Netflix’s Rumored Plan Could Slash Warner Bros Movies’ Theatrical Run to Just a Few Days

Netflix is facing pressure from movie theaters as it moves closer to completing its acquisition of Warner Bros., a deal that would come with obligations to filmmakers. Theater owners have been asking the streaming giant to show real commitment to releasing films in cinemas.

Industry insiders see the upcoming theatrical rollout of the “Stranger Things” finale as both a test for Netflix and a gesture to theaters.

But Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos has not provided many details about the company’s long-term theater plans. While he has said nothing would change if the acquisition clears government approval, he hasn’t confirmed how long Warner Bros. films would stay in theaters.

Sarandos told the press, “There’s been a lot of talk about theatrical distribution, so we want to set the record straight: we are 100% committed to releasing Warner Bros. films in theaters with industry-standard windows.”

Still, Hollywood remains skeptical. Executives and theater owners are trying to figure out what “industry-standard” actually means for Netflix. Sources speaking to Deadline say the streamer may only keep Warner Bros. movies in theaters for 17 days. Major theater chains like AMC say the minimum should be about 45 days.

Sarandos has a history of questioning the traditional theatrical model. He once called theatrical release “an outmoded idea” and said watching classics like Lawrence of Arabia on a phone could be “just as good” as seeing them on the big screen. He even suggested that movies like Barbenheimer would have the same cultural impact if released straight to Netflix. He has also described theatrical distribution as “inefficient” for high-budget films.

Some experts see Netflix’s plan as a strategic business move rather than a personal attack on theaters. The aim seems to be pushing streaming as the primary way audiences consume films.

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