Netflix Takes Aim at Hollywood

Netflix is once again attempting to change the media landscape: a deal was made between Netflix and Weinstein Company to release a film at the same time it begins playing in theaters. “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: The Green Legend” will be available on Netflix immediately when it is released, cutting short the usual 3 month waiting period between a movie theater’s release and it’s online one. Emily Steel and Brook Barnes’ article “With ‘Crouching Tiger’ Sequel, Netflix Takes Aim at Hollywood” discusses this “first deal of its kind” and what it means for Netflix and the world of film as a whole.

Netflix is definitely making waves and keeping up its traction after releasing its own original shows, including “House of Cards,” “Orange is the New Black,” and “Hemlock Grove.” While Netflix’s move may not be a revolutionary one seeing as other services such as HBO have released films at the same time they have hit theaters (re: “Veronica Mars”), it is still a big move in the scheme of Netflix’s future and movie accessibility. I do not think anyone foresaw what kind of change Netflix would bring about in terms of how we consume media, but now there are services such as Hulu and HBO Go offering the same types of products, proving that this is truly a lucrative market.

This release will also be a major boost for international films. As the article states, while “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” did very well in theaters in 2000, there is no guarantee that the sequel will match its success. For this reason, Imax is the only company willing to take the gamble of airing the film–big names such as Regal and Cinemark refused. The original film made around $180 million in North America alone, giving it an almost blockbuster film status. Not many international films can boast the same numbers. If its sequel does well, I think it could be a breakthrough for international movies in American markets, and one that I strongly believe deserves to happen especially when it is representation for marginalized groups in America.

As a dedicated user of Netflix and someone who enjoys having thousands of movie and television show titles at my fingertips, it is definitely a challenge to wait for new releases to come out in alternative forms rather than just at the cinema. While this release window benefits movie theater companies in that it decreases competition, there are many new ways to access movies nowadays. The theater experience is evolving, and companies should start learning to adapt to this new world of media before Netflix and services like it leave them in the dust.

10 Responses to "Netflix Takes Aim at Hollywood"

Sydney Marino says:

October 3, 2014 at 9:50 pm

I think it is very interesting how Netflix has evolved and now is airing a movie at the same time as it hits theaters. I have never heard of this happening. This is also a scary thought. Technology is cutting the need for human interaction and, thus, decreasing the availability of jobs. This can do the same thing. If Netflix and other providers are able to start airing movies at the same time as theaters, the amount of people going to theaters will decreasing, leading to a downfall of movie theaters. It also takes the hype of being in a movie out of it. Many actors and actresses work hard to hit the big screen. If movies were only shown on TV, the big screen would turn into the same size as a TV in a persons house. It sort of downplays or downgrades the idea of being in a movie. It’s just like being in a TV show. It’s not as exciting. In the end, airing movies from home the day they hit the big screen is pretty amazing. However, if this does continue on a larger scale, movie theaters could become obsolete, jobs could be lost, and movies will not be as hyped as it should be for the cast.
ehughes1 says:

October 4, 2014 at 8:34 pm

I’m not that surprised that the Weinstein Company has struck a deal with Netflix to release the same movie on the same day. Netflix has already radically changed the TV industry, it was only a matter of time before it interceded on the profits of movies theaters. My main issue with this new acquisition is that I worry that the quality of movies will suffer when the movies will be readily available by anybody with a mobile device and a Wi-Fi connection. As stated in the article: “Just because the first “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” was a smash does not guarantee similarly huge ticket sales for the sequel.” This could be a huge success or a monumental bust for Netflix. If, in fact, this new way of watching movies is a hit, the big three theater chains that have monopolized this industry better watch out.

Personally, I like to go to the movie theater to watch the critically acclaimed, blockbuster-of-the-year on its opening weekend, while sitting in worn, sticky cushioned seats and eating my overpriced, buttered popcorn and large Coke. It’s all part of the “movie” experience; it’s “like going to a football game and watching a football game on TV.” Which one would you choose? Sitting on the couch doesn’t quite bring me the same emotions and feelings as when I’m watching a movie with an entire audience laughing, gasping, and shrieking together.
layanahnsouli says:

October 5, 2014 at 6:10 pm

This was a very interesting article because it explored the repercussions of the movie release on the world of media as well as the world of business. The article makes its readers realize that these two fields are not mutually exclusive, but are reliant on each other for continual progress. Netflix’s plans of expansion are not surprising because the media provider has earned widespread recognition over the past few years.
nicholasleung says:

