Netflix, as a part of its supply to accumulate Warner Bros. Discovery’s studios and streaming biz, has pledged to proceed releasing WB’s motion pictures in theaters.
That’s in line with a report by Bloomberg, which cited nameless sources as saying Netflix would honor Warner Bros.’ “contractual agreements” to launch motion pictures in theaters. Reps for WBD and Netflix didn’t instantly reply to requests for remark Thursday.
Warner Bros. Discovery‘s board is within the means of evaluating in-bound acquisition affords, with preliminary bids due Nov. 20. The media conglomerate mentioned it would take into account proposals during which the Warner Bros. entity (HBO Max and studios) is bought individually from Discovery International, the TV-centric firm. The bidders embody David Ellison’s Paramount Skydance (which desires to accumulate the complete firm) and Netflix and Comcast (that are anticipated to make bids for Warner Bros. with out the linear TV networks).
Netflix, for probably the most half, has shunned releasing its personal motion pictures in theaters, with exceptions for awards-qualifying theatrical runs. Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos has referred to as the theatrical moviegoing expertise “an outdated idea.” At a Time journal convention in April, Sarandos mentioned, “People grew up considering, ‘I wish to make motion pictures on a big display screen and have strangers watch them [and to have them] play within the theater for 2 months and other people cry and sold-out exhibits … It’s an outdated idea.”
Extra lately, Netflix has opportunistic about bringing a few of its hottest originals to theaters with particular occasions. Netflix’s two-hour “Stranger Issues” finale will hit cinemas on New 12 months’s Eve and New 12 months’s Day because the episode concurrently drops on the streamer. The corporate additionally launched a sing-along model of smash hit “KPop Demon Hunters,” its most-watched film ever, in U.S. theaters in August after which once more over Halloween weekend.
Warner Bros. Discovery Bids Are Due This Week. How Do Paramount, Netflix, Comcast Stack Up?
On WBD’s third-quarter 2025 earnings name, chief David Zaslav touted the theatrical efficiency of latest releases, together with James Gunn’s “Superman” and horror titles “Weapons” and “The Conjuring: Final Rites,” which have collectively grossed greater than $750 million in ticket gross sales. “As we glance forward, 2026 and 2027 will likely be a strong and robust slate of movement photos,” he mentioned.
Amongst Warner Bros.’ upcoming titles: a 3rd installment within the “Gremlins” franchise, set for theatrical launch Nov. 19, 2027, from govt producer Steven Spielberg with Chris Columbus returning to direct and produce; and “The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum,” directed by Andy Serkis and produced by Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens, slated to open in theaters Dec. 17, 2027.
Warner Bros. Discovery has instructed traders that it’s aiming to launch 12-14 movies theatrically per yr from Warner Bros. Photos, DC Studios, New Line Cinema and Warner Bros. Animation. Zaslav cited WB’s “tentpoles” and “mini-tentpoles” equivalent to Lord of the Rings, Batman, Superman, Marvel Girl, Gremlins, Goonies and Sensible Magic. “You haven’t seen Lord of the Rings for over a decade,” Zaslav mentioned.
Zaslav additionally referred to as out the animated “Cat within the Hat” film starring Invoice Hader (slated to premiere Feb. 26, 2026). As well as, Warner Bros. is ready to launch Emerald Fennell’s adaptation of “Wuthering Heights,” starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi, in theaters Feb. 13, 2026.
