Moviegoers hoping to watch Brad Pitt in The Further Mis-Adventures of Cliff Booth on the big screen will have fewer options this holiday season. Major theater chains Cinemark and Regal have opted against screening David Fincher’s upcoming film on their IMAX screens, pushing back against Netflix’s shortened theatrical release window.
Unlike most theatrical films, Pitt’s upcoming film will only be available for two weeks in theaters. Following that, it will shift to streaming on Netflix. Due to Cinemark and Regal’s decision, the film will now exclusively play on AMC Theaters among the major chains.
Why Cinemark objects to Netflix’s short theatrical release window?
During its recent earnings call, Cinemark CEO Sean Gamble explained the decision not to screen the movie, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter. Gamble argued that accommodating the film’s unconventional release window could “affect longer-term industry dynamics.”
He further explained, “In this particular case, we don’t believe the proposed release model is constructive for the broader theatrical ecosystem, and it’s not aligned [with] what’s of the greatest interest in our theaters.”
Instead, Gamble confirmed that Cinemark Theaters will play The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping on its IMAX screens. The reason given was attributed to the film’s strong advance sales. AMC now stands to benefit from being the only major chain playing the film, which is Netflix’s first theatrical IMAX release.
Regal offered a similar explanation for passing on the film, as reported by Variety. Brooks LeBoeuf, Regal’s SVP of U.S. Content, said, “Regal’s premium screens are among our most valuable assets, and one of the factors we consider in how we allocate them is the level of commitment distributors make to the theatrical marketplace.”
LeBoeuf further noted that shortened theatrical windows, such as the one planned for Cliff Booth, would have a “direct impact” on Regal’s decisions to book films. He added that Netflix’s release strategy could “limit the opportunity for audiences to experience films on the big screen.”
The Further Mis-Adventures of Cliff Booth will receive an exclusive IMAX theatrical release on November 25, 2026, before making its way to Netflix on December 23, 2026.
Originally reported on ComingSoon.
