Netflix loses top films, Hulu gains in streaming deal

LOS ANGELES: A big shakeup of online streaming catalogs has Netflix losing major films to Hulu in a recent deal.

The popular Netflix platform announced over the weekend it had decided to let go of blockbuster films such as "Hunger Games: Catching Fire" and "World War Z" so that it can focus on original content.

Entertainment company EPIX subsequently said it was shifting partners to Hulu, which will be picking up the licensing for major films leaving its streaming rival Netflix.

"It will take us time to build a robust slate of original movies, but we´re hard at work on it with such great stars and directors as Brad Pitt, Ricky Gervais, Judd Apatow, Angelina Jolie, Sofia Coppola and Adam Sandler," wrote content officer at Netflix Ted Sarandos.

Sarandos noted the hit films the service was dropping were already widely available elsewhere.

"Our goal is to provide great movies and TV series for all tastes, that are only available on Netflix," he said.

Hulu said in a statement that it would "continue to roll out new hit titles, library films and original programming from EPIX through each year of the deal, bringing thousands of new theatrical releases and classic film titles to Hulu subscribers".