Warner Bros.
The global coronavirus pandemic has hollowed out the arts and entertainment fields: Music festivals and concert tours have been cancelled, big-name movie premiers delayed, and television show productions suspended. But streaming platforms offer entertainment that can be safely consumed at home, and with social distancing in effect and movie chains temporarily shutting down their operations, distributors are pushing some films’ streaming release dates forward to meet the demands of homebound audiences.
Usually, two to three months elapse between a film’s theatrical release and its On-Demand debut. But now, some films that were in theaters not too long ago are or will be soon available for in-home viewing, while other movies are skipping theatrical releases altogether and heading directly online. Here are all the films that will be available for in-home viewing earlier than expected.
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1
Onward
Original Release Date: March 6
Digital Release Date: Available On Demand March 20, and streaming on Disney+ April 3
Pixar’s latest, which features the voices of Tom Holland and Chris Pratt and tells the fantasy world-set story of a pair of elf brothers on a journey to bring their father back from the dead, has had its On Demand release date fast-tracked.
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2
Emma
Original Release Date: February 21
Digital Release Date: March 20
This latest adaptation of Jane Austen’s classic novel hit theaters only a few weeks before the COVID-19 shutdowns began, and its VOD release date was quickly moved forward.
3
The Invisible Man
Original Release Date: February 28
Digital Release Date: March 20
This critically-acclaimed sci-fi horror film is the latest take on H.G. Wells’ classic story, and finds The Handmaid’s Tale‘s Elisabeth Moss starring as a woman who suspects she’s being stalked by her wealthy abusive ex-boyfriend—even though he’s supposed to be dead.
4
The Hunt
Original Release Date: March 13
Digital Release Date: Available On Demand March 20
This satirical horror film already had its original September release delayed after its premise—a cabal of champagne-swilling liberal elites kidnap a bunch of working-class red staters and hunt them for sport—sparked controversy.
5
Bloodshot
Original Release Date: March 13
Digital Release Date: Available On Demand March 24
This Vin Diesel action vehicle is based on the titular Valiant Comics superhero, a Marine who dies in combat only to be resurrected (with superpowers, of course).
6
The Way Back
Original Release Date: March 6
Digital Release Date: Available On Demand March 24
This sports drama stars Ben Affleck as a construction worker who becomes a high school basketball coach while struggling with alcoholism. It earned critical praise, and will be available online just weeks after its theatrical debut.
7
Birds of Prey
Original Release Date: February 7
Digital Release Date: March 24
It’s hard to imagine that anything was salvageable from the disaster that was Suicide Squad, but Birds of Prey finds Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn newly single and ready to fly solo—until she teams up with a bunch of other renegade ladies to save an adorable tween from a crime lord’s clutches.
8
The Gentleman
Original Release Date: January 24
Digital Release Date: March 24
Director Guy Ritchie returned to his crime comedy roots with his latest film, which stars Matthew McConaughey as an American kingpin operating in the UK whose efforts to sell his marijuana empire become ensnared in a web of blackmail. Charlie Hunnam, Henry Golding, Colin Farrell, and Hugh Grant also star.
9
Sonic the Hedgehog
Original Release Date: February 14th
Streaming Release Date: March 30th
First Sonic’s release was pushed back, thanks to a hasty redesign after the internet reacted strongly to the idea of a hedgehog with human teeth. Now, its digital release is being moved forward, making the movie available at home just six weeks after its original release.
10
The Lovebirds
Original Release Date: In theaters April 3
Streaming Release Date: On Netflix April 3
Paramount’s Issa Rae and Kumail Nanjiani action comedy was slated to premier in theaters early next month, but now will head directly to Netflix. It’s the first movie to forego a theatrical release due to the pandemic.
11
Trolls World Tour
Original Release Date: April 10th
Streaming Release Date: April 10th
This kiddie jukebox musical is the sequel to 2016’s Trolls, and features the voices of Anna Kendrick, Justin Timberlake, James Cordon, Mary J. Blige, and more. It will now be available on digital on the same day as its planned theatrical release.
Gabrielle Bruney is a writer and editor for Esquire, where she focuses on politics and culture.
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