Anna Daniels
As the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic grows and more businesses and movie theaters close, Hollywood studios have been left with nowhere to drop their theatrical releases. While some studios chose to delay their biggest feature films until the worst of the pandemic passes, a few studios decided to break the monotony of everyone’s self-isolation (and help keep a few kids entertained) by releasing their theatrical films on digital platforms early. Most films available to buy digitally about 74 days after they first arrive in theaters, but studios are breaking that tradition by releasing their films on VOD mere weeks after, or even on the same day of, the theatrical debut.
Here is an ongoing list of the films that have been or will be released early.
For Digital Rental or Purchase
Trolls World Tour – April 10
Universal changed the game by announcing the day-and-date release of Trolls World Tour, which was originally set to hit only theaters on April 10. But earlier this week, the studio announced that Trolls World Tour would be made available on-demand on the same day it hits theaters.
Birds of Prey – March 24
In what almost seemed like a response to Universal’s VOD announcements (or at least to director Cathy Yan’s enthusiasm for the move), Warner Bros. announced that Birds of Prey will be available for digital purchase on March 24, for $19.99 to buy on platforms such as Amazon, FandangoNOW, iTunes, PlayStation, Vudu, Xbox and others. The film will be available to rent on April 7 on Video On Demand services from cable and satellite providers, and on select gaming consoles. That means Birds of Prey will be available only 46 days after its initial theatrical release on February 7.
Just Mercy – March 24
The same day as its Birds of Prey announcement, Warner Bros. made the Michael B. Jordan and Jamie Foxx legal drama Just Mercy available to buy digitally — way earlier than planned for the true-story drama released on December 25. However, if you’re waiting to rent the movie digital on VOD, it will be available starting on March 24.
The Gentlemen – March 24
Fandango reported that the Guy Ritchie-directed crime caper would be available for digital purchase on March 24 alongside Birds of Prey. The Gentlemen will be available 60 days after it hit theaters on January 24.
Bloodshot – March 24
Less than two weeks after it hit theaters, Vin Diesel’s Bloodshot will be available for digital purchase starting March 24. That’s less than a two-week turnaround time for Sony, which is almost unheard of. But it’s expected after the disastrous box office weekend that Bloodshot opened to, despite being apparently the last film to hit theaters ever.
The Invisible Man – March 20
Along with its game-changing announced for the day-and-date release of Trolls World Tour, Universal announced that the Elisabeth Moss-starring horror film The Invisible Man would be available for “a 48-hour rental period at a suggested retail price of $19.99 in the U.S. and the price equivalent in international markets” on March 20. The film, directed by Leigh Whannel, would hit VOD only three weeks after it premiered in theaters on February 28.
Emma. – March 20
The Focus Features period piece, which falls under Universal, will also be available for the “48-hour rental period at a suggested retail price of $19.99 in the U.S. and the price equivalent in international markets” on March 20. Anya Taylor-Joy stars in the Jane Austen adaptation directed by Autumn de Wilde, which initially hit limited theaters on February 21 — making its VOD debut also only three weeks later.
The Hunt – March 20
Universal’s The Hunt has the shortest window between its theatrical debut and its VOD release: only 7 days after its March 13 release. Like the two previous films, the controversial Craig Zobel thriller will be available for the “48-hour rental period at a suggested retail price of $19.99 in the U.S. and the price equivalent in international markets.”
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker – March 13
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker was made available for purchase digitally on iTunes and Vudu on March 13 — four days before its intended for release on digital platforms on March 17.
On Streaming
Frozen 2 – March 15
Frozen 2 arrived on Disney+ early on March 15, three months before the animated musical sequel otherwise would have arrived on the streaming service. In a press release, the studio said they wanted to give families “some fun and joy during this challenging period.” For the many families having to deal with kids bored at home, this probably a godsend.
Big Time Adolescence – March 13
The Pete Davidson drama which earned a positive reception at last year’s Sundance Film Festival hit theaters on March 13 and was initially supposed to begin streaming on Hulu on March 20. But Big Time Adolescence suddenly debuted on Hulu on the same day of its theatrical release, a week earlier than it was scheduled to.
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