{"id":25486,"date":"2026-01-03T20:44:41","date_gmt":"2026-01-03T12:44:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/?p=25486"},"modified":"2026-01-03T20:44:41","modified_gmt":"2026-01-03T12:44:41","slug":"netflix-reportedly-wants-to-keep-movies-in-theaters-for-just-17-days-after-it-buys-warner-bros","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/?p=25486","title":{"rendered":"Netflix Reportedly Wants to Keep Movies in Theaters for Just 17 Days After It Buys Warner Bros."},"content":{"rendered":"


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Netflix reportedly wants to keep movies in theaters for just 17 days after it buys Warner Bros.<\/p>\n

In a report from Deadline on the Stranger Thing Season 5 finale, which made $25 million in theaters after it released at the same time theatrically as it did on Netflix, Hollywood was said to be worried about what the streamer considers to be \u201cindustry-standard windows\u201d before movies are made available on its platform.<\/p>\n

And then the bombshell:<\/p>\n

Sources have told Deadline that Netflix have been proponents of a 17-day window which would steamroll the theatrical business, while circuits such as AMC believe the line needs to be held around 45 days.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

It\u2019s worth noting this isn\u2019t confirmation that Netflix will settle on a 17-day window for Warner Bros. movies if and when its deal is approved. The theater companies may end up negotiating a lengthy window, perhaps somewhere between 45 days and the 17 days Netflix reportedly is a fan of. But what\u2019s clear is that there will be a great deal of tension within Hollywood as this is all worked out, with Netflix\u2019s priority \u2014 as you\u2019d expect \u2014 bolstering streaming.<\/p>\n

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If Netflix does force through a 17-day window, it could affect everything from James Gunn’s DC Universe movie, Man of Tomorrow (July 9, 2027), to The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum (December 17, 2027). Then there’s Matt Reeves’ The Batman: Part 2, which is due out October 1, 2027, and Godzilla x Kong: Supernova, due out March 26, 2027. How would the likes of James Gunn, Andy Serkis, Matt Reeves and other directors of Warner Bros. movies react to their work having less than three weeks in theaters before hitting Netflix?<\/p>\n

The $82.7 billion Netflix \/ Warner Bros. deal has sparked a tough response from some members of Congress, and it is expected to face significant scrutiny under antitrust laws. Meanwhile, at least one HBO Max subscriber has already sued Netflix<\/u>, claiming the deal threatens to reduce competition in the U.S. subscription video-on-demand market. Warner Bros.-owned streaming platform HBO Max includes everything from Game of Thrones to Harry Potter, James Gunn’s DC Universe to Barbie, and its content is expected to be added to Netflix if and when the deal goes through.<\/p>\n

After its announcement, Netflix sent subscribers an email of reassurance<\/u> amid concern over potential price rises. The email \u2014 reviewed by IGN \u2014 promised subscribers that nothing was changing \u201ctoday,\u201d and confirmed that HBO Max and Netflix would continue to operate separately until the deal closes. It did not rule out future price rises, but did promise that current membership plans would remain in place at least until the deal goes through. As for when that will be, Netflix said it expects to close the transaction in 12-18 months \u2014 so, at the earliest December 2026, but it could be as late as summer 2027.<\/p>\n

In an investor call attended by IGN, Netflix chief Ted Sarandos struck a confident tone when asked about the deal\u2019s chance of success. “We’re highly confident in the regulatory process,” he said. “This deal is pro-consumer, pro-innovation, pro-worker, it’s pro-creator, it’s pro-growth.\u201d<\/p>\n