
Back to All News
Higher Ground Extends Creative Partnership with Netflix
Entertainment
13 June 2024
Global
Link copied to clipboard
On the heels of the announcement that Higher Ground's film Leave the World Behind topped all of Netflix viewing in the second half of 2023 and that Bodkin, the Will Forte crime drama series, debuted on Netflix's Top 10 weekly global list, President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama's media company, Higher Ground, has extended its creative partnership with Netflix. Under the terms of the agreement, Higher Ground will have a multi-year, first look deal with Netflix for all its film and television projects.
Vinnie Malhotra, President of Higher Ground, said: From the beginning, Netflix has championed our projects, helping them flourish and reach millions across the world. We're thrilled to build on our stellar creative partnership and to deliver more ambitious films and series. From gripping thrillers to heartfelt comedies and profound documentaries, we have so much that we look forward to sharing.
Bela Bajaria, Netflix's Chief Content Officer, said: If there's one thing that's defined President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama's creative ambitions since we started our partnership with Higher Ground, it is their pursuit of an exceptional story that brings the human experience to light. We are delighted to continue our relationship with Higher Ground as they continue to develop and produce more ambitious, compelling and entertaining stories.
Higher Ground's recent projects with Netflix include Rustin, American Symphony, Leave the World Behind, Working: What We Do All Day, and Bodkin. Rustin, a feature film that tells the story of civil rights and gay rights activist Bayard Rustin, earned Academy Award, BAFTA and Screen Actors Guild nominations for Colman Domingo's performance in the titular role. American Symphony was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song and a BAFTA Award for Best Documentary. Higher Ground's apocalyptic thriller directed by Sam Esmail, Leave the World Behind, climbed to the fifth spot on Netflix's Most Popular Films List of all time, clocking 121 million views in just over three weeks after its premiere. Despite debuting late in the year, the film topped all Netflix viewing in the second half of 2023. Most recently, Higher Ground's Will Forte crime drama series, Bodkin, spent 3 weeks on the Netflix Global Top 10 list.
Previous Higher Ground projects with Netflix include Academy Award nominee Crip Camp, the Emmy Award-winning Our Great National Parks, as well as Fatherhood, Becoming, Worth, We the People, Descendant, plus the hit kids and family series Waffles + Mochi and Ada Twist, Scientist. Higher Ground's first film release on Netflix, American Factory, won the 2019 Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature, and a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing for a Documentary/Nonfiction Program.
Higher Ground has an expansive range of projects currently in development or production. Higher Ground has acquired the rights to S.A. Cosby's best-selling crime thriller All the Sinners Bleed, which it is developing with Amblin Entertainment, Hello, Beautiful, a family drama by Ann Napolitano that was an Oprah Winfrey's Book Club pick, and Dyersville, a highly sought-after Chicago-set crime thriller inspired by real life events and penned by Will Hettinger, directed by Grant Singer.
Higher Ground is in development on a film adaptation of Frederick Douglass: Prophet of Freedom, the Pulitzer Prize-winning biography by David W. Blight. Regina King is set to direct, with a script by Kemp Powers, reuniting the pair behind One Night in Miami.
Michelle Obama is working closely alongside Lupita Nyong'o on a romantic comedy film titled Fling, produced by and starring Nyongo, based on a novel by J.F. Murray.
Higher Ground is in production on an unscripted series about older people finding companionship, The Later Daters, produced alongside a Harvard-trained behavioral scientist, Logan Ury, who will serve as an on-air expert.
Higher Ground is also partnering with Words and Pictures, the team behind The Last Dance, and the International Olympic Committee on a documentary series following the Olympic Basketball Tournament in Paris later this year.
About Higher Ground
Higher Ground, founded by President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama, creates and elevates stories and voices that bend the arc. From scripted and unscripted television, feature films, and animated series to podcasts and digital series, the company tells widely acclaimed stories across all platforms. Higher Ground has an exclusive first look deal for film and television with Netflix and has a first look podcast deal with Audible. For more information on Higher Ground projects, visit HigherGroundMedia.com.
More from Netflix
12/03/2026
Back to All News
Netflix Develops an Unprecedented Series About the Passionate ...
12/03/2026
Back to All News
Netflix Opens Eyeline Studios in Hyderabad, Anchoring Long-Ter...
12/03/2026
Back to All News
A Documentary About Ronaldinho Ga cho Leads Netflix's Slat...
10/03/2026
Back to All News
Netflix Debuts Trailer for the Final Chapter of High Tides
Entertainment
10 March 2026
GlobalNetherlands
Link copied to clipboard
Netflix...
10/03/2026
Back to All News
Netflix Reveals the Trailer for the Second Season of Gangs of Galicia
Entertainment
10 March 2026
GlobalSpain
Link copied to clipboard
Do...
10/03/2026
Back to All News
Objection Overruled! Netflix Rests Its Case With an Impressive...
09/03/2026
Back to All News
Chuck Billy Dreams of Becoming Monkey D. Luffy With the Arriva...
09/03/2026
Back to All News
The Predator of Seville Premieres on Netflix on 27 March
Entertainment
09 March 2026
GlobalSpain
Link copied to clipboard
Download the im...
09/03/2026
Back to All News
Netflix Debuts the Trailer for Love is Blind: Sweden Season 3
Entertainment
09 March 2026
GlobalSweden
Link copied to clipboard
That wait...
06/03/2026
Back to All News
Announcing Barbara - Becoming Shirin David
Entertainment
06 March 2026
GlobalGermany
Link copied to clipboard
Available exclusively on N...
05/03/2026
Back to All News
The Trailer of Feel My Voice: The New Film Starring Sarah Tosc...
