More positive news. Theatrical distribution continues its comeback.
"But the industry has now largely come to a very different conclusion: The key to making a movie a streaming success and attracting new subscribers is to first release it in theaters. It turns out that all the things that make theatrical movies successful — expansive marketing and public relations campaigns, and valuable word of mouth — continue to help movies perform once they land in the home."
Let's keep the vibes flowing. Needed now more than ever.
Source:
https://dnyuz.com/2024/12/17/heres-a-hollywood-twist-streaming-success-r...
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Just like the DVD business ... movies that played in theaters, even on limited screens had awareness when the title went to DVD. At one of the studios where I was employed the studio brought in consultants to find out what factors made DVD titles successful. The number one factor: box office.
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Even with huge 4K televisions with surround sound in many peoples' homes, there's still nothing quite like seeing a movie in a theater.
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Richard "RB" Botto The sky is the limit. Given all the creative minds in the industry, I expect that now with so many more options to distribute, the creativity of that distribution will cater to the platforms that are more forward-thinking. What Taylor Swift did with the Eras tour surely woke a lot of executives up. Grabbing a popcorn and beer to see what develops in the future. Love the theater experience (although some theaters are better than others), but also love the idea of being able to pause to pee or grab another beer, etc., and stream whenever the schedule allows.
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Glad to hear it, Richard "RB" Botto! It's not just about seeing a movie. It's also about the experience (buying a ticket, the arcade, getting snacks, seeing the posters on the walls, etc.). And some movies get short theater time. There were some movies I wanted to see in theaters, but when I went to check the showtimes, they were already on streaming. Yeah, I can watch them on streaming, but again, it's also about the experience.
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Tremendous point and comparison, Lindbergh E Hollingsworth. And, to an extent, speaks to the cyclical nature of this business.
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Agree, Patrick "PK" Koepke. Now if we can just get people to get off their phones and shut up.
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Also fantastic insights, Debbie Elicksen. And your example is a worthy one. I was on a call late last year that included executives from various theatrical exhibitors and the words that kept coming up were "spectacle" and "experience". The push back, of course, is that part of the "experience" needs to include the customer experience. We'll see where they place the guardrails regarding that subject. But in the meantime, it's full speed ahead. No one is shying away.
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I grew up in my father's theater, and I remember Bud Spencer, Terence Hill, and Bruce Lee from my childhood. Going to the theatre nowadays is an experience for me, a ritual, and the sound is another aspect that makes the uniqueness of the experience. You make memories. At home, I enjoy streaming, but it does not generate memories; rather, it makes everything go faster. Richard "RB" Botto I believe we will have the same that happens with paper books and online books. In Portugal, the audience at the theater is increasing and that’s good! Thank you for sharing.
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Poignant post, Sandra Isabel Correia. We keep coming back to that word...experience. You don't get that in your living room.
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More news on this front. Netflix bending again and giving Gerwig a month (unprecedented) of theatrical for her NARNIA film.
https://deadline.com/2025/01/narnia-greta-gerwig-imax-1236259639/
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That’s very good news Richard "RB" Botto Collaboration between two markets distribution, Netflix and Imax! It’s a smart business strategy combining different targets audience's! Very smart! And for us is really good! Everything is changing, nothing is lost!
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This is a bigger sea change than might appear on the surface, Sandra Isabel Correia. And, as we all know, this is a lemming business. Get ready for others to follow suit. The pendulum is snapping back.
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I was not aware of the Imax / Netflix collaboration, thanks for posting the deadline article, RB. I agree with what Maurice is saying about experience and that is a big factor but the bottom line is, going to see a movie in a theater is still a more affordable night out than a fancy dinner, a concert or a sporting event. The prices for concerts right now are so ridiculous that is not even an option for most people. And if you want to see a regular season basketball or hockey game good luck finding a decent seat with a reasonable price. Seeing a movie in the theater whether it's a big action or small drama is still the best way and most people agree and I hope theater owners realize that.
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It’s a lemming business Richard "RB" Botto you are right :))
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A lot can change in two years until Narnia drops; I'm hedging by this summer 2025, Netflix will buy a major studio and a theater chain like AMC.
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All great points, Mike Trentacosti.
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Ive been predicting that for a decade, Dan MaxXx. One of these years, we'll be right.
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There's something about a theatrical run that gives a movie more credibility and buzz—it’s like an event that gets people talking. Plus, it makes sense that seeing a film on the big screen creates excitement and curiosity for when it hits streaming. There are plenty of movies that I would miss entirely if I didn't hear good things about them during their theatrical release.
For indie filmmakers, this feels like a great reminder that a limited theatrical release can really boost a film’s visibility and help it stand out in the crowded streaming space.
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Many of the producers from films at Sundance this year told me they are weighing theatrical more heavily than before, Ash.
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That’s really exciting to hear, Richard "RB" Botto! Did any of the producers mention specific factors influencing their decision, like audience demand, box office trends, or the impact on distribution deals? I’d love to hear more about their perspective!
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As simple as old school economics. More revenue streams, the better. Further, the idea of building eyeballs, branding and, of course, a longer tail for the film is appealing. And why wouldn't it be. Better that than being dumped on a streamer and beholden to an algorithm.