Netflix and Warner Bros.' Theatrical Release Plan

The acquisition of Warner Bros. by Netflix is proving to be one of the most disruptive events in the film industry in 2025, raising concrete questions about the future of theatrical releases and traditional distribution windows.

The news has, of course, alarmed exhibitors. Exhibitor associations like the American Cinema United openly speak of a threat to the classic theater model, estimating a possible drop of up to 25% in tickets sold annually if major Warner titles drastically reduce their time in cinemas. The fear is not only economic but cultural: the risk is that cinema as a collective experience will be progressively hollowed out.

Risk of Decline in Cinema Attendance

At the center of the debate are the exclusive windows. Historically set between 30 and 45 days, they could shorten further. According to rumors reported by Deadline, Netflix has reportedly considered a window of just 17 days before streaming, a threshold considered unacceptable by many chains, AMC leading the way.

Ted Sarandos, CEO of Netflix, intervened to calm (only partially) the waters, emphasizing that the platform does not intend to abandon theaters and recalling that in 2025 alone, Netflix has distributed approximately 30 films in theaters. The key word used by Sarandos remains: "evolution."

The future seems to be moving towards a hybrid model, where some productions will remain in theaters longer and others will quickly arrive on streaming. Netflix is not buying Warner Bros. to leave everything as it is: changes are inevitable. It remains to be seen whether they will be a virtuous compromise or the beginning of a new rift between cinema and platforms.