05/03/2026
Back to All News
Crooks Season 2 | The Most Explosive Comeback of the Year - Co...
05/03/2026
Back to All News
CROOKS Season 2 | The most explosive comeback of the year - co...
05/03/2026
Back to All News
Fryshuset and Netflix Launch New Initiative - The Film Lab Put...
05/03/2026
Back to All News
Innovation for Filmmaking, By Filmmakers: Why InterPositive Is Joining Netflix
Business
05 March 2026
Global
Link copied to clipboard
Dow...
04/03/2026
Back to All News
Netflix Unveils the Trailer of Made In Korea', a Cross Cu...
04/03/2026
Back to All News
Netflix's Hit Courtroom Comedy Maamla Legal Hai' Arri...
04/03/2026
Back to All News
Bloodhounds' Season 2 Gears Up for April 3 Premiere with ...
04/03/2026
Back to All News
Netflix Ads Suite Expands Capabilities
Business
04 March 2026
GlobalUnited States
Link copied to clipboard
After launching the Netflix Ad...
03/03/2026
Back to All News
Netflix Releases Trailer for Radioactive Emergency, a Brazilia...
03/03/2026
Back to All News
Kai Ko and Wang Po-chieh Unleash Divine Glory in Electrifying ...
03/03/2026
Back to All News
My Dearest Se orita, by Fernando Gonz lez Molina, Arrives on N...
02/03/2026
Back to All News
Netflix Unveils the Trailer for 53 Sundays, the New Film by Cesc Gay
Entertainment
02 March 2026
GlobalSpain
Link copied to clipboard
Dis...
28/02/2026
Back to All News
Final Trailer for BEASTARS Final Season Part 2' Roars Tow...
27/02/2026
Back to All News
Netflix Drops the Trailer for Hello Bachhon': A Powerful ...
27/02/2026
Back to All News
Dandelion': Netflix Adapts Gintama' Creator Hideaki ...
26/02/2026
Back to All News
Netflix Declines to Raise Offer for Warner Bros.
Business
26 February 2026
Global
Link copied to clipboard
HOLLYWOOD, Calif., Feb. 26, 20...
26/02/2026
Back to All News
Third Season of Love is Blind: Sweden Drops Extra Episodes Fea...
26/02/2026
Back to All News
Human and Spirit Realms Collide in Fantasy Action Series Agen...
26/02/2026
Back to All News
Watch the Main Trailer for Jo Nesbo's Detective Hole
Entertainment
26 February 2026
GlobalDenmarkFinlandNorwaySweden
Link copied to cl...
26/02/2026
Back to All News
Main Trailer for The Red Line' Exposes How Fear, Scams, a...
26/02/2026
Back to All News
Marwan Kenzari and Rianne van Rompaey in Psychological Thrille...
25/02/2026
Back to All News
Film Independent Announces 6 Fellows Selected for Fifth Annual...
25/02/2026
Back to All News
The Chestnut Man: Hide and Seek Can Be Found on Netflix on May 7
From left to right: Katinka L rke Petersen as Sandra Lindstr m, Mikkel Boe F...
25/02/2026
Back to All News
Netflix Releases Exclusive Video and First Images From Brazil ...
23/02/2026
Back to All News
From Tamil Nadu to Seoul: Netflix's Made In Korea' Arrives March 12
Entertainment
24 February 2026
GlobalIndia
Link copied to cli...
23/02/2026
Back to All News
Netflix Greenlights New Romcom Film Messily Ever After' (...
23/02/2026
Back to All News
Netflix Announces £1 Million Donation To National Film And Television School
Social Impact
23 February 2026
GlobalUnited Kingdom
Link copi...
21/02/2026
Back to All News
Netflix Unveils the Trailer of Accused', A Psychological ...
20/02/2026
Back to All News
A Friend, A Murderer' Launches on Netflix on March 5, 2026
Main image
Entertainment
20 February 2026
GlobalDenmark
Link copied to cl...
19/02/2026
Back to All News
Main Trailer for Boyfriend on Demand' Serves Up Virtual D...
19/02/2026
Back to All News
Meet the Singles of Love is Blind: Sweden Season 3
Entertainment
19 February 2026
GlobalSweden
Link copied to clipboard
Meet the singles ...
18/02/2026
Back to All News
Netflix Opens New Office in Mexico CityFrom left to right: Francisco Ramos, Vice President of Content for Latin America; Manola Zabalza, Secre...
17/02/2026
Back to All News
Bridgerton High Society Takes Over Madrid
Photo by Sharon L pez/Netflix
Entertainment
17 February 2026
GlobalSpain
Link copied to clipboa...
17/02/2026
Back to All News
Unveiling What's Next on Netflix for Australia and New Zealand in 2026
Entertainment
17 February 2026
GlobalAustraliaNew Zealand
Link ...
17/02/2026
Back to All News
WBD Files Definitive Proxy Statement and Schedules Special Mee...
16/02/2026
Back to All News
Eat Pray Bark - Sit, Stay, Camera On! First Look at the Paw-So...
16/02/2026
Back to All News
Unscripted Content Producer MEGUMI Signs Exclusive Partnership With Netflix
Entertainment
16 February 2026
GlobalJapan
Link copied to clip...
16/02/2026
Back to All News
Netflix Releases the Second Season of Gangs of Galicia on April 3
Entertainment
16 February 2026
GlobalSpain
Link copied to clipboard
Wat...
16/02/2026
Back to All News
"Unscripted" Producer MEGUMI Signs Exclusive Partnership with Netflix
Entertainment
16 February 2026
GlobalJapan
Link copied to clipboard
...