“It screams opportunity,” said one top Hollywood producer. Earlier today NATO issued a statement regarding Universal Studios ... for weeks on end with increasingly limited entertainment options would take advantage of the movie’s direct-to-VOD … Menu. We tend to hear some studio executive or venture capitalist discussing theoretical “see movies in theaters from home” plans here and there on the regular. Official Universal Studios website, with details on new and upcoming movies, theme parks, and production services. The coronavirus pandemic could prevent normal theatrical moviegoing for months, well into the summer season. As Universal Redefines ‘Direct to VOD,’ Studios May Find a Global Crisis Has a Silver Lining Where Universal goes, others will follow, leaving closing theater chains hobbled. European-owned Cineworld has also been on a tear, buying properties like Regal and it was poised to acquire Canada’s Cineplex, which now may not go through. Streaming video on-demand (SVOD) Streamed videos do not need to be downloaded by the viewer, instead, they are watched as the file is delivered to their device via the Internet. Latest Parks News. Lenders and real estate managers would want to support an ongoing business, especially as theater buildings really have only one purpose. Videotron adds 10 TV series to VOD lineup. Watch trailers and get details for current and future movies! Streaming Movies Ruled by 'Croods 2,' HBO Max's 'Tom & Jerry,' and Netflix's 'Bigfoot Family', 'Monster Hunter' and 'Greenland' Lead VOD Charts, While 'Croods 2' Remains Unstoppable, The Best TV Comedies of the 21st Century, Ranked, Oscars 2021: Best Production Design Predictions. Find your favorite characters on tees, hoodies and more for the whole family. The situation is fluid. Follow; Follow. The world’s largest theater chain boasts 1,000 theatres and 11,000 screens worldwide, owned by China’s Wanda Group. Trolls World Tour is coming early too. Official website of Universal Pictures. YES NO. Ditto Sony’s Peter Rabbit 2, which was just moved to August. The solution appeared to be to make Trolls the star attraction of VOD. Welcome to Universal Studios Hollywood! While Universal has delayed their two biggest global titans, MGM’s No Time to Die (from April 10 to November 25) and F9: The Fast Saga (from May 22, 2020 to April 2, 2021), this move is partially about trying to experiment in a crisis while also making sure that there isn’t a self-cannibalizing heap of delayed releases conflicting with the movies that were supposed to open later this year in the first place. Universal Studios™ Gear. However, all of that would change with spanking-new theatrical-worthy titles to lure consumers. Facebook 0 Tweet 0 Pin 0. Official website of Universal Pictures. Universal Studios. AMC … (This is one of many ways that theaters have held up progress by insisting on their 90-day window.) Due to increased demand while we limit attendance as part of our enhanced procedures, parks may reach capacity more quickly at times throughout the year and entry to the parks may be limited or unavailable for the day of visit at times throughout the year. Due to people avoiding movie theaters due to COVID-19, Universal is releasing several current films, like The Invisible Man and the Hunt, to VOD early. AMC and Universal squabbled earlier in the year following the release of Trolls World Tour on VOD, which proved to be a big success for the studio. Whether anyone will go back and see movies in theatrical settings is an open question. The film will be available for a 48-hour rental period for $19.99. Skip to Main Content. In a normal circumstance, I would very much argue against this, especially for theatrical releases that could be expected to find some degree of theatrical success. NBCUniversal chief Jeff Shell is not backing down from Universal's flap with top exhibitors over the studio's premium VOD release of "Trolls World Tour." “Theater operation will still be a viable business once the crisis is past,” wrote Roadside Attractions co-president Howard Cohen in an email. I’m not thrilled about this development, although I certainly can sympathize more during this specific scenario than I might have four years ago. Learn more about the advantages of accessing Universal Pictures Home Entertainment titles, available On Demand in the comfort of your own living room. Follow; Follow. This Article is related to: Film and tagged AMC, Trolls World Tour, Universal, VOD. Poppy (Anna Kendrick) doesn't know quite what to make of the Queen of Rock, Queen Barb (Rachel ... [+] Bloom) in 'Trolls World Tour.'. And yes, this is different from the copious smaller distributors (Magnolia, IFC, Lionsgate Premiere, etc.) Follow me at @ScottMendelson and "like" The Ticket Booth on Facebook. The theaters don’t have alternatives. The good news is a Chapter 11 reorganization would help the chain restructure its debt and position itself to emerge in stronger shape. Cineworld was overextending itself just as theaters were closing down in Europe and America. Select > Robes. Walt Disney has long fought comparatively tooth-and-nail for the old-school conventional theatrical window, mostly because their brands and nostalgic IP has allowed them to become the undisputed ruler of the Hollywood blockbuster. First among equals is over-leveraged AMC (which closed Monday at $2.60, down from $17 in April 2019), which is shuttering operations in America, following several closures in Europe. That’s what gives theater owners cold shakes. Stay on top of the latest breaking film and TV news! There was Sean Parker’s “Screening Room” idea, offering $50 day-and-date rentals that was whispered about in 2016, but again nothing ever came of it. The pandemic will eventually end and movie theaters will eventually open. VOD … That’s why Universal’s truly radical move is pushing a movie scheduled to open in theaters April 10 straight to VOD: DreamWorks Animation’s “Trolls World Tour.” This makes exhibitors crazy. Anyone with a phone will be able to watch these Universal movies. Many studios, including Universal, have wanted to experiment with premium VOD, but cinema owners have balked and said they wouldn't play any movie that opened day-and-date. Choices like this, especially with movies that haven’t yet played in theaters, aren’t helping.