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And the answer is: it’s complicated.
In a simpler world every movie would come to every streaming service.
Some streamers are also in the movie business: Netflix’sBeverly Hills Cop: Axel Fwas a Netflix Original.
So how do certain movies end up on certain streamers, and who decides who gets what and when?
Let’s find out.
Things are slightly different with TV shows, because of course there’s not a theatrical release.
Some streamers are also in the movie business: Netflix’sBeverly Hills Cop: Axel Fwas a Netflix Original.
The first release window is the original theatrical release.
And while COVID closures are thankfully a thing of the past, the much shorter theatrical windows remain.
There were outliers such asOppenheimer, which spent 122 days as a theater-only release.
Apple TV Plus releasedWolfsin theaters, but only for one week.
But that one was really unusual.
The same studio’sSuperMarioBros Moviewas more typical (and more profitable), ending its theatrical run after 41 days.
FNAFwas the third-biggest horror movie opening in cinema history but its release isn’t likely to be widely copied.
Five Nights at Freddy’stook an unusual approach with a simultaneous theatrical and streaming release.
That’s called the Pay One Window, and it’s when movies move from theaters to home viewing.
When the Pay One Window expires, it’s time to sell more licences.
Here’s how Variety describes it.
Barbiefollowed a typical schedule: theaters first, then buy to own, then streaming
As we said, it’s complicated and it’ll only get more so.
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