Apple TV Plus Movies Might Hit Theaters Before Streaming Service

Apple is reportedly talking to movie theater chains to try and get its Apple TV Plus movies shown in theaters a few weeks before they hit the streaming service. CNET reports: Apple's apparently hoping to attract established directors and producers to the $5-a-month service, and avoid creating industry tension like Netflix -- Martin Scorcese's The Irishman won't be playing in several theater chains because Netflix wouldn't agree to the usual three-month delay between the movie's theatrical debut and its arrival on streaming. The strategy Apple reportedly is taking mirrors that of Amazon, which gave the Oscar-winning Manchester by the Sea a three-month theatrical run in 2016, the Wall Street Journal noted.

Sofia Coppola's On the Rocks, which stars Rashida Jones and Bill Murray, is one of Apple's first major theatrical releases. It could premiere at the Cannes Film Festival prior to its mid-2020 release, according to the Journal. The Cupertino, California, company also reportedly talked about giving The Elephant Queen, a Chiwetel Ejiofor-narrated documentary about an elephant mother leading her herd across Africa, a theatrical release so it's eligible for awards consideration. It's due to be available on Apple TV Plus at launch on Nov. 1.

Uh, what?

[msauve]

"Apple TV Plus Movies Might Hit Theaters Before Streaming Service"

OK. So movies come out in theaters before they're streamed. What part of that is "news for nerds?"

Re:

[AHuxley]

The new cost of the streaming movie and the why of the "three-month delay" streaming protection for theaters.

Re:

[alvinrod]

It's probably so that they can be eligible for the films to receive awards. There are some ceremonies that won't accept a film unless it's had a theatrical run, so streaming services will typically put it in a few theaters for a weekend or two just so it qualifies. Outside of a few rare occasions it's unlikely to make any significant amount of money in the theaters.

Re:

[tlhIngan]

It's probably so that they can be eligible for the films to receive awards. There are some ceremonies that won't accept a film unless it's had a theatrical run, so streaming services will typically put it in a few theaters for a weekend or two just so it qualifies. Outside of a few rare occasions it's unlikely to make any significant amount of money in the theaters.

That's actually the reason. Apparently Apple tried to sign up JJ Abrams for some movies and he refused, going with Warner instead. The reasoning

Whats the magic number?

[AHuxley]

What is the average cost that makes money for the movie when a theater chain shows a movie?
With the fixed city/gov/support costs of power, food, staff, cooling, security, ....
What cash amount does a new steaming service have to get over per user to get past the "three-month" theater chain profit amount?
For a new 8K movie, all digital production... made in a low tax cost nation using good quality US actors.
Ready to stream as 8K, 4K, HD, with quality HDR as needed.
No extra later costs to get the movie