Netflix's Purchase of Warner Bros. Spells Trouble for Movie Enthusiasts — Paramount Would Have Been Even Worse

Over recent months, film enthusiasts have expressed concern over the potential sale of Warner Bros. Discovery to Paramount Skydance, a merger feared to create an unprecedented media monopoly and trigger widespread layoffs. Now, the deal has taken a different turn: Warner Bros. Discovery is set to be acquired by Netflix, which promises similar disruptions and could dramatically reshape theatrical movie experiences.

While the situation is disheartening, the creative outcome may be slightly more favorable compared to the Paramount Skydance scenario. Netflix has labeled the acquisition "Project Noble," an ironic choice considering the imminent job losses and the studios vulnerability under the deal. Warner Bros., despite a rough start to 2025, had achieved a string of successes with films like "A Minecraft Movie," "Sinners," "Final Destination Bloodlines," "Superman," and "Weapons," highlighting the unique value of cinema experiences.

The transaction has not yet cleared regulatory review, and speculation exists that Paramount might attempt a hostile takeover. However, if Netflix proceeds, it could drastically shorten theatrical release windows to as little as two weeks, potentially discouraging audiences from visiting theaters.

Why might Paramount Skydance have been a worse alternative? CEO David Ellison, son of Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison, leads the company, which has deep ties to conservative politics. Past moves, such as the revival of "Rush Hour 4" under President Donald Trump's influence, illustrate the risk of political interference affecting creative decisions. Paramount Skydance also considered using Saudi Arabian investments to finance the deal, raising serious ethical concerns. Saudi involvement in Hollywood could have imposed restrictive content controls and threatened LGBTQ+ representation in films.

Ultimately, Netflix's acquisition, despite its potential to harm theatrical exhibition and misuse the Warner Bros. library for AI purposes, seems marginally less threatening to creative integrity than a Paramount takeover. The film industry, however, faces a precarious future, highlighting the fragile state of Hollywood and the challenges of maintaining independent and artistically driven cinema.

Author: Grace Ellison