Netflix is looking to boost their awards chances by shifting from their usual release model. The streaming service will give exclusive limited theatrical releases prior to the streaming service releases of ROMA, The Ballard of Buster Scruggs & Bird Box.
Netflix is choosing to be selective about evolving its streaming-first model in hopes that Oscar voter traditionalists won’t discount quality films because they were given limited theatrical releases as they are simultaneously released on the streaming service. This came to the forefront when Academy voters began to view Alfonso Cuaron’s ROMA as a potential frontrunner for many nominations, including Best Picture, so Netflix did not want to hurt its chances by sticking to its traditional formula for releasing their films.
The decision to do this comes as Netflix is about to see a 2019 release slate that could prove to be its biggest yet. Netflix will unveil its largest budget awards-caliber film so far, the Martin Scorsese-directed The Irishman, which is Scorsese’s first mobster drama with Robert De Niro since Casino. There is also the Steven Soderbergh-directed The Laundromat with Gary Oldman, Meryl Streep and Antonio Banderas, the David Michod-directed The King with Timothee Chalamet as Henry V and the Dee Rees-directed The Last Thing He Wanted with Willem Dafoe, Ben Affleck, and Anne Hathaway.
Here is how Netflix will roll out the films in question:
ROMA will have exclusive limited theatrical engagements starting November 21 in Los Angeles, New York, and Mexico. Additional engagements in U.S. cities and London will begin November 29 with other top U.S. markets and international territories continuing to roll out beginning December 7. The film will be released globally on Netflix on December 14 with an expanded theatrical release in the U.S. and international markets. In total, the film will be theatrically released in over 20 territories globally with 70mm presentations also being planned during the film’s theatrical release.
The Ballad of Buster Scruggs will have exclusive limited theatrical engagements starting November 8 in The Landmark in Los Angeles, The Landmark 57 West in New York, the Embarcadero Center Cinema in San Francisco and Curzon Theater in London. The film will be released globally on Netflix on November 16 and will have an expanded theatrical release in additional U.S. cities, Toronto and theaters throughout Europe.
Bird Box will have exclusive limited theatrical engagements starting December 13 in Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, and London. The film will be released globally on Netflix on December 21 and will have an expanded theatrical release in additional theaters in the U.S., Europe and throughout Europe.
