Netflix is now answering one of the key questions surrounding the acquisition of Warner Bros. New Warner films will get 45 days of exclusive theatrical release. But what happens after that?
Sources have claimed that Netflix internally pushed for just 17 days, but that will not be the case if Netflix acquires the Warner Bros film studio – at least not initially.
Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos makes this clear in comments to The New York Times, in his first interview since the deal was announced.
- "When this deal closes, we will own a theatrical distribution engine that is phenomenal and produces billions of dollars of theatrical revenue that we don't want to put at risk," said Ted Sarandos, co-CEO of Netflix.
- "We will run that business largely like it is today, with 45-day windows, I'm giving you a hard number. If we're going to be in the theatrical business, and we are, we're competitive people – we want to win. I want to win opening weekend. I want to win box office."
Also read: Warner's 2026 4K slate includes 'Gravity', 'Ben-Hur', 'Gone with the Wind', more
Tom Cruise's next movie, Digger, is guaranteed 45 days in theaters. Photo: Warner BrosVOD and subscription windows
Warner Bros already operates with a reduced 45-day theatrical exclusivity, after which new films are released on premium VOD at increased purchase and rental prices via digital storefronts such as Apple, Amazon, Google FandangoNow.
The next step is regular VOD at standard purchase and rental prices via the same digital storefronts. Films usually continue to play in theaters during the VOD period. Only after 70–90 days do they appear on the HBO Max subscription service.
What happens after 45 days?
So what will actually happen after 45 days? Will the film go directly to Netflix or HBO Max, or will Netflix also start to support VOD release windows? This is still unclear.
Netflix has not made any indication that its own original films will get 45 days in theaters. At this time, the company releases some titles in theaters for 1–2 weeks, a requirement to qualify for the Academy Awards.
Netflix's acquisition of Warner and HBO is expected be completed by late 2026 at the earliest.
- Source: NYT
