Disney’s ‘Shang-Chi’ and ‘Free Guy’ to Get 45-day Theatrical Windows

Disney has verified that Free Guy and Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings will be the studio’s first two films to debut exclusively in theaters, on August 13 and September 3, respectively.

However, it’ll be for a far shorter amount of time, with just 45 days of theatrical exclusivity, instead of the conventional 90 days.

Nevertheless, the studio is by no means the only one. Warner Bros. has already announced that its return to theaters in 2022 will feature a 45-day window.

Paramount is adopting a similar strategy, with big movies like A Quiet Place Part II and Mission: Impossible 7 getting 45-day exclusive theatrical runs.

Universal has also signed deals with both AMC and Cinemark that smaller movies, with openings less than $50 million domestically, can hit paid video services after a 17-day window, while bigger films can hit paid video services after 31 days.

The move makes a lot of sense for all of these companies. Even the biggest movies in the world tend to make the bulk of their money theatrically in the first few weekends. The longer that films are kept exclusive to theaters, the longer companies like Disney and WarnerMedia have to wait before they can get them onto streaming services like Disney+ and HBO Max. This strategy appears to help attract new subscribers and gives existing ones more reason to stay subscribed.

The pandemic has led to a drastic shortening of the theatrical window. There was a time when movies were expected to play in theaters for months before they could become available at home.

Though it seems pretty strange, it’s comforting to know that Shang-Chi and Free Guy will get the theatrical releases they deserve. Whether audiences will be ready for them remains to be seen. However, Disney seems to feel optimistic about their chances.

ABOUT DISNEY

Founded on October 16, 1923, by brothers Walt and Roy O. Disney as the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio; The Walt Disney Company, also known as Disney is an American multinational mass media and entertainment located at the Walt Disney Studios complex in Burbank, California. The company first established itself as a leader in the American animation industry before delving into live-action film production, television, and theme parks.

Source: TheVerge