October 5, 2014 at 7:24 pm

Netflix has probably shaped the media landscape more than ever, so this move is not surprising, but it’s still pretty bold. The royalties given for that movie will probably be huge for the amount of people going to be streaming it, so it’s definitely a great deal for Weinstein and Netflix. If anything, Netflix’s reputation is great for the acting/media community, because it is so accessible. Not only can people audition for television and big-time movies, but they can also audition for high-quality Netflix originals! And quite honestly (though it’s unfortunate), the TV industry is somewhat suffering due to people finding the Internet a lot more accessible. Great read!
nicholasleung says:

October 5, 2014 at 7:25 pm

Netflix has probably shaped the media landscape more than ever, so this move is not surprising, but it’s still pretty bold. The royalties given for that movie will probably be huge for the amount of people going to be streaming it, so it’s definitely a great deal for Weinstein and Netflix. If anything, Netflix’s reputation is great for the acting/media community, because it is so accessible. Not only can people audition for television and big-time movies, but they can also audition for high-quality Netflix originals! And quite honestly (though it’s unfortunate), the TV industry is somewhat suffering due to people finding the Internet a lot more accessible.
j96lee says:

October 6, 2014 at 1:12 am

Although I love the ambience of a movie theater, I find it time-consuming, expensive, and inconvenient. All the trivial things bothered me about a trip to the movie theater such as looking up movie times, transporting there and back, and even the obnoxious people on the phones or talking loudly. I prefer to watch movies and TV shows on my computer. It is so much easier for Netflix to stream movies while it is showing in theaters. It provides people with the option to watch it at home or trek to the movie theater. Although I think it is a great idea, I can only imagine the negative effects it will have on the movie theater business.
holdencoreystein says:

October 6, 2014 at 10:38 am

I really appreciate how this post reflects upon a few reasons why Netflix releasing movies at the same time as cinemas may have bigger implications in the Hollywood landscape. First of all, I agree with your point that the theater experience is evolving and that there is a lot of competition coming from in-home movie experiences that could be provided by Netflix and HBO. The traditional movie theaters will eventually have to provide more the to consumer experience in order to entice the consumer to even go to the theater, and to justify increasing ticket prices. Second, a monthly subscription to Netflix ($9.00) is just slightly more expensive than a senior or kid ticket at an NYC movie theater. Just by maintaining a low, monthly price, Netflix assures that it will at least stay competitive, if not grow, for the foreseeable future.
krystalau says:

October 6, 2014 at 11:25 am

I am not surprised that Netflix would have a deal where they can release a movie the same day it releases in theaters. Netflix has really expanded massively within these last few years. It is convenient, cheap, and efficient. I am also a Netflix user, and I love and hate it. There are so many things to watch on it, but I also feel like it consumes my life sometimes. It would be interesting if Netflix starts to do new releases, but I it would definitely decrease the amount of people going to movie theaters. I do think it would be nice sometimes just because movie theaters prices are so expensive these days, but there is something nice and different experience when you go to the cinemas that you don’t get from watching at home.
michalsudo says:

October 7, 2014 at 1:03 pm

Like most of you, I also have a Netflix account. One of the only flaws with Netflix is that it is not up-to-date with most televised series and the wait for a season that aired on t.v. to be converted to a streamable version could be agonizing. The fact that Netflix is now going to be releasing a movie on the same date that it releases to the public has the potential to completely change the media industry. This change could be as big as the change from radio to television, in the sense that the internet will replace most other forms of media. While this change has the potential for having a massive impact there will always be people who will refuse to make the change. The greatest example of this is the start of using technology to replace books. While some people choose to read on an electronic device many others, including myself, prefer the feeling of having a physical book to read from. The fact that “older” forms of media like books and theatre provide a more immersive experience for some might impede the conversion to internet as the main form of media.
christosbakalexis says:

October 15, 2014 at 8:11 pm

This article is extremely interesting, because Netflix although underappreciated is an innovation of our time. Netflix has successfully introduced media in a revolutionary way that allows viewers to watch content without commercial, and also in large amounts at once. With the further development to incorporate specialty shows and movies it is changing media as we know it. Very excited to see what comes next!

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