Disney faced a lot of backlash for simultaneously releasing their films both in theaters and on Disney+ throughout 2021, but it seems they’re changing their tune. Eternals, West Side Story, and several other Disney properties are set to get exclusive theatrical releases before becoming available for streaming.
Kareem Daniel, chairman of Disney Media & Entertainment Distribution, said that Disney’s excited to update its theatrical plans for the rest of the year following the tremendous box office success of their summer films
“As confidence in moviegoing continues to improve, we look forward to entertaining audiences in theaters, while maintaining the flexibility to give our Disney+ subscribers the gift of Encanto this holiday season,” explained Daniel in an official statement.
The list of movies that will benefit from this shift in strategy includes The Last Duel (October 15th), Ron’s Gone Wrong (October 22nd), Eternals (November 5), West Side Story (December 10th), and The King’s Man (December 22nd). They’ll get a 45-day exclusive run in cinemas, while Encanto will hit the theaters on November 24th with a 30-day exclusive theatrical window before appearing on Disney+. The list includes projects by several studios that currently fall under the Disney umbrella, including Marvel and 20th Century Studios.
