Could Netflix Be Joining Its Competition And Releasing Its Original Movies In Theatres?

It’s interesting to see, in this day and age, how successful web-based companies are now reverting back to some more primal methods of reaching their target audiences. Amazon, for example, is developing more of a presence in retail stores with their acquisition of Whole Foods. Now, it has been said that Netflix is looking to grow its presence in movie theatres, joining its once primary competition in favor of blockbuster theatrical releases.

One of Netflix’s primary perks is that you don’t actually have to go out to the movie theater to watch a quality original film or television series. That may very well become secondary in the near future. According to The Guardian, the platform has acquired the rights to some major fall movie titles that it’s potentially going to release in actual theaters first uploading them to its rapidly expanding library.

“They’ve dabbled in theatrical releasing before, but that was limited to a handful of screens for Okja last summer, a far cry from the wide rollouts they’ve got planned, and all previous attempts have coincided with the films also hitting phones/TVs/tablets,” the paper notes.

The article also mentions how Netflix CEO Reed Hastings, who had previously been adamant about sticking to streaming-only debuts, may be more open minded to theatrical releases at this time. This change of heart may have very well been influenced by backlash from festivals such as Cannes who have Netflix a hard time about their entry.

“Perhaps the idea began two years ago, when Amazon’s decision to give Manchester by the Sea a theatrical run paid dividends with a slew of nominations from the Academy,” The Guardian continues, before mentioning Roma, the new feature film from director Alfonso Cuaron about his childhood in Mexico City.

The already celebrated film’s producer David Linde told Variety that they sold the movie to Netflix as part of an intentional “hybrid distribution agreement.” “We want the movie to be seen in theaters, but we also want the movie to be seen by millions of people,” he said, adding: “We’ve found a balance.”

Whether Netflix’s new initiative to screen its original films in theatres prior to their streaming debut will prove fruitful, that is yet to be seen, but what we do know is that people are willing to watch movies in many varieties of formats. Although there’s nothing more ideal than watching a movie from the comfort of your own home, a significant amount of viewers are still heading to theatres on occasion. Maybe the streaming giant is onto something after all.

Michael is a music and television junkie keen on most things that are not a complete and total bore. You can follow him on Twitter — @Tweetskoor

STREAM ROMA ON NETFLIX