‘La Bola Negra’ Gets Historic 47-Day Theatrical Run From Netflix

Netflix has decided to give “La Bola Negra” a very serious theatrical run — and, by its standards, a historic one.

The Spanish-language Oscar hopeful from Los Javis, Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi, will now hit theaters October 16, nearly three weeks earlier than planned, before arriving on Netflix December 2. That gives the queer epic a 47-day exclusive theatrical window, the longest in Netflix history, at least until next year’s ‘Narnia.’

Ok, fine, 47 days, but in how many theaters? How wide will the rollout be? Those are key questions Netflix is refusing to answer for the time being, and maybe for good reason. It’s all about optics at the moment.

Still, the move is another sign Netflix is getting increasingly strategic — and increasingly generous — with theatrical playdates for its prestige titles.

David Fincher’s ‘Cliff Booth’ is getting a two-week global Imax run in late November, while Greta Gerwig’s “Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew” is being positioned for a conventional theatrical rollout in 2027, with a 49-day window. In other words, Netflix still isn’t suddenly becoming a traditional studio, but it is clearly willing to play the theatrical game for certain, very select titles.

Netflix won U.S. rights to “La Bola Negra” after a Cannes bidding war, with the film premiering in competition to positive reviews, and ultimately tying for the festival’s Best Director prize. Did I like it? I’m very mixed on the film, which plays like Oscar bait put together by Harvey Weinstein and Miramax in the ‘90s.

Spanning 85 years of Spanish history, from the 1930s to the present, “La Bola Negra” is inspired by an unfinished fragment from Federico García Lorca and marks a major awards-season play for Netflix. The ensemble includes Guitarricadelafuente, Miguel Bernardeau, Carlos González, Milo Quifes, Lola Dueñas, Julio Torres, Penelope Cruz, and Glenn Close.

So, how does Netflix’s awards slate actually look? “La Bola Negra” will probably be the top priority. Fincher’s ‘Cliff Booth’ might contend, while Danny Boyle’s “Ink” is another possibility. I don’t believe this is the year Netflix wins its first Best Picture Oscar, but they will no doubt contend in various categories.