Major studio windowing strategies recalibrate
Key Questions
What is happening with the M3GAN spinoff Soulm8te?
Universal and Blumhouse pulled Soulm8te from theatrical release and moved it straight to digital after the original plan changed. This decision reflects studios recalibrating lower-potential franchise spinoffs based on underperformance of sequels.
How has Amazon MGM adjusted its theatrical window for Project Hail Mary?
Project Hail Mary reached Prime Video on August 18 following a 105-day theatrical window, longer than the previous 53-day PVOD pattern. The studio has also confirmed that the James Bond franchise will stay theatrical.
What other distribution changes are studios making amid windowing recalibration?
Amazon MGM dropped AI film Artificial and Luca Guadagnino's Sam Altman biopic, with Neon acquiring the latter. Scott Stuber's United Artists won an 11-studio bidding war for a YouTube horror franchise's theatrical release, while Orion set a platform release for a Mahershala Ali film.
Amazon MGM's Project Hail Mary hit Prime Video Aug 18 after 105-day theatrical window (longer than earlier 53-day PVOD). Amazon MGM boss confirms James Bond will remain theatrical. Dropped distribution of AI film 'Artificial' and Luca Guadagnino's Sam Altman biopic (Neon picked up). Scott Stuber's United Artists wins 11-studio bidding war for YouTube horror franchise theatrical release. Orion sets platform release for Mahershala Ali film. New: Universal/Blumhouse's 'Soulm8te' (M3GAN spinoff) goes straight-to-digital after theatrical pull, signaling studios recalibrating franchise IP based on sequel underperformance. This de-risking by bypassing theaters for lower-potential spinoffs aligns with the trend of major studio windowing recalibration.