Netflix Can Not Get A Major Theater Deal For The Irishman

Netflix wants more of its movies to be released in theaters. For months, Netflix has been negotiating with the big theater chains like AMC, Regal Theaters, Cineplex, and Cinemark to get the movie The Irishman released in theaters. But a big budget and big name actors like Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, and Joe Pesci isn’t enough. Netflix can not get a major theater deal for The Irishman. The movie theaters and Netflix can’t come to terms on a deal for releasing The Irishman in theaters.

Netflix Can Not Get A Major Theater Deal For The Irishman

Netflix continues to push the boundaries between theatrical releases and streaming movies. Over the last 10 years, they have established themselves as a streaming media giant. And over the last few years Netflix has invested heavily in original movie and TV show productions.

Netflix has repeatedly, and almost desperately, tried to get it’s original movie productions into movie theaters. In an effort to create high quality movies that are worthy of the price of a movie ticket, Netflix has leveraged big show-runner names and top Hollywood actors.

But Netflix and major movie theater chains like AMC, Regal Theaters, Cineplex, and Cinemark simply cannot reach a deal.

So Netflix will release The Irishman in smaller, independent, select theaters for 26 days prior to widespread release on Netflix.

What is the Problem?

So what is the problem?

Major theater chains demand from Netflix the same exclusivity that they receive from other movie production companies. The theater chains want exclusive rights to show the movie in theaters for three months. Theaters want a three month movie exclusivity so that people will come see the movie at the movie theater instead of waiting just a few weeks for the movie to be released on Netflix.

Netflix wants the theatrical release to be just 30 days.

Billions of Dollars are at Stake

Ultimately, this is bigger than just Netflix. This is about the survival of movie theaters. Billions of dollars are at stake for theaters.

Other major movie production companies are building online streaming services similar to Netflix. Whatever deal Netflix gets, these other streaming services will also demand.

Let’s look at Disney as an example. Disney is a major movie production company. And Disney is building a streaming service called Disney+ that will compete directly with Netflix. Disney movie productions include major franchises like Star Wars, Marvel, Disney, and Pixar.

Imagine the financial impact to theaters if Disney movies were available online 4 weeks after being released in theaters. Millions of theater audiences might simply wait for the movie to be released online.

Netflix Movies at the Theaters

For now, Netflix can continue to use its current strategy for releasing movies. Netflix can continue to release their movies to smaller, independent theaters so that they are eligible for Oscars and Golden Globes. And use their own streaming service to release their movies to global audiences.

The Irishman

The American crime drama The Irishman is a story about the mob hit-man Frank “The Irishman” Sheeran.

From Netflix…

Martin Scorsese’s epic saga of organized crime in postwar America, as told by a hit man.

The Irishman is based on the book I Heard You Paint Houses by Charles Brant.

The Irishman will open in independent theaters on November 1, 2019.

Netflix will begin streaming The Irishman on November 27, 2019.

The Irishman has big name stars, including Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, Joe Pesci, Harvey Keitel, and Anna Paquin. Directed by Martin Scorsese.

The budget estimate for The Irishman is $175 – $200 Million. This large budget is due to the top Hollywood stars and the special effects required to make the actors look younger.