas on December 25, the Netflix debut is projected for Friday, April 24, 2026. It will remain on Netflix for 18 months before moving to Hulu. The same timeline applies to Netflix India, though international availability varies, potentially taking one to three years in regions like the United Kingdom.
Early reviews describe the film as a “toothless action-comedy” about two friends trying to remake the 1997 hit. Meanwhile, the original Anaconda, starring Jennifer Lopez and Ice Cube, is currently streaming on Netflix in the United States until February 1, 2026, and in countries including the United Kingdom, Canada, and France. Its sequels, Anaconda: The Hunt for the Blood Orchid and Anaconda: Silent Killer, are available in select international markets but not in the US.
