Netflix is looking to move beyond streaming and into cinema movie production. The streaming firm for talking about getting into films for some time now, and it has finally achieved its goal. The company recently revealed the premiere dates for four of its upcoming films in 2015-16.
Netflix, a new name in movie production
Some of the originals will releases on Netflix and in theaters simultaneously while some will stream solely on Netflix. The company, having topped 62 million subscribers worldwide, will begin its program of original feature films with Cary Fukunaga’s Beasts of No Nation featuring Idris Elba. This would be the first film releasing on 16 October 2015 on Netflix and in select screens.
After this, Netflix will release one of four Adam Sandler films, The Ridiculous Six, on December 11, 2015. Also, the company will release Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: The Green Legend, in first-quarter of 2016, followed by Pee-Wee’s Big Holiday in March next year.
Beast of No Nation is based on a book by a Nigerian author Uzodinma Iweala, and is a story of a soldier boy who got separated from his family during a civil war in an African nation. The movie will release on the same day on Netflix and in selected U.S. theaters, in order to make it eligible for the industry awards. For movies, which usually are surrounded by fears of uncertain audience behavior and sale of movie tickets, the Netflix model means producers get a guaranteed paycheck, and the film can still benefit from the critical praise and any subsequent awards it earns.
Half the battle won, half remains
Apart from these films, Netflix recently grabbed the distribution rights to War Machine, a David Michod-directed drama starring Brad Pitt as a U.S. military general. This is the biggest investment in a film to date by Netflix. The streaming company reportedly paid $60 million for the title, which was previously believed to be $30 million.
The streaming firm has already made some popular shows such as the House of Cards, Arrested Development, and Orange is the New Black. Netflix is investing a huge amount in original content such as new shows like Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Bloodline, and others. However, such massive spending is increasing the firm’s debt, which now stands at $9.8 billion, up 39% from last year.
With the announcement of the titles and the release date, the streaming firm wins half of the battle while other; the more important half, however, is still to be won.
