- Netflix has clarified its stance on films arriving in theaters as part of its deal to buy Warner Bros.
- Company chief Ted Sarandos rejected the idea that they would only be available for a 17-day period.
- Sarandos also disputed claims that he called the cinematic experience “outdated.”
Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos has clarified the company’s stance on the theatrical release window model ahead of its potential deal to purchase Warner Bros.
Speaking to the New York Times, Sarandos dispelled rumors that Netflix would reduce the time new films developed by Warner Bros. would be shown in theaters. And, to prove he was serious, Sarandos said that if Netflix’s $82.7 billion deal to acquire Warner Bros. is ultimately approved, all new films made by the famous studio will remain in theaters for the industry-accepted 45-day period.
Rumors that Netflix may change the theatrical release model for Warner Bros. films first surfaced in a Deadline article. As part of a report dated January 2, 2026 dealing with the Stranger Things 5 After the finale was shown on the big screen, Deadline claimed its sources said, “Netflix has been favoring a 17-day window, which would blow up the movie business, while circuits like AMC believe the line should be kept around 45 days.”
This new information appeared two weeks after Netflix reiterated its desire to continue broadcasting Warner Bros. films. via the traditional 45-day window. Indeed, The Hollywood Reporter quotes Sarandos: “Our intentions, when we purchase Warner Bros., will be to continue to distribute films from Warner Bros. studios. in cinemas with traditional windows. »
Now, responding to a New York Times comment that people thought the world’s best streaming service had done an about-face on that promise, Sarandos argued that was simply not the case.
“I understand people are emotional because they love it and don’t want it to go away,” he said. “And they think we did things to make it go away. That’s not the case.
“When this deal closes, we will own a phenomenal theatrical distribution engine that will produce billions of dollars in theatrical revenue that we do not want to put at risk,” Sarandos continued. “We will run this business largely as it is today, with 45-day windows. I’ll give you a hard number. If we want to be in the theater business, and we are, we’re competitive people – we want to win. I want to win opening weekend. I want to win. [the] ticket office.”
During the same interview, Sarandos dismissed suggestions that he and Netflix looked down on the cinematic experience — and, depending on what you read, that the streaming titan wanted to kill it for good.
Responding to a question about previous comments he made about the experiment being an “outdated idea,” Sarandos said: “You have to listen to that quote again. I said ‘outdated for some.’
“I mean, like the city that [Warner Bros. period horror film] Sinners is supposed to take place and doesn’t have a movie theater there. For these people, it’s certainly old-fashioned. You’re not going to get in the car and drive to the next town to see a movie. But my daughter lives in Manhattan. She could walk to six multiplexes and she goes to the cinema twice a week. Not old-fashioned at all for her.
“I would say one of the other myths about this whole thing is that we thought of going to the movies as competition for Netflix,” Sarandos added. “That’s absolutely not the case. When you go to see a movie in the theater, if it was a good movie, when you get home, the first thing you want to do is watch another movie. If anything, I think it helps, you know, encourage a love of movies.
“I didn’t get into this business to harm the world of cinema. I got into this business to help consumers, movie buffs.”
Looking for more Netflix coverage to check out? Read my review of The R.I.P.the new Netflix action-crime thriller from Matt Damon and Ben Affleck. Once you’re done, learn that Netflix and Sony Pictures have renewed their multibillion-dollar partnership to have the latter’s films released first on the former’s platform.
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