Netflix Plans to Continue Releasing Warner Bros. Films in Theaters

Netflix has cemented its position as the dominant force in entertainment with an $83 billion deal to acquire Warner Bros., marking a historic moment as the iconic studio separates from Discovery. The acquisition brings together a streaming pioneer and a century-old film giant whose roots stretch back to 1923, long before television and decades before Netflix transformed media consumption through streaming.

In the official announcement on Friday, Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos highlighted his enthusiasm for gaining ownership of classic titles such as Casablanca, Citizen Kane, and the Harry Potter franchisemajor films known for their strong presence in theaters. Despite Netflixs reputation for avoiding traditional theatrical distribution except in rare cases, Sarandos emphasized the companys ambition to expand global entertainment options by merging Warner Bros. extensive library with Netflixs own influential originals, including Stranger Things, KPop Demon Hunters, and Squid Game.

The release announcing the acquisition states that Netflix expects to preserve Warner Bros. existing operations, which includes continuing theatrical releases for the studios films. The wording, however, leaves room for interpretation, raising questions about how strongly Netflix intends to support movie theaters in the long term.

David Zaslav, head of Warner Bros. Discovery, praised the merger as a union of two storytelling powerhouses, expressing confidence that the combined companies will continue to shape global culture and deliver beloved titles to audiences worldwide.

Not everyone is celebrating. Paramount Skydance, which lost the bidding war, argued in a letter that a Netflix-owned Warner Bros. could undermine the theatrical industry. The letter suggested Netflix may prioritize streaming over cinemas, potentially reducing the number of wide releases and weakening already struggling theaters. It pointed to past remarks from Sarandos describing traditional theaters as an outdated concept.

Cinema United, formerly the National Association of Theatre Owners, echoed similar concerns. The organization warned that the acquisition could harm theaters ranging from major chains to small independent venues, potentially removing up to a quarter of the annual domestic box office represented by Warner Bros. releases. The group stressed that Netflixs current approachlimited theatrical runs mainly for awards qualificationdoes not amount to a genuine commitment to theatrical exhibition.

Cinema United emphasized that theaters play a vital economic and cultural role in communities, noting that every dollar spent in a movie theater generates additional spending in local businesses. The organization cautioned that fewer theatrical releases could result in closures, job losses, and lasting damage to local economies.

Author: Benjamin Carter