Regal and Cinemark Skip Short-Window 'Cliff Booth' Sequel
The No. 2 and No. 3 theater chains, Regal and Cinemark, will not screen Netflix's 'The Further Mis-Adventures of Cliff Booth' due to its shortened 27-day theatrical window. The film, directed by David Fincher and written by Quentin Tarantino, opens in IMAX on Nov. 25 and streams Dec. 23. AMC and indie theaters are carrying the title, while the original 'Once Upon a Time in Hollywood' grossed over $400M globally.
Key points
- Regal and Cinemark have declined to book 'The Further Mis-Adventures of Cliff Booth' for its Nov. 25 release.
- The film features a 27-day exclusive theatrical window before arriving on Netflix on Dec. 23.
- AMC and independent theaters are committed to the run, while the top two chains are not.
- The original 2019 film earned $409.3M worldwide, making the limited release strategy notable.
- The release competes with 'The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping' and 'Focker-in-Law'.
Background
Earlier coverage noted that David Fincher trimmed Quentin Tarantino's 230-page script to a 2-hour 20-minute runtime for this 1977-set sequel. The film stars Brad Pitt alongside Elizabeth Debicki and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II. Netflix has been adjusting its theatrical strategy, offering longer windows for family films like 'Narnia: The Magician's Nephew' but shorter windows for other titles, such as the previous 'Knives Out' sequel which earned only $4M domestically.
Why it matters
The decision by major chains highlights the tension between streaming platforms and theatrical exhibitors regarding release windows. While Netflix is attempting to embrace longer theatrical runs for certain genres, the short window for this high-profile sequel may limit its box office potential compared to the original's massive success.
What to watch
The film will debut in IMAX theaters on Nov. 25, 2026, before becoming available on Netflix on Dec. 23. Its performance will be monitored against competitors like 'The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping' and 'Focker-in-Law' during the holiday season.
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