‘The Interview’ To Stream On Netflix Next Week; Sony’s Film Has Earned Over $40M In Digital Sales

Sony Pictures’ controversial comedy, “The Interview,” will begin streaming on Netflix from Jan. 24, the company said Tuesday. The announcement was made in a letter revealing the company’s quarterly earnings.

Netflix, which entered into talks with Sony for licensing the Seth Rogen-directed film in December, reportedly said that the film will be made available to subscribers in the U.S. and Canada. The studio said Tuesday that the film has grossed over $40 million in digital sales, and called the collection “a significant milestone.” The takings reportedly come from 5.8 million online rentals and purchases of the film -- starring James Franco and Rogen -- through distributors like Google Play, YouTube and iTunes.

"We always said that we would get the movie to the greatest audience possible," Michael Lynton, Sony Pictures CEO, reportedly said.

The film is about how two American journalists, recruited by the CIA, attempt to assassinate North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. The film was initially pulled down after a hacking group calling itself “Guardians of Peace” hacked Sony Pictures, and threatened to continue to divulge the company's confidential data unless the film was scrapped.

Sony first decided to cancel the film's release but later agreed to a limited release in independent theaters after its cancelation was criticized by President Barack Obama. So far, the film has reportedly earned $6 million at the box office.

The U.S. government has blamed North Korea for the massive cyber attack on Sony in November, but the North has denied any involvement while calling the film an “an act of war” and lauding the hack.