Netflix Inks First-Look Deal with Artists Equity

Ben Affleck, Matt Damon and Gerry Cardinale’s Artists Equity has inked a multiyear, first-look streaming deal with Netflix.

The deal comes after the January debut of The Rip, an action thriller starring Affleck and Damon that spent three weeks at number one on the streamer’s global weekly top ten chart.

Later this year, Netflix will launch Affleck’s directorial feature Animals, which he will star in alongside Kerry Washington, Gillian Anderson and Steven Yeun.

“We’re expanding our partnership with Artists Equity because they share our mission—to make bold, original films,” said Dan Lin, chairman of film at Netflix. “Ben and Matt don’t wait for opportunities, they create them; from making and starring in ambitious, original films to building an innovative studio model. Audiences worldwide are loving The Rip, and we can’t wait to share the thriller Animals later this year. Formalizing this relationship means we will be making even more memorable movies together.”

“This is an incredible milestone for Artists Equity and one that validates the vision we’ve been working towards since 2022,” Affleck and Damon said. “From the jump, we’ve seen this growing need for an independent supplier comfortable across the entire creative process, from development to final cut. Netflix is a great match for our work. Dan and his team have a unique connection with the modern viewer and the ability to unite audiences over a shared cultural moment. Pairing that with our future-facing, artist-first approach, we’re confident The Rip’s success will prove to be just the beginning. We can’t wait to create many more ambitious, globally resonant stories together.”