While is has been claimed that Netflix has emerged as a serious contender to buy Warner Bros. Discovery, concerns are growing over what a Netflix takeover could mean for the future of theatrical releases, especially for the DC movies.
According to The Wrap, an executive from a regional theater chain says Netflix gaining control of Warner Bros. would be the “worst-case scenario.”
The fear? Netflix might shift major franchises like DC, along with New Line’s successful horror titles, directly to streaming, skipping theaters entirely.
But the encroaching bidding war for Warner Bros. Discovery has forced many to consider a future in which the company is in control of one of the premier theatrical studios in Hollywood history. “Netflix would be the worst-case scenario for me,” one exec from a regional theater chain told TheWrap about prospective WB buyers, positing that the streamer could relegate everything from DC films to New Line horror to streaming releases.
Industry Pushback
The report notes that while Netflix has been experimenting more with theatrical releases — like KPop Demon Hunters through AMC — there’s still skepticism about the company’s long-term commitment to theaters.
Warner Bros. recently found box office success with Weapons and Sinners, proving there’s still a demand for big-screen experiences, not to mention that Netflix’s own KPop was a big success.
The Bigger Picture
Paramount Skydance and Comcast are still in the mix to buy Warner Bros. Discovery.
Comcast and Netflix’s bids are said to focus only on acquiring HBO Max and Warner Bros. studio, not the full company.
Meanwhile, theater chains and Hollywood insiders are keeping a close eye on how each suitor could reshape the future of DC films, and whether they’ll land in cinemas… or just on a homepage.
According to what we were recently told, Trump, the Saudis, the Ellisons, and even Dana White have plan to reshape Hollywood to bring back big blockbusters in theaters.
