Netflix has responded to growing concerns from movie-goers’ after announcing its plan to buy the film and streaming business of Warner Bros. The major deal aims to combine Netflix’s global streaming reach with Warner’s long-standing entertainment library. However, the news has raised questions about what the move means for future theatrical releases.
The deal, valued at $82.7 billion, is still in progress. Many movie-goers’ expressed worry that big Warner Bros. films may no longer reach cinemas. Netflix’s co-CEO, Ted Sarandos, addressed these concerns, saying the platform has no intention of reducing theatre releases. He stressed that Netflix has no “opposition to movies in theatres” and expects to continue releasing Warner Bros. projects on the big screen if the acquisition is finalized.
Sarandos explained that his criticism is only aimed at the traditional theatrical model. In his view, long exclusive theatre windows limit flexibility for viewers. He said movie-goers’ today expect more control over when and where they watch new films.
He added that Netflix is not changing its overall strategy for its own movies or Warner Bros. films. Instead, he believes release windows will evolve over time to become more “consumer friendly.” The goal, he said, is to give people the option to enjoy movies in cinemas or at home without long delays.
Netflix also issued a statement confirming it plans to maintain Warner Bros.’ existing operations, which include regular theatrical releases. The streamer said it intends to build on the studio’s strengths rather than remove them.
In recent years, Netflix has become more open to limited theatrical releases for select films. These include awards contenders such as Noah Baumbach’s Jay Kelly, Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein, and Kathryn Bigelow’s A House of Dynamite. The company has also announced that Greta Gerwig’s Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew will be released in IMAX theatres next year.
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As negotiations continue, Netflix has assured viewers that the cinema experience remains an important part of its future plans.
