Starting today, viewers at home can rent movies currently in theaters for $20 / £16. Universal's The Invisible Man, The Hunt and Emma are the first three titles. Additional titles from other Hollywood studios will follow next week. Update: Now also Disney/Pixar's Onward as digital purchase for $20.
'Premium VOD' titles
As reported earlier this week, Disney, Universal and Warner Bros have decided to release in-cinema movies early on VOD (video on demand). The first three 'premium VOD' titles were released today.
Despite the unfortunate circumstances surrounding the ongoing coronavirus situation, this is seen as a historic moment in the 130-year history of cinema. Never before have new movies been released online at the same time as the theatrical release.
Universal's The Invisible Man, The Hunt and Emma are now available to rent at home for $20 in the US, £16 in the UK, and roughly the same price in international markets through digital storefronts such as Apple TV (iTunes), Amazon Video and Google Play Movies. Rentals will be available for 48 hours.
Premium VOD movies
| Apple TV (iTunes) | Amazon Video | Google Play Movies | Vudu |
|---|
| Emma | $20 | $20 | $20 | $20 |
| The Hunt | $20 | $20 | $20 | $20 |
| The Invisible Man | $20 | $20 | $20 | $20 |
| Onward () | $20 | $20 | $20 | $20 |
'Emma' on Apple TV (iTunes)
Additional titles next week
Next week, Warner Bros will release Birds of Prey, The Way Back and Just Mercy, Sony Pictures will release Bloodshot, STK will release The Gentleman, Lionsgate will release I Still Believe, and Universal will release Dolittle.
On April 10, Universal will premiere Trolls World Tour, the sequel to its highly succesful Trolls.
If movie theaters are forced to remain closed for a prolonged period, we could see additional movies be made available as 'premium VOD' titles very soon.
On the other hand, major releases such as Disney's Mulan and Black Widow, MGM's No Time to Die and Universal's Fast & Furious 9 have been postponed and are unlikely to be made available early as 'premium VOD' titles.
