After years of tension, AMC Theatres and Netflix appear to have put their feud behind them. The world’s largest cinema chain recently agreed to book Netflix’s re-release of the animated hit “KPop Demon Hunters” in 300 locations over Halloween weekend — a surprising move given AMC’s usual refusal to screen Netflix titles due to disagreements over theatrical exclusivity windows.
Netflix’s interest in theatrical exhibition seems to be growing. That said, the streamer views theatrical releases less as a revenue generator and more as a marketing strategy — a way to build buzz and drive audiences back to the platform.
As one theater executive tells Variety, Netflix won’t be “announcing a theatrical slate,” but will show up when it has “something special” — a deal that benefits both sides without reshaping either company’s business model.
One of those “special” movies will very likely be David Fincher’s “The Continuing Adventures of Cliff Booth.” The budget is said to be around $200M. The cast includes Brad Pitt, Carla Gugino, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Elizabeth Debicki, Scott Caan, Corey Fogelmanis, and Karren Karagulian. Fincher’s “sequel,” which is currently filming, is one of the most anticipated films of next year.
Variety is now reporting that Netflix is contemplating a “robust rollout” for “Cliff Booth,” a spinoff of Quentin Tarantino’s 2019 box office hit “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.” Furthermore, the film is eyeing a summer 2026 launch. Little is known about the plot beyond that it was scripted by Tarantino and picks up where ‘Once Upon a Time’ left off, following Pitt’s enigmatic stuntman into a new story set eight years later.
Even though the film aligns well with a potential Cannes premiere, don’t expect it to happen. There is still very much a Netflix boycott on the Croisette. Cannes and Netflix haven’t been on good terms since 2018, when the festival banned films without a French theatrical release from competing for the Palme d’Or. The issue? France’s strict 36-month window between theatrical and streaming — something Netflix won’t agree to.
Regardless, “Cliff Booth” is likely coming to theaters. How long it will play and on how many screens remains to be seen, but it does appear that Netflix is beginning to show more flexibility and openness toward the theatrical experience.
There's a lot of talent. Julianne Moore, Elle Fanning, Josh Hartnett, Emma Thompson, Sally Hawkins, Danny Huston, Robert Aramayo and Chloe Pirrie will all be part of the sprawling ensemble.