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**Disney movies receive 45-day theatrical window

Luca Fontana
13.9.2021
Translation: Jessica Johnson-Ferguson

Disney films are to be launched exclusively in movie theatres. Only 45 days later are they moved to their in-house streaming service free of charge.

Upcoming Disney films will come with a 45-day exclusive theatrical window as early as 2021. This was confirmed this in an official Disney press release. This is a change from Disney’s recently communicated theatre and streaming strategy, which wasn’t planning to introduce the 45-day window until 2022.

So what does this mean? After their debut, Disney movies are exclusively shown in theatres for 45 days. The simultaneous launch on Disney+ is waived, along with the Premier Access fee. Only 45 days later are they moved to the in-house streaming service. In return, they’re free for subscribers.

These films are affected by the new strategy

Disney’s decision to bring the 2022 release strategy forward is probably based on the financial success of many of their movies released in summer. These include «Free Guy» and «Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings». The latter debuted exclusively in theatres two weeks ago. «An experiment,» said Disney CEO Bob Chapek, who was criticised for his choice of words during a pandemic.

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Nevertheless, contrary to pessimistic forecasts, «Shang-Chi» raked in over 75 million US dollars at the box office on its opening weekend. That’s almost as much money as Marvel's «Black Widow». Disney seems pleased with that. What’s more, the company probably wants to avoid legal disputes like the one with «Black Widow» star Scarlett Johansson.

The following films will get a 45-day exclusive theatrical window this year:

  • «The Last Duel», 15 October 2021
  • «Ron’s Gone Wrong», 22 October 2021
  • «Eternals», 5 November 2021
  • «West Side Story», 10 December 2021
  • «The King’s Man», 22 December 2021

The only exception is Disney’s next animated film «Encanto». The film will receive a 30-day theatrical window on 25 November before moving to Disney+ on 24 December 2021. A little Christmas gift for subscribers.

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Luca Fontana
Senior Editor
Luca.Fontana@digitecgalaxus.ch

I'm an outdoorsy guy and enjoy sports that push me to the limit – now that’s what I call comfort zone! But I'm also about curling up in an armchair with books about ugly intrigue and sinister kingkillers. Being an avid cinema-goer, I’ve been known to rave about film scores for hours on end. I’ve always wanted to say: «I am Groot.» 

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