Movies

All the big movies Hollywood is digitally releasing ahead of schedule – Deseret News

By Shivam Sharma

As America’s COVID-19 quarantines continue (and movie theaters are completely shutting down), major movie studios are deciding to release more and more new content on-demand via streaming services instead of just in theaters. (Other bigger titles, however, like “No Time To Die,” “Mulan” and “Black Widow,” are getting postponed till later in the year.)

On Tuesday, for example, a handful of film titles that had still been in theaters were made available on-demand: “1917,” “Birds of Prey,” “Bloodshot,” “Dolittle,” “The Gentlemen” and “The Way Back.” While some, like “1917,” had continuing theatrical runs since late last year, many of them had been released theatrically just weeks ago. And more are coming.

Here’s a quick look at all the new films that Hollywood studios have released digitally over the past week, as well as some that are coming very soon. All of these films are available to rent on-demand via the normal on-demand platforms, such as Amazon, Apple, Google Play, YouTube, Fandango and Vudu — usually for $20 each.

“The Hunt”

This image released by Universal Pictures shows Betty Gilpin in a scene from “The Hunt.”

Betty Gilpin in a scene from the film “The Hunt.”
Associated Press

“The Hunt,” which follows a group of strangers caught in a twisted dystopian killing game, was originally scheduled for a September release last year, but Universal Pictures postponed the release to March 13 after last August’s mass shootings in Dayton, Ohio, and El Paso, Texas. It became available on streaming platforms on March 20.

“The Invisible Man”

Elizabeth Moss in a scene from the film “The Invisible Man.”
Universal Pictures

Released theatrically on Feb. 28, “The Invisible Man” reboots the classic H.G. Wells story, with “Mad Men” alum Elizabeth Moss at the forefront. It had positive reviews and a strong initial run, grossing approximately $65 million in the U.S. and Canada and nearly $60 million in other territories before quarantines shut down America’s movie theaters. It was released digitally on March 20.

“Onward”

[embedded content]

The newest Disney/Pixar collaboration hit theaters on March 6 and became available to rent on-demand on March 20. And if that weren’t enough, “Onward” is also coming to Disney Plus starting April 3. Disney fans rejoice.

“Frozen 2”

“Frozen 2” opens in U.S. theaters on Nov. 22, 2019.

A scene from the film “Frozen 2.”
Disney

Young kids are probably playing this on repeat while everyone is stuck at home — so be careful what you wish for, parents. “Frozen 2” was originally scheduled for a June digital release, but Disney made it available to stream on Disney Plus starting March 15.

“Emma.”

[embedded content]

Yes, “Emma.” has a period at the end of the title. That’s how you know it’s meant for young people. (And that it’s a “period” piece — get it?) Like “Onward,” “The Hunt,” and “The Invisible Man,” “Emma.” also hit on-demand services beginning March 20. Anya Taylor-Joy, who you may remember from “The Witch” and “Split,” stars as the titular Emma Woodhouse in this new Jane Austen adaptation.

“Harley Quinn: Birds of Prey”

Margot Robbie stars as Harley Quinn in “Birds of Prey.”

Margot Robbie in a scene from the film “Harley Quinn: Birds of Prey.”
Warner Bros. Pictures

Margot Robbie revives her “Suicide Squad” character Harley Quinn here. Like “The Hunt,” this film also had its release date postponed, after it was initially scheduled to come out last October. It underperformed commercially after its Feb. 7 U.S. release, but will it find new life (and financial success) in everyone’s quarantined homes? Time will tell. This one became available on-demand starting March 24.

“Bloodshot”

Guy Pearce, left, and Vin Diesel in a scene from the film “Bloodshot.”
Columbia Pictures

Vin Diesel’s new movie “Bloodshot,” based on the Valiant Comics superhero of the same name, was intended to launch a new series set in the Valiant Comics universe. That plan may be in jeopardy now. It came to theaters on March 13, as mass quarantines began sweeping the United States. Diesel is a proven action star, and in “Bloodshot” he plays a marine who’s killed in action, then brought back to life with all kinds of superpowers. (But is he susceptible to COVID-19?) The film became available on-demand on March 24.

“The Way Back”

Ben Affleck, left, and Brandon Wilson in a scene from the film “The Way Back.”
Warner Bros. Pictures Publicity

Gavin O’Connor, director of the sports dramas “Miracle” and “Warrior,” helms “The Way Back,” which stars Ben Affleck as an alcoholic former high school basketball star who starts coaching his high school’s team. Released theatrically on March 6, “The Way Back” has an 83% score on Rotten Tomatoes. It became available on-demand on March 24.

“Dolittle”

Gorilla Chee-Chee (Rami Malek) and Dr. John Dolittle (Robert Downey Jr.) in a scene from the film “Dolittle.”
Universal Pictures

“Dolittle,” which stars Robert Downey Jr., reboots the Dr. Dolittle character. It was released theatrically on Jan. 17, so its on-demand release (March 24) was not as ahead-of-schedule as some of these other films.

“The Gentlemen”

Colin Farrell, left, and Charlie Hunnam in a scene from the film “The Gentlemen.”
STX Films

Released theatrically on Jan. 24, “The Gentlemen” is a madcap action-comedy from director Guy Ritchie and features a who’s-who of leading men, including Matthew McConaughey, Colin Farrell and Hugh Grant, among others. If you want lots of guns, bribery and drug-trade intrigue, this one’s for you. It was made available on-demand on March 24.

“1917”

George MacKay, far left, in a scene from the film “1917.”
Universal Pictures and DreamWorks Pictures

If you didn’t get to see this in theaters, well, that’s a genuine shame. The World War I drama, which was released theatrically late last year, earned 10 Oscar nominations, getting well-deserved wins for cinematography, visual effects and sound mixing. Until the recent quarantines, it was still a fixture at many large movie theaters. This became available on-demand on March 24. See this film on a big screen, wherever that may be.

“Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker”

Rey (Daisy Ridley) n STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER

Daisy Ridley in a scene from the film “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.”
Lucasfilm Ltd.

Originally intended for a March 17 digital release, “The Rise of Skywalker” was instead released on March 13. (Not much of a change, but hey, an early release is an early release.) Still no word on whether Disney Plus will start streaming it earlier than planned, though.

“Sonic the Hedgehog”

A scene from the film “Sonic the Hedgehog.”
Paramount Pictures

The surprise hit, which has grossed more $300 million worldwide after its Feb. 12 theatrical release, is coming to on-demand platforms beginning March 31. It’s based on the beloved 1990s video game of the same name, and stars Jim Carrey in one of his most buzzed-about performances in years.

“Trolls World Tour”

Universal Pictures is trying something new with “Trolls World Tour,” releasing it digitally on April 10 — the same day as the film’s theatrical premiere. This could become the new normal, at least for a little while.

[embedded content]

Let’s block ads! (Why?)

Shivam Sharma 43272 posts 0 comments
You might also like More from author